Consequences of long term violence in Iraq.

The problem with violence and oppression is not just the immediate physical suffering. Periods of violence and oppression can not only cause societal chaos, but may also have a long-term social impact on the culture of the society which may last for decades or more. The U.S.'s actions against Iraq are likely to alter their national psyche which could lead to the Iraqi society embracing extremism or giving birth to an extremist movement. The longer we stay, the more atrocities are committed against the Iraqi population, the more traumas the Iraqi society will suffer, and the more damage will be done.'

The long-term impact war and oppression has on a society is why certain war-torn areas around the world have been engaged in conflict for decades. That is the true victimization of a society--when a society is so damaged that it becomes self-destructive. Perhaps that is what the neocons want these middle-eastern states to become, but it will not be without consequences to us.