[onedoug]

The use of democratization, as a wepon against Islamism, must extend beyond the so-called palestinian corridor that W identified in his recent speech. It must be extended to all of Islam to become the norm within Muslim society. Historically, Islam has largely not been up to the challenge of the true revolution that democratization would bring to it. But if it won't adapt, it may then have to be deconstructed as a viable means to "faith", for Judeo-Christian civilization cannot abide the descent in chaos which even our own liberal elites would bring upon us through the gradual, and relentless degradation and eventual disintegration of western values that drives their direct, and Islamism's transposed hate.

[AnalogReigns]

I'm not sure democratization is the cure...yet. With the ignorance and gullibility of their growing uneducated populations, Arab countries need strong leaders willing to move toward democracratic/republican political ideals...(where are such to be found?) The trouble is, in most traditional cultures, such leaders are deemed as weaker than tyrants...and weakness is the ultimate mark of popular contempt.

Even in the West democracy came a little at a time--and our founders desired a Republic--literally with a merit-based elite leading--to keep fundamental rights and intelligent policy primary--NOT possible with full democracy. With the reliance of opinion pols...with declining public awareness (see Jay Leno's on-the-street interviews...) I think sometimes America has become too democratic. We are not the free Republic the Founders envisaged.