Trying to bring democratic and representative reform to these nations is not a mistake. President Bush has also done alot to go after and kill thse who believe in the ideology of terrorism and dictatorship.
Both approaches must be going on simultaineously to win this war. At times this approach will work and at times it will also fail but it still must be done.
The Palestinians are waxing poetic about the good old days when Israelis controlled Gaza.
This report is garbage. Hamas and Sheikh Yassin have had legitimacy in the eyes of Gazans for a number of reasons including their support for the intifadah, the construction of clinics, their control of the education institutions in Gaza, and their opposition to the PLA support for the Oslo Accords. It is not up to the USA to wipe out Hamas and Hizbollah. Israel must take the lead on that score , and it is clear that the extirpation of both is not presently feasible.
There’s no point in elections if terrorists win them.
At first I was ready to get all angry based on the title, but then I realized that this is really a criticism of us not being hardline enough. I agree. While we have no right to tell someone they can’t worship Allah, I have this huge worry about Islamic fascism getting a significant foothold in the civilized world. It must be crushed NOW. It deserves no respect.
The Law of Unintended Consequences, but the initial reactions are not always the same as the longer term results.
Oh, come on. Bush is a blithering idiot, period.
How long has this guy been out of work, anyway - just get out of the slammer, maybe?
Why, oh why, didn’t we have to “try to bring democracy” to Eastern European nations? Duh, and duh! Democracy in Arabia? What a laugh! The West never learns. Zimbabwe and the rest of Africa are such a smashing post-colonial success, ain’t they! Just like democracy in Detroit.
This doesn't mean we should just do nothing. It only means that we should think and try harder to understand the social, political, and economic structure of a society before pushing an idea. Also, perhaps we sometimes we need to take gradual approach that will not yield in a short term but can only be enjoyed in long term.
What a pile of feces. Elan Journo Is another of the blind that does “NOT” grasp the idea of democracy. Everyone, every group, and individual, has the right to representation. It does “NOT” give them the right to fire rockets into civilian populations. Then....to run and hide when the times comes for them to answer for their actions. But I forgot....this is the Islamic Extremists way of waging war. The only thing that makes these idiots understand is total obliviation. No hiding behind women and children, running into Mosques, or hiding under rocks as far as that goes. I don’t blame Israel one bit for making this point known, and felt, through out the Muslim arenas.
It should be however applied selectively. Look at Turkey or the Kurdish Regional Government in Iraq... it works there.
In other cases a pro-Western authocracy is preferable.
We have to look out for our interests, and stability of pro-Western governments should be the prime interest. In some places, were the people are evolved enough, democracy can take root and should be supported.
"Democracy" in the islamic world doesn't come overnight, and it's never perfect as it isn't in any other place.
It is a process which a)needs a pushing start b)stability and security to evolve and c)secularism/western orientation.
Turkey went through that process throughout the 20th century and so far has largely (comparatively) stayed well on the path. The Iraqi Kurds are in the middle of this process aswell. Iran went through the westernisation/secularisation process, but on the authoritarian path, which ended unfortunately in the islamic "republic".
Eternal vigilance is the other important factor. Iran wasn't vigilant on the threat of islamism. Turkey has to watch out, and take care it doesn't fall victim to it.
The Palestinian areas are entirely different from the rest of the Middle East though. They are not a proper state, have no semblance of proper governmental institutions, are entirely based on the hatred/hostility towards Israel and have not the slightest economical structure.
Any other Islamic country shines brightely compared to the Palestinian areas. Democracy there would inevitably lead to the victory of terrorists.
The title is too categorical. We have wisely supported Jordan’s King Abdullah with his enlightened autocratic rule rather than urge more power for his parliament, democratically elected but too pro-Islamist. Likewise Egypt’s Mubarak and even the House of Saud, whom we’ve nudged toward democracy only very gently (well, the al-Sauds were very frank that Osama bin Laden could win a democratic election there, and we were realistic). In Lebanon, a fragile and compromised democracy is at hanging on to legitimacy, after a fashion. That said, the Bush policy of democratic elections for the Palestinians, elections to form fully empowered, not limited, governments, was a lousy idea, and compleyely predictable. A limited parliament with the best strongman that could be found as the ultimate “decider” was the better option, and we’ve since recognized that by propping up Abu Abbas in the West Bank against Hamas in Gaza. The next West Bank elections will surely be “handled” in such a way as to ensure Fatah’s continued power there.
The so-called “Bush Doctrine”:
To the islamist philistinians: “Take Gaza and take the West Bank. Condi’ll help you.” Esentially cutting Israel in half.
To the Islamists in Waziristan: “BOOM!!!”
Then holding hands with, and kissing that filthy saudi/wahabbist prince when they and their oil should should have been the first target in this so-called “War On Terror.
There’s plenty more. And with 0bama coming into office, man,are we in trouble.
Elections in Gaza were a wise move. It forced Hamas out of hiding and into the public ranks of official order. Israel is now fighting an established government on terms of war rather than ambiguous indigenous civilian war against an alleged social welfare group.
oy.
Hamas Covenant 1988
http://avalon.law.yale.edu/20th_century/hamas.asp
Thanks to FReeper bethybabes69 for the link (today).
lol
Trust me, they are right. “Democracy” is not freedom. In the middle east they would gladly vote for any politician who promised to destroy Israel and us.
Some people are just too stupid to govern themselves. I’m from NJ. I know.