After an exhausting session with Victoria's Secret Police, Ed Rasimus
blurted out:

The objective of Desert Storm was, as you say. The objective of Iraqi
Freedom was regime change. Regardless of the objective, the fact is
that the US has NEVER after a war expressed any form of imperialism.
We don't keep the territory we take with our blood and treasure. We
rebuild it, establish a democracy and then make a partnership with
them as the become economic giants.

As noted in another (quicker) response...true since WWI. While I
agree, I know folks that view the basing of US troops in foreign
nations as a form of imperialism.

It simply doesn't track that we would suddenly revert to some sort of
oppressive colonial policy.

I agree with you; if you inferred that I think we'll be running Iraq
as a puppet, that is not what I implied.

The first half of your paragraph is correct. The report, however, was
that the oil revenue could be used to support the reconstruction of
Iraqi infrastructure--in other words the oil of Iraq would build the
free nation of Iraq. Makes eminent sense to me.

And the sharp debater would ask, "Currently, companies from which
nations benefit monetarily in this reconstruction effort?" The short
answer is the US and UK.

Like you I get emails forwarded from guys in the sandbox telling of
the good deeds that are largely unreported. But I think competitive
bidding amongst global competitors would help bring about a quicker
end to our occupation of Iraq.

There is no "demand payment" or gesture of gratitude involved.

OK, but if we broke it and we get to fix it (whilst getting paid for
it) the latter can be considered payment. I've read posts in this
forum where guys think it is only right US and UK companies get the
contracts because we sent our troops into harm's way. If that isn't
forced "gratitude," I don't know what is.

No one has that crystal ball, but a stable, democratic Iraq would
certainly be beneficial to the region and a stable Middle-East would
be beneficial to the US.

Absolutely, but I prefer democratic to "stable" (the Shah's Iran was
stable)...and peaceful. I want our brothers and sisters in arms to
come home in one piece. I'd prefer this not turn into our version of
Northern Ireland.

Juvat