Posted on 01/27/2006 11:38:40 AM PST by Austin Willard Wright
Jon Stewart, the sage of Comedy Central, is one of the few to be honest about it. "What if Bush ... has been right about this all along? I feel like my world view will not sustain itself and I may ... implode." Daniel Schorr, another critic of the Bush foreign policy, ventured, a bit more grudgingly, that Bush "may have had it right."
Right on what? That America, using power harnessed to democratic ideals, could begin a transformation of the Arab world from endless tyranny and intolerance to decent governance and democratization. Two years ago, shortly before the invasion of Iraq, I argued in these pages that forcefully deposing Saddam Hussein was, more than anything, about America "coming ashore" to effect a "pan-Arab reformation"--a dangerous, "risky and, yes, arrogant" but necessary attempt to change the very culture of the Middle East, to open its doors to democracy and modernity.
The Administration went ahead with this great project knowing it would be hostage to history. History has begun to speak. Elections in Afghanistan, a historic first. Elections in Iraq, a historic first. Free Palestinian elections producing a moderate leadership, [emphasis mine] two historic firsts. Municipal elections in Saudi Arabia, men only, but still a first. In Egypt, demonstrations for democracy--unheard of in decades--prompting the dictator to announce free contested presidential elections, a historic first.
(Excerpt) Read more at jmm.aaa.net.au ...
No comments? Any reason for this old article? I certainly agree with what it says..
Problem is the islamists are gaining power thru the ballot now. ike in the aborted algerian polls "one man, one vote, one time" was the result and the military stepped in just as the islamists were cruising to a landslide.
I wish Jon Stewart would "implode". I don't see how anyone thinks he is funny {you know the ha ha funny kind of funny}.
Exactly.
I find I have some pity for the Palestians. When your sense of history is filtered through propoganda as is what little news of the world you can obtain, I don't believe you can be expected to make good decisions at the ballot box. Beyond that, their choices were only a little bit better than the "elections" in the former USSR or Cuba.
At least the Palestians have a good excuse, unlike our Democrats who have access to the information, but refuse to see it.
Why? Because of his failed prediction on the Egyptian elections (Islamic Brotherhood) and Gaza (Hamas)?
You had one corrupt Palestinian faction, Fatah, that pretended it wasn't a terrorist organization when it was, and you have Hamas, who doesn't bother pretending.
And all those who used to blow kisses at Arafat now must face up to the true nature of the Palestinians, who just voted Hamas into power - a majority of them will never accept Israel and is willing to condone terrorism. Which actually simplifies dealing with them, because there are no more illusions for liberals and Euro-weenies to hide behind.
In other words, democracy has made it impossible to prended the Palestinians are something other than what they are.
We've heard that one before....I think someone said it in early 1933.
Uh, not quite. I do believe the opposite happened. Europe continued to pretend that Hitler was something that he was not.
Hamas does not allow any such illusions.
Time Magazine???
me neither. He sits there like a bump on a log. There is no humor. Just sarcasm and stupid things.
I don't look at the the election of Hamas as anything but a victory for terrorists. Likewise the "elections" in Iran. If people are "electing" Islamofascists, the area is certainly transformed, but in what direction?
Daniel Schorr? The news commentator who seldom spoke the truth?
The contemporary of Eric Severride, Robert Trout and Lowell Thomas?
Is he still alive?
I agree. The Palestinians just put the crosshairs on their people as a whole. No more surgical strikes on a radical fringe.
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