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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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To: Miss Marple
No liberal, even this one, will accept any outcome in Iraq short of ignominious defeat and resurgent America Hatred.

Liberals are racists and believe that Democracy is unnatural for nonwhite people unless managed and guided by white Liberals so that democracy is only an illusion to allow the inferior people to think they have something that they will have great gratitude to liberals for.

81 posted on 02/01/2005 6:06:09 AM PST by arthurus (Better to fight them over THERE than over HERE.)
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To: Rutles4Ever
(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.)

How will you know what reaction the majority of Iraqis have if all you ever use to get your information is CNN, CBS and the AP? Idiot liberal.

82 posted on 02/01/2005 6:07:38 AM PST by prairiebreeze (George W Bush: Spending well-earned political capital.)
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To: xzins

You considered yourself a Democrat up until W came along (2000), but you've been a FReeper since '98?

Something kinda strange about that x.

The first time I voted at age 19, it was an independent and I also voted for Carter. It's one of the regrets of my life. I had the chance to vote for one of our greatest Presidents and I didn't. Oh well, live and learn.


83 posted on 02/01/2005 6:08:56 AM PST by subterfuge (Call him "Slick Willie"---he hates that.)
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To: Rutles4Ever

John Stewert pondered last night "What if they were right?" (they being Bush and Co.). He said his whole world view would be turned on its head. I think the pictures of all the joyous, hopeful and brave Iraqis hir a lot of people upside the head for a minute.

But no fear, I'm sure most of them will be back to their anti-Bush screech in a few days. It will come boiling back up. Too bad to live like that, glad its not me.

I do think some fence sitters will be persuaded.

I'm glad the parents/loved ones of the 1400+ military killed in Iraq got to see the Iraqis vote, I hope that gives them some iota of comfort for what their loved ones were doing.


84 posted on 02/01/2005 6:09:10 AM PST by eyespysomething (I'm speechless here, but don't worry, it won't last long. Ask my husband.)
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To: Rutles4Ever
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.

Amzaing what happens when reality hits the libs smack in the face!

85 posted on 02/01/2005 6:10:05 AM PST by SuziQ
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To: Rutles4Ever
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.)

This guys finally starting to grasp small parts of reality.... but he's still not there yet. You are being lied to about Iraq, and have been from day one. When we leave IRAQ, and I know it won't be soon and it won't be easy, but when that day comes, and if we did our jobs right, when we leave the free and peaceful Iraqi people will cry tears of appreciation for our help, their hearts will be filled with Joy for their future and they will remember us always in their hearts.

We are not some cruel empire, and never have been... benevolent liberator has been our role around the world now for nearly 100 years, and your denial of reality continues to show just how misinformed you have been.

Yes, it will not be easy, it will come at a price, but it will change the world for the better, and will lead to a more peaceful and safer tommorrow.

86 posted on 02/01/2005 6:12:46 AM PST by HamiltonJay
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To: CIB-173RDABN

I loved your post.............

I just emailed it to my NYPD son to show his liberal co-workers.

Believe it or not, only a couple of cops in his unit are Bush supporters.

And he's in Counter Terrorism.



87 posted on 02/01/2005 6:13:59 AM PST by Collier
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To: subterfuge
I voted for Carter in his campaign against Ford. I then voted for Reagan over Carter.

I became a Freeper in 98 and considered myself a conservative by that time although I was still a registered democrat.

Being career military, I was never one to vote in primary elections.....which in Ohio is when declaring a party takes place.

88 posted on 02/01/2005 6:14:53 AM PST by xzins (Retired Army Chaplain and Proud of It!)
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To: CIB-173RDABN
It may still be possible for a nation state to assist a group of terrorist in committing another 9/11, but the difference now is we have 100,000 combat veterans just hours from any nation state that is foolish enough to get involved. Plus we have a leader that has made it clear he does not bluff.

Thank you!

Just as we couldn't allow the left to isolate our motives for invading Iraq to one....WMD, we cannot allow them to say our only motive was to liberate the Iraqi people. Our willingness to stand and die in both Afghanistan and Iraq were necessary to reestablish American resolve and thereby restore respect, the lack of which culminated in the attack on 9-11.

Victor Davis Hansen says there is an element of HUMILIATION required to end all wars, this moment could not have been reached without the dual spectre of Saddam's extraction from that spider hole, and Sunday's embrace of the essence of Westernism by an entire Arab nation. I believe Bush has provided the most dire consequences possible to our enemy, look for things to wind down now.

Take THAT Osama!

89 posted on 02/01/2005 6:15:15 AM PST by wayoverontheright
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To: Rutles4Ever

This guy reminds me of Kerry butting to the head of the line to pay his "respect" to Ronald Reagan. He doesn't want to be on the wrong side of history.


90 posted on 02/01/2005 6:15:30 AM PST by zygoat
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To: Rutles4Ever
This is a brave and brilliant piece by Mark Brown.

I don't agree with all of his suppositions, but he's come a long way in perceiving reality. (This is very hard for a liberal -- I was one once too, and it took almost a Road to Damascus experience to make me see the light!)

We should all email him messages of support, and congratulate him for his honesty. No doubt he will be catching H*ll from many of his colleagues.

91 posted on 02/01/2005 6:15:34 AM PST by shhrubbery!
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To: ArGee
I still believe that George W. Bush is a classic liberal.

My thinking since before 2000.

92 posted on 02/01/2005 6:17:15 AM PST by arthurus (Better to fight them over THERE than over HERE.)
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To: Rutles4Ever

Good post. Great FReeper comments bump.


93 posted on 02/01/2005 6:19:33 AM PST by PGalt
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To: jacquej
I like your "pre-caffeine mental meanderings" -- thanks.

Anyway, the way I see life, those sacrificing their lives are great because of the effort, and no matter what the outcome, they are heroes. Whether they succeed or not has nothing to do it.

In any rescue effort, one does not stop to calculate the risks, and be sure of a desired outcome before making a risky effort. Just remember where we might all be if Jesus had thought the liberal way, never mind if his blessed mother had.

Just my pre-caffeine mental meanderings... be gentle, I am only half awake.

94 posted on 02/01/2005 6:22:11 AM PST by GOPJ
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To: SuziQ

"Would it be worth all the lives that have been lost?"

Leftists have such short memories. We lost 40,000 men in one battle of the civil war. We lost 5000 in one battle in the Pacific against the Japanese. Losing 500 or so a year is about the number we would lose in auto accidents and training in a normal year. I am not diminishing the risk our guys are taking, but we have made war about as safe as it can get short of using all robots.

Does anyone remember the recent tsunami (you wouldn't think so from the MSM press lack of coverage-no blood no ratings.)
The death toll is approaching 300,000 and I think they are 1 or 2 hundred k short.

If we are too soft to lose soldiers against an enemy that wants to kill us all, we don't deserve to have a country.


95 posted on 02/01/2005 6:22:18 AM PST by shubi (Peace through superior firepower.)
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To: xzins

I was an independent out of ignorance.

At least I can say I was never actually registered as a Dem. I guess thats something.

God Bless xzins.

subterfuge


96 posted on 02/01/2005 6:22:25 AM PST by subterfuge (Call him "Slick Willie"---he hates that.)
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To: Rutles4Ever
E-mail Mark Brown
97 posted on 02/01/2005 6:25:16 AM PST by NotJustAnotherPrettyFace (Michael <a href ="http://www.michaelmoore.com/"title="Miserable Failure">"Miserable Failure"</a>)
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To: ArGee
Well said. Thanks.

Our soldiers and Marines know what they have done. And today they don't care what the MSM, or Barbara Boxer and Ted Kennedy and John Kerry say. They are proud and glad to have been a part of history.

98 posted on 02/01/2005 6:26:41 AM PST by GOPJ
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To: ArGee

See my post above. Maybe you should lodge that question directly to the writer? It'd be interesting to see what he has to say.


99 posted on 02/01/2005 6:28:00 AM PST by NotJustAnotherPrettyFace (Michael <a href ="http://www.michaelmoore.com/"title="Miserable Failure">"Miserable Failure"</a>)
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To: Chi-townChief

ping, are you familiar with this author?


100 posted on 02/01/2005 6:28:11 AM PST by prairiebreeze (George W Bush: Spending well-earned political capital.)
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