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What if Bush has been right about Iraq all along? (Misunderestimation of the Democra-nator Alert)
Chicago Sun-Times ^ | 2/1/2005 | Mark Brown

Posted on 02/01/2005 4:58:13 AM PST by Rutles4Ever

Maybe you're like me and have opposed the Iraq war since before the shooting started -- not to the point of joining any peace protests, but at least letting people know where you stood.

You didn't change your mind when our troops swept quickly into Baghdad or when you saw the rabble that celebrated the toppling of the Saddam Hussein statue, figuring that little had been accomplished and that the tough job still lay ahead.

Despite your misgivings, you didn't demand the troops be brought home immediately afterward, believing the United States must at least try to finish what it started to avoid even greater bloodshed. And while you cheered Saddam's capture, you couldn't help but thinking I-told-you-so in the months that followed as the violence continued to spread and the death toll mounted.

By now, you might have even voted against George Bush -- a second time -- to register your disapproval.

But after watching Sunday's election in Iraq and seeing the first clear sign that freedom really may mean something to the Iraqi people, you have to be asking yourself: What if it turns out Bush was right, and we were wrong?

It's hard to swallow, isn't it?

Americans cross own barrier

If you fit the previously stated profile, I know you're fighting the idea, because I am, too. And if you were with the president from the start, I've already got your blood boiling.

For those who've been in the same boat with me, we don't need to concede the point just yet. There's a long way to go. But I think we have to face the possibility.

I won't say that it had never occurred to me previously, but it's never gone through my mind as strongly as when I watched the television coverage from Iraq that showed long lines of people risking their lives by turning out to vote, honest looks of joy on so many of their faces.

Some CNN guest expert was opining Monday that the Iraqi people crossed a psychological barrier by voting and getting a taste of free choice (setting aside the argument that they only did so under orders from their religious leaders).

I think it's possible that some of the American people will have crossed a psychological barrier as well.

Deciding democracy's worth

On the other side of that barrier is a concept some of us have had a hard time swallowing:

Maybe the United States really can establish a peaceable democratic government in Iraq, and if so, that would be worth something.

Would it be worth all the money we've spent? Certainly.

Would it be worth all the lives that have been lost? That's the more difficult question, and while I reserve judgment on that score until such a day arrives, it seems probable that history would answer yes to that as well.

I don't want to get carried away in the moment.

Going to war still sent so many terrible messages to the world.

Most of the obstacles to success in Iraq are all still there, the ones that have always led me to believe that we would eventually be forced to leave the country with our tail tucked between our legs. (I've maintained from the start that if you were impressed by the demonstrations in the streets of Baghdad when we arrived, wait until you see how they celebrate our departure, no matter the circumstances.)

In and of itself, the voting did nothing to end the violence. The forces trying to regain the power they have lost -- and the outside elements supporting them -- will be no less determined to disrupt our efforts and to drive us out.

Somebody still has to find a way to bring the Sunnis into the political process before the next round of elections at year's end. The Iraqi government still must develop the capacity to protect its people.

And there seems every possibility that this could yet end in civil war the day we leave or with Iraq becoming an Islamic state every bit as hostile to our national interests as was Saddam.

Penance could be required

But on Sunday, we caught a glimpse of the flip side. We could finally see signs that a majority of the Iraqi people perceive something to be gained from this brave new world we are forcing on them.

Instead of making the elections a further expression of "Yankee Go Home," their participation gave us hope that all those soldiers haven't died in vain.

Obviously, I'm still curious to see if Bush is willing to allow the Iraqis to install a government that is free to kick us out or to oppose our other foreign policy efforts in the region.

So is the rest of the world.

For now, though, I think we have to cut the president some slack about a timetable for his exit strategy.

If it turns out Bush was right all along, this is going to require some serious penance.

Maybe I'd have to vote Republican in 2008.


TOPICS: Editorial
KEYWORDS: eatingcrow; iraq; iraqielection
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1 posted on 02/01/2005 4:58:13 AM PST by Rutles4Ever
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To: Rutles4Ever

Hmmmm. I am unfamiliar with this guy...was he truly anti-war? If so, a very important column.


2 posted on 02/01/2005 5:02:33 AM PST by Miss Marple
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To: Rutles4Ever

Freedom isn't free and isn't brought about by committee meetings.


3 posted on 02/01/2005 5:03:26 AM PST by xp38
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To: Miss Marple

Mark Brown is an unabashed liberal. I nearly spit my coffee reading this.


4 posted on 02/01/2005 5:04:42 AM PST by Rutles4Ever (This is my tagline.)
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To: Rutles4Ever
Some people, even the media and academia elite - who all should know better, are really very sallow!
5 posted on 02/01/2005 5:06:36 AM PST by RAY (They that do right are all heroes!)
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To: Miss Marple

Mark Brown is definitely a liberal, I'm speechless


6 posted on 02/01/2005 5:07:25 AM PST by MJY1288
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To: MJY1288

His next article.....


"Naaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa...."


7 posted on 02/01/2005 5:09:59 AM PST by Paloma_55
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To: Rutles4Ever

"If it turns out Bush was right all along, this is going to require some serious penance. Maybe I'd have to vote Republican in 2008."

Coming from a liberal....WOW. Freedom is on the march!


8 posted on 02/01/2005 5:11:07 AM PST by PilloryHillary (Yes, I was JohnFKerrySucks, but it's time to move on. Pillory Hillary!)
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To: Rutles4Ever

At least this man's brain is still operating. That's something.


9 posted on 02/01/2005 5:11:59 AM PST by Bahbah
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To: Rutles4Ever

Don't trust him. He's not going to change on the outcome of an Iraqi election. It just isn't possible. Watch him and others like him carefully.


10 posted on 02/01/2005 5:12:00 AM PST by marvlus (t)
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To: Rutles4Ever
But on Sunday, we caught a glimpse of the flip side. We could finally see signs that a majority of the Iraqi people perceive something to be gained from this brave new world we are forcing on them.

Forcing on them? I love the perspective. Freedom is something you force on people.... amazing. We forced them to stop getting their tongues ripped out by Saddam... We forced them not to be gassed... We forced them to elect their own leaders... Force. Merciless, aren't we?!??
11 posted on 02/01/2005 5:13:46 AM PST by Paloma_55
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To: Rutles4Ever

Bump


12 posted on 02/01/2005 5:14:33 AM PST by NewCenturions
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To: Rutles4Ever

Dietary habits of the red yapper.


13 posted on 02/01/2005 5:14:43 AM PST by carumba
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To: MJY1288

Its hard to argue with reason, yet suprisingly most liberals find a way. But even more amazing...one is expressing second thoughts and preparing for penance! There is still a lot of work to do, and like he said...possibilities of failure, but you can't deny...so far so good. Bush may go down in history as a legendary world reformer.


14 posted on 02/01/2005 5:15:05 AM PST by Jay777 (Gen. Tommy Franks for President in 08)
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To: MJY1288

I wonder if he will maintain his position, or if the nutcases will flood him with e-mails, intimidating him back into the fold.


15 posted on 02/01/2005 5:15:07 AM PST by Miss Marple
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To: Miss Marple

OK, so this guy and his ilk fought against everything Bush tried to do throughout this entire war experience, making Bush's project even more difficult with their intransigence, undoubtedly causing a greater loss of American soldier's lives than was necessary, trashed Bush at every opportunity, voted against Bush and for the Democrat ass, then, when Bush's triumph paid for in American blood is absolutely undeniable, maybe then, why he just might possibly maybe have to give Bush credit.

I would look this ass right in the eye and say "F**k you!


16 posted on 02/01/2005 5:15:34 AM PST by bowzer313
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To: Rutles4Ever

My brother just called to tell me about John Stewart from "The Daily Show" saying the same thing. He said "I got to say, watching these people vote, Bush may have been right. If this takes hold and sweeps the middle east it will destroy my whole argument against him. I think my head will explode." Paraphrased of course.


17 posted on 02/01/2005 5:15:39 AM PST by normy (Don't hit at all if it is honorably possible to avoid hitting; but never hit soft.)
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To: Paloma_55

Good point. Good eye on seeing the little tid-bits they try to hide behind a mask of positivity.


18 posted on 02/01/2005 5:16:48 AM PST by Jay777 (Gen. Tommy Franks for President in 08)
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To: Rutles4Ever

saw the rabble that celebrated the toppling of the Saddam Hussein statue<p. don't you just love it when the lefties slip. Calling the victims of Saddamn's DICTATORSHIP ....rabble.<p. elitist PIG.


19 posted on 02/01/2005 5:17:50 AM PST by marty60
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To: Miss Marple

You can bet that there will be plenty of Democrats abandoning ship once Howard Dean assumes the Chairmanship of the Democrat Party


20 posted on 02/01/2005 5:17:59 AM PST by MJY1288
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