Subject: [HAB:] What ignites a burning Bush?
Date: Fri, 07 Nov 2003 12:12:25 +0000


Ralph:

So the same holds true regarding repressive regimes (eg. Saddam Hussein's)?

>The destruction of repressive tradition is always a good thing, and always 
>becomes the prerogative of those affected to widen their sphere of autonomy 
>and demand progress--i.e. rights--for themselves, no matter where the idea 
>originated.

Very Habermasian:

>Once the question of a right can even be raised--by anyone--the range of 
>possibilities has been conceptually expanded and the right under debate 
>enters into a dynamic system.

I guess the issue I am grappling with is first the philosophical questions 
concerning the prerogative to *impose* democratic governance in Iraq, for 
example.

Second, and more practically, what happens if (when) a majority of Iraqis 
vote for a theologically-oriented government rather than a secular-leaning 
one? Are the Allies going to say *well we tried* and so be it. I don't think 
so. What is being contrived in Iraq is an unholy killing field; an 
inevitable state of civil war which will see Iranian and Turkish involvement 
at the very least, and of course all sorts of radical splinter groups vying 
for a slice of the action. In other words exactly what the U.S falsified its 
intervention with (Iraq as a breeding ground for terrorists) WILL transpire.

So, yes, in a different sense from what you intended: democracy is 
contagious, deadly in fact:

>The export of "democracy" may well be a sham, but the idea tends to be 
>contagious.

We can't turn back the hands of time, and the death of Saddam's regime was a 
plus of sorts. People like Wolfowitz and Perle are beneath contempt. Bush's 
eulogies about brave young soldiers and liberty are grotesque. A little 
rebellion in the barracks might give the Commander in Chief the kick in the 
buttocks he deserves. Here's hoping.

MattP.

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