[Winstonm]

Bringing democracy to Iraq was often quoted as a reason to persist in our war there. But....

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Iraq Moves to Ban Books, Censor Internet
Writers Fear Return to Saddam-era Censorship Regime
by Jason Ditz, August 12, 2009

In a move that has raised considerable fear regarding freedom of speech in the wartorn nation, the Iraqi government has announced that it plans to screen all books before they’re allowed into the country, and will block those books which “promote sectarianism.”

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For writers and literary critics in the nation, the announcement seems like a dangerous first step down the road to the sort of harsh censorship seen during Saddam Hussein’s government, particularly as the nation’s Communications Ministry openly talks of blocking “unwanted” content on the internet and shutting down sites which it claims support terrorism

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The announcement comes less than two weeks after the government unveiled a new law which it says was intended to protect Iraqi journalists. Journalists fear that law too will ultimately be used to curb speech the government finds objectionable, as it bans the publication of anything which may “serve enemies of the state” without defining who those enemies are or what it would mean to serve them.

Curb free speech and ban books - what is more democratic that that? Should we declare victory now and come home or wait until a few thousand more die and a few more rights are lost?

[ArtK78]

Mission accomplished.

Bush would be proud. After all, banning books was on his agenda, too.