Originally posted by Toad
Did I miss some rule that the transition from dictatorship to government by the people has to be bloodless?
Civil War? Did WE have a Civil War? I recall we did; in fact, the low estimates of military casualties in our Civil War are around 620,000.
Did the fact that we had a Civil War mean our Independence wasn't worth it? That we should have never rebelled against the British?
I would prefer that Iraq transition to government by its people without bloodshed. We've already seen that isn't going to happen. There may in fact BE a Civil War; does that mean that living under a dictatorship is a much better solution?
Neither you nor I know what exact form of Government Iraqis will choose. Their proposed Constitution hasn't been release and it won't be voted on until October or November. A bit premature to speculate, I think.
Will their religion play a role in their Constitution? I'm sure it will to some degree. The Christian thought of the US founders played a role in the form and formation of out government. Why would theirs be different?
Fear that do you? So do I.
Yet you rarely miss an opportunity to criticize our role in Iraq, undermine the confidence of your fellow Americans in the mission, undermine the CinC and generally do things that will sway American public opinion towards early withdrawal from Iraq.
Before you start, let me clear this up for you:
I supported the invasion based on the information available to the us at the time. I also said the WMD would have to be found to justify the invasion under "just war theory" and that if it was not found that Bush should be held accountable.
Obviously WMD was not found. The US public's main chance to hold Bush accountable was the 2004 election; Bush was returned to office. I did not vote for Bush in 2004.
Now, I think we have to stay until the Iraqis have a fair shot at establishing their new government under their new Constitution. It would be nice if that could all be accomplished with the wave of a wand but it doesn't work that way. There are some severe challenges in Iraq ethnically and religiously but I think the Iraqi people will ultimately "sign on" to the idea and process.
The real question is will the "15 minute attention span" US public have the patience to endure while this real life opportunity for an incredible change in the ME plays out?
And then there's the question of how best do we encourage our fellow Americans to "stay the course".
Excuse me for saying so, but I think your method here on the board is antithetical to encouraging the US to stay the course.
I think you have the Revolutionary war, which we gained our independence from England, with the Civil War which was North vs. South.
The Iraqi's are not gonna be fighting for "democracy, freedom, or even against terror" They are gonna fight to see who gets to control the other side.
Living with Dictatorship as opposed to getting 2000 of our soldiers get killed so that Iraq can eventually fall into chaos and many more people will die? We didnt have enough boots on the ground at the beginning and we don't have enough there now. If we are gonna do, we ought to do it right. This war has been mis-handled and mis-managed from the get-go.
Here is a link to the preliminary Bill Of rights
http://www.carnegieendowment.org/files/BillofRights.pdf20. a. Freedom of religion, belief, and performance of religious rites are guaranteed in accordance with the law.
23. In addition to the rights stipulated in this constitution Iraqi citizens enjoy the rights stipulated in international treaties, agreements, and international legal documents that Iraq has signed or joined or that are considered binding according to the provisions of international law, so long as these do
not contradict Islam.
8. The state shall provide for harmonization of the duties of the women towards their family and their work in the society. [It shall also provide for] their equality with men in all fields without
disturbing the provisions of the Islamic shari‘a.
21. Freedom of opinion, expression, organization, publishing, printing, the press, media, advertising,meetings, peaceful demonstration, and parties is guaranteed in accordance with the law and insofar as public security and morals are not harmed.
26. Freedom of the press, printing, publishing, media, and advertising are guaranteed and the law regulates the exercise of these freedoms.
27. There shall be no censorship on newspapers, printing, publishing, media, and advertising except by
law.
4. An Iraqi may have more than one nationality as long as the nationality is not Israeli.
All Iraqis are equal before the law without regard to gender, opinion, belief, nationality, religion, or origin. Discrimination on the basis of gender, nationality, religion,origin, or social standing is forbidden. They have the right to personal security in life and
freedom except in accordance with the law. Equality of opportunity is guaranteed to all citizens in accordance with the law.
Just a few excerpts, some good some bad.
I'm sorry did I miss the part of our Constitution where it says people have certain rights as long as it doesnt contradict Christianity? Cause I missed that part.
Something wrong with being critical? If anyone is "undermined" by my opinions on this BBS I would be very surprised. I am not standing on some street corner trying to convert people to my point of view. I see current events and I discuss my opinion of them. If Only I knew my opinion carried so much weight that I could "undermine the CinC and sway public opinion."