[rightwing2]

Your analysis/rebuttal here is badly skewed. You do nothing to address the Balkanization of Iraq issue and the threat of an Iranian takeover of one or more of the three component parts of Iraq. Nor do you address the Bush pledge not to attack the 9-11 supporting Ayatollahs of Iran thus giving 9-11 terrorists fleeing Afghanistan a nice big sanctuary to rest, train, and re-arm for the next Iranian supported 9-11 operation. As for Ritter, he's spot on with Generals Schwartzkopf, Scowcroft, Hoar and others including former President George HW Bush and his entire War Cabinet except Cheney in regards to his belief that it would be militarily stupid to invade non-threat fourth rate military power Iraq and spark a new backlash which will radicalize virtually the entire Middle East against the US and wholly eliminate our ability to continue the war on terror. It will also lead to Iran becoming the regional nuclear hegemon of the entire Gulf region including Iraq.

[sinkspur]

Nor do you address the Bush pledge not to attack the 9-11 supporting Ayatollahs of Iran thus giving 9-11 terrorists fleeing Afghanistan a nice big sanctuary to rest, train, and re-arm for the next Iranian supported 9-11 operation.

There's no pledge, there's only "you're either with us, or with the terrorists."

it would be militarily stupid to invade non-threat fourth rate military power Iraq and spark a new backlash which will radicalize virtually the entire Middle East against the US and wholly eliminate our ability to continue the war on terror.

There's that phony "Arab street" nonsense again. The only thing the "Arab street" understands is cowardice or violence. We're going to take down Hussein and scare the hell out of Assad, and Sultan, and Mubarak, and the Mullahs of Iran. They'll KNOW they could be next.

It will also lead to Iran becoming the regional nuclear hegemon of the entire Gulf region including Iraq.

You need to read the news more closely. The Mullahs' power is crumbling internally. The moderate Khatami will, within five years, consolidate power in Iran, and bring the country back into the 20th century. There are too many Western-educated Iranian young people who are sick and tired of wearing burquas and having their satellite dishes confiscated.

Nobody gives a damn about Iraq, and the Arab states will bid good riddance to Hussein when he's carried out horizontally.

[dodger]

You say "spot on "?

Well than, do tell, are you a Brit or just a US 'wannabe'?

In any event, I quite directly addressed -- indeed, dispensed with -- your balkanization (so-called) of the fairy-dust state of Iraq.

Likewise, I quite directly addressed -- indeed, dispensed with -- your miscreance as to GWB's likely dealings with the soon-to-be secular state of Iran.

Furthermore, your erroneous histrionics as to the views of GHWB & 'his entire War Cabinet' are laughable. Who among your would-be Pantheon has said anything like '... it would be militarily stupid to invade non-threat fourth rate military power Iraq '?

Who, exactly?

So too, your paraphrenia runs a bit wild (or, if your Britishistic verbal proclivities prefer, 'at the end of the day' rather 'over the top') as you ululate about ghosties-ghosties such as 'Iran becoming the regional nuclear hegemon of the entire Gulf region including Iraq '.

Stuff & nonsense, you mad mustachioed purple-hued maltworm!