From: "Robert G Lewis" 


"Mark"  wrote in message
news:41e7697c{at}w3.nls.net...
> "Robert G Lewis"  wrote in message
> news:41e76527$1{at}w3.nls.net...
>>I was looking for something along the lines of We were wrong to support a
>>brutal dictator like Saddam or religious fanatics like the mujahdeen. That
>>our policies were wrong. We will no loner support regimes which oppress
>>the people of their nations.
>
> That's **EXACTLY** what he said, isn't it?  just don't know what to say, and will continue to count my blessings that
> Gore didn't successfully steal the 2000 election>
>
> The next paragraph:
>
> "The advance of freedom is the calling of our time; it is the calling of
> our country. From the Fourteen Points to the Four Freedoms, to the Speech
> at Westminster, America has put our power at the service of principle. We
> believe that liberty is the design of nature; we believe that liberty is
> the direction of history. We believe that human fulfillment and excellence
> come in the responsible exercise of liberty. And we believe that
> freedom -- the freedom we prize -- is not for us alone, it is the right
> and the capacity of all mankind."
>
> Feel free to say that you think he's full-o-shit, but I would strongly
> disagree -- I think he's sincere. Your alternative was to leave a Saddam
> in power and hope for the best vs. effecting positive change.  find lacking, to put it extremely mildly>
>

No that's not exactly what he said. And it sure isn't what he's done. How
democratic is Pakistan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia now ?  What about the Stans of
the former Soviet Union ? We seem to be supporting those dictators the same
as we have others in the past.If he really wanted to go in that direction I
would suggest he may need to rid his administration of those who SUPPORTED
and IMPLEMENTED the failed policies of the past.

MY alternative would have been not to support Saddam in the first place, or
the Shah for that matter. Had we pressured Iran in the 50's and 60 Iran
might have a different government now. Then again I am an idealist not a
realist. I can accept that , what's the term real politick, is a political
and international philosophy But be HONEST and OPEN about it , otherwise we
cannot have an honest debate ( Not you but the current administration ).

Bob Lewis

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