Christian Isely, MS 03
Baghdad, Iraq
Baghdad Dispatch #7
Baghdad - May 21, 2004
I received quite the response from my last e-mail! To begin with, I will clarify some of my positions so people can better understand where I'm coming from and the reasons for my decision to be a part of this effort. After all, generally the first response I received from my friends upon telling them of my plans was, "What? Are you crazy?"
Probably one of the more interesting facets of this venture are the motivations of its participants. We have all types here for all reasons. First, there are those who are here for the money. I know an engineer in his 70's who is working hard here to buy a an autopilot for his boat back home. Another wants to earn enough money to settle down as a cattle rancher in Indonesia.
Then there are the politicos. (I guess I might fall somewhat into this category.) One such guy is currently residing in the political wilderness after having resigned from a British cabinet post. For him, this is just a pause before he jumps back into domestic politics. For others like myself, this is a means to jumpstart an exciting career.
Then there are those who just enjoy the danger and excitement of the moment. This would include all the security firm contractors and some of the military personnel.
As for me, I signed up for a variety reasons. Career was an important factor as was money albeit to a lesser degree. Today, the factor I want to talk about is the idea of taking part in a great struggle.
First off, I want to make it clear to everyone that I still view the invasion of Iraq to be a mistake. I bought the legal arguments for war in that Saddam Hussein was not complying with UN resolutions. However, I was unconvinced that he was an imminent threat that had to be dealt with for the security of the US and the international community.
However, the war happened and the US is now here. This cannot be undone. As the past year has unfolded and the WMD have not been found, it looks increasingly clear that the Bush administration overestimated the "imminent threat". To some, this is yet more proof that the US went to war for other reasons. Clearly, one cannot discount this. Now that the reasons for war have grown murkier, many people are saying we should not have gone. Others are wondering if we should pull out altogether. I believe this to be a phenomenon on the right and the left of the political spectrum. For the left, why must we continue this war and killing if the rationale was totally fabricated? For the right, we removed the threat so why don't we just pack up, come home, and avoid future loss of American lives and taxpayer money?
My answer is that even if the war should not have happened and the US government got us involved either through incompetence or the personal self interest of politicians, we must evaluate our present needs and act accordingly. When I say that the US would suffer if we pulled out, I'm referring to many things. The security of the US would be jeopardized. Iraq probably would sink into even greater anarchy thereby becoming a haven for terrorists perhaps on par with Afghanistan before 9/11. Additionally, US interests as a whole would suffer as the perception of weakness spreads. Undoubtedly, US credibility would be dealt a significant blow (not to say it hasn't already). The Middle Eastern region as a whole would become even more unstable and oil would become even more dear thus effecting the entire world economy. Most of the consequences such as in the economic and social spheres are unmeasurable and perhaps extremely large.
The fact is that there is more on the line now than before the invasion. The US intervention has opened the possibilities for both greater failure and greater success. The only thing to be done now is to make it a success. Admitting defeat and walking away would make the worst of a bad situation.
What we must now do is hold our politicians accountable for their decisions. If the Bush administration took advantage of the American voter to support the invasion by tossing around the words "terrorism" and "freedom", this does not discredit these notions but demands that we ask what the true meaning of terrorism and freedom are. Most of the people are in Iraq helping because they do want the Iraqis to experience greater freedom. Even if the word "freedom" is used by politicians to justify political ends, we must never forget that freedom does exist and it is worth fighting for.
After writing my last dispatch, I was put in charge of Public Relations for all Transportation and Communications projects carried out by the PMO. Who knows? Maybe some of my press releases will make it into the news. Now I can personally take part in the effort to spread the good news.
Regarding one of my more recent experiences, I attended the first information session on the Iraqi tax code and social security regime. All taxes were suspended by the Coalition until this month when a completely new code was put into place. In theory, all employers must now withhold income taxes for all their local employees (this excludes coalition agencies and international organizations) In theory, the social security regime never ceased to exist and all past contributions must be paid. However, collection is another matter altogether! The income tax is graduated and progressive although I imagine the revenues will start out rather small. I believe they want to get people used to paying taxes so they will be ready when the tax regime actually becomes effective. So far, the proposed income tax code can be fit into one power point presentation. Talk about the ground floor!
Anybody have any reactions to Bush's latest conference? I have yet to actually read a transcript but hope to soon.
Christian