Iraqis are not as stupid as some people take them for

[ECH1969]

The escalating violence in Iraq gives a bleak impression of that country's prospects. Sectarian conflict seems to be increasing on a daily basis, with militias massacring hundreds of Sunnis and Shiites solely on the basis of their religious identities. Yet it would be a mistake to think that this bloodlust represents widespread sentiment among Iraqis. While neither US nor Iraqi security officials have yet found a way to tame the militias, the Iraqi public is increasingly drawn toward a vision of a democratic, non-sectarian government for the country.

In 2004 and this year, I was involved in conducting two nationwide public opinion surveys in Iraq. Contrasting the findings of these surveys demonstrates that over the two years when sectarian violence has increased, Iraqis increasingly view their fate in a national, rather than communal, context. Over this period, the number of Iraqis who said that it was "very important" for Iraq to have a democracy increased from 59 percent to 65 percent. These same Iraqis saw a link between an effective democracy and the separation of religion and politics, as under a Western system.

Overall, those who said that they "strongly agree" that "Iraq would be a better place if religion and politics were separated" increased from 27 percent in 2004 to 41 percent this year. Particularly significant were increases from 24 percent to 63 percent during this period among Sunnis and from 41 percent to 65 percent among Kurds. Opinion on this question within the majority Shiite community remained stable, with 23 percent strongly agreeing in both 2004 and this year. Nationalist sentiment is also increasing.

Asked whether they considered themselves "Iraqis, above all" or "Muslims, above all," this year's survey found that 28 percent of Iraqis identified themselves as "Iraqis, above all," up from 23 percent in 2004. In the capital, Baghdad, the center of so much sectarian violence, the numbers were even more impressive, with the share of the population who saw themselves as "Iraqis, above all" doubling, from 30 percent to 60 percent. The violence has had a major effect on Iraqi attitudes toward foreigners. By this year, distrust of Americans, British, and French had reached 90 percent, and attitudes toward Iraq's neighbors were also tense. More than half of Iraqis surveyed said that they would not welcome Turks, Jordanians, Iranians, or Kuwaitis as neighbors.

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/editorials/archives/2006/09/25/2003329135
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Iraqis are turning against the Americans, their reigious leaders, and those that are bringing death on them.

The militias that are trying to spark a civil war so they can divide up Iraq are failing. Iraqis can see though their shit. But they can see though America's shit as well.

[Selatius]

1. In one way, it's just like Viet Nam

No matter which side held a piece of ground, it didn't make one damn bit of difference to the people living on that piece of ground. They still ended up suffering and dying no matter which side was in control.

[magellan]

2. Are the religious militias failing?

I hope they are. But that poll is good news indeed. It means common, ordinary Iraqis understand the same thing we do: that mixing politics and religion brings nothing but grief.

As for the 90% who now distrust the Americans, Brits and French, that's no surprise at all. I suppose the remaining 10% consists of the suck-ups and others who have indecently gained from the occupation.

[ECH1969]

3. The militias are trying to divide the Iraqi people into camps

But, they aren't strong enough to do anything but butcher Iraqi civilians. They are simply powerful gangs. The Iraqi people know who is killing them and they won't forget it.

[wiley]

4. I wish you could back that up with any evidence

This also sounds very much like the weekly White House news I get to compare reality with dementia. I don't ever remember anyone here calling Iraqis stupid.

[Kagemusha]

5. I think they're smart enough to confine resistance to the polls.

Directly opposing the people with the guns and the control of the streets is not a strategy for longevity.

[ECH1969]

6. I never said those people were DUers

However, there are too many DUers who talk about Iraqis like they are mindless saveges certain to all kill each other in one big civil war.

They aren't mindless killers they know each and every group including the US who has been killing them these past three years and they aren't going to forget it.

[wiley]

7. Could you give me an example?

You say there are too many DUers that talk about Iraqis like they are mindless savages certain to all kill each other in one big civil war. I haven't really gotten that from Duers, but I can't read every post. I certainly do not believe that about Iraqis. I don't know any Iraqis.

Could you direct me to a thread on DU where that has been said?

I also don't understand what you are trying to say with "and they aren't going to forget it". It would be pretty hard to believe that people who have had done to them what the Iraqis have endured in the last 20 years or the last two days would just forget about it. Are you saying Iraqis will seek some type of revenge, or just dislike Americans as just about every other country does after 6 years of Republican neo-cons who claim to be the arm of God?

What are you thinking? Sounds interesting.

[magellan]

8. I keep Riverbend in mind at all times

Others may have no problem dehumanizing the Iraqis, but I do, at least partly because of Riverbend's blog (link below). Anyone who wonders what the average Iraqi is like, what they want, and how they feel about the occupation, couldn't do better to inform themselves than by reading Baghdad Burning from the beginning.

Better yet, order Baghdad Burning, the compilation of the first year and a half of her blog, from the Feminist Press. Then order Baghdad Burning II.

I had no trouble identifying with this 25-ish year old young woman who used to have a job as a computer programmer (before the Da'wa party took over the business she worked for and kicked her out), could drive herself anywhere she liked alone (she can't even get behind a steering wheel anymore), and used to wear t-shirts and jeans (now no woman goes outside their front door without donning a hijab and conservative clothing, even the Christians).

I'm very worried about River and her family. No update since Aug 5th.