Iraqi Uprising Against Terrorists

Christian Science Monitor ^ | 3/24/05 | Editorial Staff

[pissant]

As if the Jan. 30 elections in Iraq weren't enough of a message to that nation's insurgents to quit, now come reports of angry private citizens acting to stop a terrorist attack before it began.

Last Tuesday, a Baghdad carpenter named Dhia and his relatives saw a group of masked gunmen with grenades coming to their shop and quickly opened fire on them, killing three. Their mainly Shiite neighborhood has seen recent attacks by the mainly Sunni terrorists.

This preemptive citizen attack, done in the absence of a strong police presence, sends another signal that Iraqis really do want stability and not sectarian strife. It's a small sign that a measure of civil liberties in the Middle East may just work against jihadist terrorism.

Vigilantism, of course, isn't the way to do this. The US still needs to put more resources into training the new Iraqi army and police force. The new Iraqi parliament has yet to see a deal struck between Shiite and Kurdish leaders to form a government. And basics such as water and electricity still need to be hooked up in many places.

But when common Iraqis start to actively say "Enough!," then tolerance for terrorism melts away.

[pissant]

Another (mostly) liberal papers eyes are opened to The Bush Effect.

[frogjerk]

MSM: "Nothing to see here. Jacko trial recap at 11"

[pissant]

the CSM is part of the MSM, so its a start....

[odoso]

Why don't we do the same thing to the terrorists here in America? (ACLU and Activists of any kind)

>sarcasm<

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

SECOND AMENDMENT BUMP

I lived in Queens in 1977 during the NYC blackout. Starting around 1976 the corner grocery store was being robbed once a week like clockwork. The Italian family who owned it gave up and sold it to a Lebanese family. The Lebanese, though new to our shores, were strong second amendment advocates. They kept, and let it be known that they kept, nine millimeter automatics underneath each cash register in the checkout line. The robberies stop instantly.

During the blackout, the menfolk turned out - like Isaac Davis and the Acton Minutemen - with long rifles and lawn chairs to protect their store. Surprisingly they didn't have any trouble with looters, though many in the "community" resented them deeply.

[cyberdasher]

I got stuck reading the NYT yesterday on the plane, and this story was actually in there (albeit in the back of the section. . . ) I was still surprised to read it in there.

[pissant]

Any relations to freeperette Dashing Dasher?

[somemoreequalthanothers]

Vigilantism, of course, isn't the way to do this.

And why not? Seems rather appropriate to me.