Mailbag: Freedom from within
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Democrat Herald
Roger Paul
02/20/2011
On Sunday's opinion page we were given another example of uncritical thinking by Charles Krauthammer. And I quote; "Today, everyone and his cousin supports the 'freedom agenda.' Of course, yesterday it was just George W. Bush, Tony Blair and a band of neocons ... "
So why do I consider this uncritical thinking? Because it is comparing apples and watermelons (at least oranges would be the same size). There is absolutely no similarly between what Bush, Blair and the neocons did in Iraq and what is happening in Tunisia, Egypt and other middle eastern countries.
The Bush doctrine was a regime change and attempt at democratic nation building by the invasion of a sovereign nation.
The results have been an estimated 150,000 civilian and combatant deaths (March 2003 to Oct 2010 Iraq Body Count Project) over 4,000 U.S. soldiers dead and almost 32,000 wounded in action at a cost estimate of over $774 billion (National Priorities Project) to the U.S. taxpayers.
So far the death estimate in Tunisia is 50 and Egypt 10. Will there be more? Probably. Are there difficult times ahead for these countries? Of course. However, it will be their difficulties, their choices, their revolution and ultimately victory.
If the U.S. has any part to play it should be as an invited guest not an intervening, meddling outsider who believes we know what is best for them. Lasting change always comes from within, whether it is with the individual or the corporate body politic. I wish them well.
