Tuesday, February 09, 2010

Will Iraq be like Lebanon?

Friends have reminded me that other countries have also experienced civil war, that Iraq is not alone. The Lebanese civil war lasted 15 years and all sects were at war with each other, but I doubt the violence was as bad as the violence in Iraq in 2006. I should read "Pity The Nation" to learn more about the Lebanese civil war. The outcomes of civil war has been the same in both countries.

Lebanon is a model Iraqis often cite, a democracy that produces gridlock among ethnic and sectarian parties as divided before elections as after them, resulting in an ever tense political paralysis. Bosnia is another. When it comes to land and borders, disputed between the Arabs and the Kurdish regional government, the divisions are as intractable as those of Israelis and Palestinians.

Thankfully the civil war in Lebanon ended long ago. Hopefully the March election in Iraq will lead to peace and prosperity there. If Iraq looks more like Lebanon, I will not complain, even if Iraqis vote for their sect. There was a time when most American Catholics voted only for Catholics. African Americans were prevented from voting in some states, so even the best democracy in the world had its flaws not long ago.

It's just too bad Iraq doesn't have a Mediterranean breeze like Lebanon does. Or a New Orleans breeze. Or a New Orleans Brees!

23 comments :

Joel Wing said...

If Iraq turned out like Lebanon that would be a good outcome. Unfortunately that would take huge changes. Lebanon doesn't have as large a population as Iraq, isn't as poor as Iraq, isn't as corrupt as Iraq, there isn't as much torture, there's isn't as much terrorism, etc. I can see Iraq struggling for a couple decades with its political and economic problems. Ironically, the first thing that might get solved is the attacks, because eventually Iraq will just not be important for the Islamists at least, and they'll turn to somewhere else.

Aton said...

"Iraq oil pipeline sabotaged"

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=CNG.07506b7f8c1fec5758c30b47f30b72c4.4a1&show_article=1

Maury said...

Who dat?

Habis said...

Don Cocks
I forgot to tell you the Palestinians are going home to their lands and houses and property. And the Zionists colonizers will either die or leave.

Aton said...

traitors to what?

Dolly said...

You team up with the enemy to kill your own people, it's a pretty basic concept Aton.

You didn't have problems understanding the charge when it was Adam Gadahn.

Aton said...

“You team up with the enemy to kill your own people”
Dolly

That describes you teaming up with AQ to murder innocent Iraqi civilians shopping in markets.

Habis said...

Dolly said...
You team up with the enemy to kill your own people, it's a pretty basic concept Aton.

You didn't have problems understanding the charge when it was Adam Gadahn.

2/10/10 5:51 PM

------------------------------

Nice. :) That is what you call wiping the floor with someone Dolly. :) And so few words. I liked it.

Habis said...

Aton are you still concerned with the well being of Muslims. I just cant get over your compassion and humanity. Im still touched.

Iraqi Mojo said...

Habis, did you know Adam?

'Adam Gadahn, a Southern California-raised man self-described as American Al Qaeda has released a new video in which he talks about his Jewish ancestry.

Gadahn, known as "Azzam the American," lived in Garden Grove in the 1990s after growing up on a goat farm in rural Riverside County. The FBI said he converted to Islam as a youth, left the United States around 1998 and later was associated with senior Al Qaeda lieutenant Abu Zubaida in Pakistan and attended training camps in Afghanistan.'

Iraqi Mojo said...

Is Al Qaeda bombing American cafes and hotels? Or are they bombing Iraqi cafes and hotels?

How many Starbucks has Adam Gadahn bombed in America, or in the House of Islam?

Aton said...

I just cant get over your compassion and humanity.
Habis

Thanks Habis, we do what we can. What do you do for Muslims? What is your vision for Iraq? What do you think of the black rock in Mecca? Did Abraham actually touch it?

Anonymous said...

I sure hope he does not bomb any Starbucks in America. I go there alot.

Anonymous said...

Aton tell me again how you care so much about Muslims. It just warms my heart everytime.

Anonymous said...

Aton said...
Habis, Iraq’s internal affairs are none of your business. You think just because you’re Arab and Muslim that gives you the right to murder innocent women and children in crowded Iraqi markets.

Why does the frame around the black rock in Mecca look like a vagina?

2/11/10 8:27 AM

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Well as an Arab you very well know I am genetically predisposed to violence. It is part of my culture and religion also. I need to kill a few people every month just to keep a level head. I was also fortunate enough and was given the honor by my family to kill my younger sister and restore our family honor after she spoke to a boy at the local store. I hope Allah will be pleased with me and I cant wait to get to heaven and have a big orgy. In the meantime I will be content with the bombings of cafes and markets.

I feel sorry for you. Yes you, the one who loves peace and opposes violence, who does not understand the joy of murder, and does not realize the sounds of bombs exploding in markets and cafes is as sweet as a symphony, and who does not have 72 young virgins to look forward to.

So sad for you. Your religion teaches you all about peace and love and non-violence and all I have is a black rock to walk around once or twice in my life. You really need to convert.

Aton said...

Yes, I am a racist because I dare speak of the black rock. I don’t know why you’re all bent out of shape. I was just wondering why the frames around the rock looks like a vagina.

Habis, Iraq’s internal affairs are not you business. Why do you feel you have the right to murder Iraqis? I don’t think Muslims are “predisposed to violence.” It is you who openly advocates murdering Iraqis. You are such a drama queen. You boast about Murdering Shia and “traitors”, and then act like you’re a victim of American prejudice. Pathetic.

Dolly said...

You know the Shia believe 2/3 of the Quran are missing.

Aton said...

You know the Shia believe 2/3 of the Quran are missing.

They are probably right. Archeologists have discovered that many portions of biblical literature were destroyed by the early church. The Gnostic Gospel of Thomas, Q, and Judas are just 3 examples.

Aton said...

"The Sunrise Ruby
In the early morning hour,
just before dawn, lover and beloved wake
and take a drink of water.

She ask, "Do you love me or yourself more?
Really, tell the absolute truth."

He says, "There’s nothing left of me.
I’m like a ruby held up to the sunrise.
Is it still a stone, or a world
made of redness? It has no resistance
to sunlight."

This is how Hallaj said, I am God,
and told the truth!

The ruby and the sunrise are one.
Be courageous and discipline yourself.

Completely become hearing and ear,
and wear this sun-ruby as an earring.

Work. Keep digging your well.
Don’t think about getting off from work.
Water is there somewhere.

Submit to a daily practice.
Your loyalty to that
is a ring on the door.

Keep knocking, and the joy inside
will eventually open a window
and look out to see who’s there."

Habis, why do you resist the sunlight?

Anonymous said...

When did Muslims celebrate 9-11??

Anonymous said...

a ton of farts is a poet now ?

Aton said...

Actually, it is by Jalāl ad-Dīn Muḥammad Balkhī writing about Al Hallaj.

David All said...

"Just weeks before elections, specter of sectarian violence resurfaces in Iraq" at http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/02/16/AR2010021606003.html