Posted on 03/02/2005 2:57:12 AM PST by JohnHuang2
Could it be true that democracy -- having been given a good push by the Bush administration -- is breaking out in the Middle East? The administration has said that with Afghanistan and Iraq's elections as examples, we would see a benevolent domino effect throughout the region. With the fall of Lebanon's Syrian-backed government on Monday, after massive public protests in reaction to the assassination of popular former Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri, a new window on the future has been opened for the Lebanese.
But those who follow public opinion in the Arab world also know that a note of caution is in order, even as we should join Lebanon's celebrations and support its future progress. (A note of caution is always a safe recommendation when the subject is the Middle East.) In a number of Arab countries, the most admired man in the world is Osama bin Laden, and popular elections held today could be disasters. Much groundwork needs to be done in this part of the world before democracy will blossom. Freedom of speech, religion and assembly, respect for human rights, rule of law and the development of a democratic political opposition are all steps on the road to democracy.
(Excerpt) Read more at washtimes.com ...
good mornin JH2 :)
Wonder how that crazy old Lebanese broad , Helen Thomas, Can spin this to be bad in her next column.
You haven't been keeping up. The latest spin is that the Middle East was in a state of known chaos, contained and quantifiable.
Bush has created uncertainty in the Middle East. Even though good will probably result, uncertainty is not desired.
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