[Urbane Guerrilla]

Then let them enjoy something they think is more eastern. I won't complain. Meanwhile, read up on your Thomas Friedman for some very cleareyed looking at the whole matter -- Longitudes & Attitudes.

Autocracy and nondemocracy are, and Friedman agrees with me here (more correctly the other way around, but in the end we're on one page) the exact center of the problem that all the Arab states suffer from, some of course more than others. A good many Arabs know this. A democracy with Islamic features included is still a democracy, and I don't have a problem with that.

Now tell me if there's anything inherently wrong with democracy coming to them right where they're squatting. I'm here to tell you there's no shame in admitting that it would likely be good if it happened.

I'm here to tell you that only the oppressive élites want anything but democracy -- after all, anyone will fight like a dog to gain or keep power.

And here's another question for you: why should such people's opinions be respected? I cannot think of one single solitary reason. I can think of unreasons -- and as a moral being I reject them utterly. Shouldn't these simply be wiped out instead, that democracy may flower without a lot of damned savage interference by the shitty of head? Dead oppressors cannot oppress.