i think a lot of the "things are going poorly in iraq" idealology comes from the perspective (be it internal arrogance or external jealousy) that america is do-no-wrong perfect.

are there struggles in iraq, even beyond what was anticipated? absolutely. one half of the political spectrum is cleaning that aspect up as much as the other half of the political spectrum is blowing it out of proportion. but, bottom line, after all the political smoke dissipates, i think its clear to see.

but look at it this way ... this is 20 years of poverty and brainwashing and fear and pre-existing guerilla combat all being, amazingly, un-done in a span of months. weeks!

i would never sit here and deny that things are pretty bad in areas of the country and need serious work, continued attention, and alternate methods of aid. however... looking at the fact that iraq has only been saddam-less for, what, 3 months? 90 days? i'd say thats pretty darn good.

it takes a single person like a year to get in shape -- why expect a nation to do so overnight?

japan and germany were destroyed post ww-II, with decimated economies that, afterward, took american aid many years to rebuild. i think they've rebounded nicely.