Normally, South Boston Online doesn’t comment on federal legislation.  There are plenty of local issues to hold our attention.

     An exception is the piece of legislation filed by Congressman Stephen F. Lynch on June 30, which is entitled the “Iraq Transition Act” (H.R. 5716).  See page ___ of this issue, where we have placed the complete press release from Congressman Lynch’s office regarding H.R. 5716.

     The act would establish a national Commission that will gradually shift control of the administration of Iraq from U.S. military forces to the recently elected Iraqi government.  The stated purpose of this bill is to start an orderly process for empowering the Iraqi government, while preparing the way for American and coalition troops to return home.

     Since no such body exists now, establishing the Commission is a good idea on its own.  The Commission will consist of 21 members, drawn equally from the Senate, the House, and appointees by the President.  Properly selected, the Commission and its individual members will have the stature to command respect both here and in Iraq.  Furthermore, the commission’s voice will be respected on the international level.  Setting up a strong and permanent Iraqi government and ending hostilities over there would be music to the ears of the entire world.

     Another reason for supporting this legislation is Lynch’s track record.  He is well known in South Boston for his respect and support for our Armed Forces, as well as for his devotion to veterans’ issues.  He has personally visited Iraq five times, as well as going to other Middle Eastern areas – difficult trips, even when traveling as a Congressman.  His voice can be trusted in matters affecting the military establishment.  And of course, all of us want to bring our men and women back from Iraq as soon as we can honorably do so.

     There is a third reason for supporting Congressman Lynch’s “Iraq Transition Act”.  We think it is the most important reason.  Lynch very cleverly based his bill on a previous piece of legislation called the “Filipino Rehabilitation Commission Act of 1944”.  That act was established to enable the Philippines to set up a civilian government, after we liberated them from the Japanese during World War II. 

     The effort to create an Iraqi government is a very similar proposition, so we should do it in a way that worked before.  The philosopher/historian George Santayana once said, “Those who forget their past are doomed to repeat it.”  More simply stated, “Why re-invent the wheel?”  Let’s stick with what we already know how to do.

     Make no mistake.  This won’t be easy, even with an excellent Commission.  Remember that Fernando Marcos (no great prize) and his wife, Imelda (she of the 1,600-pairs-of-shoes fame), governed the Philippines for many years.  There were constant violent uprisings by the Communist guerillas called “Huks”.  But after her husband was assassinated, Corey Aquino stepped forth, and the Philippine democracy blossomed like the yellow flower that was her symbol. 

     In short, it finally worked.  And South Boston Online is willing to wager that with patience, the same approach will work in Iraq.  And that our men and women in the Armed Forces can eventually come home from there, after having finished a job well done.

     In the middle of all the criticisms about how the U.S. isn’t able to build a nation in Iraq, just recall our history.  We rebuilt Japan into one of the world’s most successful nations.  South Korea still thrives because of our intervention there fifty years ago.  With the help of England and France, we created a modern Germany so strong that Communist East Germany literally beat down walls to join it.  We even rebuilt ourselves after the Civil War.

     Pay no attention to the pessimists.  They have “conveniently forgotten” our past.  America stands alone as the most successful nation-builder in the history of the world.