Posted on 02/28/2005 10:35:11 PM PST by Former Military Chick
The White House, buoyed by the fall of Lebanon's pro-Syria government and other signs of democratization throughout the Middle East, yesterday proclaimed that "democracy and freedom are on the march."
Although careful not to gloat over encouraging developments that still could turn sour, administration officials were heartened by the speed with which President Bush's foreign policy of introducing liberty to the Middle East appears to be bearing fruit.
"You're seeing across the world, most notably in the Middle East, that democracy and freedom are on the march," said White House spokesman Scott McClellan. "There is a commitment to moving forward on democratic reforms."
Middle East analyst Marc Ginsberg, who was an ambassador to Morocco during the Clinton administration, said Mr. Bush "deserves credit" for aggressively trying to spread freedom in the region. He said the catalyst for reform was Iraq, which held its first free elections on Jan. 30.
"That vote had enormous emotional ramifications for the people in that region, who were really taken aback by what they saw," he said. "Every Arab newspaper that I'm reading now uses the phrase: 'Why there and not here?'Â "
Dennis Ross, who was a Middle East envoy under the first President Bush and President Clinton, said the tide has begun to turn in the region.
"Something profound's going on right now, and what it really is, more than anything else, is a loss of fear," he said. "Every Arab regime has ruled basically through coercion and intimidation, and suddenly the fear factor is eroding."
"Something profound's going on right now, and what it really is, more than anything else, is a loss of fear," he said. "Every Arab regime has ruled basically through coercion and intimidation, and suddenly the fear factor is eroding."
(Excerpt) Read more at washtimes.com ...
Tyrants of the world: misunderestimate Gee Dubya at your peril!
"Let freedom reign!"
"W" heard the same things. :-)
Massive victory for the Neo-Con's.
Interesting that they never get praise from the media, but only insults.
Perhaps because they finally believe the U.S. is going to back them up after witnessing we'll take casulaties, economic hits and suffer world opinion. Perhaps because they have become convinced after watching the Ahfgan elections and now Iraqi elections that the U.S. isn't going to be like previous governments and attempt to take over their country. Instead we're going to help them develop their own governement to respect their rights and run as they see fit.
This can do wonders to dampen fear.
What are you trying to say?
I wonder just how devout these Muslims are when they don't have a mullah-loving thug waving a gun in their face?
I have no proof, but I suspect that most don't "love" Islam any more than most Americans "love" Christ. Most people treat their religion as a cultural/moral underpinning; not as a personal relationship to their prophet/savior/deity.
Hee...hee...hee...
I agree about Sammon; but I wish the White House would just be quiet about this and let others do the talking.
Why?
All that will happen is the news will be contorted and prone to misinterpretation via media bias.
It makes me nervous; sounds too much like bragging? Bad luck? I dunno.........
It was proved to be most effective. ; )
You seem pretty quick to write off this country when this country rejected Kerry and same sex marraige. Nothing like a judgemental Christian posing for holy pictures to turn off average voters. You ever consider that you might be the reason voters reject Christ? Must be nice to be the only one in the world without sin.
I understand what you're saying; it just makes ME personally queasy. Your mileage may differ. :-)
It's quite nice (downright enjoyable, actually) when your main problem is having to be careful not to gloat.
I understand "ankle Biter"!!: : ~ 0
Just Kidding Howlin!
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