National Pride

The people of Iraq have none.

Maybe the shock and awe tactic has lingering effects. Maybe religious homogeneousness (new word) is the only thing they want. Maybe they just don't care if they become a puppet of Iran.

I don't know what the deal is, but if the people of Iraq actually vote for Iranian-influenced candidates, then Iraq is going to be a prime example of how some populations may actually be stupid enough to vote themselves into virtual slavery.

Don't fool yourself, look at Lebanon. In the Lebanese example of an Iranian-backed government, there's considerable corruption, considerable terrorist networking, and considerable inefficiency. Want to get out of it? See the Lebanese example again. There were deaths. Assassinations to be precise. Bombs. Unaware people died along with the targeted individuals.

Fear... Intimidation... that's what rules after you let Iran in your house. There is no government for the people, by the people. The government becomes for the government, and by the government. That's what finally became apparent in Iran's last election.

So, what will happen to Iraq?

Good question. Like Pakistan, Iraq has no choice but to change. It's a little more complicated though. One choice is to simply let Iran rule over them. This would be bad, obviously. But so blinded are Iraqi people that it is a definite possibility.

The other choice is to evolve as its own country. That's said easily enough, but it tremendously complicated and never really ends. But basically, the Iraqi people must simply act in the best interest of their country, instead of just voting for the guy who's the same religion as yourself.

So, a paradigm shift will have to happen in order for Iraq to become a 'real' country. Eyes need to be opened, and the truth will need to be heard. Can this happen... well yeah, but soon enough? Probably not.

Of course I was kinda wrong about Pakistan. I sort of figured they would let the Taliban gradually take over instead of fighting them off. So, I could be wrong about Iraq. But right now I don't think those people over there can see past the partisanship of religion. I don't think they really care about living in an independent country. Sadam beat them up pretty good, and now insurgents beat them. Maybe they feel that if Iran takes over, then Iran won't beat them so much.

It's funny, in a sad tsk tsk way, because when Iran takes over Iraq and starts beating them, only then will the Iraq people realize what they've done, and it will be too late.

But who knows, maybe Iraqi people actually like being slaves. Sure, some are normal and all that, but most have grown up in poverty and only know what their clerics tell them. I doubt any newspaper gets widely published...

You know, that's an idea. Newspapers relying on printed words should shift their target market to developing countries that lack internet access.

Of course, most people in Iraq probably can't afford to buy a newspaper, and those that can are probably illiterate.

Anyway, it's not that I hate Iraq, but I'm just really disappointed in the direction they seem to be headed. I hope they surprise me like Pakistan. If so, it'll be an even bigger surprise since Pak's choice was pretty definite and easy to see. Iraq's choice is vague, not really apparent to most people.

Once a campaign takes off, maybe the campaign trail will spread the word on what exactly is at stake. If it doesn't, then doom is certain. Iraq will become Iran's tool, and Iraq will only be some obscure country pumping in oil dollars for Iran.

Yeah, oil. You think Iran wants influence in Iraq for religious reasons? Funny.