IRAQ: THE WAR THAT WAS

J. Grant Swank, Jr.

Operation Iraqi Freedom seems a long, long way back there somewhere.
Yet it was not that long ago that free nation leaders were informing the world of Islam as a "peace religion." After all, why not a democracy for a Muslim country? And were not we free peoples elated when Iraqis came to understand the meaning of free elections, Parliamentary rule and personal freedoms?

With democracy implanted in Iraq, there was hope that other Muslim countries would take to freedom’s branch. Then the Middle East could be reshaped in America’s image. Those downtrodden and oppressed Muslims could breathe freedom’s air for generations to come.

Consequently, our young men and women in uniform were at the front lines of the US-led Coalition (later called "multinational forces"). Those at home sported "Support the Troops" decals on car bumpers, desk tops and front door windowpanes.

Further, there would be freedom of religion. Jews would be Jews. Christians would be Christians. Muslims would live alongside other faiths. It would be a showcase for multi-religion tolerance.

The Operation Iraqi Freedom three-week win war closed with celebrations of all sorts.

Then reality set in — slowly, ever so slowly.

After all, free peoples folded into big time denial when their freedom dream did not eventuate.

The three-week win war was not followed by a tight, efficient plan of establishing a democracy in Iraq. There were fumbling and graft, even Iraqis stealing millions from their own treasury funded by free countries. Poor David Brenner toiled day and night, braving the media lights with his upbeat reports, but tugging at an
Islamic undertow that would not budge but backwards.

As to free elections?

The Iraqis cast their votes but did they know actually what they were doing?

As to Parliamentary rule, did Iraqis have any idea how to submit to dialogue, democratic debate and conclusions by ballot?

As to personal freedoms, did Iraqis have any clue as to how to initiate personal liberties after decades of being caged, fed to shredding machines, and fearing for their every breath?

As to freedom of religion, Muslims knew in their souls that there would never be a co-existence of Muslims, Jews, Christians, Hindus, and Buddhists.

There is hardly unity within Islam let alone Islam living alongside other faiths.

Entire article here.

Copyright © 2006 by J. Grant Swank, Jr.
http://www.truthinconviction.us/weblog.php
joseph_swank@yahoo.com

ALLAH: "Fight, slay Unbelievers wherever ye find them.Seize them, beleaguer them, lie in wait for them in every stratagem of war."
Qur'an, Sura 9:5

CHRIST: For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
John 3:16