Corruption and theft are just a business expense in that, and many other, parts of the world.

We aren't going to make Tikrit into a Iraqi image of Cleveland--though the violence might reach such levels.

I fought in one war with "broad political and economic goals"--I hate seeing anyone fighting an another. If a war is to be fought, it should be fought[. Forget the prosecutions for second guessing the troops, pat them on the back and go on. You receive fire from a ville, flatten it and go on. Eventually (and not too far along) the residents will decide what their preferences really are adn proceed accordingly.

There was an unofficial USMC motto in 'Nam, "When you have them by the balls, their hearts and minds will follow."

Yes, I disagree with the way the war is being conducted--stop the @#%$-footing around. History shows it simply leads to higher casualty figures for all involved.

President Reagan summed it up nicely, "Some people go through their entire lives wondering if they made a difference, Marines don't have that problem!!!"