For a slimy libertarian, Llewellyn H. Rockwell has some good insights about Iraq in this article about the state.

I want to make it clear that I in no way support the majority of libertarian politics; I can't stand them. But this man makes many excellent points: add them to the laundry list of "things wrong with the Iraq situation". There's a power vacuum in that country right now and until groups vying for control have it out we're unlikely to see any stability.

But perhaps this is EXACTLY what Bush wants. By robbing the region of stability, you create a situation in which Arabs spend more time fighting eachother than America. The worst thing America could imagine is a unified middle eastern nation which would play hardball with the west when catering their energy needs.

While we're adding to lists, let's not forget to add to the ever-growing list of Things to be Thankful That You Live in Canada For. For example, the power struggle referenced in the above article stems from distrust and intolerance between different religious and ethnic groups in Iraq. We blanket them all as "Arabs". Left-leaners usually scoff at this oversimplification as proof of our ignorance to the situation. True, but I'd like to think there's also a more positive reason...

You see, when I walk out on the street in Vancouver, I routinely see people who are European (a horrible oversimplification), East Indian (also an oversimplification), Asian (oversimplification again! terrible), occasionally African (woe!) and those who are a blend of any of the above. They're Catholics, Protestants, Jews, Muslims, Athiests, Bhuddists, Hindus, Wiccans, and a dozen other things. There are some intolerant pigs, sure, but for the most part we all get along. Living in Vancouver is a wonderful cultural cornucopia and it all works together marvelously. So perhaps that's why it's hard for us to grasp why a nation of people with such minor ethnic and religious differences have trouble celebrating their national identity in peaceful harmony.

So give thanks. Give them...