Set them free from what? Before we invaded IRAQ, no bombings in their streets, 250 thousand civilians were still alive, their infrastructure in tact, their currency solvent and after we attacked with our SHOCK an AWE, there is poverty everywhere in IRAQ, there are over 250 thousand civilians killed, we left their cities in ruins, their infrastructure destroyed and their people more divided more than ever.
Our goal? removing saddam hussein for some chemical attacks in the late 80's from gas that REAGAN, CHENEY and RUMSFELD supplied?
We ruined a country. We killed thousands of civilians. We unstablized the middle east and created more monsters that want to attack us.
Shock and Awe sounded really great on bumper stickers, but the only ones still shocked is the USA as we dig out of a huge hole created by the stupid wars that were suppose to show the world how tough we are.
After we "freed" Kuwait, they turned their backs on us.
If shock and awe was suppose to scare anyone, it sure didnt scare Russia.
TOS.
"If Saddam rejects peace and we have to use force, our purpose is clear. We want to seriously diminish the threat posed by Iraq's weapons of mass destruction program."
--President Bill Clinton, Feb. 17, 1998
"In the four years since the inspectors left, intelligence reports show that Saddam Hussein has worked to rebuild his chemical and biological weapons stock, his missile delivery capability, and his nuclear program. He has also given aid, comfort, and sanctuary to terrorists, including al Qaeda members ... It is clear, however, that if left unchecked, Saddam Hussein will continue to increase his capacity to wage biological and chemical warfare, and will keep trying to develop nuclear weapons."
-- Sen. Hillary Clinton (D, NY), Oct 10, 2002
"Without question, we need to disarm Saddam Hussein. He is a brutal, murderous dictator, leading an oppressive regime ... He presents a particularly grievous threat because he is so consistently prone to miscalculation ... And now he is miscalculating America's response to his continued deceit and his consistent grasp for weapons of mass destruction ... So the threat of Saddam Hussein with weapons of mass destruction is real..."
-- Sen. John friend. Kerry (D, MA), Jan. 23. 2003