Brain Fertilizer

People have used the word "occupation" to describe our presence in Iraq. I objected to it. President Bush himself used that term once. I didn't like it any better. I really couldn't think of a good alternative, to tell the truth.

Well, from a quote in today's Impromptus, I have it now:

It was, of course, the American "regency" in Iraq that protected these courageous people and made the elections possible. It took faith in the power and the discipline of the soldiers of the American-led coalition for Iraqis to brave their way to the polling stations in Basra and Mosul and Kirkuk. From Kirkuk, there came a "warrior note" from Col. Lloyd "Milo" Miles addressed to his 2nd Brigade Combat Team, on the eve of these elections. This commander told his soldiers of a meeting he held with local leaders. One of these leaders had heard a rumor that the U.S.-led forces would be confined to their bases on the day of the elections and that security would be provided by Iraqi military and police units. The man was distraught and demoralized. "I beg of you, you must help us, do not let us walk alone on that day." We know that the Iraqis did not walk alone on that signal day in their country's history.

Yes. We held power in that nation, but we held it in trust for a young (and still, as yet, not fully mature) government to form and take over. From here on out, I will refer to our presence in Iraq as a Regency.