Democracy at gunpoint

The US talks about promoting peace and freedom and democracy, while it's occupying Afghanistan and Iraq and spreading democracy at gunpoint. Human rights activists in the Middle East say they can't even use the word “democracy” anymore — it's become a dirty word because of what people have seen going on in Iraq.

Maybe other nations would have a little more respect for the US if they saw it promoting freedom and human rights and democracy among its allies. “Now listen up, you Saudis and Kuwaitis. You need to cut out the beheadings and the amputations, allow women to vote, and permit more religious freedom. And you Israelis, you've been occupying Palestinian lands for more than 60 years now and your own Arab citizens are second-class slaves who live in poverty. You need to shape up and allow more human rights! And while you're at it, we think you should get rid of some or all of your hundreds of nukes, because they're a menace to peace in the region!”

There are American troops and bases in 138 countries around the world, and Americans have established bases in 37 of those countries since 9/11. It's an American ring of steel around the world!

Ted Rudow III, MA
Palo Alto, CA, USA