*** We are invading and occupying Iraq to create a physical American presence in the Middle East. ***

Not a bad idea either. The region could use some stability. Picture it as the USA are the police finally coming into a bad neighborhood after 12 years of murders, rapes and torture. Their presence will (hopefully) persuade the leaders in the area to get there shit together and try and get along with their neighbors.

This is really interesting, because I have been listening to conservative rhetoric over the years flat out against a US role  as the world's policeman. I heard it over and over during the Clinton years, along with much criticism over the bombing of Kosovo, Iraq, and the skirmishes in Somalia.

If we're going to speak of the hypocrisy of peace protesters not taking to the streets during those events (I'm trying to research any protest during those events, if anyone has any info) Let's speak of the hypocrisy of the pro-war crowd with their "wag the dog" and "Vietnam" references then and the strident jingosim now.