MG~The problem with replacing Saddam is that the visible possible
  ~replacements are expected to be as bad or worse.

I'd agree since the 'visible' replacements are all part of the same
machine..  What we don't see are the invisible ones, necessarily
so because anyone on the radar meets with an untimely death.
Ultimately a democracy might put someone less bloodthirsty into
power but, as you say, that's not what Bush is advocating.

MG~I might see it differently if the common rhetoric was that the
  ~USA was going to free the opppressed Iraqi people, but that
  ~is not the major flavour of the Bush Residency's media machine.

We all saw how 'loyal' his subjects were in the Gulf War with
the Iraqui army tripping over each other trying to surrender
first, so it's not like they don't Know they are oppressed.
Hard to say where this might go..

MG~In fact, holding Iraq not only helps to put a new wrinkle on world
  ~oil supplies, it is also in a particularly good position from a
  ~military point of view: close to America's prime enemies.

Who knows?... I can't see the region ever being stable.
('The region' being the entire middle east.)
Probably the best plan would be to take the defence budget
and put it into finding a cheap replacement for Oil...   B)

I understand they can do almost anything with Soya and
Canola (Rape Seed) oil these days...
"Fill 'er up.. and put some on my salad.."   B)

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 * SLMR 2.1a * If all the world's a stage, I wanna operate the trap door
 * PDQWK 2.52 #17


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