Surveying the road ahead in Iraq

Re “Ruling Shiite Bloc Sets Pace At Polls,� Dec. 20

One can only wonder if this is the beginning of the establishment of a theocracy in Iraq, like that in neighboring Iran. Of course, Iraq is more diverse than Iran, and an attempt to establish a theocracy might lead to further instability in Iraq.

In the U.S., we may not have a Christian theocracy in name but we have much of its trappings. Much of the political discourse here is similar to that of religious fanatics, of absolutes: with us or against us, right or wrong, patriotic or unpatriotic, etc. The danger of thinking in absolute terms is that it is an antithesis to notions of democratic discourse. Perhaps the elections in Iraq will help us reflect on what democracy means for us in the United States.

GEORGE GARCIA

Long Beach

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The claim that the high voter turnout in Iraq is a move toward democracy is hooey. Foremost in the minds of Iraqis is to end U.S. occupation. The Sunnis came onboard when they realized the inevitability of being a powerless minority and to hold onto at least a piece of the action.

With the new government and constitution in place, the Shiite majority will rule a theocracy. The chances of the Kurds peacefully fitting into the neocon dream of a unified Iraq are slim. And that’s the truth that President Bush will never tell the American people.

DON MAC BROWN

Beverly Hills