On Mon, 29 Dec 2003 09:44:07 -0500, John H wrote:

Doug, should we have allowed Saddam's invasion of Kuwait with the idea
that commerce would resolve any problems arising therefrom?

If democracy results, *this* war could make a difference, but the Gulf War
is a big question. Kuwait is no closer to democracy now, than it was.
Both Iraq and Kuwait are OPEC countries, so oil production may not have
changed. Instead of controlling 113 billion barrels of proven oil
reserves, Saddam would control 210 billion barrels. Remember that until
Saddam invaded Kuwait, he had our tacit support. Also remembering that
infidel soldiers in the land of Mecca is what set bin Laden off, 9/11 may
not have happened.

At the time, I supported the Gulf War, but perhaps, in hindsight, it
wasn't our best course of action.