January 29, 2005

“The Rebirth of Iraq”

GWB on tomorrow’s elections in Iraq:

WASHINGTON – The elections in Iraq will set an example of democracy for the rest of the Middle East, President Bush said Friday.

“This history is changing the world,” Bush said, speaking of Sunday’s parliamentary elections. He spoke at the ceremonial swearing-in of his new secretary of state, Condoleezza Rice (news – web sites).

“The advent of democracy in Iraq will serve as a powerful example to reformers throughout the entire Middle East,” Bush said.

Redsix reports his soldiers are finding tremendous anticipation and excitement among the Iraqi people:

The soldiers of 2-63 AR BN are out there hardening the election sites and working around the clock to provide security for the Iraqis. I’m pretty excited about being out there for something historical. Not all my soldiers can be out there but I have guys begging to be taken out in sector. Seeing how bad these locals want the elections to happen has been pretty inspiring for us. I will be posting photos of the guys laying wire and dropping barriers when I have more time, probably after elections are over.

From Iraq the Model:

Less than 48 hours left before the people of Iraq experience free decision making for the first time in their country’s modern history.
It’s a moment of pure freedom but still surrounded by lots of dangers just like any beautiful rose surrounded by spikes.
There is fear from the enemies of freedom who have their weapons already prepared to intimidate us and stop us from choosing our future.
But at the same time we’re full of hope as we know that we’ve put our feet on the right track and even if we make a bad choice once, we know that we will have the chance to reevaluate the situation again.
No more tyrants ruling the country for decades.

We’re standing before a historic moment and I won’t be exaggerating if I said that it’s an important moment for the whole world; we’re standing before a crossroads and everyone should watch and learn from the rebirth of Iraq.

...Saddam had tried all tools of oppression, killing and torture he could find against our people (including WMD’s) but he failed to make the people believe in his hateful regime. And that’s why the people abandoned him and now, he and his regime are just a bad old tale from the past.

On Sunday, the sun will rise on the land of Mesopotamia. I can’t wait, the dream is becoming true and I will stand in front of the box to put my heart in it.

From Hammorabi:

New Iraq on its way!

The Iraqi election is not only important for Iraq but for the whole world including the USA, the UK, the EU, the Middle East, the UN and the other countries. This is not because Iraq is a superpower but because it is representing a turning point in the history of the region.

The first election in the region was in Iraq in 1921! Now Iraq is the Model for freedom and democracy. Our success to achieve this is a victory against the enemies of freedom who are the terrorists. So as this victory is not only for us but for all the freedom loving and civilized nations.

The turning point will be so important for every one in the region. This is why so many regimes and groups pushed their weight against the new Iraq. The intensification of terrorists’ attacks is wrongly seen as between Zarqawi groups alone. It represents all of those who feel threatened by these changes including the dictators.

The other affected groups are the thousands of years dominating doctrine which oppressed and intimidated the others. One of the best examples is the Wahabi/Salafi groups. Shia who were oppressed for thousands of years in Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt and other countries are for the first time seeing a light and a candle to be free and able to express their thoughts and wishes without fear.

It is wrong to assume that the terrorists’ attacks are resistance. The real occupiers of Iraq are the mentally retarded terrorists who tried to impose their dull and tyrant role over every one.

And yet there are still people who would oppose all this, who would stand in the way of freedom, who would abandon Iraq to terrorists and tyrants. Ted Kennedy:

The U.S. military presence has become part of the problem, not part of the solution,” Kennedy said in remarks prepared for delivery at Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies. “We need a new plan that sets fair and realistic goals for self-government in Iraq, and works with the Iraqi government on a specific timetable for the honorable homecoming of our forces.

In comparison to the heroism of the Iraqi people, Kennedy is pathetic. He and his followers who argue for paralysis, inaction and retreat will never achieve the great things the Iraqi people, assisted by the power and courage of U.S. troops, and the vision of GWB, are aiming for.

Look at how the mideast is governed today:

With Israel as the main exception, political power in the Middle East is centered in family dynasties, monarchies or single political parties. The 21 Arab countries are promising changes, but none has a freely elected government. Many rulers inherit the post and most stay in power for life, either through absolute authority or questionable elections. Only Lebanon has a functioning parliamentary democracy, but Syria, with 16,000 troops in the country, remains the dominant power.

A few countries, like Morocco, Kuwait, Bahrain and Jordan, have active parliaments, although their monarchs can veto legislative action.

It’s kings and dictators. The rest of the world threw out their kings and dictators long ago. The direction of history couldn’t be more evident. There is no way tyrannical government is going to endure. It served its purpose of providing some order in the early history of mankind, but now its time is done. It’s a band-aid that has to be ripped off the face of the earth. It’s going to be painful, but the right way to do it is to do it fast. You do it slow and it will just hurt worse.