Posted on 01/27/2006 11:38:40 AM PST by Austin Willard Wright
Jon Stewart, the sage of Comedy Central, is one of the few to be honest about it. "What if Bush ... has been right about this all along? I feel like my world view will not sustain itself and I may ... implode." Daniel Schorr, another critic of the Bush foreign policy, ventured, a bit more grudgingly, that Bush "may have had it right."
Right on what? That America, using power harnessed to democratic ideals, could begin a transformation of the Arab world from endless tyranny and intolerance to decent governance and democratization. Two years ago, shortly before the invasion of Iraq, I argued in these pages that forcefully deposing Saddam Hussein was, more than anything, about America "coming ashore" to effect a "pan-Arab reformation"--a dangerous, "risky and, yes, arrogant" but necessary attempt to change the very culture of the Middle East, to open its doors to democracy and modernity.
The Administration went ahead with this great project knowing it would be hostage to history. History has begun to speak. Elections in Afghanistan, a historic first. Elections in Iraq, a historic first. Free Palestinian elections producing a moderate leadership, [emphasis mine] two historic firsts. Municipal elections in Saudi Arabia, men only, but still a first. In Egypt, demonstrations for democracy--unheard of in decades--prompting the dictator to announce free contested presidential elections, a historic first.
(Excerpt) Read more at jmm.aaa.net.au ...
No comments? Any reason for this old article? I certainly agree with what it says..
Problem is the islamists are gaining power thru the ballot now. ike in the aborted algerian polls "one man, one vote, one time" was the result and the military stepped in just as the islamists were cruising to a landslide.
I wish Jon Stewart would "implode". I don't see how anyone thinks he is funny {you know the ha ha funny kind of funny}.
Exactly.
I find I have some pity for the Palestians. When your sense of history is filtered through propoganda as is what little news of the world you can obtain, I don't believe you can be expected to make good decisions at the ballot box. Beyond that, their choices were only a little bit better than the "elections" in the former USSR or Cuba.
At least the Palestians have a good excuse, unlike our Democrats who have access to the information, but refuse to see it.
Why? Because of his failed prediction on the Egyptian elections (Islamic Brotherhood) and Gaza (Hamas)?
You had one corrupt Palestinian faction, Fatah, that pretended it wasn't a terrorist organization when it was, and you have Hamas, who doesn't bother pretending.
And all those who used to blow kisses at Arafat now must face up to the true nature of the Palestinians, who just voted Hamas into power - a majority of them will never accept Israel and is willing to condone terrorism. Which actually simplifies dealing with them, because there are no more illusions for liberals and Euro-weenies to hide behind.
In other words, democracy has made it impossible to prended the Palestinians are something other than what they are.
We've heard that one before....I think someone said it in early 1933.
Uh, not quite. I do believe the opposite happened. Europe continued to pretend that Hitler was something that he was not.
Hamas does not allow any such illusions.
Time Magazine???
me neither. He sits there like a bump on a log. There is no humor. Just sarcasm and stupid things.
I don't look at the the election of Hamas as anything but a victory for terrorists. Likewise the "elections" in Iran. If people are "electing" Islamofascists, the area is certainly transformed, but in what direction?
Daniel Schorr? The news commentator who seldom spoke the truth?
The contemporary of Eric Severride, Robert Trout and Lowell Thomas?
Is he still alive?
I agree. The Palestinians just put the crosshairs on their people as a whole. No more surgical strikes on a radical fringe.
Nowhere to run, nowhere to hide.
>>>I argued in these pages that forcefully deposing Saddam Hussein was, more than anything, about America "coming ashore" to effect a "pan-Arab reformation"--a dangerous, "risky and, yes, arrogant" but necessary attempt to change the very culture of the Middle East, to open its doors to democracy and modernity.<<<
Oh, yes, that was all your idea Krauthammer...
The Palestinians and much of the middle east have become accustomed to a system of pay for loyalty which I like to call "palm face up" Saudi Arabia wouldn't exist today if it weren't for that part......And there is a fine Hollywood example of that fact illustrated in Laurence of Arabia in the scene right after he crossed the desert with Omar Shariff.....Anthony Quinn plays a a Bedouin who is "A river to his people" ....translation.... his people will follow him as long as they continue to receive payment in booty from their raiding parties on the Turkish trains etc., etc.
The Corruption of the Palestinian process by Arafat follows that exact tradition.....and it was exposed when he died and new leadership discovered the Billion Dollars Yasser squirreled away in a Bank account outside of beloved Palestine. How do you think his lovely wife was able to live in Paris in the High Style to which she had become accustomed and thank god she didn't produce a Male Heir.
Hamas didn't expect to win but I'm Glad they did because now they can't hide behind Fattah and claim innocence. We now have full transparency so long as Fattah refuses to join the coalition.......Hamas is in charge and the West is about to pull their Billion dollar welfare check because of the Freedom Fighters who now represent the Palestinian people....
I say good.......Now we'll get to see how long the honeymoon will last between them when Hamas fails to follow through with all their promises and you can bet there have been many made......The people are restless and their patients is growing short.......
Now we'll see just how benevolent the rest of Islam really is about their beloved Palestinian brothers!........will the handouts be forthcoming?.......or will they do what they have always done with the Palestinians since their exodus into the various Arab countries........which is to throw just enough scrapes from their tables to keep from getting bitten by the dog.
When all of this washes out Fattah and/or more reasonable Palestinians will be in charge because Hamas will hang themselves with their own rope and their armor won't be as shiny as it first appeared.
It also makes for a clear enemy in a conventional war.
No more pretending...the enemy is now Palestine vis a vis their openly terrorist government.
Israel...take your first clear shot.
I see the election of Hamas as a step toward conventional war, and that's a good thing.
I'd rather have terrorists at the helm in Iran, than a terrorist-supporting government pretending to persecute terrorists while actively funding and hiding them.
The wolves of conventional war are howling louder and louder.
I agree with much of what you said. I don't think this is such a bad thing. There is nowhere for the apologists to hide any longer (but I'm sure they'll still try).
The election provides further support for our intervention in Iraq and Afghanistan and, as it turns out, none too soon.
And your reason for 7 month old article is ...????
The first elections *last year* in Palestine *did* produce a result of more accomodating leadership. It also was corrupt.
The Gaza pullout and Fatah corruption and other factors helped Hamas politically. This doesnt make CK's main point less valid, which is that democracy is an agent of change for the better in the Arab world. What we see in Palestine is a fanaticism that is absent in other places. Obviously the Islamist agenda has won there. For Now. But it's a flawed and failed ideology that will implode on itself now that it is given the responsibility of governing instead of merely the change to wreak havoc.
An 'elected' terrorist leadership of palestine only gives us more clarity and honesty about what Palestinians really want and how realistic peace really is. Even better, the Government is on the hook to deliver for their people. If it retains terrorism as its mode of operation, it will fail. We lived with the farce of the PA 'trying' to stop terrorism. Hamas was bad cop, PA 'good cop' - we were suckers.
On balance, Arab democracy is a very good thing for us and for the world. The governments can no longer hide behind the excuses about the 'arab street' and the people can no longer claim they are powerless to make change.
If palestinians want war, then war it shall be.
Yep. He does contribute to TIME Magazine.
This article appeared there but I couldn't find a direct link.
It's right at the bottom of the page this thread is linked to.
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