re: The Mind of Our Enemies:
<We are reminded daily not of the birth of the first consensual government in the history of the Arab world, but...>
To call the present Iraqi government "consensual" is Orwellian. It was appointed by conquering foreigners. The "Governing" Council will exist as long as foreign soldiers prop it up, and not a day longer. The members of the "Governing" Council live in fortified areas, protected from their fellow Iraqis by American guns.
<The sanctuaries and patrons of murderers, suicide bombers, and terrorists are shrinking...>
Before the American Empire swallowed up two more nations since 9/11, the daily news told of suicide bombs only in Palestine. Now, it happens daily in Iraq and Afghanistan also.
<Autocracies like Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Syria are terrified of consensual government>
Yes. And the first step in creating a truly consensual government, is seceding from the American Empire. Iran seceded 20 years ago. Saudi Arabia and Pakistan look wobbly. When the U.S. army violates Pakistani soil, invading the Taliban sanctuaries in Pakistan, as we must do to have any hope of defeating the Taliban, there will likely be an Islamic revolt there. Iran is, today, further along the road to democracy than any of the longterm U.S. client states (=colonies in all but name) surrounding it. They hold elections in Iran, unlike Iraq or Saudi Arabia or Egypt.
<return to the old appeasement>
Already happened. Look at recent policy re N. Korea and Taiwan. Even NeoCons can learn the limits of American power.
<For the Islamicists' muddled vision of some theocratic caliphate run on Dark-Age principles to succeed...>
Sistani can fill the streets with demonstrators, with a word. How many can Chalabi put in the streets? I haven't read about any pro-Bin Laden, or pro-Saddam demonstrations either. Sistani wants Iraqis to run Iraq, democratic elections, and separation of mosque and state. Sistani wants the same thing for Iraq, that Jefferson wanted for the U.S. in 1776.
<another September 11?>
This is getting old. Evoking 9/11, to scare the American people into supporting every adventure the NeoCons can dream up, won't work any longer. Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice...
<We must put more ostensible political responsibility even more rapidly into the hands of Iraqis >
Ostensible? I think he means, the illusion of self-government needs to be a bit more realistic, to be credible. As examples, he gives: holding press conferences. He wants better PR, but he doesn't want the reality of power. In particular, he doesn't want elections, and he doesn't want the oil or the army or the central government to be run by Iraqis. Real power, he insists must remain in American hands, indefinitely.
<two-thirds of the country is progressing well >
Only because the Shiites have been waiting patiently for us to fulfill our promises about "Iraq for Iraqis" and elections. But they are getting impatient. Time's up. Sistani has served notice, he won't settle for anything but "the consent of the governed": real elections, real power.
<if a method can be found for direct elections, coupled with constitutional protections of minority rights, such populism is not necessarily fatal to our cause>
Wow. Not exactly enthusiastic about democracy, is he? Basically, he's willing to hold elections, as long as we win them. As long as they are properly "managed", so a "responsible" regime results. That was Stalin's attitude towards elections, too.
<we, in turn, can promote and fund dissident groups>
We can organize, fund, train, arm, and create safe havens for terrorist groups to destabilize governments all over the world. Since they are our terrorists, we'll call them "dissident groups" and "freedom fighters". Maybe get some of those old and experienced Contras, to teach the techniques.
<what amazes is not that we made errors, or major blunders even>
In the last few months, in the writings of apologists for Empire such as this, I smell a whiff of humility. 6 months ago, it was all triumphant jingoism. Never admit anyone ever made any mistakes. The tone has changed. Next, they'll be assigning blame for their defeat and withdrawal under fire.
<the monotonous negativism of National Public Radio>
There is nothing more negative than championing killing as the solution to all problems. And that is what the NeoCons have been doing.
<Finally, there is a rarely discussed moral question here.>
What is there about Thou Shalt Not Kill, that is so hard to understand? |
