They Want It To Work
Reader Ilona gave me a heads up on this review of the book What Was Asked of Us by Trish Wood. In the book soldiers tell their stories. The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly.
One soldier looks at thte Iraqi committment to civil government and marvels.
Alan King reflects: "I don't think I've ever lost hope, even to this day. . . .The fact that these guys still line up at police stations, even though they are getting blown up by suicide bombers, tells you they want it to work" (p. 64). Joseph Powers, desperate to make a positive contribution, tells of his work with the orphanages -- that is, until work in Iraq had to stop because of the danger the presence of the Americans drew to the children. Undeterred, Powers now works with Iraqi orphans through the War Kids Relief foundation stateside (p.258 ).If the Iraqis are so determined to keep their representative government and bring order to their country how can America abandon them?
How can we not care about the Iraqis?
How can we be a liberal republic and not care to see liberalism advance even if by our standards the steps the Iraqis are taking are only small steps towards liberalism?
I guess it is best posed as a question. Why have the "liberals" abandoned liberalism?
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2 comments:
"How can we be a liberal republic and not care to see liberalism advance even if by our standards the steps the Iraqis are taking are only small steps towards liberalism?"
That's the big question, isn't it?
We're not as conservative as some would have us believe; but, we're not as liberal as we used to be, either (I don't think that weakens your important point).
They say may you live in fascinating times -- and we certainly do. And that doesn't necessarily translate into a smooth ride. Interesting times makes for little time for more leisurely pursuits, I'm afraid. :o(
Thank you, Simon, for sharing the book review with your readers. Hope you've had a nice weekend, and wish you well for the upcoming holidays, too.
Cheers!
Why have the "liberals" abandoned liberalism?
Because its difficult.
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