We cannot say to the Arabs: "we want democracy" and then insist that they should elect people that we like. Wherever Islamists have been elected, they have had to deal with raising revenue, filling the potholes, and dealing with milllage rates. Damn whole sight harder than driving the Jews into the sea.
Hamas will get unpopular real quick when the rubber meets the road. Further, when Hamas becomes a State Actor, they get an State Address. Understand that Rice and Olmert are ginning up for the Second Round. Hamas needs to understand that as a State Actor they will be in range of Israeli artillery, rockets, and GBU's.
It sucks being in government. Condi is right about this: once you're the State, you've got an address. Makes it A LOT easier for the IDF.
But the bottom line is this: you either believe in the right of the people to choose, or you don't. Arabs are NOT going to choose our way. Supporting strongmen, oil princelings, and Presidents-For-Life whose practice is to be our ally while putting the boot into the people merely puts off the Day of Reckoning.
Be Seeing You,
Chris
Hey, whereya been?
DOS (and the Gang of Saud) has removed Condi's brain and replaced it with Folger's Crystals.
Whether in the strret of or in a government position, hamas is still a terrorist organization. I will never forget the palestinian people dancing in the streets right after 9/11. Do we really want to support this type of regime?
I have to agree with you. Rice is saying exactly what we would say; if the Dems win tomorrow in a fair election, we can blame our fellow voters BUT we cannot change the outcome, nor would we want somebody else to some in here and tell us to change it. Hamas won the election; they now have the responsibility to deliver on both their promises to thier people and to the world at large. Conversely, as a shadow organization, they become 'romantic' like the IRA was once. I agree with Rice - make them show themselves for who they are, and, if they fail, let the people toss them out. It would suck to be in her position of trying to moderate and clarify all of this stuff.
I am worried we are going to wuss out on dealing with Sadr City after Maliki screams at us.
"Wherever Islamists have been elected, they have had to deal with raising revenue, filling the potholes, and dealing with milllage rates. Damn whole sight harder than driving the Jews into the sea. "
Odd, I seem to remember that Arab areas are recognizable by the hung potholes. And, try as I may, I can't remember seeing any news of Jews being driven into the sea by Muslims.
With terrorists in office, the roads get worse and worse - until the IDF blows the area to H*ll and gone to suppress terrorists will things improve.