Because it is their country. We can only suggest but have no authority to dictate. If we where forced to dictate what they could or not do, then every Muslim in the world could say that Iraq is nothing but a US owned satrap whatever, to do as they wish with it, which furthers their hate of the US.
"President Bush is convinced of it, I am convinced it is not. "
I really doubt that. That is for use for public consumption. What is he supposed to say, every Muslim in the world is nothing more then a camel humping hater of life.
As for your statments regarding their opinion of the US, how can one reject what they use as an argument. They see all the bad in America. And obviously like many others, don't forget the same excuses where provided by the Communists in reference to a "decadant west", to further their cause. Of course we understand it is easy to point out the errors of others and not behold the beam in ones own eye.
What you clearly would like to do is subjugate them to our western ways. And I do not see this being possible over the short run. And to do so, would only prove their cause, that America wants to destroy all traces of Islam. The only way we are going to weed them off of Islam is provide the environment that allows them to choose, once it is clear there are other ways to govern a country other then Sharia . It may never come to past. But again. What where the reasons for invading Iraq in the first place? A short list:
1)Remove Saddam from power and his ability to war with neighbors thereby providing more stablility to the region. 2)Provide the mechanisms to enable Iraq to choose a free form of government where it would represent all Iraqis on an equal basis. 3) By removing Saddam and his military, reduce the probability that Iraq sponsored terrorist groups would have the capabilities via. Iraqi resources to provide terrorist attacks against the USA using various type of WMDs. 4) Within the framework of the above, help Iraq become a modernized state that would open up it's vast oil fields to help stablize the cost of oil.
I don't believe anywhere in the plan was there the notion that Iraq must discard Islam. In fact the POTUS more then once in publicized speaches made clear America had no wish for that to come to past. One thing you seem to ignore is the fact that Sistani is on record for two years plus to not want any part of a theocracy. He has continued to dictate the best thing Iraq could do is have a freely elected democratic form of governement along parlimentary lines. Of course the issue of the Judicial branch had to be addressed. And it is obviouse that a majority of Iraqi's may want Sharia to govern the underlining framework in what type of laws should be incorporated. Perhaps in the end it comes down to many of us do not understand the difference between an theocracy and a democracy that embodies the capabilities to change laws as required to suit it's constituency.