Are we imposing tyranny in Iraq??

[FreedomAngel82]

I'm listening to the Majority report and Sam and Jeanane played a clip from Rice speaking somewhere. She said "democracy is never forced upon people but they choose it. Tyranny is what's imposed." So are we doing that in Iraq? (I'm sure you know that answer) So much for "freedom" and "democracy."

[justinsb]

1. It's worse than tyranny

It's a hostile military occupation. The Iraqis are not just living under tyranny, they are being killed and their homes, business, places of employment (for the few that still have them) are being shot up and bombed, their access to things like food, water, medicine, electicity and fuel is being interupted or destroyed. There is a violent crime being perpetrated daily against the people of Iraq - and Americans, the British and more than anyone the Iraqi's themselves are picking up the tab for it.

[BayouBengal07]

2. Of course,

In a CNN interview, Colin Powell said "No president goes around looking for wars."

[justinsb]

3. Yeah but most preidents are elected too n/t

[reBel_gyrl]

4. Imposing tyranny again is more like it

I mean, after all, we choose Sadam. Hell we were even buddy buddy with Al Quida for a long while there (because they were there to "protect the people"). I would say our government is in the habit of imposing tyranny.

[msmcghee]

5. The reality of Arab culture . .

. . is that rule is by the guy with the most guns and followers who are willing to ruthlessly use them against anyone else who would take power away from them. They may give lip service to elections - as long as they can control them to their own advantage. But they see real elections as a weakness - no Arab leader (a strong male) would willingly give power away to others. That's a weakness that would disqualify them as a leader in the eyes of their followers.

Democracy must come from within. The people not only have to want democracy . . they must be willing to treat their political opponents with respect. They must be willing to give them power if the electorate chooses them. Democracy can't exist as long as any side is willing to use underhanded means or force or intimidation to gain power from the other.

Not only is Democracy impossible in Iraq. It started into a steep decline in this country during the McCarthy hearings. Thanks to a succession of crooked Republican administrations who are willing to use any means to gain power - what remains of our democracy here will soon be gone.