From: Ascmjk@aol.com
Date: Mon May 24 2004 - 22:55:28 BST
In a message dated 5/24/2004 2:48:45 PM Central Standard Time,
markheyman@infoproconsulting.com writes:
The weight of your
argument rests on the similarities which, I would say, are
insubstantial. The historical purpose of the American Revolution was
to replace a British elite ruling class with an American elite ruling
class. Though, I'm sure, many colonists perceived the outcome of the
revolution as an increase in their freedom, there were many more who
recognized it for what it was, a kind of shifting of the yoke.
Thus, Shay's Rebellion, etc. Still, IMO, the AR was a moral step
forward. Discounting the rhetoric, I see nothing similar in the
motives behind the invasion of Iraq.
JON:
What I'm saying is that there are abstract truths which can be reasonably
extrapolated from both the American Revolution and Iraqi Freedom. Ideas, ideals.
You don't have to have the same motive as someone else to strive for the same
goal, and you can both have differing visions of what that particular goal
will be like. Examples abound. Democracies can be different, certainly (they can
be constitutional monarchies, federal republics, parliamentary systems, etc.).
True realism requires a dose of idealism and optimism or you become
immobilized.
As you say, the AR was a moral step forward. I contend that eventually Iraqi
Freedom will be seen as such a step. You seem to disagree, but it's too early
to say for sure IMO. Anyway, thanks for responding.
Jon (P.S. about people having a voice in the U.S. government. Things seem to
be getting better all the time. Securing the structure of a given government
has to take priority over letting everyone "move in" all at once, or risk the
whole thing collapsing. The fragility of the American government in its first
few years can't be overstated, and so many people predicted it would fail
[George Washington himself often worried it wouldn't last] that I liken it to a
miracle baby. Similar pessimism exists today regarding the Iraqi Experiment. You
find these similarities inconsequential, but I find them compelling. Women and
minorities were indeed unfairly left out at first, but today they have the
right to vote. Also, at least 29 states have what's knows as legislative
initiative, where individual citizens can introduce legislation that can become laws.)
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