January 23, 2005
By Thomas FriedmanParis — There's only one thing you can say about the elections in Iraq (click here): They are either going to be the end of the beginning there or the beginning of the end.
Either Iraqis turn out in large numbers to take control of their own future and write their own constitution - and I think they will - or the fascist insurgents there prevent them from doing so, in which case the Bush team will have to move to Plan B. What's sad is that right when we have reached crunch time in Iraq, the West is totally divided. All that the Europeans care about is being able to say to George Bush, "We told you so." What happens the morning after "We told you so" ? Well, the Europeans don't have a Plan B either.
Ever since 9/11, I've argued the war on terrorism is really a war of ideas within the Muslim world - a war between those who want to wall Islam off from modernity, and defend it with a suicide cult, and those who want to bring Islam into the 21st century and preserve it as a compassionate faith. This war of ideas is not one that the West can fight, only promote. Muslims have to fight it from within. That is what is at stake in the Iraqi elections. This is the first great battle in the post-9/11 war of ideas....
February 10, 2005
By conti2005
The Revolt and the Revolting
In God I Trust, Everyone Else I Monitor You are too long winded, Mr. Friedman.
There was an illegal invasion. There are hostilities and rightfully so. The people of Iraq managed to pull off an election whereby a majority of the country was able to elect. The votes are counted and the new administration needs to be announced.
The New Iraqi Administration has a mess to contend with and the sooner they get started the better. A complete ethnic group has become estranged from the new government because Bush recklessly destroyed Fallujah. Now, the Sunnis are not only protesting but bombing and killing and destroying everyday.
IF a Shi'ite majority loves the idea of an autonomous government so much that they are willing to lead their country, NOT OUR COUNTRY, into a peaceful resolve then it is time they got started without delay. The future of Iraq belongs to them and I find you 'extravagant' fawning/falling/drooling all over that country offensive. What's the issue? Control? The USA has no more control. The sovereign state of Iraq is awaiting the announcement of it's new administration. They know who they are, they need to have their agenda in order and move things along to bring everyone under one roof if not one ethnic worship.
