Oh yeah, Iraq was doing just a brilliant job on its own w/ Saddam at the helm, invasion of Kuwait and the annihilation of any but the Sunni party. Also, his rhetoric was turning into threats toward the US and he was rallying the ME. Does the statement, "the US is the great Satan that needs to be destroyed" Ring a bell! Invading Iraq was a brilliant strategic move. A foot hold in the ME would all but assure US safety and we could crush any uprising of terrorism. Especially putting Iran in check. I remember all too well growing up with Saddam pointing the finger at the US, blaming US for world problems, burning the US flag and final boasting about our imminent destruction. Bin Laden did the same thing BUT carried out the threat (Thanks Bill Clinton, that ass clown). Lesson learned. But this time we were not going to take the chance with Saddam.