Democracy Taking Root In Iraq

In response to this week’s violence in Fallujah, the White House, reminiscent of those McNamara days, says, "These are horrific attacks by people who are trying to prevent democracy from moving forward, but democracy is taking root."

Of course it is. It’s taking root in its ugliest form – mob rule, insecurity of Iraqi people of all ethnic and religious groups, demagoguery and yellow journalism manipulated by those jockeying for political power.

Yellow journalism in Iraq – rumor-mongering and manipulation of local fears in pursuit of certain political ends – is something we Americans deal with every day here at home. One honorable and brave and lonely American reporter has pointed out that Randolph Hearst had nothing on the mainstream press of modern America. In Iraq, we lock down newspapers and arrest the evildoers. In Washington and New York, they are entertained with degrading jokes, expensive dinners and continued favored access to the administration’s key policymakers.

One year after their order systems were blasted into the past, most Iraqis wait, worry and wonder. But for those in the Anbar Province, they act democratically. Which is to say, the "will of the people" is expressed. Which is to say, using makeshift bombs and a motley array of Cold War weaponry, the people come together to kill Americans and the Iraqis who work with them.


el - Unfortunately Col. Karen is right, these appeared to be the people, not terrorists, an ugly vicious mob of people.