the not so secret meaning of "freedom"
by Theron Dash

Although he mentions democracy once in awhile, GW Bush stresses the word "freedom" as what he wants to bring to Iraq. Maybe that's because democracy would mean that the Iraqi people would decide for themselves what kind of a government they want. That's not exactly what the Bushies have in mind.

They didn't invade the country and cause so much grief, even to themselves, just to exchange an old dictator with an anti-American Muslim state, however democratically elected. They certainly won't stand for a government that decides to throw them out, lock, stock and military bases. Or one that denies American companies the lucrative oil and oil contracts. No, that's where freedom comes in.

Because freedom is not just another word for nothing left to lose. It's one of those big, nonspecific words that can mean what you want it to. Like, the American Dream. And in fact, these days they mean almost the same thing, at least to the Bushie people. Freedom in Iraq means the freedom of the Iraqi people to sell oil to America, and to spend the money on American goods and services. It means the freedom to host a big U.S. military base, and a huge American embassy, and lots of American corporations. And of course, lots of Walmarts and McDonalds. Maybe, eventually, if they're real good, a Disneyland!

Freedom means globalized American corporate capitalism. The freedom to choose from the fast food menu, the freedom to choose which of the 154 channels of insulting and desultory sameness you want to watch for the next fifteen seconds. Freedom to watch blonds squirm in tubs of snakes, or a fat-faced jerk say, "You're fired." The freedom to vote for the made candidate of your choice. All the freedoms we enjoy, and that the terrorists hate.

Of course you also get your bonus freedom of the press (except when it's spewing anti-American propaganda), your freedom of speech (unless you say something that suggests you might be a terrorist sympathizer) and whatever other freedoms are still permitted under the International Patriot Act. Because there's the same fine print you find in your credit card contracts---we reserve the right to change the rules at any time. Hey, you don't like it? In a free Iraq, love it or leave it. But you'll never be bored with freedom. No, one way or another, we'll keep you occupied.