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The big difference for me, is that the Iraqi people hadn't broken out in a massive revolt.
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Much like Iran right now, anytime anyone started to speak out against the government they were jailed or "disappeared". There is a long long list of these things under Hussein.
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From what I remember the Iraqi's had a pretty good standard of living and probably lived an alright life if they kept their heads down and were part of the majority ethnic population.
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Yep...shut up, do as I say and I wont kill you....even while I am torturing and raping your daughters. Sweet deal eh?
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The USA had a chance to take the moral high ground when there was a revolt by the Kurds and I believe the Shiat in the Delta after Desert Storm, but they passed.
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Agreed, but again that wasn't just the "USA" that was another UN backed action.
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As the saying goes 'you can take a horse to water but you can't make them drink'.
For the most part the Iraqi's weren't thirsty, the Libyans are.
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In 1991 to even 2003 there was no Twitter/Facebook that allowed for mass communication like we have today, and I believe this is the single largest difference in why we are seeing so many revolts all springing up at once. Those who want to, know they are not alone and as always in these things a show of force by many makes it so much easier to be a part of it.
Iraqi's before the invasion may have had it better than many in the Arab world, but it certainly doesn't mean they had it good. I still believe we will not know the full ramifications of what happened in 03 for another 12-15 years. I see no way they could be worse off in the end however, and see way more opportunities for them to be so much better off. Same with what is happening in Lybia now, Egypt last month and all the other states in the ME that are or will do the same thing.
Freedom is a universal desire....many need help attaining it, others do not.
I know there will likely always be countries where this becomes unattainble for a variety of reasons, but where it is needed and wanted, assistance should be given.