Bush's take on the 'current crisis'
Posted 3:49 pm | Printer Friendly
The president gave a
brief summary of his thoughts on the ongoing crisis in the Middle East during a speech at the Port of Miami today. I've been mulling over what he might have been trying to say, but it's not altogether clear.
"The current crisis is part of a larger struggle between the forces of freedom and the forces of terror in the Middle East. For decades, the status quo in the Middle East permitted tyranny and terror to thrive. And as we saw on September the 11th, the status quo in the Middle East led to death and destruction in the United States, and it had to change. So America is opposing the forces of terror and promoting the cause of democracy across the broader Middle East.
"This task is long, it is difficult work, but it is necessary work. When democracy spreads in the Middle East the people of that troubled region will have a better future. The terrorists will lose their safe havens and their recruits, and the United States of America will be more secure. The hard work of helping people realize the benefits of liberty is laying the foundation of peace for generations to come."
The context suggests Bush was referring to Lebanon and Israel — when Bush talks about "crises" in the Middle East, it's worth clarifying — and not the war in Iraq. That's not helpful, however, in understanding what the president meant.
The crisis in Lebanon has very little to do with "promoting the cause of democracy across the broader Middle East." Lebanon is a democracy. Hezbollah was able to acquire power in the country through
democratic means (i.e., people voted for them).
Just to be clear, this isn't a defense for Hezbollah; it's just an observation about Bush's view of the region, which seems almost ridiculously one-dimensional. Asked to explain American efforts against al-Qaeda, Bush says it's important to spread democracy in the Middle East. Asked to explain the difficulties in waging war in Iraq, Bush says it's important to spread democracy in the Middle East. Asked for his insights into the conflict between Israel and Lebanon, Bush says it's important to spread democracy in the Middle East. Asked about Hamas' control of the Palestinian territories, Bush says it's important to spread democracy in the Middle East.
He does realize that these are entirely different situations, doesn't he?
more...
http://www.thecarpetbaggerreport.com/archives/8080.html
Printer-friendly format
Email this thread to a friend
Bookmark this thread
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
