Re: My Encounter with Ron Paul and an Iraq Discussion
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In the elaboration, i would've wanted to say that leaving the current government in power and for us to treat them as the sovereign owners of the nation would be to leave a lasting negative sentiment in the region as well. This may have potential blow back too. USA shows up, sets up a government that earns the control of one of the many ethnic groups, this perpetuates a civil war, and then America just steps out the way with no reconciliation or reimbursement for the damage done.
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!?!?! So we should try to undermine the democratically elected government of Iraq at a time when it's fighting desperately to reign in rogue Shiite elements and defeat terrorists who routinely attack civilian targets? That's an awful plan, and one that is good for neither Iraqis nor Americans.
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My understanding is that a large number of Iraqis don't recognize the democratically elected Iraqi government as legitimate. There is a view (undertandably, IMO) that the current Iraq government is just a puppet of America and does not represent the Iraqi people. The "democracy" that has been forcefully imposed on the people has been a failure. They have not "embraced democracy" as was sold by by the neo-cons, so I think clinging to the idea that if we just "support" the democratically elected government then it will just gain traction at some point and turn Iraq into Democratopia is just digging the hole deeper.
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Afaik, they had a voter turnout of near 80%. That's pretty damn solid.
You had some riots and demonstrations of course, but that was to be expected, as was continued insurgency from isolated groups. But all analysis I have read points to this being a step towards a more peaceful Iraq in total, including the withdrawal of coalition forces (as they are not wanted in the political climate) - so I'm a bit curious to your sources.
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