Egypt protests show George W. Bush was right about freedom in the Arab world

[opebo]

The idea that a majority of these people will vote in something that more closely resembles 'liberty' than what the Mubaraks and Saddams provide is laughable.

'Liberty' has very little to do with democracy.

[opebo]

A couple of snippets from Secretary Clinton's CNN interview. She was asked: Is the US on the side of Mubarak or on the side of the protesters in the street? Clinton: Well there is a third option. The US is on the side of the Egyptian people. Hello? The Egyptian people are the protesters in the street. And there is no 'third option.' Mubarak wants to stay, the protesters want him gone. She was asked: Is the US backing away from Mubarak? Clinton: We don't want to be seen as backing forward or backing backward from anyone. What the heck is "backing forward"? Doublespeak if there ever was. I have never been so embarrassed by Clinton before.

It isn't Doublespeak if you recognize that the protesters are not the same thing as 'the people'.

[opebo]

The protesters appear to be calling for elections. Things are clearer now than they were on Friday, esp. now that the Muslim Bros. have backed El Baradei. It's not an Islamist revolution.

Dude, who do you think wins elections in Islamic countries?  Majority rule plays perfectly into their hands (just like with the Christians in the USA).

[opebo]

So what, the USA should become a dictatorship now? If the religious party wins a free and fair election, it should be accepted. Yes there is a danger of the Iran-style outcome, but there is a danger too in allowing Mubarak to continue. Right now the opposition is relatively moderate. Even if the Muslim Bros. won an election, they could still be constrained by a new, liberal democratic constitution. More like Turkey. If Mubarak stays on too long it could radicalize.

No way!  Dictatorship by a secularist or at least not overtly religion-imposing potentate is worlds better than democracy with religious in control.

I just don't care a fig about means, only ends.  And that faraway disinterested potentate leaves one with far more personal freedom than a million little dictators meddling in your business right at your elbow.