Obama the Reconciler: A View from Iraq

[babylonsister]

Obama the Reconciler: A View from Iraq
Submitted by davidswanson on Tue, 2008-04-01 03:17.
By Dr. Lisa Schirch, conflict resolution professor


snip//


Using conflict analysis techniques to assess how best to foster reconciliation in Iraq, several participants noted that what Iraq needs most is a leader like Gandhi or Martin Luther King. “We need someone to play a reconciling role at the highest levels to set the tone for the country.”

“Obama” someone in the group shouted. “We need someone like Obama!”

Here, halfway across the world in the midst of a deadly war zone, an Iraqi peacebuilder calls out the name of a current US presidential candidate.

I heard and saw Obama’s name everyday in the Middle East. Newspaper editorials examine the candidate’s strengths. Taxi drivers plead for Americans to work harder to “stop Mr. Bush who has killed my brother in Palestine, my brother in Iraq, my brother in Pakistan.” And overwhelmingly, I heard people support Obama as someone who could heal the division between the Muslim world and the West.

“Change” is a popular word to describe Obama’s candidacy. But “reconciliation” is perhaps a more profound word to capture the spirit of the Obama movement.

“Obama the reconciler” offers a way out of three historic divisions in American history.

more...

http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/node/32365

[caseycoon]

1. K&R Wonderful post! Thanks! :o)

[Scurrilous]

2. K & R

:thumbsup:

[UALRBSofL]

3. Try convincing Hillary and Gravel supporters of that

Like we are gonna believe an Op-Ed piece, yeah, right.

[babylonsister]

4. Ah, so sad the Iraqis aren't clamoring for your girl. Why would they?

What has she tried to reconcile? She bought into this tragedy and that will go down in history.

[EnviroBat]

7. Welcome to ignore tool.

[Tarheel_Dem]

5. I have a feeling that these discussions are taking place all across

the globe. Obama is for healing the old divisions, and restoring our once proud reputation as peacebrokers. No more cowboy diplomacy.

GOBAMA!

[babylonsister]

6. I imagine they are also. The world is watching... nt

[LeFleur1]

8. Yeah

You are right. People around the world are watching, and worrying. I have friends in England who emailed me asking, "What in the world is wrong with the US.? First they elect a dolt for President because they'd like to have a beer with him. Now they are backing a man with no experience at a time when it's very important to the world who the President of the US is. Don't the voters of the US have a clue?"

[babylonsister]

9. Sure ya do. And FWIW, Obama has more experience than Hill.

Look it up.

Finally, Clinton enabled this war; I don't imagine anyone in Iraq cheering for her.

[Tarheel_Dem]

11. I imagine your "friends" in England are hoping for a US version

of Maggie Thatcher, but you can let them know it ain't gonna happen. Sorry. Sarcastic asshole.

[Road Scholar]

13. It's sorta like When Mickie asked Minnie......."Are you fuckin'

Goofy?"

She's making a fool of her self and a whole lot of

good Democrats. By staying in, no matter what anemic platitudes she uses, she is making a mess of the whole party. Now we're becoming divided. What would have been a fantastic victory for us all, is now coming into question. If she and Bill's cronies figure a way to flip this process, there will be hell to pay. She and Bill are a disappointment. I don't even think she cares if she can't have it. What does that tell you?

[BeyondGeography]

10. It all makes too much sense, doesn't it?

K&R

[merh]

12. and the first test he will face

will be reconciling our party - the divisiveness and bitterness are so very sad.

great article, thanks for posting it