In order to make sense out of Iraq, you have to make a list of the good things accomplished and the bad things that have happened.

Phony ideologues who tell you it's either all good or all bad are simply not telling the truth.

The Iraq adventure has succeeded somewhat and failed somewhat.

First, the good things:

• Saddam is out.
• The Iraqi people are basically free -- at least for now.
• Syria and Iran -- countries that help terrorists -- are much more cautious with American troops on their borders.
• Saudi Arabia, another terrorist enabler, is also in a bad spot, because the United States does not need bases there anymore.
• Libya has folded -- and has given up its nuclear program.
• Hamas, Hezbollah and Islamic Jihad can no longer train in Iraq -- or get money from Saddam.
• Al Qaeda cannot operate as easily throughout the entire Gulf Region.

These are solid accomplishments -- and are pretty much set in stone.

Now, for the down side:

• The weapons of mass destruction debacle have been a huge embarrassment for America -- especially abroad
• Many foreign countries continue to hate us, and the WMD situation gives them more ammunition
• Terrorists have poured into Iraq -- and continue to kill Americans
• The Iraqi people are still not fully cooperating with the U.S.A.
• So-called U.S. allies like France are now even more haughty because the Iraq occupation has been so difficult -- they will be less inclined to help us in the future.
• The U.S. military continues to be under enormous strain

So there are the lists. You can compare them and make up your own mind whether the Iraq adventure was worth it.

Of course, history will be the final judge. But over the next eight months, Americans will have to decide whether the President was right going into Iraq.

Right now, 52 percent of Americans -- according to an ABC News/Washington Post poll -- agree with the President, while 44 percent disagree.

Talking Points still supports the Iraqi adventure because it is now much more difficult for Al Qaeda to operate.

The U.S.A. has a stronger presence in the Middle East -- much more Intel -- and has intimidated some countries that had helped Al Qaeda in the past, countries like Oman and Yemen.

So one year later, Americans should be circumspect when thinking about Iraq. Hundreds of Americans have been killed there, and thousands wounded.

It's not an easy call -- but I still think it was the right thing to do.

-- Bill O'Reilly