What if Bush was right?

What if, after the elections in Iraq, the place stabilizes? What if the things calm down? What if they start moving towards democracy, like Afghanistan?

What if the Kurds' demands for independence is just posturing?

What if a strong government is formed, and they crush the insurgency? Small skirmishes/terrorism will probably continue in Iraq forever, but what if it's only a small problem?

What if the standard of living for Iraqis skyrockets and they're able to participate in Democracy?

What if our troops are able to leave a relatively stable Iraq in a few months?

What if the trial of Saddam Hussein brings Iraqis together?

What if the oil infrastructure is fixed and Iraqis start making money?

What if the theocratic democracy that they'll likely form isn't really that radical?

What if the Iraqis become a positive and rational partner for other Muslim nations in the region?

What then?

I understand that this is probably too many what ifs. None of it would absolve bush of his completely incompetant planning and execution of this war - nor could we forgive the dishonest rationale for war (the supposed stock piles of WMD and gaggles of terrorists).

But what if Iraq becomes a half-way decent place? Is it worth the lives lost? Maybe not. But, in 25 years, won't we look back and say - "Wow"?

Begin piling on.