"You have already been prov wrong in your pessimism by the votes Iraqis already took. Yes, the forces of repression are strong, and islam as an ideology is hardly amenable to freedom, yet ... it is happening."
The so-called palestinians had elections and so does Iran. In fact, Hitler came to power by a democratic election. By themselves, without an underlying philosophy of freedom, elections mean little. The philosophy underlying Iraqi voters is Islam, the antithisis of freedom.
"We are learning how many are Islamofascists and how many are patriots for democracy."
You're "patriots" do not believe in individual freedom, they are Muslim. Fascists easily control those whose "religion" preaches autocratic rule and submission to the Mullahs.
I am obviously proud of the incredible job our armed forces have done in Iraq. I believe they are the finest soldiers in history. Their sacrifices prove they are also among the bravest our Country has to offer. However, they are soldiers, not social workers, political scientists or referees. I am optimistic our brave military will do whatever military mission they are asked to do. I am not optimistic about asking them to do the impossible, non-military job of making those who give allegiance to an anti-freedom murder cult into freedom loving "patriots".
"The so-called palestinians had elections and so does Iran."
I'll grant you Palestine but NOT Iran.
Do you realize that most Iranians do in fact want democracy?
Polling, although illegal in Iran was done on the matter (alcohol is illegal too in Iran, but they are no more dry than Chicago a la 1920s).
The thing is the Iranian mullahs threw out most of the candidates who were running and have created elections that are about as open as the elections in USSR. The theocratic mullahs overrule any act of parliament that they disagree with, making it a facade for tyranny.
Iraq's freedom and democracy is about more than the fact that they have had 3 successful elections last year. They are one of the few multi-party states, and have a more open press than any other country in the region. None of that exists in Iran, but it does in Iraq.
"You're "patriots" do not believe in individual freedom, they are Muslim. "
read and learn about what real Iraqis think. sure, some fit the stereotype you put them in, but most do not:
http://iraqthemodel.blogspot.com/
Here's a comment from one of the Iraqis I speak of ...
I think he believes in Democracy and Freedom more than your average American Democrat, no?
Dear Omar and Mohammed
What? An alternative to democracy and freedom? In Iraq?
What for and why?
Let me ask everyone a question?
How many of you has seen the Electrical current at your houses or offices or factories etc.?
Yet when you wish to get into a dark room, you go to look for the light switch. then you turn on, believing the current exists and will travel through the wires conecting the bulbs.
Then the light comes on and you begin to see cleary in the dark space.
That is how democracy is in Iraq today, dormant but we know it is there like the Electrical current.
Another question. when you switch a fan on, the hands of the fan start to rotate and as it rotates faster, you do not see these hands, but you know they are there?
That is what freedom is like in Iraq now. Giving us the free air as it rotates, but we do not see the hands.
Think about it. Dictatorships stink that is when they hit the fan?
The Expert? Well!
X is an unkown factor, and spert is a drip under pressure.
Let him eat cake.
Freedom will prevail in Iraq whether the skeptics and the naysayers like or not.
It took over seventy years to create freedom in Russia, and remove communism for good, how long will it take the Iraqis with the help of their friends?
Can any one please guess?
Kind regards
hameed Abid