Bush today:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/06/20070606-10.html" I strongly believe that we are in a war with a group
of ideologues and that we can eventually win this war by promoting an
alternative ideology.
And so the speech yesterday was to speak clearly to people around the
world that the United States is committed to this freedom agenda, that
there is a realistic reason why we promote freedom, that it's for our own
security; there's a moral imperative to promote freedom, and that is to
recognize that there are people who live in societies that are still
repressive and that free nations have an obligation to work to secure their
liberty. I made it very clear that democracy takes time, that it takes
different forms in different places, but, nevertheless, there are
underlying principles which are essential to free societies."
There's so much here to rebut, but I think it all comes down to what he's demonstrated in Iraq.
Apparently, to Bush, 'freedom' for Iraqis involves invading and overthrowing their sovereign government, and occupying their country while arbitrarily directing assaults and airstrikes against those communities who actively resist the imposition of U.S. forces.
Take what Bush has done in Iraq and apply that example to Russia, for instance. Should they be allowed to posture as if their invasions and occupations of their neighbors are promotions of 'freedom?"
There is also the question of Bush's own double-standards toward other countries he chooses to regard as allies, or, even enemies, which clearly do not intend to adhere to any of his standards of 'freedom' or 'democracy.' Bush indicated that, although he couldn't wait to invade and occupy Iraq, he was willing to take a 'long-term' approach to Pakistan, Korea, Saudi Arabia, because of what he called, "the reality on the ground."from the press conference today:
Q. How do you square your commitment to democracy and as a priority for
your foreign policy with what we're seeing in Pakistan now -- major ally in
the war on terror, but also a place where a core leadership of al Qaeda has
found some sanctuary in tribal areas, the government has been taking a
repressive attitude toward a free press, it's got into this conflict with
the judiciary, firing the chief justice. Have you had conversations with
Musharraf about democracy in his country? Do you want to see free and fair
elections in Pakistan?
BUSH: I do, and said that in Pakistan the time I was there,
standing right next to President Musharraf. And we do discuss democracy, as
well as routing out foreigners in his country who are an equal threat, a
threat to America and a threat to him.
It's a very -- Pakistan is an important ally in this war against these
extremists. As you mentioned, there are some in his country. And I'm
convinced that he would like to rout them out. But it's not easy territory
in which to rout people out. We've had some successes inside Pakistan,
thanks to his leadership. And in terms of the democracy issues, he's going
to have to deal with it. And the interesting question is is the issue about
uniform, and he addressed that at the last -- only time I've been in
Pakistan. He said he would seriously consider -- I don't want to put words
-- you'll have to pull up the press conference.
Q. But if you think democracy is the best way to confront radicals and
terrorists, shouldn't we be pushing hard for democracy to really get
established in Pakistan?
BUSH: Well, democracy is -- it's a lot more established in
Pakistan than some of the other nations I mentioned. And there's upcoming
elections. And what you're seeing is a lot of posturing about the election
process, and it's not perfect. Either was our democracy perfect for 100
years when we enslaved people.
And so it's -- we do push for democracy. We push in the context of the
reality on the ground, as well. I mentioned Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia is a
close ally in the war on terror. His Majesty has done -- and his services
have done the world a service, a good service by bringing people to
justice. And he is also making some incremental reforms. He will go at a
pace slower than some would like to see; nevertheless, he's moving. And the
question is, is there progress?
We live in a world where people expect things to happen overnight, and
that's just not the way it works. I think it's going to be important for
whoever is President to take a long-term view of the ability of democracies
to progress and, therefore, change.
Bush is making it up as he goes along, and the more intelligent leaders of the countries he's rationalized out of his 'freedom agenda' will take full advantage of the ignorant contradictions and double-standards of the cobbled philosophy he's built around his military imperialism in the Middle East.http://journals.democraticunderground.com/bigtree
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