Saddam was the convenient ''bad guy'' or whipping boy to avenge 9/11. Much as Hitler's invasion of Poland was to rally public support ...

Had the US concentrated on Afghanistan, whose invasion was justified, IMHO ? continued to ''contain'' Saddam's Iraq at a cost of $12 Billion/yr ... How much did the invasion of Iraq cost ? $500 Billion?

For $120 Billion by now, containment might have achieved the same result in Iraq at about 25% of the cost.

That $400 Billion must be paid somehow. How? The housing market was used, abused then busted, then crisis and the financial mess that we have today.

Saddam got his revenge ultimately and a substantial part of the world sees him as a martyr to American Imperialism ? just what did the US and its allies win?

Dirty deeds done not so cheap ...