If the Iraqi people are not ready to take to the streets in defense of their newly won freedoms (as the people of Russia and the Philippines did), and a new Saddam-like ruler dominates them, this still does not mean that we are back at the starting gate.

Those "freedoms" were not "won". They (as they exist at all, see the bit about our military kicking in doors in Afghanistan) are AWARDED by the US and can be REVOKED by the US (again, kicking in doors in Afghanistan).

Freedom is NOT free.

If the people did not rise up against the LAST dictator, why does ANYONE believe they will rise up against the NEXT dictator?

First of all, such a new dictator will have learned that it is not conducive to his health and that of his regime to ignore U.N. (and our) demands not to develop weapons of mass destruction, to oppose meaningful inspections, and to support terrorists (whether or not they are card-carrying members of al Qaeda).

So, Saddam has NEVER heard of ANY OTHER TIME when the US has gone in to "liberate" a country and get rid of a dictator?

Saddam KNOWS what CAN happen.

Saddam also KNOWS that our memory is short and we're easily distracted.

He's survived for a decade since the last war.

Okay, for the clueless out there, being dictator does NOT mean you have a nice quiet retirement.

Being dictator is about having ALL THE POWER for as long as you can keep it.