After watching the video from the latest attack on the American civilians that were killed and their bodies savagely mutilated, coupled with the inevitable fear of the possibility that one of them could be my sister, my morale was not lifted by White House spokesman Scott McClellan insisting that "democracy is taking root." I have begun to shift my faith in what America's ultimate goal was in toppling Saddam.
When a mob of "civilians" can commit such atrocities and be proud of it, especially when their basis for hatred of America stems from lies spread by individuals with some communal leadership and personal vendettas against other religions, I can't help but think that the people that commit these atrocities need to be held under an iron fist because they cannot handle democracy. It takes rationality, tolerance of opposing viewpoints and a benevolent society for democracy to function - three characteristics that Islamic fundamentalists can't seem to grasp. At least there was order under Saddam Hussein; a democracy will only brew chaos and lead to prolonged occupation. I will very likely be viewed as a bigot for some of these remarks, so I would like to suggest to those who wish to shout racism to go to Iraq and preach your view of tolerance to the individuals previously mentioned.
My sister tells me that the media can make their stories of success vs. failure quite disproportionate. She assures me that an overwhelming majority of the Iraqis don't want the Americans to leave. However, nobody can deny that the brutality displayed in that attack on the civilian contractors cannot be tolerated and accepted as part of a futile attempt at developing a democracy in Iraq. What was our true purpose for toppling Saddam? To free Iraqis? I don't believe so. To seize their weapons of mass destruction? What WMDs? Oil? We're breaking records on gas prices. America needs a clear and honest reason from the Bush administration for our lingering in the Middle East. Then just get it done and bring our family members back home.
Michael Ratkovich
2002 graduate
