Quote:
Originally Posted by VladtheImpaler
Let's look at Pakistan as an example - remember that woman who was sentenced to death for blasphemy? Then the governor who spoke out in her defense was assassinated. The "majority" opinion in Pakistan seems to be that his murderer is a hero. So, yes, I think you can say that "democracy" and "freedom" means something very different to those people than to me. Is Egypt different? Perhaps. BTC speaks of millions of Westernized people in Egypt, and, if you are in fact Egyptian, you and your family are part of this elite. But what is the reality on the ground? Perhaps to the vast majority of Egyptians "freedom" and "democracy" means sharia and "death to blasphemers", and repression of Copts and other undesirables. I don't know. So, to pretend that people on Cairo's streets are out there because of Ben Franklin and Thomas Jefferson is a bit premature to say the least. Again, Mubarak is an unpleasant character, but what will come next? Is it going to be the Westernized educated elite that rises to the top or the fellows with the beards?
|
I believe that these people have a right to
self-determination. And the best thing for us to do is provide passive and vague support* for their cause.
Whether or not they choose to elect the next Saddam will likely be in part a product of "The West's" historical involvement in that region's affairs. Might be nice to put a bullet in the guy's head right now, but it certainly isn't going to do much for long term resentment in the region.
Personally though, given some of the themes of the protestors, this isn't that likely to happen and to be honest, trying to influence the process will just end up making things worse in the long run.