[pcottraux]

Maybe it (democracy) works but I wouldn't put my money on it. It was a long shot...probably mostly an attempt at destabilization of the region.

I don't agree with that statement. I do think democracy in the MidEast is really the best way to fight terror. Islamofascists have an ideology. The only real way to fight an ideology is with another, preferrably better, one. People of the MidEast ultimately will have to choose between the Islamic Extremist ideology and the American self-rule election ideology. I think the majority of them would choose self-rule rather than Islamic extremism (the terrorists' latest messages reveal they are feeling increasingly isolated thanks to the Iraqi elections).

But there are exceptions in the Middle East, as is the case with the recent Palestinian election and also the outcry against the missile strikes in Pakistan. Those people want to choose Islamic extremism, and ultimately, our fight will be with them, also.

[stand4somethin]

Great point... I strongly prefer democracy in the Middle East. Maybe it can happen and it is definitely worth an effort. I just wouldn't put my money on it. Yet this willingness to try something is a definite difference between President Bush and the Democratic leadership who we all know to be void of any ideas other than appeasement.