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Bringing liberty and democracy to Islamic lands was a fool's errand from the get go.

Unfortunately, the author may be correct about this. However, what else was there to be done? At least democracy is worth a try!!

I don't believe in the author's entire premise that bringing democracy to Islamic lands is a fool's errand, as he puts it. The fundamental premise is that they are unable to be democratic in any form because of either religion or culture- both of which are wrong. The youth movement in Iran is proof that both culture and religion don't clash with the desire for freedom. We have countless examples of non-Arab Islamic countries in the former Soviet bloc, that are embracing democracy. Too often, people look at who makes the news and judges the whole by the few. This is as false of a notion as watching our nihilistic lefties protesting and judging the US by them.

The defeatism expressed in this article has historically, always been proven wrong. The observation of Armageddon, as suggested in the title, has been 'proven' through countless generations from the fall of Masada, to the Crusades, to now the wars in the Middle East. I'll go with history to see that all those who knew Armageddon was eminent, were wrong.

I think you are right. It has to be worth a try because without the free flow of mid-east oil western civilization ceases to exist. You can talk about alternatives and bio mass and wind turbines and whatever, but for the foreseable
future civilization is at risk because of the mis-placement of oil fields in politically explosive areas of the world. The alternative is Bin Ladin control of the world's oil reserves. We have a fifth column in this country which rejoices in the stoppage of realistic development of energy. Therefore, civilization teeters on the verge of collapse at hands of Islamic Terrorism.

However, what else was there to be done? At least democracy is worth a try!!

Don't mean to be Clintonian but it all depends on the meaning of or style of democracy. Democracy, as we know it, and Islam are mutually exclusive. Anyone claiming otherwise take us for fools.

To believe that to exercise the voting ritual is a sign of "democracy" is pure bunk. The former Soviet Union held elections on a regular basis with a voter turnout in the 90%+ range, yet it was a far cry from a democracy.

Sometimes our politicians have too much time on their hands and are too concerned about their legacies that they get the rest of us in messes we'd be better off not being in. Oh, I know..fighting terrorism and all that stuff......but come on, enough is enough.......either sh*t or get off the pot...........