“No point in this. We disagree. I believe the people in the ME are the same as we are in that they do not want to live in bondage but want the freedom to live as they choose, and you do not.
I do not believe that their culture and religion make them fundamentally, at the core, different from us . . . .”
I’m jumping into this have read only your post. I haven’t read the article, and I haven’t read the thread. But, I have a thought about what you have said.
Years ago, W made a similar comment about the people in the Middle East — that all people want to live in freedom. I think that you and he are probably right. But that’s not the right question to ask if you are trying to establish a liberal democracy, with freedom for all. The right question is, “Are you willing to respect the right of your neighbor to exercise the same freedom?” Respectfully, Islam doesn’t leave room for other religions, and therefore is not compatible with political freedom, IMO.
Let me preface this with saying that I agree that Islam doesn't leave room for other religions, and that I am going to say what follows knowing there are people on this board who hate Muslims with a brainless passion, so that I'm taking a risk here.
The fact that Islam is an exclusive religion is severely problematic (obviously), but it doesn't entirely preclude the possibility of a democracy in the ME. Any government set up must be entirely secular for it to have a chance to work. Freedom of religion must be in its Constitution, or it will not work.
There will obviously still be a problem with the people in these countries and their animus toward any other religion, but that is not to say that it is insurmountable.
The Iraqi government is presently arguably more successful and productive than our own. There is movement toward freedom of religion, and there are Christians moving back into that country and worshiping.
I might also add that my son spent some "quality time" with the people of Iraq, and that I know for a fact that a large number of them deeply desire to live in a free country. President Bush was right, and his goal was just.