Saddam's Successor
By Irwin N. Graulich (06/08/04)
Of course we don't need American puppets in Iraq. We only need Arabs who think like Thomas Jefferson. Fouad Ajami comes to mind immediately.
How dare the Iraqis believe they are wise and mature enough to select their own leaders. After their last fiasco, they should trust George W. Bush's judgment much more than their own. But Arab pride seems to trump everything else. Iraqis would prefer a terrible choice that they make themselves, rather than a great choice by an American. Talk about immaturity.
After WWII, America could have turned much of the world into its very own tax shelter. Instead, American goodness and values helped to rebuild a willing Japan and Germany, who at the time showed gratitude for American decency and compassion. Democracy was forced on these two countries, with each nation given the great American Industrial Instruction Manual. How imperialistic; showing what "occupation" can truly accomplish.
The Iraqi inmates cannot be permitted to run their asylum.The president-elect (sic), Sheik Ghazi al-Yawar, an Iraqi engineer/politician with suspicious links to Saudi Arabia, has already accused the American military of provoking Iraqis. He constantly uses the magic word "occupation," to describe American efforts. Talk about ingratitude and childishness.
Why are the Iraqi people not disgusted, dishonored and humiliated by the acts of their previous government and leadership, while all their rage seems directed towards 20 American soldiers who put panties and a dog leash on some of their worst evil-doers? In the 1950's, Iraqi Jews were hung by wires in the streets of Baghdad and left in the public square. Not one protest. The sordid Iraqi past includes forcing Jews to wear yellow arm bands, which is how the Nazis got that "innovative" idea. Not a very good record.
Japan and Germany were not permitted to do whatever they wanted after WWII. Their reconstruction efforts were based upon an American plan and is the most important reason for the great successes of their societies today. With the present Iraqi situation, we broke it and we own it, which includes American responsibility for fixing it "our way," and owning the oil fields until we can extract the appropriate compensation. All's fair in love and war.
Despite what Nancy Pelosi thinks, there is not one perfect solution for this dilemma. We simply cannot turn it over to Iraq, the UN or the international community. Neither can we cut and run. And we certainly do not allow one year olds to vote, even for their own representatives. It takes great and wise people to admit they need help in building a true functioning democracy.
America is the ultimate paragon of great government. With the exception of Ted Kennedy, we have a model Congress. Unless the macho-challenged Iraqi leadership realizes that they are incapable of calling the shots for the time being, the country is once again doomed for failure.
The key to a successful democratic structure is to appreciate and remember how it first got there. Lakdhar Brahimi has already called Paul Bremer, "The Dictator of Iraq." Now there is a wise analogy comparing Saddam to a man who has devoted his career to fighting terrorism and diplomatic service. Rather than continually invoking praises on Allah, Brahimi should be thanking his real savior, President Bush.
So Iraq could become Japan or Germany; or just as easily turn into North Korea or Iran. The most dangerous religion in the world today is "Victimhood." This is what many Iraqis are worshipping, blaming America instead of Saddam for their troubles. There is anger throughout the Muslim world that the only way to have stopped the most evil Arab dictator in modern history was the good ol' USA, a religious, Christian, Western capitalist society.
The Arab World Service news reported recently that, "Most importantly, we need a government in Iraq that ends the occupation and expels the Americans immediately." The real hope for Iraq's new government are Western thinking individuals like Fouad Ajami, Irshad Manji and Walid Shoebat. Now that would certainly be thinking out of the box. Pay attention Dubya!
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