The irony of the problem in Iraq

[Az]

It is truly ironic that the reason that George literally cannot win in Iraq is the same that brought him to office. Fundamentalism and Moral Authority. George won the election more than anything due to the support of the religious right and their call to push back moral relativism and install moral authority. Yet now he is trying to introduce concepts of diversity and tolerance to a society that looks more to the style of moral authority that his supporters crave so.

Democracy depends on the social contract. That is it is dependent on the people accepting that others will abide with them in this society and that even though they may disagree it is only by consensus that the society can move forward. Democracy is by its very nature Morally Relativistic.

And yet our society is currently undergoing an internal struggle due to the rejection of moral relativism. The religious right and the NeoCons despise progressive post modern thought. They see it as corrupting and destructive to society. They wish to install systems that establish clear and defined notions of morality based on their thinking rather than society as a whole.

The current level of social development of most Islamic nations mirrors this agenda. They believe that there is only one true way and that they are the defenders of it. The notion of extending tolerance to other ways only works in their opinion as long as they are subserviant to the Islamic laws. Thus a true democracy cannot flourish in a conservative Muslim nation at this time. Not until they embrace the idea of consensus rather than authority for governing their society.

You cannot make a people that believe in absolute moral authority to bend to a morally relativistic system. Particularly when there is not sufficient support for such in the society. The clergy has too strong a hold at this time. And unfortunately when the clergy has that sort of hold and there are differing positions it will always lead to conflict.

It is this conflict that eventually teaches the people that insisting on a moral authority in society ends up being destructive. This is the sort of lesson that has to be experienced rather than taught. The only way to unburden a society of a morally authoratative system is for the people to realize themself that it is not the best way for themself. They have to marginalize the fanatics themself. You cannot kill, torture, provoke, or manipulate such a thing yourself. Change has to come from within and until then you cannot make them bend how you want them to.

[Nickster]

1. Excellent points and well stated. Please forward a copy to the White House, they obviously have

no clue about such things.

[Az]

2. Bush is suffering from the Horton Hears a Who scenario

He has set his course and nothing is going to change his mind. The right accuses the left of flip flopping frequently. That is just our ability to incorporate new information and change our minds. Its called thinking.