[Vision2020] A "Must See" Article About the Iraqi War

[Sunil Ramalingam]

Wayne,

I think the quote in question needs its second half, '...and tradition of 
democracy.'

I don't believe Iraq had a history or tradition of democracy.  I don't think 
Hagel was saying Iraq had NO history.

I would add I don't think we have the right to go invading states with a 
history and tradition of democracy either.

Sunil


>From: "Art Deco" <deco at moscow.com>
>To: "Vision 2020" <vision2020 at moscow.com>
>Subject: Re: [Vision2020] A "Must See" Article About the Iraqi War
>Date: Sat, 20 May 2006 11:18:20 -0700
>
>Tom quoted Senator Hagel:
>
>"...on a country with no history and no culture..."
>
>This part of the statement is not only untrue, but racist and inflammatory!
>
>The part of the world now occupied by Iraq has perhaps one of the longest, 
>best researched history of anywhere in the world with the possible 
>exception of Egypt.  Many diverse cultures have occupied this area and 
>significantly contributed to the advancement of mathematics, science, and 
>art especially in the earlier days of civilization.  [Perhaps a history 
>major will expand on these remarks.]
>
>Statements like the above from high-ranking American public officials like 
>Hagel do not contribute to a solution of the enormous human toll-taking 
>problems that face that region (and thus the rest of world) but instead 
>make any solution harder to achieve.
>
>While it may be difficult or even impossible to create a western style, 
>secular democracy in Iraq, it is possible to argue for such a point without 
>resulting to insulting and lying about millions and millions of people and 
>thus showing our national ignorance and insensitivity.
>
>
>Art Deco (Wayne A. Fox)
>deco at moscow.com
>
>
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Tom Hansen" <thansen at moscow.com>
>To: "'Taro Tanaka'" <taro_tanaka at hotmail.com>; <vision2020 at moscow.com>
>Sent: Friday, May 19, 2006 7:17 PM
>Subject: RE: [Vision2020] A "Must See" Article About the Iraqi War
>
>
> > Fantastic!!
> >
> > How did you manage to come across this?  I read over portions of it,
> > bookmarked it, and converted it to PDF.
> >
> > I particularly enjoyed reading:
> >
> > "As Senator Hagel puts it, You cannot in my opinion just impose a 
>democratic
> > form of government on a country with no history and no culture and no
> > tradition of democracy."
> >
> > It only makes sense and clearly explains why creation of an Iraqi
> > "parliament" wil never work.
> >
> > Thanks again.
> >
> > Tom Hansen
> > Moscow, Idaho
> >
> > "Patriotism is not a short and frenzied outburst of emotion but the 
>tranquil
> > and steady dedication of a lifetime."
> >
> > --Adlai E. Stevenson, Jr.
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: vision2020-bounces at moscow.com 
>[mailto:vision2020-bounces at moscow.com]
> > On Behalf Of Taro Tanaka
> > Sent: Friday, May 19, 2006 7:02 PM
> > To: vision2020 at moscow.com
> > Subject: [Vision2020] A "Must See" Article About the Iraqi War
> >
> > I'm not a fan of Bush's war, but I think this article in Commentary 
>provides
> >
> > a valuable perspective:
> >
> > The Real Iraq, by Amir Taheri
> > http://www.commentarymagazine.com/Production/files/Taheri_0606.htm
> >
> > -- Princess Sushitushi
> >


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