Should we care what Iraqi’s think?

“America is a friend to the people of Iraq. Our demands are directed only at the regime that enslaves them and threatens us. When these demands are met, the first and greatest benefit will come to Iraqi men, women and children.” – George W. Bush

All the self-satisfied rhetoric about bringing democracy to Iraq is worthless unless it corresponds with the evidence. There is a bi-partisan consensus amongst elite corporate commentary and governmental representation that the United States is attempting to bring democracy and freedom to the people of Iraq, based on the fact that George Bush said so.

Until lately, putting forth the proposition that our aims in Iraq were less than noble and that the primary motivation for our aggression comes from a drive for resource control (oil) was considered radical and/or treasonous. As evidence mounts in contradiction to the claims of benevolent and noble intent, this second explanation has begun to be casually offered by commentators as though it were accepted from the beginning, to the disgust of those in our society who believe that human lives are more important than material resources.

Questions for George Bush, Washington and corporate elite, supporters of the occupation, and just plain sycophants:

1. Recent polls (as well as polls from as early as ‘04) indicate that a vast majority of Iraqis (70%) want the occupation to end either now, or within a year. Do you believe that Washington should be receptive to the will of the Iraqi people?

2. Independent research indicates that approximately 100,000 Iraqi civilians have been murdered as a result of the illegal occupation. Every one of these wholly innocent victims of Baath party repression and then American imperialism had a family, had friends, had hopes, had dreams, had talents, and had aspirations for their future. How do you justify their murders in order that you may hold on to your support of the occupation?

3. As soon as Americans began to realize that the war in Iraq was in fact predicated on a host of lies and deceptions, public opinion polls began to show a vast majority of Americans were against the war and in favor of withdrawal, yet their will remains to this day without governmental response. What does this fact mean to you with regard to democracy in America?

4. Article II, section 4 of the United Nations Charter states, “All Members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations.” Why is it that you believe that the United States should not be subject to the U.N. Charter?