[liberallarry]

Krauthammer nails it.

Wartime failures shouldn't be characterized that way. In war - more than in most areas of life - one must act fast on incomplete information. Success is far from guaranteed and continued and unbroken success is miraculous.

But I would like to know why we didn't do more to stop the post-conquest looting. That was extremely damaging to our subsequent efforts.

[man of Yosemite]

I think the looting in Iraq was a surprise because we gave these people more credit than we should have. They are so far removed from the civilization they once were that it is almost regretable that we are offering them a democracy. It's a bold plan which would benefit us greatly if it can be pulled off, but they seem to be people that are mostly sheep, willing to follow even madmen to their own hurt.

As far as the president not apologizing, there is no point in cutting your arm in shark infested waters. If they want to ask rude questions, let them get answered with the same.