Townhall.com ^ | December 31, 2009 | Larry Elder
Posted on Thursday, December 31, 2009 9:40:29 PM by Kaslin
Did Saddam Hussein's fall and the formation of a fledging democracy in Iraq encourage and embolden regime-threatening dissent in Iran?
The anti-Iraq War crowd, many of whom suffer from Give-George-W.-Bush-No Credit-for-Anything Disease, says, "No, of course not." How dare anyone even suggest that the former President was correct, if not about the rightfulness of the war itself, then about his argument that a "free and peaceful" Iraq would provide a "dramatic and inspiring example" to the Middle East and the Muslim world. Good Lord!
The Iraq War-achieved-zero crowd begrudged Bush nothing even after the democratic Cedar Revolution in Lebanon. Never mind that Walid Jumblatt, a Lebanese Druze Muslim leader, said: "It's strange for me to say it, but this process of change has started because of the American invasion of Iraq. I was cynical about Iraq. But when I saw the Iraqi people voting (in 2005), 8 million of them, it was the start of a new Arab world."
As to Iran, The New York Times quoted a pundit-blogger who, when protests began this past summer, wrote, "(N)o Iranian ... has mentioned Iraq as an inspiration for the demonstrations, nor has any leader of their opposition cited their Iraqi neighbors as a model or a source of guidance."
None?
Meet Mohsen Kadivar. In May 2004, Time magazine profiled this Iranian intellectual in a flattering article called "The Critical Cleric -- Reclaiming Islam for a New World." Newsweek called him a global leader "to watch in 2005." His criticism of the Iranian regime landed him in jail. He now teaches at Duke University, and PBS's Charlie Rose interviewed him in July.
What does this cleric says about Iraq's possible influence on his native country? In February 2005, he said: "I think the Iraqis can make what we wanted to create but were unsuccessful: a real Islamic Republic. By that I mean a republic with Islamic values, democracy with Islamic values ... (where) the clergy has no special rights. If they have a good government with Islamic democracy and without any special or divine rights for the clergy, the Iranian government won't be able to justify its situation to the Iranian citizens."
Meet Mashallah Shamsolvaezin. In 2000, this Iranian journalist received an International Press Freedom Award but could not attend the formal dinner honoring him. Shamsolvaezin was then sitting in a Tehran prison for the crime of "insulting Islamic values." The authorities shut down several publications that he edited. Just days ago, he and several other journalists were arrested in Iran.
What did he say about Iraq's possible influence on Iran? "The Shi'as in Iraq have accepted the notion of having a secular government, and they are slowly moving toward the democratization of their country -- free elections, democratic institutions, a free press. All of this in and of itself will have an impact on the situation in Iran."
Meet Mohsen Sazegara. This Revolutionary Guard co-founder and former Islamic Republic supporter became a critic. He attempted to run for president of Iran, but authorities denied his application. He spent three months in jail for opposing the regime. He now lives in the United States and faces more prison time should he return to his country.
What did he say about Iraq's possible influence on Iran? "I personally hope that Iraq's (transition to democracy) will be completed successfully so that it can also help our nation. For sure, neighbors with democratic governments are much better for us than dictators such as Saddam Hussein or backward groups such as the Taliban ... . Our young generation in particular has shown ... that it has a strong desire for democracy, human rights and civil society, and a strong desire to join the international (community). And when democratic changes take place in our neighboring and brother country Iraq, with its many ties to us, it encourages our youth, and emboldens our young people to ask for change in our current constitution."
In truth, the anti-Iraq War/Bush-hating left despises the former President far more than do the Iranians.
Almost two years after we entered Iraq, Iranians, according to a 2004 BBC poll, preferred Bush (52 percent) over John Kerry (42 percent) in the U.S. presidential elections. When asked whether the U.S. should get out of the Middle East, only 20 percent of Iranians said yes.
In May 2004, New York Times columnist Nicholas D. Kristof traveled to Iran. He wrote: "Everywhere I've gone in Iran ... people have been exceptionally friendly and fulsome in their praise for the United States, and often for President Bush as well. ... Indeed, many Iranians seem convinced that the U.S. military ventures in Afghanistan and Iraq are going great, and they say this with more conviction than your average White House spokesman."
The Iraq War and fledging democracy continue to pay dividends. It helped convince Libya's strongman to surrender his WMD. It helped inspire a democratic movement in Lebanon. And it may, just may, help to bring down an Islamofascist government that is the leading exporter of terrorism -- before it gets a nuclear bomb.
Just as the "neo-cons" had hoped.
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TOPICS: Editorial
KEYWORDS: bush; iran; iraq; presidentbush; wot
1 posted on Thursday, December 31, 2009 9:40:29 PM by Kaslin
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To: Kaslin
We know that our toppling of Saddam Hussein was the impetus for Libya to reveal it’s own WMD program.
We certainly had a world more afraid of the ‘cowboy’ than they are of the effete wimp currently occupying the White House.
2 posted on Thursday, December 31, 2009 9:50:39 PM by Carley (OBAMA IS A MALEVOLENT FORCE IN THE WORLD)
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To: Kaslin
In addition to destroying the command and control infratructure of al qaeda, President Bush and his courageous troops planted the transformational seed of freedom in both Iraq and Afghanistan — the Middle East will never be the same (and that’s a good thing)!!
3 posted on Thursday, December 31, 2009 9:57:00 PM by DrDeb
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To: Kaslin
One of my prayers for the past 8 years has been that History will vindicate George W. Bush.
4 posted on Thursday, December 31, 2009 10:06:56 PM by left that other site (Your Mi'KMaq Paddy Whacky Bass Playing Biker Buddy)
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To: Carley
The final chapter on Iraq has not been written yet just like Truman’s Korean War efforts did not bear fruit until the 1990’s when a truly democratic South Korea emerged after being ruled by military authoritarian governments. Remember when we fought in Korea, many Americans wondered why we are fighting and dying for a backwards Asian country when our strategic interests really lie in Europe. Even after the armistice, the South Korean government that followed was contrary to our American ideals of freedom and individual rights. But all things take time.
Iraq is the same situation. Will a multi ethic Iraq ruled by a Shia majority hold together? Or will it need another authoritarian government to hold it together? We will not know until several decades past.
Same with Iran. The students alone could not spark the revolt until the rural Iranians stepped in after the government attacked the mourners of a popular mullah. The current revolt is really a coalition of students and dissident mullahs who are against the takeover of the government by the Almenidjad lead IRG and Basij. Once the current government is overthrown will the dissident mullahs (with the support of the more religious rural Iranians) turn on the students like the post Shah period? Time will tell. Right now it is too early to credit or discredit GWB strategy to undermind fundamentalist Islam.
5 posted on Thursday, December 31, 2009 10:28:17 PM by Fee (Peace, prosperity, jobs and common sense)
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To: left that other site
I pray he will be vindicated long before the new history books are written. After all, most of them are written by libs who skewer the facts and play foot loose and fancy free with the true facts.
6 posted on Thursday, December 31, 2009 10:31:39 PM by Catsrus
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To: Carley
Indeed we did. The current occupant is nothing but a laughing stock. He is transparent alright. You can see right through him
7 posted on Thursday, December 31, 2009 10:35:36 PM by Kaslin (Acronym for 0bama: One Big Ass Mistake America)
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To: DrDeb
Very well said
8 posted on Thursday, December 31, 2009 10:36:10 PM by Kaslin (Acronym for 0bama: One Big Ass Mistake America)
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To: left that other site
Bush planted the seed of freedom in the middle east and soon the fruits of his action will be shown. Ive said this to my friends. It will take 20 years to make a fair evaluation but already the is reason to be very optimistic. If only our government would support Iranian freedom.
9 posted on Thursday, December 31, 2009 10:37:50 PM by refermech
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To: left that other site
I predicted that many will miss President Bush and my prediction has come true. I also predicted and still do that history will show President Bush as the best president of this century, if not all times
10 posted on Thursday, December 31, 2009 10:39:33 PM by Kaslin (Acronym for 0bama: One Big Ass Mistake America)
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To: Kaslin
Fascinating article.
Leave it to the New Media to do the job that the Old Media should have done.
11 posted on Thursday, December 31, 2009 10:43:29 PM by reagan_fanatic (Bush at his worst was still better than Obama at his best.)
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To: reagan_fanatic
Indeed
12 posted on Thursday, December 31, 2009 10:45:04 PM by Kaslin (Acronym for 0bama: One Big Ass Mistake America)
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To: Carley
Ah, the age old question, is it better to be feared than loved?
There were a few times I was mad at GW, but I always respected him and knew where he stood.
Perhaps the Democrats learned that when the Republicans ‘compromised with the opposition’ it angered the ‘base’ and they were not going to repeat that ‘mistake’.
I’ve often said “If Republicans behaved like Democrats, why do we need two parties?”
13 posted on Thursday, December 31, 2009 10:46:48 PM by griswold3 (You think health care is expensive now? Just wait till it's FREE!)
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To: Catsrus
True about the History Books.
They care more about “Diversity” than anything else.
Sometimes, when at a student’s home, and I see a History Book lying on the table, I sneak a peek.
A Middle School Text had one page for WW2 and did not mention the Holocaust.
It had three pages for the Contributions Of Women to American History.
I am Female, But was APPALLED!
14 posted on Thursday, December 31, 2009 11:02:14 PM by left that other site (Your Mi'KMaq Paddy Whacky Bass Playing Biker Buddy)
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To: refermech
"Bush planted the seed of freedom in the middle east"
15 posted on Thursday, December 31, 2009 11:20:12 PM by left that other site (Your Mi'KMaq Paddy Whacky Bass Playing Biker Buddy)
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To: Kaslin
Thank you G. W. Bush, we do miss you so.
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY!
16 posted on Thursday, December 31, 2009 11:21:05 PM by quesera (We are so screwed!!)
Thursday, December 31, 2009
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