yup, we need a brutal strongman type back in charge in Iraq

[pampango]

24. Of course not. Not promoting brutal dictators is not the same as promoting invasion.

You are certainly right that humans have lived under brutal autocracy for much of their existence. We have made a lot of progress in that sense. I don't think that most liberals want to turn the clock back on democratic and human rights for the sake of 'order'. That is what repressive regimes have done throughout history. And the 'order' usually achieves another goal of keeping the autocratic ruler in power. (Perhaps it is alright to do it in 'their' countries, but not in 'ours'. )

The Middle East is not our problem - either to invade or to promote brutal dictators. We should support human and democratic rights everywhere even if there is little concrete we can do in most cases. (That's what European governments do.)

If Middle Easterners want a dictator, we should not stand in their way. If they want democratic and human rights, we should not stand in their way.



http://www.pewglobal.org/2012/07/10/most-muslims-want-democracy-personal-freedoms-and-islam-in-political-life/



http://www.people-press.org/2012/10/18/on-eve-of-foreign-debate-growing-pessimism-about-arab-spring-aftermath

Most Americans want stability (order) in the Middle East even if it comes at the expense of democracy. Democrats tilt more towards democracy but still a majority favor stability in the Middle East.