I was hearing an argument on BBC radio about why the arab uprising was really bad. They were saying the less bad regimes lost power, but the truly bad one still had power. They were saying the truly brutal regimes that cracked down hard are still there, and the fact that are still around will give them more power.
I don't see the link. Brutal regime managed to survive /= brutal regime somehow gets more power. If anything, Qadafi and Assad are in a more precarious position compared to a year ago.
It does look like brutality paid off. I hope these revolutions don't end up leaving people worse off than before.
Well whoever was on the BBS could make that argument. It doesn't make it true. Certainly people are being killed in the demonstrations. However, I disagree. It looks some of the revolutions have suceeded and they are creating a better society. The revoulutions remain in doubt and the usual suspects -corrupt or brutal elites and also many Western governments are doing their best to reverse much of the gains. The issue remains in doubt in Syria, Lybya, though here the Western powers will carry the day and try to put in a regime the prefer, which will hopefully be better. It is just as easy to argue that the Syrian and Lybian regimes are weakened. The semi-opening of the border between Gaza and Egypt is a good humanitarian breakthrough. It is also helpful worldwide to show that the Muslim Arabs also want democracy and are not the barbarians folks like ATW wish to make them. There is already evidence that in Greece and perhaps Madison Wisc the heroic resistance of the majority will inspire resistance to our corporate oligarchs.
They aren't over yet. Their course of history is still undetermined . The American revolution took decades to sort out. You could argue that all dictators aren't tyrants and some ruthlessness is required to maintain order. You could argue that corruption is the natural tendency of democracies. But at least in a democracies people can organize and throw the bums out without having to kill and be killed. The timeline of increasing civilization is inexorable though. (The Dubious theory of social entropy)
lol how about we start with "stop supporting them and keeping them there" and then we'll move on to getting rid of them.
I wish I knew how to find that clip. They did make a very compelling argument of why this whole arab revolution might end up with more of the same. I think people in egypt still are under military rule backed by the US and they aren't too happy.
DD, you have played too many shooter and games. Sorry real life aint that simple. I think we can all at times sympathize with you and wish that it were so. BTW that seems to be pretty much the Obama mo with extrajudicial drone assassinations of suspected Al Qaeda and various and sundry innocents who happen to be around the strike. That being said, too bad the assassination plot against Hitler did not succeed. Aggh. Real life as it actually exists. Give me fantasy fiction, clebrity gossip and computer games.
Agreed stop supporting them and then go after them covertly. Keep chopping the head off the snake until we get a government that is good for all of a particular counties civilians. Do it before too many countries have nuclear devices. DD
Actually glynch simplifying the process is what I am talking about stop treating all governments like they are equal they arent. Time for the civilized world to force itself on the uncivilized for the good of everyone. Stop p***y footing around because the enemy does not hold the same level of dignity. Fight this culture war to win not to achieve a happy medium. DD
Btw I know none of it will happen it will drag on for hundreds years and our grandchildren will be dealing with the same issues in the middle east just as our grandparents did. DD
We elected Phil Gramm and the people that appointed Alan Greenspan and we haven't thrown the bums out, yet. Eliot Spitzer was well on his to taking them on until he stepped on his dick. Hey, I'd of willingly nationalized the banks. The point is though Presidente's For Life, never lose elections.
I doubt Saudi or the other Arab producers will be toppled. Insurrection in Libya caused a lot of gas price hikes. Further insurrections would "threaten world stability". Might have to cut our losses with a wait and see approach on how Egypt will turn out. Don't expect too much from it breaking away from the status quo...
So you think the real problem is the overly fair and equitable treatment of governments? I think we probably have the same goal, but are worlds apart in terms of obstacles and solutions. Ultimately people want to be free, and as time passes I've realized that it creates the awkward situation of possibly having less luxuries for Americans. Also, I think we need to ignore culture, bury it in the past where it belongs, and start "judging" people based on their actions and nothing more. If they act with indignity, then they should be treated like a person who acted with indignity without sacrificing our own morals or making concessions for religion or culture.
