Opinion
 

Staff Editorial

Matthew Dulin    Geronimo Rodriguez      Cara Sarelli          Lisa Street

Bittersweet freedom

True signs of Iraqi liberation can be seen as hundreds of thousands of enthusiastic Shiite Muslim pilgrims stream through the central Iraqi city of Karbala, celebrating a religious tradition that was snuffed under Saddam Husseinis leadership.

The revived festival, in which Shiite Muslims make a pilgrimage to pay homage at the shrine of Imam Al-Hussein (a Muslim martyr who would have inherited leadership after the death of Ali -- Muhammad's son-in-law -- 1,400 years ago but was killed near Karbala), is the most vivid representation of Iraqi freedom from the tyrannical leadership of Saddam since the start of Operation Iraqi Freedom. While in power, Saddam outlawed the celebration of this Shiite religious custom in Iraq.

The American and British forces were able to deliver this right of civil and religious expression to the citizens of Iraq. But the Muslim people are asking the forces to leave the country so it can be governed by its own people now that they have been rid of the evil Saddam.

The Iraqis should not be concerned with American occupation, but more so with the United Nations' role in lifting the sanctions.

Freedom can be bittersweet. Iraqisi first taste of liberty was used to cheer at Saddam's removal and then used to protest America's lingering presence in their country.

In the past week, Iraqi citizens could be seen parading through the streets protesting at will -- an act once punishable by the torture and death of entire families. They have little gratitude to the American soldiers for their liberation, yet their freedom of expression is one of the most prized and treasured freedoms of the American people.

Any expression of "thanks" is quickly tempered with an arrogant "but," as in: "Thanks for liberating us, but we never asked you to come anyway, so leave."

Of course, the Iraqi people could not have asked for help in removing Saddam's regime because their voices would have been stifled, their tongues cut out and each one killed in a gruesome manner.

It's wonderful that Iraqis are finally able to express themselves freely without fear for their lives, even if they are using that ability to protest against their liberators.

Now the focus is on what the United Nations will decide to do about lifting the sanctions on Iraq so a stable economy can grow, the people can build whatever government they see fit and American troops can come on home.
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