I am well aware that all Arabs are not alike. I also understand that in 1979 when the Iranian students took US citizens hostage in Tehran, that they were labeled radical Shiite Muslims by the US government.
Now the self-same Shiites are in as dire need of help as the Tsunami victims in Indonesia and South Asia? Perhaps so, but not to the same degree in my opinion. " Tisk, tisk, what a thing to say ... one can easily say the same about > every country in Africa!!! There is nothing in their cultural history > to even vaguely imply that their preferred method of government is > Democracy. > > From South Africa to the Sudan to Egypt, from Nigeria to Mozambique, > what > makes the folks there "culturally inclined" to accept democracy?" I would agree with that statement except for the fact that the original purpose Europeans initially come to Africa was NOT to spread democracy, but rather for its resources and lands which they used to their advantage through colonialism. The idea of spreading Democracy came after the wealth was garnered and controlled. Perhaps had that been the sole purpose from the beginning people may have been more receptive to the idea. One cannot know for sure now. As for the Afghanis and the Ukrainians, we shall see if this will be the right direction for them. One election is hopeful does not but does not necessarily make it a democratic society. On 1/10/05 3:11 PM, "William H. Magill" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > On 10 Jan, 2005, at 10:52, Wilma de Soto wrote: >> Doesn't this rationale also apply to the situation in Iraq? > > It IS the rationale used for opposition to Iraq. > I just changed the location. > >> At least I can see the reason that troops are risking their lives in >> Indonesia. This was a disaster of epic proportions and one for the >> ages. >> Lots of people need help. > > And the Shiites who have been viscously and violently oppressed by the > Sunnis for decades (40+ years) do not? > > The Shiites represent 60-65% of the population of Iraq, nominally 15 > million > people, out of a population of about 25 million; Sunnis represent about > 32-37% of the population. > > But then again, they're "just Arabs." "They all look the same." > >> However, this nebulous rationale of bringing Democracy to the Iraqi >> people >> who are culturally disinclined to accept it, is far less of a reason >> for >> troops to be killed by insurgents. We are not wanted there either. > > Tisk, tisk, what a thing to say ... one can easily say the same about > every country in Africa!!! There is nothing in their cultural history > to even vaguely imply that their preferred method of government is > Democracy. > > From South Africa to the Sudan to Egypt, from Nigeria to Mozambique, > what > makes the folks there "culturally inclined" to accept democracy? > > After all, that is the justification that the UN and Old Europe has used > for years to avoid intervention in places like the Rwanda and Sudan. > > Also don't forget that the Afghans are also "culturally disinclined" to > accept > democracy, as are the Ukrainians. Neither has ANY democratic institution > anywhere in their history. > > T.T.F.N. > William H. Magill > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > ---- > You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the > list named "UnivCity." To unsubscribe or for archive information, see > <http://www.purple.com/list.html>. ---- You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named "UnivCity." To unsubscribe or for archive information, see <http://www.purple.com/list.html>.