On The Joyous Occasion
The results of Iraq’s election were released yesterday, and as expected the MSM has joined the likes of Juan Cole in their analysis of the results as somehow unsatisfactory and problematic. The reality is that for the first time in their history, the Iraqi people, no matter their tribal, religious, ethnic or other affiliations had an opportunity to vote, and, in most cases, did. Yes, many Sunni’s didn’t vote. In fact, a vast majority of Sunni’s didn’t vote, but that was to be expected. The Sunni are either supporting the terrorist, or held by fear of the terrorist.
The headlines offered by the Washington Post - Iraq Winners Allied With Iran Are the Opposite of U.S. Vision - or the NY Times - Split Verdict in Iraqi Vote Sets Stage for Weak Government. Like the press, Cole’s view, that the U.S. lost, in his case because Allawi’s party didn’t win, is wrong. Each of these enlightened expert views would have us believe that ill winds dominate the Iraqi landscape and it would behoove the U.S. to accept our failure and go. Nothing could be further from the truth.
What truth is that? Neither the U.S. nor the existence of U.S. forces in Iraq was the primary point of the vote. It was the beginning of the establishment of a free Iraqi nation. Not a pro-America Iraq or an anti-Iranian Iraq. Neither was the point of this election. Iraq’s election, and the forming of the new government, no matter its make-up is an opportunity. For Iraqi people, not the U.S.
The tired and gloomy response of the media and the expert analyst they call upon is just that tired and gloomy. A more fitting response and analysis would have headlined the opportunity found in the vote. The story would have focused on the self-determination, possibility and freedom it affords Iraq.
The institutions, education, and moral foundations needed to maintain a free and democratic Iraq may not exist to the degree necessary. Yet without them, they will have to forge ahead and construct a nation from a diverse group of peoples. Our response should be applause and encouragement. We should continue to aid in the reconstruction of Iraq, and provide security, until they’ve determined a course for our withdrawal. Instead, our press would have us believe that the only aim of our government in Iraq was to secure our needs in Iraq. It was never the case. Our invasion ended the threat of Saddam Hussein reinvigorating his means of making war and of his colluding with terrorist to attack the U.S. or our allies. After having done so, the purpose has been the establishment of what is now taking form, a free elected Iraqi government.
For once, it would be a marvel of marvels to see the press look at an occasion such as this with the eyes of children. Children, naïve and innocent, see the opportunity, the great expanse of possibility and the joy of building that which had only been a dream. For those nay-sayers who will no doubt ask, but what if it Iraq becomes pro-Iranian or anti-American, my response is simple. They will have chosen that course, and our response to this day, no matter the following course, should remain the same – joy filled and optimistic.
