I want Bush's dream to come true.  I want Iraq to hold elections, I want the new government to take control of the country, and for their pro-business laws to effect stunning economic growth, leading to a democratic uprising in Iran, and the lynching of the mullacracy.

It's all looks great on paper.  

However, that boat has sailed, has it not?

Right now, I hope we can have some kind of half-ass elections, negotiated with a guaranteed minimum Sunni Arab proportional representation, to take into account their reluctance and/or inability to fully participate in the vote.

Then I hope that the vast majority of Iraqis, being satisified that they finally have some representation with a claim to legitimacy, will support a dramatic crackdown on lawlessness, by agreeing to a nationwide curfew, and a ban on transporting weapons.

Hopefully, buttloads of Iraqis will sign up to be members of neighborhood watch posses, that will be organized through their local mosques and/or local representatives.

But I just don't see this all happening according to plan.

The bad guys are just too motivated, and they are terrorizing their own population into submission.

I want us to win, but I am afraid we will not.