Iraq's new copyright laws are being drafted by Hillary Rosen.

So you think this is funny?

Imposing american values on iraqis without asking them is exactly what those cynical old europeans like me thought would happen. Seems that we were right again.

Don't get me wrong. I think that the majority of iraqis will be much better off under american government than under baath party government.

But writing their laws is not exactly what rumsfeld promised when he said that the iraqis would be able to decide for themselves what kind of government they want to have.

But what do you expect from an administration that is basically just a branch of american industry.

But you will find an excuse for this, just like you found an excuse for the steel tariffs, the "faith-based" government initiatives, the war on (some) drugs, the abolishment of civil liberties, the laws about what you can do in your own bedroom and so on.

Are you sure you are a libertarian? Maybe you should just join the republican party.

No, I don't think it's funny, and I don't excuse it. What do you propose I do about it, other than publicize it?

As you said, the Iraqi people will still be better off. The perfect is the enemy of the good.

Sorry, I just got a bit angry.

At least the republicans seem to have a better grasp of the concept of a free market in some areas. That is just about the only positive thing I can say about them.

But I guess we germans with our stupid socialist, anti-market government are not in a position to critizise the US.

I just think it is sad. I had a very small hope that the american government was serious about letting the iraqis rule themselves.

The Iraqi people will ultimately rule themselves, and they'll be free to change the copyright laws if they choose to. There are a lot of things being done in a hurry right now, and a lot of political opportunists (like Ms. Rosen) taking advantage of them, but one can hope that it will eventually get sorted out.

"Seems that we were right again."

When were you right?

The reporter is Greg Palast. I wouldn't be too quick to assume this is as dire as he makes it out to be.

Seems to be fitting the expected pattern. Although I thought it would take us longer to get to Bloody Sunday's.