Democracy
When did it become so unpopular? Liz Cheney, formerly of State, wants to know, thinks its still worth it. NYPost:
Six years ago, a discussion about democracy in the Arab world would have brought ridicule and potentially jail time. Today, leaders, reformers, journalists and millions of others are engaged in a constant ongoing debate and discussion about democracy.
And America’s actions in this regard matter. As an Egyptian reformer said recently, “When the outside world softens its call for reform, regimes are emboldened to ignore their citizens’ rights.” The knowledge that we’re on their side empowers and strengthens those fighting for freedom. Abandoning them would be unjust and unwise.
Indeed, abandoning America’s push for democracy in the Middle East - returning to the policy of support for autocrats, turning our backs on the aspirations of the Arab people - would do grave damage to our credibility and image there.
If we were to tune in right now to any of the scores of Arabic satellite channels, we’d find young men and women from across the region debating the issues of the day, arguing and questioning authority. Giving up on support for democracy means betraying those young men and women.
Should we tell them America doesn’t believe they’re ready for democracy? Tell women across the Gulf that, although they’ve been able to vote and run for office these last few years, that was just temporary? That the world that, instead of supporting freedom fighters, we will throw America’s great and unparalleled strength behind autocrats and against the people?
That surely is a world in which the terrorists have won - and not a world in which many of us would like to live.
What’s the matter with this woman? Didn’t she get the memo? These people are savages who are incapable of being governed except by iron-fisted megalomaniacal psychopathic perverts. It’s a cultural thing. Anyway, Bush lied, people died.
Topics: GWOT
Posted by Jules Crittenden at 10:29 am on Saturday, November 3, 2007
2 Responses to “Democracy”
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November 3rd, 2007 at 1:13 pm
And it’s all about oil anyway.
November 3rd, 2007 at 4:18 pm
Don’t forget the occupation.