Tannishblog

In Baghdad, during a real Desert Storm, the mayor was deposed and replaced by a member of Iraq’s most powerful Shiite militia. The new ex-mayor, Alaa al-Tamini, says, “This is the new Iraq. They use force to achieve their goals.” He is now in hiding, fearful of his life.

The group responsible, the Badr Organization, insists Mr. Tamini is in no danger, that they have the authority to replace him. They have been keeping peace in several areas heavily populated by Shiites, creating order through conservative Shiite law.

Mr. Tamini was appointed by the central government, but L. Paul Brenner III, the top American administrator prior to the formation of the Iraqi government, put him in place. Now, a uniquely Iraqi political presence, outside of the American-sanction government, is making its moves. Mazen A. Makkia, who led the deposition, claims, “This is not a coup. If we wanted to do something bad to him, we would have done that. We really want to establish the state of law for every citizen.”

This is Democracy in action. This is not, however, what America wants to see. While the chaos and lawlessness reign in the streets, Iraq is trying to right itself. As bad as Saddam was, he did establish law, and most people could live and feed themselves under his oppressive rule. What America brought was murder and anarchy, creating a long-lasting legacy of anti-American sentiments that will likely play out for the next hundred years. It is only natural that Anti-American Shiites gain control of whatever form of government Iraq will settle for. Hatred for the wanton destruction of their country, hatred for the perpetrators of such destruction, is a natural and powerful motivator, and a unbeatable banner to rally behind for many of the families brutally touched by American aggression.

They hate us, and will continue to hate us for generations to come. This hate will create a new State for Iraqis, and the harder America tries to steer the formation of their government, the harder they will resist, the stronger the resentment will grow. We’ve tried nation building in Iraq before, that’s how Saddam came to power. It failed miserably, and it will fail again.

That’s Democracy in action.