[dennisw]

Nobody rides for free, Jack. If we want MidEast oil we must be engaged there. Iraq was getting worse and worse with no prospect of change since Saddam had two psycho sons. We bug out and USSR and China rush into the power vacuum. You want them calling the shots there?

I disagree. Going into Iraq was always a roll of the dice. I still think it was worth trying. We can lower expectations there and keep a presence that will help keep the Middle East honest.

[u-89]

You are saying that the war is all about oil. That some great power from outside the region must dominate those countries and if that is the case then it should be us that does it. It's an imperialistic position but not indefinable form a hardcore world view standpoint however it does put the lie to all the reasons for the war told to the American public.

P.S. your answer still avoids the basis of my original comments that the neocons are revolutionary ideologues and central planners who reject reality and that there is nothing conservative about them.

[u-89]

"indefinable" should read indefendable. Sorry for the typo and the evils of spell check - I hit the wrong word.