Democracy Iraqi Style – Now Butt Out

The Iraqi government was elected while a few hundred thousand or so foreign troops moved around their country shooting and blowing up anything that moved. Is that how we envision democracy at work?

Americans don’t get that our dreams of Democracy are not necessarily the Democratic ideals that Iraqi’s envision. There are underlying ideologies which lead to a sectarian division. When I say I am an American, it is not inclusive of a religious doctrine. The election was held. Now the American Ambassador issued a warning stating that we are not going to use our resources to support sectarian goals.

I would think that the continued chaos keeps most Iraqis freaked out enough stay in their houses if they can. The kidnapping of foreigners keeps other onlookers away because of fear. The Death Squads stifle meaningful opposition. The suicide and car bombings churn the civil upheaval between the Shittes and Sunni.

Speaking after talks with British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw, who echoed the U.S. ambassador’s call for a government of national unity, the normally calm and diplomatic Jaafari, a Shi’ite Islamist, said Iraq knew its own best interests.

“When someone asks us whether we want a sectarian government the answer is ‘no we do not want a sectarian government’ — not because the U.S. ambassador says so or issues a warning,” he told a news conference.

“We do not need anybody to remind us, thank you.” Reuters

Friday, the governor of the province of Karbala in the Shiite south announced that he was suspending all dealings with American troops and barring them from government buildings for “behaving irresponsibly.” IHT

Hello, do you hear butt out . . .