[Lurker]

Cannot the administration at last state that it supports non-violent, gradual transitions to consensual government, institutionalized secular human rights, and an independent judiciary...?"

No, Mr. Hansen. They can't. It's not in their DNA.

[flat]

IT has always perplexed me ...that these mideastern states ended up being such hell holes.....they had centuries of a head start on us. Then oil riches landed on their doorsteps...and yet they ended up as Mr Hanson here describes them. Rationally you would think they'd have looked around and realized the blessings capitalism, representative government and free trade bestow on all nations who embrace them. Instead they never did but decended into rule by thug...and here they sit. GOOD GOD !! RUSH LIMBAUGH IS RIGHT THE TROUBLE WITH PLANET EARTH IS THE UNEQUAL DISTRIBUTION OF CAPITALISM.....GO FIGURE...