0526 - Resistance

Once more, The New Yorker, not the magazine one thinks of first for serious political reporting, has a magnificent article about Iraq. This is “War after the War” by George Packer – in the 24 November edition. It is thoughtful, detailed, and explains much about the Washington bureaucratic conflicts, just as bitter as the real shooting. Experience has taught our Staff that affairs in Anguilla often illuminate what is going on in the United States and even half way around the world. Anguilla adds clarity to what otherwise would be mysterious. So it is with the sorry state of affairs in Iraq. [Please, Readers, do not e-mail to say that Iraq was in a sorry state before the invasion; of course it was, and Saddam, unfortunately not one of those killed off yet, is hideous. But, that doesn’t explain the current mess.]

We have frequently explained to those who haven’t shared in the Anguillian experience that one of the leading Anguillian characteristics is a fierce independence, manifested by an absolute rejection of any outside direction, however well meaning. It helps to understand what is going on in Iraq by supposing (just a thought experiment!) that Anguilla was invaded. Would well-meaning phrases about revamping governance make a hit? Not likely. Would an Administrator like Bremer – a hard-working fellow – be greeted with a parade? No way. Would any advice, direction, rearrangement of life, or well-intentioned foreign fussing-about be welcomed with cries of joy? Ha. Well, Iraqis are much crueler and less kind than Anguillians are, so what do you expect?

Further, as we have frequently noted here, the iron rules of bureaucracy are as much in force in Anguilla as in the United States. Packer’s article explains quite well how the bureaucratic infighting led to all post-war arrangements being placed in the hands of the Pentagon, which – institutionally – knew nothing about the country. The State Department seems to have been much better informed, but to no avail, as Rumsfeld swept the bureaucratic field. The result could have been predicted by any student of institutional workings (such as the OO). The arrangements for running the police, the infrastructure, and everything else simply crashed to the ground. Riots, pillage, and now a guerilla war followed. Could have told you so.

Moving on, we would like to respond to those who think our Staff is – as a few tell us – “Left Wing”. Rubbish. We believe in the death penalty in appropriate cases; we detest the slide into the easy and monstrous deficits [formerly, but not now, a staunch Republican position]; we think all should pay their taxes, not least the most-favored, and, we are not in favor of the coming barriers to international trade being pushed both by Democrats and by the White House steel tariffs just struck down by the WTO. We are truly gloomy that the present Administration has denounced international treaties, refused to join in an International Criminal Court, and has shown its disdain for anybody else’s opinion. This disdain is being returned with interest, and that’s not what America should stand for. Also, we hear that the policy is against any control of international small arms traffic [for the God’s sake, why?]. And last, we believe, firmly, in Liberty and Law, not in locking up people – any people – in Cuba without lawyers or charges. That’s Saddam stuff, and not the Act of a true Patriot, whatever you call the Patriot Act. Ask Jefferson.

Next time: AK-47 [OO #527]

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