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2008-11-24 Iraq

The Region: Don't flatter your enemies, protect your friends

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Posted by g(r)omgoru 2008-11-24 02:03|| || Front Page|| [2 views ] Top

#1 I don't think Bush felt the middle east would love him. I think he knew the governments would be hostile to the idea of a Democracy in their midst. But if that mean a liberalization (in the classic sense) of Arabic society the end goal was worthwhile.

Posted by rjschwarz 2008-11-24 16:49|| 2008-11-24 16:49|| Front Page Top

#2 Correct, rjschwarz.

There are really two ways to react to the jaw-dropping ingratitude and nutty speculation of Arabs whose lives/kids/civlizations/dignity you've saved/restored/enhanced.

Either you keep your eye on the ball, become a machine, view them as ignorant but well-meaning folks you'll have to help despite themselves, all the time remembering that it's in OUR interest to do so.

Or, you basically give up on them.

Most people I know oscillated back and forth between those modes, as did/do I.

Posted by Verlaine 2008-11-24 20:33|| 2008-11-24 20:33|| Front Page Top

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