I think that's urban legend because no matter what anybody says, Iraq is not pacified by any sense.
That means we'd be at war with three adjacent countries in the Middle East where a lot of the world's oil originates. No way.
That said, it's just dumb luck we're situated and have troops in the area...provided they don't use chemicals that is.
It's getting very scary given the politcal climate in this country right now. An all out war with gas at $5 a gallon or more would drive the Left insane.
And I'm not talking about only the United States' Left.
makes me appreciate that bumper sticker....
"President Bush...saving your a$$--like it or not!"
nonsense. You've fallen prey to leftist hysteria.
Iraq is more pacified than the cities of New York, Wash DC, new Orleans, Los Angeles, and many major US cities.
The violent death rate per 100 thousand in Iraq are about 28, LESS than the murder rate of Wash DC at 35/100k and NEw Orleans, Detroit. venezuela has a violent death rate of 67 per 100k.
Iraq has a population over 26 million. They are pacified by any reasonable measure.
BTW: The primary measure of pacification of a nation after war is determined by the fact that the vanquished nation establishes its own self-governance friendly and passive to the victorious force. That has happened.