Today's
Washington Post features two stories that offer two viewpoints of Iraq. First, from Secretary of Defense
Donald Rumsfeld:
The rationale for a free and democratic Iraq is as compelling today as it was three years ago.
And from Zeyad, a Baghdad blogger:
Iraqis have lost all hopes for any real justice in this god-awful country. People here have long been accustomed to taking justice into their own hands -- or forgetting it altogether. That is one thing that hasn't changed much.
Who to believe, who to believe...
Rumseld says:
Consider that in three years Iraq has gone from enduring a brutal dictatorship to electing a provisional government to ratifying a new constitution written by Iraqis to electing a permanent government last December.
That's right...close your eyes and picture those purple fingers. Who cares if sectarian violence is escalating, that roving militias are executing men from opposing religious factions and the security arm of the Iraqi Interior Ministry is feared and hated by the Sunnis and the Kurds. After all, they have a Constitution now and we
know how important that is.
And what is Zeyad's opinion of his new government?
The new parliament was sworn in today. Our bickering politicians agreed to disagree yet again, and this time it was over the oath.
Quite a testimonial.
Rumsfeld assures us that there are significant gains because the Iraqis are standing up so we can stand down:
Another significant transformation has been in the size, capability and responsibility of Iraqi security forces. And this is vitally important, because it is Iraqis, after all, who must build and secure their own nation.
And how is that working out for the average Sunni?
It's almost 9 p.m., a dangerous time to go outside. Neighborhood watch teams -- young men brandishing AK-47s, pistols, RPGs and even sniper rifles -- set up checkpoints around this time. Many were referred to as the "Mujahideen" or insurgents in the past. Now, they are considered defenders of our predominantly Sunni district against Shiite death squads and militias.
Unlike Rumsfeld and the administration, Zeyad isn't working under the delusion that the new government represents or protects Sunnis and Kurds, as it does the Shi'ites.
Rumsfeld opines that:
Iraqi security forces have a greater ability than coalition troops to detect a foreign terrorist's accent, identify local suspects and use force without increasing a feeling of occupation
Because of course all Iraqis can trust their new security forces, right?
But sometimes they stop us, inquire about our destination, or they ask for our IDs. I stopped carrying mine some time ago; it gave out too much information, such as tribal, regional and sectarian background. You never know when you might end up at the wrong checkpoint. I just use my neutral work ID now.
Freedom is on the march...unless you end up at the wrong checkpoint.
Rumsfeld finishes with a variation of the "stay the course" meme and says of the Iraqi people:
And they are risking their lives every day to secure their country.
Perhaps it would have been more accurate had Rumsfeld said "risking their lives" everytime they step out the door...or look out their window:
His room has a better view, but it's not wise to stick one's head out of a window when Americans are nearby. The street was dark enough, but everyone knows they have night vision goggles. A sniper bullet in the head is not a fun prospect so I lay low and tried to listen.
It seems that for Rumsfeld, like the troops, reality is fungible.
