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February 1, 2005Iraqi Sovereignty
You see, we forget. As Americans, our opinion of Iraq's new democracy should really be taken with a grain of salt because we've been a "free country" for so long that we forgot about the blood that was spilled on our behalf. The majority of us all haven't even the faintest idea of what freedom from tyranny feels like. Most Bush opposition was silent on Iraq's election. The reaction from those who've spoken out has been mixed. American Democrats who've vehemently opposed the war are now heralding Iraq's first free election in 50 years as a tremendous victory. Internationally, even French President Jacques Chirac, a relentless opposer of the war called the election an "important stage in the political reconstruction of Iraq." With a 70 percent of the electorate turning out to participate, it certainly is clear that the people are hungry to let their voices be heard. Other Democrats are foregoing celebration to call Bush to establish an exit plan. Meanwhile, much of the media has sought fit to focus on every bomb threat, murder, and plane crash in order to paint a nonsensical picture of Iraq's election. How soon we forget that America's voyage to freedom has been similarly bloody. Perhaps someone can explain to me the utopian ideal of freedom. There will never be a time where the wicked and the righteous come together and sing Kuumbaya in hopes of "working it all out" by candlelight. Change is violent, attaining peace is violent, and gaining freedom is violent. There is simply no way around this. I have great faith that many Americans will continue to pass judgment from the comfort of their free society, attempting to identify with the plight of the Iraqi people. People will continue to make this about "Bush", but it's bigger than that. While there is room for opportunity, there's no denying that the voter turnout is indicative of something. It certainly was enough to shut up most opposers of the war. The day following the election, Dr. Iyad Allawi, interim Prime Minister of Iraq had the following to say: “I will begin a new national dialogue to ensure all Iraqis have a voice in the new government. The whole world is watching us. As we worked together yesterday to finish dictatorship, let us work together towards a bright future — Sunnis and Shiites, Muslims and Christians, Arabs, Kurds and Turkmen.”We shall see. We shall see. Update: Michelle Malkin lists the "Top 10 Post-Iraqi Election Sourpusses". Comments Posted by: Richard Burton at February 1, 2005 12:17 PM I think a lot of people have an issue because the war wasn't about liberating Iraq. The war wasn't about creating a democracy. Posted by: shari at February 2, 2005 12:07 AM Uhh....Shari....yes it was about creating democracy there. Now there's word that troop pullout could come in a few weeks. Perhaps President Bush will elaborate in his State of The Union Speech. Meanwhile....could you maybe celebrate this achievement? On a par with Berlin 1989? Maybe Philadelphia 1776? Or Magna Carta 1215? Maybe? Posted by: Gerard E. at February 2, 2005 4:02 AM Ambra, Gerard, I'm certainly happy for the Iraqi people... they put the 50%-or-so Americans who don't bother to vote to shame... Iraqis put their lives at risk to vote... most Americans are too fat and lazy. But you are completely delusional if you think that democracy was the goal all along... that was a relatively late development, after all the original justifications turned out to be shams... in fact, if you bothered to follow things more closely, you would realize that Bush was actually OPPOSED to direct democracy at first (just like he was OPPOSED to the creation of the Dept. of Homeland Security at first, OPPOSED to the 9-11 commission, etc.) It seems the administration wants to use "democracy promotion" as a bludgeon to silence critics... They imply: "You didn't support the war in the first place? Well, you must be a Saddam-loving, facist, treasonous pig who doesn't care a bit about the poor, suffering, noble Iraqi people." Well, Ambra and Gerard... And while we're at it, what about Cuba... now that should be EASY. Let's invade and topple Castro... the Cubans are suffering and demand freedom. What, you don't support invasion? Why you must be pinko commies who don't care about the poor suffering Cubans! Gee, that's a fun game! O.K. Sarcasm off. Look, there are evil regimes all over the world. Sure, it would be great to unilaterally topple every single one of them... The vast majority of Americans would like to see democracy spread throughout the world... Americans have good hearts... they want to help oppressed people throughout the world... we are a compassionate people. But just because many of us (around 50%) opposed the Iraqi war because we believe it was based on false premises, does not mean we do not care about oppression. Honestly, I don't know what the answer is... But stop deluding yourselves into thinking the neocons in this administration had democracy promotion as their chief priority. Posted by: jab at February 2, 2005 9:11 AM Jab- I prefer the local bottled ice tea myself. Funny how the noble and heroic efforts of a truly oppressed people to take control of their government in a peaceful manner enrages so many who have enjoyed it all their lives. I take it you've written some of Ted Kennedy's recent screeds. Methinks the efforts would be peachy keen if a liberal Democratic President was coordinating the efforts. But he's not. Angling for the U.N. Secretary General's job, maybe. By the way- where was your precious U.N. in the process? Holding task force meetings in luxury hotels to figure out how to spend the windfall of money to UNICEF donated through U.S. radio and teevee stations? Oh, yeah, Castro. Pushing 80. With a large population of exiles in nearby South Florida ready to renovate their nation at a moment's notice. Oh, one more thing about the so-called 'neocons:' they don't colonize. They simply want folks throughout the world to buy our Coca-Cola, play our video games, and wear NFL-approved Phila. Eagles hats, jerseys and t-shirts, just like us Americanos. (A thinly veiled excuse to) scream GO IGGLES in print, thank you very much. Posted by: Gerard E. at February 4, 2005 5:49 AM In my experience the torture pictures from Abu Ghraib was enough, to shut up most of the war supporters on the web. And your comment about that there will never be another solution to trouble, violence will always be the path to pick, are typical. Your words fall to the ground like dead people. Because who are you to say that times will not change and that there have never been another path?! I'm sorry to tell you that Pacifism are not dying, just because war is winning. We are still here. Posted by: Raven at February 11, 2005 9:43 AM Speaking of what flavor of Kool-Aid one is drinking, I think I prefer (Ukrainian) Orange! Posted by: A.B. at February 12, 2005 11:20 AM Or would that be (Iraqi) Blueberry! Posted by: A.B. at February 12, 2005 11:31 AM |
 "...playful philosophizing" Dan Leroy, National Review Online
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Much like those who opposed Bush's decision to invade Iraq, I too have little to say about Sunday's election. There's a reason the 
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The election is the first step in ensuring that our soldiers did not die in vain. It is satisfying to know that we have a President who is willing to stay the course, sometimes in defiance of the prevailing Public Opinion.