"Tom offered that a Kurd appointed president in Iraq is a surprising thing that somehow justifies the war. "

There was some news the Iraqi were disappointed that their elected offical were taking too long to elect their president and thereby get on with the process of forming their constitution. So I took Tom's title line to mean, that he was pointing out some good news.

I don't think serious people are still justifying the war. The Congress and President made a decision, and the people of America voted for the President that made this decision.
The Iraq people have voted. Most Iraqi are happy that Saddam is no longer in power. Saddam violated a cease fire agreement. The UN Sercurity Council warned there would be serious consqences. And there was serious consequences. No one doubt that the current Iraq governing body is not a legitmate legal authority. The process of moving all countries towards govt being more responsive or more democratic to it's citizens at the moment is quite healthy. Countries in the middle east are fighting terrorism. All countries in the world are combating terrorisms. Terrorism is losing ground.

If Tom is still justifying the war, I would say he is still fighting past battles.