A New Vision for Democracy in the Middle East
In what some called a daring departure from previous US policy, President Bush outlined a bold vision of encouraging democracy across the Middle East, and he received praise from some previous critics. Read the stories here and here, and for full text of the speech, go here.
Matt's Chat
My biggest fear is that the president will get bogged down fighting off senseless attacks from his own countrymen instead of carrying out his foreign policy agenda. This speech goes a long way towards calming my fear. The Middle East is a dangerous place for human beings. Those in power generally have little regard for life and it is time that we take a stand against those nations who are in to terrorism, despotism and abuse of humanity.What I still don't get, is those in the Middle East that seem to think we are pulling Israel's strings. These are the same kinds of people who claim that Israel runs the world. How can the United States have impact on what Israel does if Israel runs the world? It defies logic. And isn't relevant to the issue at hand. It doesn't matter what our position on Israel is when Iran is supporting terrorism. It just doesn't. And for those who think that it does. Buy. A. Clue.
Mark's Remarks
Wow, this speech was an amazing read, as I missed it when it was delivered live, but became intrigued when I read the news about it. The President is encouraging new democratic initatives and acknowledging the errors of the West in propping up some of these so-called benevolent dictators. President Bush, who often has been accused of lacking focus and vision, has shown he does have a vision for the Middle East, akin to what most hope for: a place where democracy reigns, where the people choose their leaders, and where they have the same freedoms we in America enjoy. Also, note that many in the Arab world for the first time are supporting what Bush has to say...In the Arab praise article, people still do not understand the whole Palestinian thing. Look, this president tried to get a peaceful roadmap, but Arafat and his insecure terrrorist bunch feared peace more than death, and resumed terror attacks because they never want to let go....It is not Israel or Bush's fault that Arafat is so scared of not having attention that he neglected his duties to police his organization, or that he handcuffed one, and probably two prime ministers of his territory.....The blame for the bumps in the roadmap lie with Arafat, plain and simple. no other President so aggressively campaigned and developed a plan for a Palestinian state, except this President.....
This was an historic moment, and I hope it helps usher in a time when the US can help spread democracy to those who are crying out for freedom of the individual. This is an historical moment, and we should mark it.....Now, we have to see what the repercussions are, and what the logistics are amounting to....We have a vision, now we need to see about implementation.....
