What happens while we wait for boys to become men in Iraq?

Thursday, December 13, 2007

Here we go again

I read the Washington Post online story today "Iraq's Youthful Militiamen Build Power Through Fear" and I couldn't help but think of the truth in the adage of radio talk show host Bill Bennett, that boys have to join a gang; it could be a gang of street thugs or it could be a football team or a church group. These young guys seem to have to follow someone - or a gang of someones – presumably, until one day when they hopefully find themselves and the sense of responsibility that comes with becoming a man.

In this story, the young Iraqi militiamen, a couple of young guns, are following the orders of the Shi'ite religious leader, Muqtada el Sadr, the cleric who suddenly seemed to quiet down while the U.S. surge was getting off the ground. I suspect he was just laying low while behind the scenes was continuing to build his Mahdi Army, readying them to declare martial Muslim law in Iraq once the U.S. and its allies leave altogether.

What's to become of these young women in Iraq? The story tells of two young men, teenagers, armed with AK-47's, who appeared at the school in Baghdad and scared the school teacher and young female students by threatening them with death if the girls don't wear the head covering called the hijab. I know the article said that the boys threatened to either close the school or kill the girls but I would be willing to bet the girls heard only "…kill the girls..."

Even the secular girls are being forced to wear the head covering, even though their Sunni sect does not require it.

All the Bush-haters must be so excited at the prospect that there are all new Saddam Husseins lurking in the wings, waiting to wrench this almost thriving and vivacious country back once again into the Dark Ages.

I am, on the other hand, fighting the debilitating fear that Iraq has no real friend in the U.S., no friend who will be willing to stand up for those who have only recently tasted freedom.

It's such a shame, isn't it, that the young freedom-loving America had no support anywhere the world while it was finding its way…. ? Oh, wait a minute… I think we did have support. Yes, I'm sure we did. Even some of todays re-written history books (Howard Zinn versions, as well) will remark that America was even admired in some European quarters for its courage in overcoming some of the ancient - and yes, barbaric – traditions and morays.

I long for the company of those ancient unapologetic Warriors who are willing to sacrifice everything for freedom's sake… just like our United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and the Marines.

Thank God for them! And I can't forget those who wait at home for them.