Democracy in Action?

"A horse is dangerous at both ends and uncomfortable in the middle."                                                                      Ian Fleming. Maybe it's just me.  But I can't see the difference between the US ruling Iraq and the new government recently installed.  There's nothing democratic about the installation and wasn't the invasion about bringing democracy to the oppressed people of Iraq?  Wasn't the invasion a demonstration of democracy?  Yeah, right!  Pull the other leg. I doubt the violence will stop.  Why should it?  Before the invasion Iraq was one of the wealthiest countries in the Middle East.  Now it's a disaster area.  Of course the locals object to having their country invaded.  Who wouldn't?  God knows how many innocent people have been killed and just what has actually been gained?  Respect for the invaders? Now the propaganda war starts.  What this actually means, is that the US are going to do another Vietnam and politically withdraw.  They're stuck in the middle of a conflict that they have no chance of winning.  American values have no meaning in the Muslim world.  Similarly, New Zealand small town values make little sense to New Yorkers.  But Kiwis don't try and enforce their opinion upon Central Park joggers because Kiwis have the sense to realise there's no way they will succeed. There will be endless proclamations and interference in Iraq's internal affairs.  It will cost the American tax payer a fortune and continue for generations.  The American Society of Iraqi Veterans will hold rallies and demand financial accommodation from the White House.  There are obvious precedents with Vietnam and other wars of little practical value.  The world will be bombarded with feel good statements that much has been achieved and America can hold its head up high.  The Iraqi people are now free from the evil dictatorship of Uncle Saddam etc. The underlying reason for the invasion was old-fashioned political influence and money from oil.  The palaces that Saddam built to keep his people employed will be turned into embassies and intelligence outposts.  They will provide the US with accommodation to keep an eye on other Middle Eastern countries.  911 had little to do with anything.  It was simply an excuse to attack a couple of strategically placed countries that were of no threat to anybody.  They were only land grabs that backfired. It's no coincidence that peoples helping the Americans have been targeted with car bombs. Terrorism is the Muslim low-cost way of telling the self righteous to butt out of their domestic affairs.  They don't want or need outsiders interfering with their cradle of civilisation. They've been around a long time and have withstood numerous politically inspired western invasions. Yet it is Allah they still worship, not the western God. Religion and politics have caused more international deaths than natural disasters and tribal conflicts have ever caused.  Instead of the US trying to force its values upon Muslims, they should be wise enough to live peacefully and leave Muslims to function as they see fit.  The Middle East belongs to the Muslim world, not the USA.  Each to his own.  Then maybe there will peace in the valley and we can feel good about each other.  The world doesn't need physically aggressive nations any more than it needs stupid politicians.