'You Have Liberated a People' Iraqis of all sects report progress, not "civil war" (Must Read)

Opinion Journal ^ | 9/16/2007 | FOUAD AJAMI

[karnage]

If it is an Islamic ally of the U.S., so be it.

[Bigh4u2]

“Another Islamic nation. Read the Iraqi constitution.”

So what did you think it was going to be? A ‘Democratic Republic”?

We were there to liberate them. Not dictate what form of government they can have.

The difference between Iraq and other ‘Islamic’ nations is they had the ‘choice’ of what government they wanted because we gave them the ‘Freedom to choose’ it.

If we insisted Iraq be a ‘western’ democracy, then we wouldn’t have given them freedom. We would have ruled by proxy. Something we were not prepared or equipped to do.

So your indignation to the fact that they are an ‘Islamic Nation’ is nothing more than projection of your values on a ‘free’ people which is rather prejudicial and self centered.

[Infidel1571]

“If it is an Islamic ally of the U.S., so be it.”

In the end, there can be no such thing. Not unless WE become an Islamic nation ourselves.

[Infidel1571]

“We were there to liberate them. Not dictate what form of government they can have.”

That was a mistake.

“The difference between Iraq and other ‘Islamic’ nations is they had the ‘choice’ of what government they wanted because we gave them the ‘Freedom to choose’ it.”

They chose tyranny. You actually respect that?

“If we insisted Iraq be a ‘western’ democracy, then we wouldn’t have given them freedom. We would have ruled by proxy. Something we were not prepared or equipped to do.”

Ask the non-Muslims in Iraq about this “freedom” in an Islamic nation.

“So your indignation to the fact that they are an ‘Islamic Nation’ is nothing more than projection of your values on a ‘free’ people which is rather prejudicial and self centered.”

I’m familiar enough with Islam to know that (1) an Islamic nation is not free and (2) you have no clue what you’re talking about.

[PigRigger]

"How do I know this? Because the Libs believe otherwise"

Good point....I tend to foget how wrong they ahve been...for so long...

[Bigh4u2]

You are projecting ‘YOUR VALUES’ on a country that we liberated to allow them freedom of choice.

You may not like it. But any other outcome would have to be a ‘dictatorship’. And the dictator would be the United States.

Is that what you wanted?

“I’m familiar enough with Islam to know that (1) an Islamic nation is not free”

You may be familiar with Islam, but you seem to lack the knowledge and history of the U.S.

We don’t ‘demand’ what government a country sets up, just because we liberated them from a murderous dictator.
To do so makes us not better than the Romans. A comparison many on the ‘left’ have made. So your indignation is misplaced.

“(2) you have no clue what you’re talking about.”

I know all I need to know from reading your post.

[Infidel1571]

“You are projecting ‘YOUR VALUES’ on a country that we liberated to allow them freedom of choice.”

We projected OUR VALUES on Japan. Look how well that turned out. We conquered Iraq. That gives us the right to “project our values”. We did not fight that war to “liberate” Iraqis just as we didn’t fight and defeat Japan to liberate the Japanese. We fought the war to dispose of a threat to ourselves and interests. Nothing more.

Islam is completely inimicable to freedom, liberty, or peaceful coexistence. You don’t create a “beacon of freedom” by allowing the imposition of tyranny.

“You may not like it. But any other outcome would have to be a ‘dictatorship’. And the dictator would be the United States.”

That’s what usually happens when you CONQUER a country.

“You may be familiar with Islam, but you seem to lack the knowledge and history of the U.S.”

Right back at ya’, buddy.

“We don’t ‘demand’ what government a country sets up, just because we liberated them from a murderous dictator.”

Sure we do. At least, we used to do exactly that. As recent as the 2nd World War.

“I know all I need to know from reading your post.”

Pity you learned nothing, then.

[Infidel1571]

“You are projecting ‘YOUR VALUES’ on a country that we liberated to allow them freedom of choice.”

You know, I just had a thought. I’ve heard this line of argument before. It’s called “multiculturalism”.

[sono]

This is worthy of a discounted Full Page Ad in the NY Slimes.

[neverdem]

thanks, bfl

[Fred Nerks]

"We came from under the ashes, and now the new order, this new Iraq, is taking hold. If we were losing, why would the insurgents be joining us?"

thanks for posting this brilliant article.

[Jim Robinson]

"Mr. Mahdi was not apologetic about what Iraq offers the United States by way of justification for the blood and treasure and the sacrifice: "Little more than two decades ago, in the aftermath of the Iranian Revolution and the Lebanon War of 1982, the American position in this region was exposed and endangered. Look around you today: Everyone seeks American protection and patronage. The line was held in Iraq; perhaps America was overly sanguine about the course of things in Iraq. But that initial optimism now behind us, the war has been an American victory. All in the region are romancing the Americans, even Syria and Iran in their own way."

God bless our troops and their families.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks Fred. Nice clip/quote!

[roses of sharon]

God bless our troops!