Maybe thats why the site is called Alternet. They live in an alternate reality.
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Originally Posted by Alternet
Before examining whether there is any value to these claims, it must be pointed out that the Bush administration did not invade Iraq to spread democracy.
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Regardless of what excuses they want to make, there is one undeniable fact. At least two middle east states now have democracies
directly due to the US.
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Originally Posted by Alternet
Is Iraq even really much of a model? The Bush administration strove to avoid having one-person, one-vote elections in Iraq, which were finally forced on Washington by Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani. Despite the U.S. backing for secularists, the winners of the election were the fundamentalist Shiite Dawa Party and the Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution in Iraq.
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Which is a good thing IMO. It legitimizes our position. People can no longer say we are installing a puppet government.
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Originally Posted by Alternet
Nor were the elections themselves all that exemplary.
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The author doesnt elaborate or explain why. What a suprise.
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Originally Posted by Alternet
The argument for change through inspiration has little evidence to underpin it. The changes in the region cited as dividends of the Bush Iraq policy are either chimeras or unconnected to Iraq. And the Bush administration has shown no signs that it will push for democracy in countries where freedom of choice would lead to outcomes unfavorable to U.S. interests.
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Uh....you mean like how the elections in Iraq didnt favor US interests Mr. Alternet? heh heh
The article didnt really prove anything IMO. They are making assumptions. But the author doesnt really know. All he can offer is alternative explanations.
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Originally Posted by Alternet
Ironically, most democratization in the region has been pursued without reference to the United States.
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What a coincidence it just happened to come about right after the democratization of Iraq.
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Originally Posted by Alternet
Some Middle Eastern regimes began experimenting with parliamentary elections years ago. For example, Jordan began holding elections in 1989, and Yemen held its third round of such elections in 2003. Morocco and Bahrain had elections in 2002. All of those elections were more transparent than, and superior as democratic processes to, the Jan. 30 elections in Iraq. They all had flaws, of course. The monarch or ruler typically places restraints on popular sovereignty. The prime minister is not elected by Parliament, but rather appointed by the ruler.
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As opposed to Iraq's Democracy, which places no such "restraints". Which democracy would
you rather live under Mr. Alternet?
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Originally Posted by Alternet
Some of these parliaments may evolve in a more democratic direction over time
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Yeah...eventually they might reach the stage where Iraq is already. Though probably not without a revolution. Lets keep those fingers crossed and hope those rulers surrender their power willingly!
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Originally Posted by Alternet
Bush's invasion of Iraq has left the center and north of the country in a state of long-term guerrilla war.
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As opposed to hopeless and indefinite rule under a sadistic despot.
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Originally Posted by Alternet
It has also opened Iraq to a form of parliamentary politics dominated by Muslim fundamentalists.
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Muslim Fundamentalists elected by the masses. But maybe the author is only in favor of Democracy when it suits US interests?
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Originally Posted by Alternet
This combination has little appeal elsewhere in the region.
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Little appeal to
who? The other absolute rulers and their supporters? Gee...I cant imagine why.