You are right. I really don't question the capability of the USA and the UK to finish this War in days. They could do it if they want to, but Human Rights and the UN are watching, this is the only thing that stop them from doing so.
This, I think, is only partially true. Yes, the UN and the world are watching (and being understandably critical). However, how much that would deter a "full-out" war, should the US undertake one is questionable...the UN watching and the world's human rights community watching did little to deter Saddam Hussien and his government. Indeed, the UN Human Rights Commission is currently being chaired by Lybia...so, the hypocracy meter is a bit off the charts there.
In any event, my point is that -- and I say this as one who opposes my government's policies that lead to this war -- unlike Saddam and his regime -- and in spite of propoganda efforts by my government that seek to minimize and deny anything negative about the war, its battles, etc. -- the bottom line is that the US military is trying to avoid civilian casualties. They are doing so because they do not see the mission as destroying Iraq or its civilian population, or, strangely enough conquoring Irag. Further, for the moment at least, restraint is on because -- whether Q wants to believe it -- American's (at least officially, and I would argue throughout the military at this time) see themselves as liberators and fighters against tyranny.
This doesn't mean that some incidents won't happen -- that civilians won't be killed, or that some crazy situation won't crop up and civilians masacered (a'la Mi Lia in Vietnam). It does mean, however, that -- and unlike the secrete deaths of the victems of Saddam -- it seems likely that the world will know about such an incident quickly, and that excesses will be punished (again, and unlike, the Iraqi regime that has always rewarded excesses).
The world is watching because the US and the Brits are letting it watch. And, because the US and the Brits are giving such unique access, excesses will be discovered and blown-up around the world. This is a choice that has been made, to let the world in on this. IT suggests not only confidence, but awareness that how the US/Brit military behaves is a critical factor in the ultimate success of the campaign.
Now, this could all change, and it should be compared to Iraq where even before the war access to the people and the regime was strictly controlled and limited. You will know when a US Bomb goes astray and kills civilians, you will never know whether or not the Iraqi Rep. Guard is marching civilians in front of its advance as a shield -- unless that regime is defeated.
Again, I am not a supporter of the war, but the truth about American and Brit actions in this war will be known -- both the good and ill, the heroic and prosaic. I do not believe that the world holds Saddam, or other dictators to the same standard.
>Obviously these people don't understand that we in the West know what's best for them... </
