The Wp’s Latest Racist Article

[gilliam]

The Washington Post published an editorial over the weekend entitled, “U.S. Policy Seen as Big Loser in Palestinian Vote” that is well worth a read for anyone who wants to know exactly what it’s like to be completely oblivious to what democracy actually is and the institutions that are needed to sustain it. Staff writer Glenn Kassler attempts to critique Bush administration policy toward the Palestinians, in which there are probably many. But it ultimately turns into a condemnation of America’s policy of trying to spread democracy in the Middle East and becomes a declaration that the Palestinians, Egyptians, Iranians, and Iraqis are incapable of self-government. In short, it is the same Third-Worldist view that the poor and oppressed brown people of the world need — no, crave — authoritarian regimes because of their supposed stability. The argument is completely racist. Check it out…

If Kassler wants to criticize the Bush administration for failing to hold off on elections while institutions are developed, then that would be fine. Instead, he relies on the structural components that have generally been beneficial toward developing democracy; things like education, wealth, experience, etc. It leads him to the same argument that British colonizers would use about India. That is, until it became the largest self-governing democracy in the world. Leadership matters, sometimes even moreso than the structural components. What was needed was a leadership that could take the Palestinian territories onto the path of democratic nationhood. However, Fatah was so tainted with corruption and inability — in the present and in the path — that it led to Hamas’ victory. This does not mean that the Palestinians, or Iraqis, or Iranians, or Egyptians are incapable of governance. It just means that so far there are no proper institutions to govern with. Elections alone do not a democracy make.

. Check it out

 

[Tristan_daCunha]

Wow, I am not sure what Robert Mayer is ranting about, since it has little to do with the editorial which appeared in the Washington Post.

The editorial was mild review of events. Granted, the headline given to it sounded dramatic and probably a better title could have been chosen. But Mr. Meyer makes all kinds of allegations and assumptions which simply are not supported by the material he is condemning.

I think Robert Meyer wanted to vent his spleen and the Washington Post editorial simply was to be a convenient target.

 

[vern_humphrey]

The latest party line from the extreme left is that we are “forcing” democracy on the world. “Democracy doesn’t work for everyone.”

They have not, however, told us what their alternative is.

 

[Ani_Ibi]

vern humphrey:

The latest party line from the extreme left is that we are “forcing” democracy on the world. “Democracy doesn’t work for everyone.”

Which means that some folks don’t want certain other folks to have freedom; the ruling left wanting to impose their own ideas and keep the poor in place. They justify the poverty which they enable by blaming it on a third set of folks called the right.

Summary: right is wrong, and left is right.
vern humphrey:

They have not, however, told us what their alternative is.

There is no such thing as an alternative in an oligarchy.

 

[thestickman]

vern humphrey:

The latest party line from the extreme left is that we are “forcing” democracy on the world. “Democracy doesn’t work for everyone.”

I’ve read that for the last 5 years or so. IMO, these assertions by the left are very racist and shameful.

They have not, however, told us what their alternative is.

My experience is if you ask folks on the left what their alternative is they get angry and start calling me/others uncharitible and factually inaccurate names.

 

[vern_humphrey]

thestickman:

I’ve read that for the last 5 years or so. IMO, these assertions by the left are very racist and shameful.

My experience is if you ask folks on the left what their alternative is they get angry and start calling me/others uncharitible and factually inaccurate names.

That’s their standard “I’m losing the argument” response.

The next step is to say, “Democracy doesn’t work here, either – so step aside. We’re taking over.”

 

[Ani_Ibi]

vern humphrey:

That’s their standard “I’m losing the argument” response.

The next step is to say, “Democracy doesn’t work here, either – so step aside. We’re taking over.”

And when all else fails, blame Dubya.

 

[vern_humphrey]

Ani Ibi:

And when all else fails, blame Dubya.

e

What’ll they do when he’s gone? Oh, yeah, I forgot – they’ll hate the rest of us.http://forums.catholic-questions.org/images/icons/icon12.gif

 

[Ani_Ibi]

vern humphrey:

e

What’ll they do when he’s gone? Oh, yeah, I forgot – they’ll hate the rest of us.http://forums.catholic-questions.org/images/icons/icon12.gif

Esk naught wat yore country cn du for yoo…

 

[gnjsdad]

Tristan daCunha:

Wow, I am not sure what Robert Mayer is ranting about, since it has little to do with the editorial which appeared in the Washington Post.

The editorial was mild review of events. Granted, the headline given to it sounded dramatic and probably a better title could have been chosen. But Mr. Meyer makes all kinds of allegations and assumptions which simply are not supported by the material he is condemning.

I think Robert Meyer wanted to vent his spleen and the Washington Post editorial simply was to be a convenient target.

I would agree with your assessment.

 

[bapcathluth]

I don’t think this argument is racist. Look what happened in Algeria. They had free elections–once. They elected a dictatorial regime who did not allow elections again. Do you think that Hamas, once they are in power, will allow another election? Hah! They want a Sharia state, one that is under Islamic law. I’ll check back in a few years and see if there is another free election after Hamas has been in power.

 

[gnjsdad]

thestickman:

My experience is if you ask folks on the left what their alternative is they get angry and start calling me/others uncharitible and factually inaccurate names.

Of course, pigeonholing people (calling them “leftists” because they disagree with you) or habitually using the ROFL smilie to ridicule those who disagree with you doesn’t win you any popularity contests, either.

 

[thestickman]

gnjsdad:

Of course, pigeonholing people (calling them “leftists” because they disagree with you) or habitually using the ROFL smilie to ridicule those who disagree with you doesn’t win you any popularity contests, either.

for all the popularity contests I want/need to win–goes with the fallacious argument ya made at the start of that post as well

 

[bapcathluth]

for all the popularity contests I want/need to win–goes with the fallacious argument ya made at the start of that post as well

So instead of replying to my assertion, you engage in uncharitable banter with another poster!

 

[thestickman]

bapcathluth:

So instead of replying to my assertion, you engage in uncharitable banter with another poster!

You didn’t ask a question and you wrote your argument in an unfallacious manner. So I read it and responded to the post which did specifically pertain to my writing. There was also nothing in your post to suggest you were responding specifically to me. Use the quote feature next time and I’ll be happy to respond.

 

[vern_humphrey]

bapcathluth:

I don’t think this argument is racist. Look what happened in Algeria. They had free elections–once. They elected a dictatorial regime who did not allow elections again. Do you think that Hamas, once they are in power, will allow another election? Hah! They want a Sharia state, one that is under Islamic law. I’ll check back in a few years and see if there is another free election after Hamas has been in power.

Actually it is – because it carries the assumption that because they are **who **they are, democracy will fail.

Let me point out that democracy failed in Germany – the Weimar Republic that was established after WWI turned into Nazi Germany.

As for France – their present government is called the** Fifth** Republic!

Yet no one goes around pointing at France and Germany as nations in which “democracy can’t work.”

 

[walstan]

vern humphrey:

The latest party line from the extreme left is that we are “forcing” democracy on the world. “Democracy doesn’t work for everyone.”

They have not, however, told us what their alternative is.

How about a benevelant autocracy?

Maybe true communism as espoused by Marx? And before you totally disagree, read Marx.

I once heard it said that Democracy was “Government for the people and by the people” and that communism was the opposite!

Is democracy right for everybody? well, before the Greeks invented it I suppose everyone was ruled by an oligarchy that defied the rights of individuals, created and fought lots and lots of wars, invaded each others territory on the flimsiest of excuses, used their power and authority to keep down anyone who threatened their position, had secret services and secret police to spy, not only on their percieved enemies but also their allies and generally acted for their own personal benefit rather than that of the majority.

hmmm… smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/4/4_12_11.gif

 

[vern_humphrey]

walstan:

How about a benevelant autocracy?

How do you keep it benevelant?

walstan:

Maybe true communism as espoused by Marx? And before you totally disagree, read Marx.

Time for the parable of the chocolate cake again.http://forums.catholic-questions.org/images/icons/icon10.gif

There was a man who had a recipe for chocolate cake – mix mud and straw and bake. People said, “That doesn’t look like a chocolate cake.”

But the man had written a book on chocolate cake, and the recipe card clearly said “chocolate cake.”

But when people tried it, they got a brick – every time.

walstan:

I once heard it said that Democracy was “Government for the people and by the people” and that communism was the opposite!

I have also heard it said (attributed to Winston Churchill) that “Democracy is the worst kind of government – except for all the other kinds.”

walstan:

Is democracy right for everybody?

To say no is to say “some people are born to be slaves.”

 

[Ani_Ibi]

walstan:

And before you totally disagree, read Marx.

I know you were addressing Vern, but what makes you leap to the conclusion that folks who differ with you have not read Marx? I had read Marx by the time I was 13 years old.

 

[vern_humphrey]

Ani Ibi:

I know you were addressing Vern, but what makes you leap to the conclusion that folks who differ with you have not read Marx? I had read Marx by the time I was 13 years old.

The difference being is that some of us (and I assume you are one) have not only read Marx, but have observed what happens when nations go communist.

As I said, it’s the parable of the chocolate cake. It doesn’t matter what the theory is, or what the recipe card says – you follow that recipe and you’ll come up with a brick, every time.