Posted on 03/01/2005 1:34:37 PM PST by West Coast Conservative
It was a scene the Arab world's autocratic regimes have dreaded -- and through the power of satellite TV, it could catch on as fast as the latest hit music video: Peaceful, enormous crowds carrying flags and flowers bringing down a government.
What happened in Lebanon this week, analysts say, is the beginning of a new era in the Middle East, one in which popular demand pushes the momentum for democracy and people's will can no longer be disregarded.
Television stations broadcast Beirut's protests live into homes, coffee shops and clubs across the Middle East, with the dramatic images of Lebanese youths wearing red-and-white scarves and waving the country's red, white and green flag as they handed out roses Monday to troops who had been ordered to block them. The coverage, lasting all day with hardly a break on some stations, culminated with the Syrian-backed government's resignation.
Inevitably, it raised the question among many spectators: What about here?
"I wish this could happen in Yemen," Ahmed Murtada, an unemployed Yemeni, said in San'a. "But here, tanks would prevail."
Anas Khashoggi, a 46-year-old management consultant in the Saudi city of Jiddah, said he followed Monday's events from beginning to end. "I wanted ... to see how the government reacts to the will of the people," he said.
Was he disappointed? "Not at all," he said.
The scenes from Lebanon come as Saudis are having their first -- albeit small -- taste of democracy. In the second round of the country's first nationwide elections ever, Saudi men go to the polls Thursday in the kingdom's east and south to choose municipal councils. The monarchy has been promising reform, but going slowly.
(Excerpt) Read more at newsday.com ...
The Bush Effect
Yes.
But they will never admit it.
At least not all of them.
So much for Jimmah Cahtah's Peace Prize.
The Democrats will claim it would have happened anyway... Just like they did when Reagan brought down the Iron Curtain...
Gee... maybe that Bush guy was right! Wow!
the lefty bloggers are already spinning it that "Bush gets no credit. And BTW, Reagan did nothing to end the Cold War either".
I kid you not.
All of this is due to W's convictions for all men to share in God's gift, the gift of human freedom, but do you think the PRESStitutes would give him credit? Not on your life!! Historians will somehow find a way to omit W in the history books! I know for a fact that if BUBBA was in W's shoes at this pinnacle time, the mediawhores would be crowing about the genius boy and this historical moment! They would be exalting him a god just about now! Instead, the media clymers are awfully silent crediting W on this extraordinary turn of events in the M.E.!
and example of Ukrainian Orange Revolution.
Bush Legacy: A free and prosperous ME and an end to trans-national terrorism.
Clinton Legacy: A man-batter stain on a blue dress.
anyone have a can opener? HA HA
Bawahahhahhahah...so true!
More "Social History" lessons:
Napoleon had no influence in the Invasion of Russia;
Lenin did nothing to launch the Bolshevik Revolution; it was inevitable;
Hitler was not responsible for WWII; historical forces were
and so on.
The idea that individuals are not the shapers of history is an absurdity I cannot abide. It cheapens humanity to deny that giants walk among us.
well said, Squidward.
That's OK, because the majority of the public will continue to laugh at them and see them as the fools they are, and the Democrats will continue to lose election after election, as long as the Republicans don't do something really stupid, like raise taxes.
I think if things keep going the way they are, and if Iran follows Lebanon, then Bush will go down in history as an equal to Reagan, in the liberation of oppressed people.
It is not only the bloggers, both BBC and CNN International have been very careful to assure their listeners that "Bush cannot be credited in this."
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