response 198 of 218:

Feb 23 21:12 UTC 2006

 re #194:  
 > Okay, but why?  While I'll happily agree that everyone is better off
 > with Hussein rotting away in a jail cell, it seems to me that he was
 > largely contained as a threat.  American planes regularly patrolled his
 > airspace, sanctions (though imperfect) kept his resources in check, he
 > didn't have the military might for cross-border excursions, whatever WMD
 > programs he may have once had were rusty and dusty, and he didn't have
 > any allies.   

 Well, let's see: 

    -  He had billions of dollars at his disposal.
    -  Still controlled thousands of troops plus whatever secret security
       apparatus Iraq had in place.
    -  Was in a far better position to destabilize the regional military
       and political situation.
    -  Required a much greater ongoing commitment in terms of money,
       military power, and diplomatic influence to keep contained.
    -  If the sanctions ended, was in an excellent position to once again
       exert an extraordinary amount of influence over global petroleum
       and financial markets.