Answering a Challenge

First of all, i could link to a bunch of sites that provide evidence of my assertions on the state of Iraq but thats not really what the challenge asks for so................

roll that bean footage

First, assuming that you were in favor of the invasion of Iraq at the time of the invasion, do you believe today that the invasion of Iraq was a good idea? Why/why not?

I believe that people no longer suffering under a genocidal regime is a good thing. I believe the prospect of an Iraqi democracy is a very good thing ( which is why some evidence suggests governments in the region are trying to subvert it)

Now, should we go in willy-nilly toppling governments no.

Repressive regimes, who kill their citizens in brutal ways, who are in areas that are of strategic importance to the US, and whom a removal method is the most effective way to solve the problem fit the bill

Under that standard i would support action in; Syria, North Korea, Iran, Zimbabwe, Cuba, and Venezuala to name a few places.

Second, what reaction do you have to the not-very-upbeat news coming of Iraq these days, such as the stories I link to above?

I look at Iraqi Blogs, I look at military blogs, i talk to people i know who have gone over there, i read the government's side and i percolate that information

Its not as bad as they say on CNN, but its not as good as the US is selling.

If we give Iraq a body count, or a financial cost that will make us cash in our chips the bad guys will make it happen.

I think the people who lost loved ones will feel a little better as the years pile on in this operation.

Third, what specific criteria do you recommend that we should use over the coming months and years to measure whether the Iraq invasion has been a success?

6 Months from Now:

Have we had elections?
Has violence decreased in the 6 months as it has in the previous 6 months ( thats right according to the stats we have had less attacks in September)?
Have we rebuilt at least 75% of the needed infrustructure for Iraq to function

1 Year:
Has the Iraqi government been able to function on its own?
Has violence decreased by at least 25% from a year ago, to hopefully 1/3rd?
Have we completed the infrustructure repairs needed?

5 years:
Has the Iraqi political system started evolving as political systems need to?
Has violence decreased to less then what the average israeli has to deal with?
Has an Iraqi private sector developed?
Is the Iraqi Millitary and Police in place doing some of the security work?

at this point i could see a partial withdrawl working

10 years:
Has the Iraqi political system had a good decade?
Do the democratic Iraqi's run the place?
Has Iraq been able to handle neighborhood issues by themselves?

at this point we can reduce to germany cold war levels in Iraq