Is the world better off?

It's been a triumphant several months for the Bush Administration with the fits and starts of democracy taking hold in the Middle East. Invading Iraq was a bold experiment ginned up by the neocons and one that may pay off in the long-term. But this week we've been reminded that nation-building isn't easy, especially when done at the barrel of a gun.

Even the right-wing mouthpiece known as the Washington Times has pointed out that life in Iraq isn't what it used to be for half of the population. Meanwhile, our State Department has acknowledged what Bush, Blair and others keep denying- the world is less safe because we invaded Iraq.