I've held the notion that unless an oppressed populace is ready to fight and die for their freedoms all by themselves, they probably arent ready to handle those freedoms presented in any other manner. I'd put Iran way ahead of Iraq on the list of potential democracies. If oppressed people are ready to lead their own revolution against tyranny - I say help them out. This was clearly not the case in Iraq.
To it's like someone who has a drug or drinking problem. If they don't want help, if they continue to deny that they have a problem even after being confronted time and again, what CAN you do? What can you do for the people of Iraq? They don't WANT a free society? Where is the Thomas Jefferson or George Washington or any founding father that's willing to risk everything and make an attempt at change? I don't see it. And if the people of Iraq aren't willing to spill their own blood for a free society, then I dam sure don't want my brothers and sisters spilling their blood for these people.
Seems like Iraq and many other nations love it when we give them money, build school and rebuild their entire country but where are they when it comes to putting their neck on the line? Shi* look at the Iraqi police and soldier who deserted (and for what reason?) They were late in getting paid. Where is their sense of wanting to build a new and better Iraq? Where is their sense of outrage from the years of oppresion under Saddam? Where is their desire to not allow such a dictator to exist again?
Hell, at least in Vietnam there was some type of army in the south that was fighting with us.