I don't think the Iraq war was a waste at all. We have had a lot of benefits from it, not the least of which is eliminating a sworn enemy who had a penchant for nursing grudges, no compunction about using terror, and total control of a semi-major state to back it up. Really, we've gone over this ground so many times, the arguments to justify the war are many and they are all out there explained down to the tiniest details. It's the contrary view that if asserted needs to prove its case, and a line like I quoted clearly assumes the contrary view without seeing any need to support it. I heard and hear that exact same view, in the same words, advanced by socialists and anti-Americans alike, and it is no more substantial now than when bribed Europeans were making it.
WAS a waste?
You must be counting the period prior to GWB's memorable victory celebration on the aircraft carrier.
Fact, up to THAT time our casualties were 149 young servicepersons. Since that time we have sacrificed TEN TIMES that many, scores and scores of wounded, and billions of borrowed dollars.
To what end? Well, exactly as I predicted in 2002 and early '03, we have carved out our very own Israeli type hell hole in the mideast.
We have had a lot of benefits from it, not the least of which is eliminating a sworn enemy who had a penchant for nursing grudges, no compunction about using terror, and total control of a semi-major state to back it up.
That sworn enemy was no threat to us .... nada, zilch, goose egg. He was not even a serious threat to Israel!
Ding, ding ding .... we have a winner for the two most deluded propositions in a single statement. We have total control(??). Have you heard there is a private enterprise (hooray?) that offers transportation from Baghdad to the airport for a mere $35,000/trip?
A semi-major state?!! I take it you are referring to the "sick man" of the middle east. A destitute nation without infrastructure?
Denial is not a river .... blah, blah, blah.