Roger L. Simon: Statue Talk

Here's something calculated to drive the Juan Coles of the world insane - the new mayor of Baghdad wants to put up a statue of President Bush as the symbol of freedom. The reasons for his gratitude are obvious, but I'd prefer something more generic -- a new version of Lady Liberty where the old statue of Saddam once stood. I can't think of the form just now but some young Marine playing soccer with an Iraqi kid wouldn't be bad. There are plenty of others. One thing seems certain - those who were whining that the Iraqis showed no gratitude to America for overthrowing their dictator are as wrong about that as they were about everything else. It just came a couple of years late. But it seems likely to last a long time.

UPDATE: Hovig, below, points out that the Saddam statue has already been replaced. I don't know where Baghdad's new mayor was intending to put his Bush statue, but there are undoubtedly good places for a new Lady Liberty.

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This is off topic, but as a Dartmouth grad, you may want to sign the petition of Volokh Conspirator Todd Zywicki '88 to run as an alumni trustee. If you, and the Powerline trio spread the word, he should be able to round up the 500 signed petitions necessary to run.

Roger - Are you aware that the statue of Saddam was replaced some months ago, by an artist group called The Survivors [Al Najeen], named Statue of Hope?

Prof. Wonkols Fabulous Fantasy Factory is headquartered in insanity. No need to drive him to the place where he lives.

I agree wholeheartedly, Roger. I think the only point to make is that gratitude is best expressed in conjunction with pride. Otherwise it just feels too humiliating. Until yesterday there just wasn't enough for Iraqis to feel pride in! But now, because Iraqi security forces fought and died to defend polling stations, because Iraqis organized and ran their own campaigns and elections, and because millions risked their lives to vote--now they can feel pride, NOW they can express gratitude.

Oh, I dunno, I think a statue of Bush would be appropriate, but not in Firdas Square. Off on another little plaza, perhaps. After all, it was his vision, and his stubborn will in the face of overwhelming negative opinion, that made it all possible.

Perhaps a better choice would be a trio of defiantly hopeful survivors of Saddam and the fascists' onslaught. Maybe a grandpa, his widowed daughter and a child, unbowed, united, resolutely looking forward.

A perfectly horrible idea. If a statue of a now dead U.S. soldier, a similar Brit, an Iraqi or two killed fighting the terrorists, and a live Iraqi with a ballot in his or her hand I'd be for it. But not a statue of Bush. That's another statue of Saddam target.

Some simple plaque commemorating the fallen forces that made it all possible. And a listing of all the countries who sent them.

The Marine and Iraqi child idea is lovely! Gotta work in a G.I., too, maybe with an older Iraqi. Our troops helped purchase Iraq's liberation with their sweat and blood, and from everything we read from their own accounts, they are genuinely moved by the plight and new hopes of the people there.

I would suggest statues of Rumsfeld and Wolfowitz next to Faneuil Hall for Kennedy, Kerry and their like-minded brethren to behold, but they'd probably last less time intact than Saddam's did after our invasion.

West Virginia could use a bronze likeness of Condaleeza Rice, where I think it might stand a chance. How about Bush in Times Square across from the old Gray Lady?

Having seen the hideous monument to Soviet WW-II dead in East Berlin (1966), I feel strongly that it is up to the Iraqis to do whatever they want with statues.

I could see us giving them a monument to their courage in voting, literally at the immediate and future risk of their lives, but let them decide where or if to display it, of course.

How many here would venture to the polls under those conditions? If my family had the cojones to do that, I would be in Iraq right now, helping in whatever way I could. I'm not, so we don't!

Perhaps a bit wicked, but any pro-American statue that the Iraqis themselves choose to make (especially a George Bush one) would also provide a good area for our snipers to hang out until the insurgency is quelled, as the bad guys would have to destroy it to save face. They made a very nice one, but unfortunately for this idea, it is indoors

I think our Commander in Chief would be the first to agree that the definitive symbol of freedom is the American GI. I would love to see a sculpture memoralizing both the warrior and the nation builder as the focal point of a Freedom Plaza. With perhaps George W. Bush Boulevard, Tony Blair Avenue and John Howard Street leading to it?

I saw a small bronze done of an American soldier kneeling before the gun and boots and helmet of a fallen comrade. Next to him stands a small girl, she is reaching out her hand to touch his shoulder.

Considering how many statues of Saddam were around Baghdad, I think there is plenty of room for all of these suggestions. Still, I believe that Bush deserves a statue, along with Rumsfeld, Wolfowitz, Bremer and Alawi, and those Iraqis who assumed leadership in the the new government at the risk of their lives, especially those who were assassinated.

I hope they have a national gallery with busts or paintings of all of them, together with a multimedia display in honor of all of those who contributed to the establishment of a Democratic Iraq. That will have to wait until Democratization is complete and we have brought our troops home.

Future generations of Iraqis, Syrians, Saudis, Iranians, Kuwaitis, Egyptians and the rest, I hope will learn about this date the way our children learn about July 4, 1776 and the adoption of the Constitution.

I'm so proud of all of those who have developed and carried out this policy, and I can only pray that their efforts will not be in vain.

But I also think a statue of George Bush would certainly be appropriate as well. If it were not for him, there would not be a free Iraq.

January 31, 2005: Statue Talk

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