SECOND MISSION ACCOMPLISHED IN IRAQ

PROSPECT/BARTLE BREESE BULL: Mission accomplished

With most Sunni factions now seeking a deal, the big questions in Iraq have been resolved positively.

The country remains one, it has embraced democracy and avoided all-out civil war. What violence remains is largely local and criminal -

The question of what to do in Iraq today must be separated from the decision to topple Saddam Hussein four and a half years ago. That decision is a matter for historians.

By any normal ethical standard, the coalition's current project in Iraq is a just one.

Britain, America and Iraq's other allies are there as the guests of an elected government given a huge mandate by Iraqi voters under a legitimate constitution. The UN approved the coalition's role in May 2003, and the mandate has been renewed annually since then, most recently this August.

Meanwhile, the other side in this war are among the worst people in global politics: Baathists, the Nazis of the middle east; Sunni fundamentalists, the chief opponents of progress in Islam's struggle with modernity; and the government of Iran.

Ethically, causes do not come much clearer than this one.

• EVIDENTLY, IT'S NOT CLEAR ENOUGH FOR THE DEMOCRATS - INCLUDING EACH AND EVERY ONE RUNNING FOR THE PRESIDENCY.

• THEY ALL WANT US TO RETREAT.

• FROM A CAUSE WHICH IS ETHICALLY CLEARER THAN NEARLY ALL OTHERS.

• WHAT DOES THIS SAY ABOUT THE DEMOCRAT PARTY AND THE DEMOCRATS RUNNING FOR THE PRESIDENCY?

• IT SAYS THAT THEY ARE UNFIT TO COMMAND, AND CANNOT BE RELIED UPON TO DEFEND THE USA OR OUR ALLIES.

Bull is WAY smarter and sharper and better than Totten.