Instead of invading Iraq

[SunTracker]

What if, instead of invading Iraq, the U.S. had destroyed every factory, powerplant, bridge, and military installation in Iraq via airpower.  But also leaving Sadam in power.

Do you think-
U.S. troops would still be getting attacked?
Attacks would be occuring on the U.S. mainland?
Other arabic countries would more willing to meet U.S. demands?

I think it would have bogged Iraq down severely.  Terrorists would have to travel to America to perform their attacks, or to U.S. bases outside of Iraq.  However, U.S. defenses in these places is much better.  Sadam would probably had ridden out the rest of his days toothless.  

I know it would place a burden on the Iraqi population, but outside of the big cities, people are living in very primitive conditions (ala bible times) anyways.

[ra]

Whew.

[Dowding]

Off topic.

[john9001]

the problem was not the people of Iraq, it was saddam and his supporters.
why do you want to punish the whole country for what saddam did?
the goal was not to destroy a country, but to remove the butcher of bagdad from power.

[miko2d]

SunTracker: I know it would place a burden on the Iraqi population, but outside of the big cities, people are living in very primitive conditions (ala bible times) anyways.

 Not so. By 1995 majority of iraqi people lived in big cities on government-supplied rations (from food-for-oil programs) since the countryside was uninhabitable due to US destruction of infrastructure (electricity, water supply and roads/bridges) and imposibility to rebuild becasue of sanctions.

 Their irrigation and water supply were all electricity based and without electricity their agriculture came to complete stop as well as the waterless villages became unsurvivable.

 With transport and remainder of their infrastructure disrupted, they would have starved in weeks.

 miko

[2Slow]

Your plan would have just pissed off the infidels and led to another round of them teching up so they may attack us.

This plan, occupation, stands a chance to succeed if we stick with it.  Educate and employ them.  With employment and education the clerics will have less influence on them.

If I were in church and the Priest called on me to attack the people of a different faith, I would change churches.  Over there, given their ingnorance, they follow the clerics orders.

It is an us, Judeo-Christian, versus them world.  Kill or be killed.  Force on Force.  It sucks, but that is the way it is.  No amount of complacent (liberal) goodwill will change this.

[Dowding]

Brav(ad)o!

[Saurdaukar]

We werent looking to destroy Iraqi infratsucture.  Maximum effect with minimum damage.

[Pongo]

What if the US had left Iraq to its own devices?  Or suported the Iraqi civil war instead of opting out in 91? All risky but none so risky as what has been done.