One thing the American public doesn’t understand about Iraq

[Abraham]

Originally Posted by Neal Stevens

Very interesting interview ... of a Marine who served in Afghan and Iraq...

Indeed!
But alas, a negative picture has been framed about the US/British?Australian intervention in Iraq, mostly because the aftermath of it was badly managed from a security and from a public relations point of view.
The reality is that any military intervention triggers a tumultuous time and it might take ten years or so for the small percentage of extremists - who are the ones that cause the problems - to realise that the past is dead and gone. Often reconciliary or progressive forces take the upper hand.
Evidence: Germany after World War II, Vietnam and - quite illustrative - the Balkan war in the '90s.

History will judge this conflict (and President Bush). Since the conflict isn't history yet, it's still too soon to judge.
But I hope to start a thread "History lessons about the Second Gulf War" vife years from now, on Jan. 1st., 2012.