Posted on 03/04/2005 3:10:56 AM PST by Cincinatus' Wife
WASHINGTON – Something remarkable is happening in the Middle East - a grass-roots movement against autocracy without any significant "Great Satan" anti-American component.
In Beirut, the crowds that massed in the streets and forced the resignation of the Syrian-controlled government were demonstrating for kifaya (change) and freedom from the Syrian military that has occupied their country for more than a quarter of a century.
The passionate protest had apparently been triggered by the assassination of the popular former prime minister, Rafik Hariri - an assassination that the Lebanese assume was engineered by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
In Egypt, too, the streets have been alive with the sound of kifaya. Apparently seeking to divert the movement for change, President Hosni Mubarak announced last weekend a change in the election law to permit competitive elections. But his likeliest challenger, Ayman Nour, is in jail for allegedly forging election documents. And this week there were demonstrations in the streets of Cairo in his support.
In the past the United States would have avoided criticizing Mr. Mubarak, a key figure in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. But now Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has openly rebuked Mubarak and canceled a scheduled visit to Cairo.
In London this week, Secretary Rice said, "Events in Lebanon are moving in a very important direction."
The movements for democratic change in Egypt and Lebanon have happened since the successful Iraqi election on Jan. 30. And one can speculate on whether Iraq has served as a beacon for democratic change in the Middle East.
During the run-up to the invasion of Iraq, President Bush said that "a liberated Iraq can show the power of freedom to transform that vital region."
He may have had it right.
I bet that really hurt to say.
I heard this with my own ears driving home! I almost ran off the road!
BTTT
I can hardly believe it. I was excited about Ukraine, but astonished at Lebanon. I am so excited for the possibilities for freedom in the Middle East, but we have to strike while the iron is hot and help these countries as the opportunities are now and will probably never raise their heads again if they don't happen now.
He is prone to occassional outbursts of honesty though.
President Bush's Inaugural 2005 ......All who live in tyranny and hopelessness can know: the United States will not ignore your oppression, or excuse your oppressors. When you stand for your liberty, we will stand with you.
Democratic reformers facing repression, prison, or exile can know: America sees you for who you are: the future leaders of your free country.
The rulers of outlaw regimes can know that we still believe as Abraham Lincoln did: "Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves; and, under the rule of a just God, cannot long retain it."
The leaders of governments with long habits of control need to know: To serve your people you must learn to trust them. Start on this journey of progress and justice, and America will walk at your side.
And all the allies of the United States can know: we honor your friendship, we rely on your counsel, and we depend on your help. Division among free nations is a primary goal of freedom's enemies. The concerted effort of free nations to promote democracy is a prelude to our enemies' defeat. ......
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/01/20050120-1.html
..a stunning admission!
Tell me how right he had it when you start paying $8.00 a gallon for gas.
Titled: Could George W. Bush Be Right?
?????
Nice shot but utterly baseless.
Thank you for the LINK.
It must be even better than we think, for all the admissions of Bush's success to be rolling in.
Market prices, I always say.
If gas becomes that expensive, then realistic alternatives to gas or diesel engines will finally come to market and become interesting to the masses.
For myself, I expect to see ice sculptures in Hades now. One of the psycho-Dans thinks we MIGHT possibly not be entirely wrong. Anything is possible now!
Did he get through an entire NPR piece without mentioning that he was on Nixon's Enemies List? That would be a first.
Here's a guy with over 60 years of of running around carrying the Left's water, dodging crazy Joseph McCarthy, tricky Dick Nixon, and knowing his place around the adored Leftist stars, Walter Cronkite and Dan Rather.
Now that he is hearing someone, or something calling him from the great beyond, he too is looking for peace.
Seems that cozying up with Ted Turner for CNN just didn't get him the "free ride" ticket.
The journalistic equivalent of passing a kidney stone.
Schorr is really losing it.
Does sort of make the point about Iran probably feeling like it's surrounded. Draw round the wagons.
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