
Iraqi Expat

Thursday, March 03, 2005

Democracy Lesson 1: Accountability

Wrongdoings are part of human nature, no one is capable of living a life without doing anything wrong; however, in democracy you will be accountable for these wrongdoings, but of course, you need to get caught and there are evidence against you first.

Sometimes people get the wrong idea about democracy thinking that people in democratic societies don't do anything wrong and that they are some sort of extraordinary humans. Well, I can say for sure that they are not and that they are just human beings; but I guess people who think so, only think like that so they can criticize!

Rumsfeld being sued over prison abuse. Now that says a lot about democracy and accountablity; however, I am certain that people already have conspiracy theories to explain it.

So, how about we look at the Arab world? Can you imagine a Defence Secretary getting sued for anything? Hell no! Well how about Saddam, his family, relatives or any of his puppets (and they were the REAL puppets)? Exactly!

Don't assume that shit doesn't happen in democracy, cause it does; but if you have the right establishments, you can reduce it and hold those responsible to account.


Blogger Brian H said...

Theoretically, any system of government with an independent judiciary can hold people accountable. However, the problem arises as soon as the same people remain in power for a long time with no external method of removing them other than violence. They make sure that they get very special treatment and exemptions from the laws. In a democracy, they don't get much of a chance to set things up that way, and if they do the next bunch elected goes after them for it.

It is possible, however, for the political classes and parties in a representative democracy to reach a kind of mutual protection agreement whereby they refrain from prosecuting each other, so that each takes a turn abusing the system. This is hard to keep stable for long, but it does happen, and has happened in, e.g., many states in the U.S. from time to time. And French politicians of virtually all stripes are notoriously corrupt, etc.

But they rarely get to abuse, imprison, and kill their detractors. So venality and stupidity are the worst they can get away with.

March 04, 2005 4:53 pm  
Blogger Kifaya said...

Yes! Ahmad. Exactly. Thank you.

San Francisco, CA, USA

March 05, 2005 9:27 pm  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

So who is accoutable for 20,000 civilian deaths and hundreds of thousands of injured and maimed for life in Iraq?

This is a huge death toll, we are not taking about few accident-deaths.

Indeed democracy is not perfect and it can lead to the wrong choices such as the war on Iraq.

The entire world opposed the war, yet Bush, because he could afford ignoring the world (like dictators afford ignoring their own people), went ahead with the war.

This is the most balant example of power abuse that dictators have used against others throughout history.

Just imagine if America was not as powerful as today.

Even a weaker America could convince the world to move against some regime if the world is convinced that they have a good case.

America, through its right-wing party, simply used force and intimidation to implement its agenda. This is hardly a democratic move.

Right-wingers believe the world is inhabited by evil people. That's what it boils down to.

They suffer a great deal of ignorance that is costing the world alot uncessary deaths.

The world needs a counter balance to this before the right-wingers turn to real fascists and justify death for the sake of "spreading their values".

March 05, 2005 9:41 pm  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

One thing to keep in mind is that if 20,000 Americans died in the last 2 years, it would have caused a huge outcry in America.

White Apartheid South Africa did operate democratically within its own white population, elected its officials and held them accountable.

Of course it was not extended to the black population because the black population was regarded as "subhuman" that can afford been prosecuted or killed in bigger numbers compared do the white population (white man life is more valuable).

Apartheid South Africa is the peferct example of how the right-wingers basically look at the world.

The other example is Israel. Israel with its 6 million people operate democratically within its community but the 6 million people rule by force almost 3 million native palestinians (for 34 years) who have no political rights within the state that rules them.

The 3 million natives can elect their officials but they are still subject to the forceful rule of the 6 million Israeli who are the real masters.

It is basically like having an election inside of a prison. Prisoners are capable of electing their representives but that won't buy them their freedom.

One could wonder, why are we accusing the right-wingers of this? Well all you have to do is look at their past and how they operate inside America itself (they deny rights to gay people for instance)?

You don't want someone who was involved in Human right abuses to be the head of a human rights organizations, the same way you don't want right-wingers to go spread "freedom and democracy" outside of their communities. Right-wing ideaology hold in contempt everything foreign including inside of America.

Leftists are the ones who fully embrace diversity and human rights to the full meaning of it.

Right-wingers just play by the rules. They would have restricted many rights if they could.

March 05, 2005 10:01 pm  
Blogger J. Francis Lehman said...

Hmmm, looks like ol' Anonymous up there is just another leftist who can't come to grips with reality—which, of course, is an altogether different thing than the theories of the classrooms, so dearly loved by such people. Good intentions! Certain roads are paved with them. Prudence! and measured, studied action! Always an option—when it isn't YOUR family being abducted in the dead of night by the tyrant's gang of thugs he calls "police." But never mind about that! We need a COMMITTEE, preferably of tenured, Ivy League PhDs, to study the situation! After all, what's a few thousand more people fed—feet-first—into the shredder? Far more important to publish all the proper papers before actually DOING anything about it. Besides, we have to make sure the French agree with us!!Anonymous is also quite long-winded. Yes, leftism at its finest. :)

March 05, 2005 11:55 pm  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Speaking of reality....leftists don't elect people who claim they talk to God, or that God talks to them,

Leftists don't challenge well established science such as evolution in favor of some 2000 year old religious text called the Bible,

Leftists don't publically claim that their favorite philosopher is the Christ (Bush's hero...despite the fact that Jesus himself never was a war-monger),

Leftists don't cry "our Army is defending liberty and freedom" while the same army discriminates against a minority called "gay people",

Leftists value life more than any pro-war pro death-penalty homophobic right-wing fundamentalist,

Of course I am a leftist, and very proud of it.

What's there to envy in the right-wing intolerance and disregard of human life (of others)?

It represents uncivilized America, and it is poluting the minds of a good number of people.

March 06, 2005 1:21 am  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I totally disagree with annonmous. Tell me Annon, what about the millions of Iraqi's that could have targeted American's there but didn't, Why? Because they wanted a better world for their children that what Saddam was offering. Amazing,that Lefty's are so vocal about the War but never said a word while Saddam was torturing, raping, killing and making Iraqi's disappear. You are a weak pathetic human being. What have you done for the world? What have you done for your community? What have you done for your fellow man?

I am an American Airman, I was a Medic at Baghdad Airport. I watched and heard Millions of Iraqi's dance in the street and celebrate on December 14th when it was announced that Saddam was caught. Because until that happened many were still afraid he would come back and hurt them if they even smiled at an American soldier. Despite that every Iraqi that I met was glad we were there and changed the regime. I will gladly go back again and lose my life for those Iraqi's that are willing to change the world for the better. God Bless free Iraqi, God Bless American; may her military stay true to the "Code".
Dianne, USAF Medic

March 06, 2005 3:39 am  
Anonymous Anonymous said...


You don't need to kill 20,000 innocent civilians, injure and maim hundreds of thousands of civilians in order to catch one single man (who still has his life).

The world didn't want your violent ways, you don't represent the world. You acted in an authoritarian way by ignoring billions of people on this planet who opposed this bloody war.

If you're so proud of what you did in Iraq, well travel around the world and tell people what you did and see how they will react to it. You will not find any supporters except in your right-wing communities who live in their own little delusional world.

That's the difference between us leftists and you right-wing fanatics. You will justify death in order to reach your goal. Everybody agrees on those goals.

I have watched Moore's documentary in which I saw many Iraqis CRYING and MOURNING their loved ones who were killed and asking why America did that to them.

Of course people who didn't lose their loved ones wouldn't mind it, that is exactly what the world wanted: removal of saddam in a non-bloody way where innocent people dont have to die in vain.

The fact that you said you would offer your life for other people is simply indication of lack of self-worthiness, it is a form of suicide. There are many sick people who need organ transplants, why don't you "sacrifice" some of yours to them huh?

Sorry, but you have been brainwashed to the point where you are led to believe that you can dispose your own life for a bunch of guys in the upper command sitting in washington. Save yourself from this madness and get some counciling. There is much more you can do with your life (to help people) than offer it to a bunch of war-mongers.

March 06, 2005 7:12 pm  
Anonymous Michael said...

Hi Lefty,

New Testament 2000 yrs old, Old Testament over 4000yrs old. Historical accuracy of both are overwhelming evidence of their authenticity from a scholarly viewpoint. Both secular(atheist) and religious scholars attest to its historical and archeological truth in regards to dates, names, cities, buildings, cultural periods and items, objects, etc., of the time.

The Bible, old/new testaments are quite well established, supported and utilized by people with great impact on society and with superior intellect. Lest you get to arrogant, don't let gravity hit you in the face on the way down from the top of your leftist propaganda Humpty Dumpty hill.

The President prays, but then so did Bill Clinton - you know, the one who killed thousands of innocent civilians in Bosnia while he was doing Monica? I guess its ok for Bill to prey on innocents huh? Funny, I don't remember UN approval then either.

Now, as to your claim of "not challenging well established science" this shows your trivial pursuit of political ideaology above good science. Your statement lacks any good sound judgement.

All scientist expect any theory put forth must survive scrutiny from their peers.

Guess what - Darwin's theory is falling from grace because no suitable evidence is forthcoming neither in transitional fossils, nor in elaborate test(fruit fly, etc). Unless of course you care to show us known transitional fossils today? Lefty? Examples?

Scienctist all over the world still argue about the existence of a Creator, or intelligent being. Physicists and Mathmaticians tell you they see design in numbers and from the smallest corners of quatum theory to the largest galaxies in our universe. Its not that big a deal for scientist to discuss such logic, why is it for you? Stop thinking politics for a second and just think, why are you here? Have an answer?

Darwin's theory is still just a theory, it's not fact. For you to suggest that we cannot question, poke, prod, test, attempt to disprove the theory is not only morally wrong in a free society, but just plain bad science no matter where ya live. Science does not exist in a vaccuum Lefty.

If a theory is good it will hold up to criticism, scientific testing and be proven. If not, it will be refined, or better theories will be put forth. That is what's happening today.

Intelligent Design is just another theory. Just because you don't like it's possible conclusion, does not make it wrong. It's a theory to be discussed just like evolution. Its a theory which can be proven or disproved through scientific methods. It will stand on its own merits or not. Whether you're a republican, democrat, or independent(such as myself) will not matter.

So, with regards to evolution theory, get over it...

Hey, how many people do you think in Sudan must die before the UN does something about it? Do you think the UN would've done anything so far if not for the USA?
Why is that?

Do you think China will stop the killing? Since they are buying the most oil there maybe they will care about the innocent people of Sudan? Ohhh yeah, they kill innocent people in their own country and they oppress innocent people in Tibet. So much for what the 'left' will do.

Maybe Russia or France? Which country do you think will stop the killing of innocent lives in Sudan?
Maybe Fidel?

March 10, 2005 8:35 am  
Blogger Ahmad said...


Being secular is not the same as being atheist. An atheist doesn't believe in god; whereas a secular believe that religion (whether believes in it or not) should not interfere with civil affairs.

March 10, 2005 10:52 am  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I wish you would just use your name Karim. It is so much easier than the anonymous thing. Don't you agree?

March 12, 2005 10:26 am  

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