Carl, I am trying my best to stay out of this type thread but this statement got my attention.

"but rather to give them the freedom that we now all take for granted..."

Is this become our lot in life? If so, we have a few more wars to look forward to.

That said:
I would love to see Saddam dead.
I strongly support our troops.
I will back them as long as they are there.
But, I have seen no proof that we should have sent them there.