All About Us

It's not all about you.
--The Purpose-Driven Life, Pastor Rick Warren
________

Those like David Brooks of the New York Times who advocate staying the course in Iraq do so under the presumption that insurgents can defeat the U.S., and that we just can't let that happen.

However, insurgents can not defeat the U.S. because they are not insurging against us. Or are they? If we say that we can't allow them to whip us, then we are admitting that the war is about us.

But if the war is about the marvelous democracy of Iraq, then it is an issue that should be decided by Iraqis and not by the U.S. The majority of the insurgents are a home-grown phenomenon, and we'd just as well leave their property and let them duke it out amongst themselves.

What are the lessons that should be derived from Bush's most excellent adventure?

The primary one is, elections ≠ democracy, and democracy ≠ freedom.

Freedom to vote is meaningless if the candidates are U.S. stooges. That statement strikes dangerously close to home, as well. It is little wonder neither the Iraqis nor the rest of the world trust U.S. intentions.

Our actions seem to say, we love democracy so much that we will kill you if you don't want to vote. Seems four-square to the Ranger.