Comment to Daniel Braunschvig

Submitted by Halina Minadeo (United States), Apr 23, 2003 at 20:44

Nothing could be more rational than splitting the artificial patchwork cobbled together by outside influences and held in place only through excessive force by a pathic thug. Do not the examples of colonial India, the former Yugoslavia and the current mess in Afghanistan provide enough evidence of the futility of trying to mold disparate, antagonistic factions into a perfect union? The recent news footage of the Shia pilgrims, with their frenetic and masochistic piety unleashed after thirty years brought a chill to my soul. These believers will never live in peace with anyone but their own. They are already clamoring for vengeance. Although we should praise the United States' benevolent intentions in trying to free the Iraqi people, we should also ask ourselves whether there is such a nation as the "Iraqis." The looting of the museum and destruction of the library manifest very little love and pride in one's country. The bloody self-castigation of the Shia, their fervid desire to avenge the martyred Imam Hussein, cast a gloomy shadow on the US reporters' blithe comments on how wonderful religious freedom is. Could they not have noticed the blood, the flagellation with metal chains, the cries demanding that Americans leave so that they might create a Shia theocracy, perhaps united with Iran? Mr. Braunschvig, you should be there, advising the rebuilders before their edifice crashes down on them.

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