al-Yawar and George Washington

[Matthew5]

al-Yawar and George Washington

George Washington and Sheikh Ghazi al-Yawar have much in common, although the only flowing white robes Washington ever wore were Roman togas in epic portraits. Iraq has now reached a point similar, in many ways, to the Constitutional Convention of 1787, when a group of unelected men met to change the course of their country’s history. These similarities bring hope for Iraq’s future.

Consider the situation the United States was in prior to 1787. Under the Articles of Confederation, the central government was weak, with local state governments and militias holding much power. The economy was stagnant, much to the consternation of men like Alexander Hamilton. There were orderly, prosperous regions (compare Kurdish Iraq to bustling Philadelphia), and there were regions bristling with unrest, leading to events such as Shay’s Rebellion in 1786. The western areas of the new United States remained hostile to the new government even after 1787, resulting in the Whiskey Rebellion in Western Pennsylvania and Virginia. President Washington had to mobilize more than 10,000 troops to put down the insurrection.

Interim President Yawar and his new government must now deal with a rickety economy and currency, a continuing unstable security situation and the desires and dreams of his people. The decisions made by this man will set the course for any future government of Iraq. President George Washington realized that his great power, and responsibility, as the first president of the new republic was to set precedent. Al-Yawar and his government must do the same. While his interim government is formulating a permanent system for Iraq, it must instill in every Iraqi a respect for the rule of law and the national interest. It is imperative that his government instill this value by example, and not by diktat.

The next month is a crucial one for the Coalition and the new Iraqi government. They must not only battle the terrorist insurgents who desire to rule the world by fear, but also a media which seems to see the United States as more of an enemy than the masked murderers of al-Qaeda and their accomplices. As the anniversary of D-Day approaches, it would be wise for the media to remember that the Allies lost more than 1,000 troops in a practice run for the invasion, and were willing to accept casualty rates of 70% for paratroopers. The media and the left see any sign of attempting to achieve a victory of the will as falling into the trap of Vietnam. These people forget that we are again in a world war, against an enemy who is willing to walk into certain death in order to hurt us. They forget the difference between a blind will and a strong will. They set the bar absurdly high, and consider anything less than their expectations a humiliating defeat.

Shortsightedness is something that President Washington had to deal with during the American Revolution. President Bush, our allies and the new Iraqi government must also find a solution to a media corps that is full of Sunshine Soldiers, to politicians like John Kerry who vote for war and then flip-flop because fighting a war proved to be difficult. More importantly, the new Iraqi government must steel the Iraqi people against the hot, dangerous summer that is soon to come. Washington had Valley Forge, and so al-Yawar has this test of fortitude. He must find a way to hold his nation together despite joblessness, violence and a still-struggling infrastructure. The lack of air-conditioning in many Iraqi homes is the least of the new government’s problems.

This is to be expected. The men who signed the Declaration of Independence knew that, in the words of Ben Franklin, they must “all hang together, or most assuredly hang separately.” Iraq is in a life or death situation as well, and it will be a difficult time for Iraq. Nevertheless, do not underestimate these people. They knew it would be a difficult time when they rose against Saddam Hussein after the Gulf War and were slaughtered by the thousands. With the help of the Coalition and a strong, responsible government, Iraq will prosper, eventually.

[rainstorm]

thanks matt

[Guest]

Great post. Where did you find it? Thanks!
...Jennifer...