Liberal despair won't help the Iraqis now

Like it helped them before the war?

From Johann Hari

A liberal pretends to get converted to the Iraqi side.

Back in February 2003, an Iraqi asylum-seeker living in Glasgow started e-mailing me, explaining his reasons for supporting the war. Over the past few weeks, my replies to him have been permeated by my hopeless, sullen mood. He has always been polite, even when we disagree strongly. But then last week, he snapped: "You can afford to despair. You aren't in Baghdad. You aren't in Basra. What do I say to my family [if I took your position]? Well thanks a lot for your support. The rest of us will keep on fighting for Iraqi democracy without you."

He's right. How can we despair while a terrorised country fights for democracy? There are two main forms of pessimism spreading through British opinion like dry rot. I can understand (and share) one of those fears: that the US has no intention of promoting democracy in Iraq.

Where were you when Saddam was terrorizing the Iraqis? It is easy to sit back home and critize a dictator and quite another to actually do something about it.

And what do you mean the US has no intention of promoting democracy in Iraq? Where is your justification for that remark? Time and time again throughout history the US has liberated countries, promoted democracy and given the people their country back. The intermin Iraqi government has been given approval not only by the UN but even by Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC)

ISTANBUL - The world's largest Islamic group has thrown its support behind Iraq's interim government, saying it will 'actively assist' the administration as it takes power - a change for Muslim nations who shunned an earlier US-backed council.

The support of the 57 countries of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) helps boost the legitimacy of the new Iraqi administration as it struggles to establish control and battle insurgents two weeks before taking over from the US-led occupation forces.

[...]

I hear this argument every day, not just from cab drivers. Peter Hitchens has typically asked: "You think [Iraq] can be turned into a democracy? Don't be so silly. This semi-medieval society, with its inbred clans and all-powerful imams, does not want to be like Britain or America. As I have said from the start, Iraq will end up with a new dictator."

You can only believe this if you ignore several key facts. Northern Iraq has been a thriving democracy for more than a decade now, and it is no less "tribal" than the rest of the country. The population has more PhDs than any other country in the region except Israel, and the fifth of the Iraqi population exiled by Saddam - now returning - bring with them remarkable wealth and knowledge of democratic societies. In poll after poll, Iraqis have said they want their country to be democratic; more people chose the American political system as the one they wanted to imitate than Saudi Arabia's. Fewer than 5 per cent want an Iranian-style theocracy.

Did you just wake up to these facts that are more than a decade old now? Why the despair then? This is the problem with the left, liberals and anti-war types; they don't want to pay the price for democracy. I've said it before, it is like Bismark said:

You are like lovers of sausage; you just don't want to know how it is made.

One friend of mine who campaigns for a Palestinian state and votes Green recently confessed: "I hope Iraq remains in chaos. It's more important that Bush loses the election and Blair is ditched than that Iraq goes right."...

That is the lefts position. They would rather see more death and destruction in Iraq and deny the Iraqi people their freedom than see Bush and Blair re-elected. I cannot think of anything more disgusting. What a pathetic bunch of narrow minded losers. To put your own political agenda above the needs of a country that has suffered for 35 years at the hands of a dictator as ruthless as Hitler, speaks volumes.

[...]

Please listen to what Iraqis are actually saying at last. In two weeks there will be a largely cosmetic handover of power to an unelected government; there is a danger that we will treat this puppet body as a genuinely representative body and listen even less to the polls.

What a load of crap! I suppose the UN, the body you cry babies have been screaming to get involved in Iraq, doesn't count any more? Or is just when it suits your argument? As I said earlier, the UN and maybe more importantly, the OIC back this interim govenment. No one is under any illusion that this is an interim government but you have to start somewhere. First there was the CPA and now the interim government; next will be full elections.

[...]

If you support the Iraqi people, don't just wring your hands. Give money to the trade unions at www.iraqitradeunions.org.

Which is just what you cry babies did before the war. You don't support the Iraqi people you only support your own agenda.

And just who is helping to organize these so called trade unions?

From, and this is your first big clue, Indymedia

On October 5th six trade unionists from the FBU, TSSA, RMT and NUJ travelled to Baghdad for a series of meetings with the newly formed democratic Iraqi trade unions. The trip organised by the Stop the War Coalition and hosted by the Iraqi Federation of Trade Unions was the first of its kind since the war and occupation. The tour stopped at various workplaces including a Metalworks, a Fire Station, a Transport Depot, an Oil Refinery, and Baghdad University.

All agreed that the delegation had been a success and hopefully the first of many to forge links with Iraqi workers who will soon be fighting attempted privatisation by western companies.

Finally unmasked! The Stop the War Coalition. What a pathetic bunch of losers. I wonder how the Iraqi people would treat you if they knew who you really are? The ones who marched and said "Not in my Name". Hell no we won't lift a finger to help the poor suffering Iraqis from their brutal dictator. The ones who did every thing in their power to try and stop the West from liberating the Iraqi people. Whose members include the MP from Baghdad central. The real people who killed thousands of babies by denying them food while they stole Iraqi oil in the UN backed oil-for-food scandal.

Now that the war is over and Iraq is on the road to democracy you are quick to rush in and pretend to be the friend of the Iraqi people. You digust me.
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