_This week's first DUMB QUESTION_

[underpants]

Does alQaeda hate democracy?

I keep hearing about how much they hate democracy and it hit me-I don't think I have ever read a news story about al Qaeda (scum) saying anything about systems of governing. They didn't even govern Afghanistan the Taliban did.

I am sure that they would prefer some system of governing that is authoritarian so as to institute their extreme religous views.....whistles....taps foot ....looks around .... but anyway I haven't ever heard that they want one and not the other.

This is in NO WAY meant to support or endorse anything that they do but Do they really hate Democracy? ---- and if they do, WHY? What system/method have they endorsed?

[bryant69]

1. I'm not sure what the point of this question is

Unless it is to say that the United States claims to be a Democracy, but really isn't.

But if you are serious about what kind of government al-Qaeda would like, I suggest you start be looking at how the Taliban governed Afghanistan.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[underpants]

7. I didn't really mean to claim that

I threw that in mostly as a funny aside.

I just have never heard that alQaeda doesn't like democracy or really cares for that matter. They are a terrorist organization trying to create terror and promote their religous views on to others. I was wondering if that stated concrete known really was a fact of just part of a sales pitch.

[clydefrand]

2. The way I heard and read about it, they hate our presence in

the Middle East as well as Israel's existence there. If we would leave and Israel were handed over to whomever, all would be well. Yeah, right. :sarcasm:

[TallahasseeGrannie]

3. And a dumb answer

because I have no link. But I have read that democracy is not a system of government "allowed" by fundamentalist Muslims because it can (should?) result in laws, policies, etc., that are not conducive to a theocracy.

[underpants]

9. Not so sure about that one

I remember asking another DUMB QUESTION about W saying that "Some people say that Islam does not support democracy" and it was pretty much agreed on that George Will had introduced that line in a column of his a week or so before W started saying it.

[acmejack]

4. Theocracy, sharia...

Juan Cole's site undoubtedly has an authoritative answer to your question.

I think they hate infidels and despoilers of their culture. They could really not care less about our method of governance.

[ComerPerro]

5. They hate Democracy. Communists hate democracy. Therefore

Al Qaeda is communist!


FReeper logic, there, for ya!

Or, it could just mean that, yes, like most fanatic religious extremists (Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell), they despise democracy.

[Maraya1969]

13. They hate Democracy. The right wing hates Democracy. Therefore

The right wing is Al Qaeda!


:bounce:

[Lerkfish]

6. that's a bush smokescreen. What they REALLY hate is western meddling

in their affairs....which, by direct observation, we see they may in fact have a good point.

[DemonFighterLives]

11. Correct

The b*sh regime has caused them to rise up to act as boogeyman. dubby and Ossie are laughing all the way to the bank. The dirty bastards have pulled the wool over the eyes of the world long enough. Amazing how few see through their BS. If you look closely, Poppy will appear behind the scenes.

[enigma000]

8. Dumb answer

Democracy is the right for the people to choose their governing officials. People, as I believe Islam preaches, are sinful and corruptible. Therefore, their choice in government would be tainted. The only true holy government would be a theocracy - I guess with al-Qaeda and friends as leaders. I mean why trust these positions to anyone else?

Besides, how many theocratic political parties have won at the ballot box? How many got re-elected?

I'll let al-Zarqawi explain:

http://edition.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/meast/01/24/iraq.zarqawi/

The Jordanian-born al-Zarqawi declared his loyalty to al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden last year. In a statement posted Sunday on Islamic Web sites, he said his group has "declared a bitter war against democracy and all those who seek to enact it," and he declared all Iraqi candidates and voters enemies of Islam.

"Democracy is also based on the right to choose your religion," he said, and that is "against the rule of God."

[underpants]

10. That's a YES

Thanks

Actually I don't know if any of that is true either. It could just be one person's opinion of what a certain religion means tainted by wanting to promote their political ends. It's happened before.

[tk2kewl]

14. This question is covered pretty nicely in "The Power of Nightmares"

"The Power of Nightmares" is a BBC documentary that explores neocons and islamists and how the two groups have shaped international politics. It's worth watching.

The short answer is "Yes they hate democracy, but would use it to get into power, establish an Islamic state and then end elections."

The documentary is in 3 (1GB) parts and can be downloaded here:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/6/10/103745/557

[elehhhhna]

12. Now that Democracy is installing a Theocracy in Iraq, AlQ will LOVE it!

USA! USA!

[enigma000]

17. al-Qaeda doesn't want a Shiite theocracy

They want a Sunni theocracy. In their opinion, Shiites are apostates to Islam. This may explain why the Shiite theocratic government of Iran and al-Qaeda are not close.

[On the Road]

15. They Hate Any Government That Violates Muslim Law,

although in practice they focus on countries with a Muslim population such as Egypt or Saudi Arabia who are not Muslim enough. In practice, the full force of their wrath is reserved for countries which practice destructive policies toward Muslim countries like the US, the UK and Israel,and for governments who support them such as Spain (train bombings).

Form of government does not really seem to be an issue. Iran holds elections, but Al Qaida's beef is not with Iran.

[bigbrother05]

16. sorry hit it twice I guess

[bigbrother05]

18. Al Qaeda was created by our government

it's just a code name, does not exist. Watch the Power of Nightmares.

[leftofthedial]

19. as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Bush wing of the CIA,

I would think al Qaeda would at least make a superficial show of support for democracy (while subverting it 24X7).