HR...

""...the Western media elite continue to believe that the Iraqis are not only incapable of forming a democratic government, but are better off under a dictator like Saddam. The message is clear: "Our free speech rights are inviolate, but they aren't worth fighting for in Iraq".""

The part that they are better of under Sadaam is ludicrous. There's been quite a bit of improvement, especially in the schools. But the part about Iraqis being incapable of forming a democratic Government: I wouldn't say they're "incapable", but I'm not entirely convinced that they want a form of rule that might be perceived, as being force upon them. I remember seeing an official on one of the cable news networks last month advising that it may take 18 months to get Iraqi police and security forces up to speed and functioning on their own. The training was already ongoing, and is going to take another year and a half? Starting to look like a possible moral issue?

As far as Fallujah goes we need to strike with full force:

* It not only falls under Iraq liberation, it's now a new 'war on terror' region.
* The US is going to be "The Great Satan" even if we don't fully escalate against the insurgence groups.
* Wall Street's got the terror war jitters...it turtles every time it hears negative news. The forces have to go in and clean house, then the short-sighted investors react positively...the improving economy is at stake.

Totally agree with your last paragraph...the situation in this part of the world goes waaaaay beyond WMD.