Well, actually it will. Just turn on your television. Tunisia. Egypt. Bahrain. Libya. They are all there. Given the current state of the Middle East, I was glad I went and saw Israel when I did. I don't want to do anything to damage Israel's tourism industry here, but things seem to be imploding around it.
Which is good. I am glad to see the mini-revolutions (or full-blown if you are Egyptian or Tunisian) taking place in these Mid-Eastern states. This part of the world has for a long time been known as the playground of strongmen and non-democratic states with miserable human rights records and low human-development. It is great to be alive to bear witness to this transition. I wish I could be back at school for my upper-level Political Science courses just to hear the discussion of this topic in the classroom. What I think is best is that these movements are coming from within (unless you subscribe to the whole "Jewish subversion" theory, in which case I suggest you become acquainted with the term "batshit"). They didn't need George Bush and the American Army to tell them what is good for them. Citizens of nations stretching from Algeria to Iran it seems can decide for themselves if living in a police-state is something they really want. Apparently the answer is no.
Inevitably with this geographic location comes the ominous specter of terrorism and religious extremism. I know the fear for many is that, with the fall of dictators like
I have been to Egypt (you can read all about it at this fine blog....) and can attest from experience that Egyptians seem to be quite secular. They enjoy their coffee and cigarettes and soap operas, women can be seen behind the wheel in cars, many of them lacking traditional Muslim clothing for women. The afternoon calls the prayer don't stop many from continuing their shopping. So are we going to insult Egyptians' intelligence by assuming they won't know the consequences of ushering in theocratic government. I think the exploits of the party's of God in countries like Iran, Afghanistan, and Somalia have been duly noted, not only here in the U.S. but across the world. It may be that large numbers chanted "God is great" during protests, but can't people hold religious beliefs and want democratic, secular government at the same time, just like we have in the United States? Perhaps the point was, despite all of his posters and propaganda, Mubarak wasn't the God-like figure he thought he was, at least not to the people he ruled. I have never been to Tunisia or Bahrain, but I have seen photos and have read about them. Tunisia is the closest thing to Europe on the African continent. Bahrain is also a modern, secular society. I think it would be a wee bit insulting to assume the citizens of these countries want to trade in their dictators for mullahs. Lets come back to Iran. Large-scale anti-government protests that have led to violence have now occurred in Tehran twice over two years. I think Iran's Arab neighbors can just look at that situation and see that perhaps a theocracy is not what they crave. Al-Shabaab in Somalia banned cigarettes, television and football (soccer for the Americans). Glenn and Sean, you really think Egyptians want to revert to that kind of lifestyle?
Again, one can understand the concerns, but we are seeing progress here: anti-government, pro-democracy movements across the Middle East. This is a big development in history. Let those partaking have their moment.
On another note, I will soon be announcing my next travel destination, to take place in March. I will leave you with that cliff-hanger.
Which is good. I am glad to see the mini-revolutions (or full-blown if you are Egyptian or Tunisian) taking place in these Mid-Eastern states. This part of the world has for a long time been known as the playground of strongmen and non-democratic states with miserable human rights records and low human-development. It is great to be alive to bear witness to this transition. I wish I could be back at school for my upper-level Political Science courses just to hear the discussion of this topic in the classroom. What I think is best is that these movements are coming from within (unless you subscribe to the whole "Jewish subversion" theory, in which case I suggest you become acquainted with the term "batshit"). They didn't need George Bush and the American Army to tell them what is good for them. Citizens of nations stretching from Algeria to Iran it seems can decide for themselves if living in a police-state is something they really want. Apparently the answer is no.
Inevitably with this geographic location comes the ominous specter of terrorism and religious extremism. I know the fear for many is that, with the fall of dictators like
I have been to Egypt (you can read all about it at this fine blog....) and can attest from experience that Egyptians seem to be quite secular. They enjoy their coffee and cigarettes and soap operas, women can be seen behind the wheel in cars, many of them lacking traditional Muslim clothing for women. The afternoon calls the prayer don't stop many from continuing their shopping. So are we going to insult Egyptians' intelligence by assuming they won't know the consequences of ushering in theocratic government. I think the exploits of the party's of God in countries like Iran, Afghanistan, and Somalia have been duly noted, not only here in the U.S. but across the world. It may be that large numbers chanted "God is great" during protests, but can't people hold religious beliefs and want democratic, secular government at the same time, just like we have in the United States? Perhaps the point was, despite all of his posters and propaganda, Mubarak wasn't the God-like figure he thought he was, at least not to the people he ruled. I have never been to Tunisia or Bahrain, but I have seen photos and have read about them. Tunisia is the closest thing to Europe on the African continent. Bahrain is also a modern, secular society. I think it would be a wee bit insulting to assume the citizens of these countries want to trade in their dictators for mullahs. Lets come back to Iran. Large-scale anti-government protests that have led to violence have now occurred in Tehran twice over two years. I think Iran's Arab neighbors can just look at that situation and see that perhaps a theocracy is not what they crave. Al-Shabaab in Somalia banned cigarettes, television and football (soccer for the Americans). Glenn and Sean, you really think Egyptians want to revert to that kind of lifestyle?
Again, one can understand the concerns, but we are seeing progress here: anti-government, pro-democracy movements across the Middle East. This is a big development in history. Let those partaking have their moment.
On another note, I will soon be announcing my next travel destination, to take place in March. I will leave you with that cliff-hanger.
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