Posted on 01/30/2005 2:07:16 PM PST by Do not dub me shapka broham
I don't know how many of you had the opportunity to read the front-page, above the fold article published in today's edition of the New York Times, which dealt specifically with the concerns surrounding the first (democratic) elections held in Iraq since 1954.
It was an telling article, mainly-at least, from my perspective-because it was an indication that John Burns-a British journalist whose previous reportage from that country stood out for its clarity of purpose and sharp divergence from the standard "America is bogged down in an irretrievable quagmire" line-had finally subscribed to the press corp's generalized hostility for Operation Iraqi Freedom and the reconstruction of that nation, which followed the cessation of major military operations.
The piece began with some initial promise, with a lede that briefly traces the arc of an archetypal Iraqi exile, named Ghassan al-Atiyyah. The following two paragraphs give a brief synopsis of how Mr. Atiyyah has exploited the newfound freedom within Iraq to return to his homeland and start a pluralistic political slate, which competed in yesterday's national elections.
However, the piece takes a stark turn when the author captures this man's frame of mind, insofar as the imminent national elections are concerned: "But Mr. Attiyah is hoping, now, that the voters will reject him."
Burns then goes on to enumerate all of the difficulties-each one of which is seemingly related to the American refusal to adopt the ideas of men like Mr. Attiyah without any qualifications whatsoever-expressed by the Iraqis who opposed holding the just recently successfully completed elections.
I was hoping that the rest of this piece would focus on the positive developments leading up to this historic, groundbreaking election, especially after Mr. Burns quoted a female Shiite dentist-who was a former member of the IGC-who defiantly proclaimed that, "If I die, it is better to have died for something than to have died for nothing."
That statement-for me, at least-encapsulates the hope and persistence embodied by so many ordinary Iraqis, who have taken the extraordinary step of embarking upon the unique journey-at least, one that is unheard of in the Arab world-of creating a pluralistic, fully-functional, parliamentary democracy.
Unfortunately, Burns et. al., do not see it that way. For the remainder of this article he homes in on-like a precision guided laser-the putative failings of the Coalition and the provisional Iraqi government.
He reiterates virtually every leftist platitude that has been brought up to discredit our efforts to provide Iraqis with a modicum of freedom and stability.
-The Iraqis can't participate in a free and fair plebiscite under a military occupation they resent with an unmatched passion.
-The anarchic situation unleased by the 2003 invasion has made the country so chaotic that you can't possibly expect a fair, impartial result.
The problems that mitigate against the emergence of a prospersous, thriving font of democracy in the Middle East are innumerable, and are limned-in excruciating detail-throughout the remainder of this piece.
However, what is so galling about this aspect of the article is that is framed in the omniscient voice of a foreign journalist, who is speaking for all Iraqis.
Of course, he only provides two authorities that confirm his pre-existing conception of what the vast majority of Iraqi citizens allegedly believe. Those two voices belong, to an unrepentent Baathist-who yearns to return to the halcyon days of Hussein-and a radical Islamist who demands a theocratic government be installed.
How these two men are reflective of any wider sentiment among the Iraqi population is never explained-at least, not to my satisfaction-apparently, it is merely enough that two disgruntled people exist-within the sea of Iraqis eager to make their voices heard at the polls-to deglegitimize this noble experiment in participatory democracy.
Which leads Burns back to Mr. Atiyyah-who advocates the integration of former members of the Baathist regime into key postions of any future government-and his ultimate belief that Iraq's diabolical neighbor, Iran, will outfox the United States in this 'great game.' According to him-and presumably, Mr. Burns-the "Americans will preside over the rise of a new Taliban, except that here in Iraq there will be two Talibans, the Sunni Taliban who are already fighting the Americans, and a Shiite Taliban that the Americans have placed in power."
It doesn't sound to me as if the reporters working for the 'Old Gray Lady' put much faith in the wisdom of the Iraqi people.
'ppreciate it.
:)
-good times, G.J.P.(Jr.)
I suppose now they will say that the Iraqi elections were stolen....
Tha's a humbug! A humbug an' a roust!
:)
-good times, G.J.P.(Jr.)
Lol!!!
Joking aside it was great to see the courage of the Iraqi People turning out to vote in large numbers, despite the terrorist death threats - they put us to shame here in the West with our low turnouts (US election notwithstanding), and increasing voter apathy - we take Liberty for granted, and it shows with the rapid growth of the power of Western governments.
Aside from a misplaced apostrophe, and a few misspelled words, this particular vanity thread isn't too cumbersome to read.
Hope you enjoy it.
-good times, G.J.P.(Jr.)
:)
-good times, G.J.P.(Jr.)
I was hoping that the rest of this piece would focus on the positive developments leading up to this historic, groundbreaking election, especially after Mr. Burns quoted a female Shiite dentist-who was a former member of the IGC-who defiantly proclaimed that, "If I die, it is better to have died for something than to have died for nothing."
The unceasing emphasis on the bad down playing of the good in Iraq never ceases to amazze me. Like most Freepers I'm a news junkie, but it's gotten to the point where I just can't read/watch them anymore.
I recall last year Nightline said they were going to do a show on the "good news" from Iraq. The show did show some of the good thing then the last 2/3 of it was the same old litany of blood and bombings, and "interviews" from Iraqis yelling that it was better when Saddam was in charge.
For me it was a real light bulb moment.
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