The American Spectator

First, the democratization of the Islamic Middle East is not being undertaken by the United States. I know that this is a common arguing point made by those who oppose the actions of the U.S. in Iraq, but it is not accurate. The democracy movement, if that is indeed what this is, is very much a grass roots movement. It is fueled by a desire among the people for self determination. It is not being imposed upon them by the United States.

Second, it is far too soon to state that the people of the region will immediately sink into moral corruption and decay. The democracies of the West, while they have become much more liberal than they were 50 years ago, seem to be returning to a more conservative attitude. For societies that cut off hands for theft, have the death penalty for questioning the word of religious leaders and exercise gang rape for a woman who was seen with a man from another village to indulge in euthanasia a la Terri Schiavo, would be a step upward toward civilized behavior, not the reverse.

In the long run, I can only believe that democracy for all nations can only be a good thing. That there will be short term problems is inevitable. This country went through its share of growing pains, including a major civil war and our society is in a constant state of flux. But the benefits of a free society are undeniable. They provide the greatest good for the greatest number.

p>The culture of a nation will be determined by her people, not by her rulers. Without the willing acceptance and participation of the people, the rulers will be able to maintain power only through force of arms and then only for a short time. Democracy will come to the rest of the world without the active assistance of the United States. People want it and what people want, they will find a way of obtaining. br> — Michael Tobias br> Oakland Park, Florida /p> p> PUNK ROCKS br> Re: Paul Beston’s Bedtime for Bono : /p> p>Perhaps Paul Beston one day will understand that rebellion and adolescence are not the same thing. Until then, we unfortunately shall be treated to smug, pompous screeds such as his recent contribution to this Web site. Word of advice: As he continues to preen over his “maturity,” a trait which presumably unreconstructed rockers like Bono or Springsteen lack, he might try to cultivate musical talent.