I have just returned from my fourth trip to Iraq in the past 17 months and can report real progress there. More work needs to be done, of course, but the Iraqi people are in reach of a watershed transformation from the primitive, killing tyranny of Saddam to modern, self-governing, self-securing nationhood--unless the great American military that has given them and us this unexpected opportunity is prematurely withdrawn.
Progress is visible and practical. In the Kurdish North, there is continuing security and growing prosperity. The primarily Shiite South remains largely free of terrorism, receives much more electric power and other public services than it did under Saddam, and is experiencing greater economic activity. The Sunni triangle, geographically defined by Baghdad to the east, Tikrit to the north and Ramadi to the west, is where most of the terrorist enemy attacks occur. And yet here, too, there is progress.
There are many more cars on the streets, satellite television dishes on the roofs, and literally millions more cell phones in Iraqi hands than before. All of that says the Iraqi economy is growing. And Sunni candidates are actively campaigning for seats in the National Assembly. People are working their way toward a functioning society and economy in the midst of a very brutal, inhumane, sustained terrorist war against the civilian population and the Iraqi and American military there to protect it.
It is a war between 27 million and 10,000; 27 million Iraqis who want to live lives of freedom, opportunity and prosperity and roughly 10,000 terrorists who are either Saddam revanchists, Iraqi Islamic extremists or al Qaeda foreign fighters who know their wretched causes will be set back if Iraq becomes free and modern. The terrorists are intent on stopping this by instigating a civil war to produce the chaos that will allow Iraq to replace Afghanistan as the base for their fanatical war-making. We are fighting on the side of the 27 million because the outcome of this war is critically important to the security and freedom of America. If the terrorists win, they will be emboldened to strike us directly again and to further undermine the growing stability and progress in the Middle East, which has long been a major American national and economic security priority.
On the other hand, Sy Hersh:
I just think -- I think it's really bad out there. I think it's, you know, if you look at the -- it's just real simple. You don't have to be much of a genius to figure it out, we're almost -- it's Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving of '04, it was much worse than at Thanksgiving of '03.
It's now Thanksgiving of '05, and it's much worse there than it was last year. How is it going to get better next year? What magic is there?
One thing I notice is that there's no mention of Hersh's making a recent visit to Iraq.
11 comments:
Not being "much of a genius" allows you to figure all manner of things out.
Yah, I love that bit.
Men are disturbed, not by things, but by the principles and notions which they form concerning things.
Enchiridion of Epictatus, fragment 5
According to the Holy Spirit's message on The Christian Prophet blog today, Lieberman is a heroic light bringer to a very dark Democratic Party.
I just wish someone like Lieberman could get the nomination, I might actually be able to vote for a Democrat.
Terrye:
Almost everyone I know was saying similar things before the election. Lieberman strikes people as being honest, courageous, and less-than-usually partisan.
Which means the only way he gets a nomination is if he runs as an Independent.
Maybe Sy was just talking about his hairline.
I was going to do a parody-comment using some play on "Give Me Lieberman or Give Me Death" and put it as from the DNC or something.
But when I re-read--for the first time in years--Patrick Henry's speech, I had two thoughts; one, post the link and, two, how far Massachusetts' national political contribution has fallen.
(here's the close of it)
The battle, Sir, is not to the strong alone. It is to the vigilant, the active, the brave. Besides, Sir, we have no election. If we were base enough to desire it, it is now too late to retire from the contest. There is no retreat but in submission and slavery! Our chains are forged! Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston! The war is inevitable. and let it come! I repeat, Sir, let it come!
It is in vain, Sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace! -- but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the North will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our breathren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that Gentlemen wish? What would they have?
Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery! Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!
Patrick Henry, March 23, 1775
Note the date, 1775. When he said the famous words, by the saying he made the choice, at that point, inevitable for himself.
Ten generations passed, and the Mealy-Mouth Massachusetts Pol Factor has--using straight line appreciation--increased at ten percent a year, from zero to one hundred percent.
'year' in my unrousing closing, should be 'generation'.
Who am I to be t-t-talkin' 'bout my genertion?
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