Steve,
Well we do agree on one thing, I would also advise against any sort of long term adventure like Iraq. Hah, thought you had me didn't you.
Where we differ is that I had no problem with us going there but we should have destroyed their infrastructure as a warning and then left. Rebuilding **** for them is a waste of time and treasure. Leave them huddled around a camel turd fire roasting lizards for dinner. They're not much of a threat then.