H 32°, L 7° | Tomorrow: 
H 17°, L 4°The promotion of democracy is a noble endeavor. However, it may give radicalized societies false legitimacy in their promotion of militarism. There is no easy way to combat situations such as terrorist organization Hamas winning the Palestinian elections and student boycotts leading to the election of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in Iran. The best we can hope to do is lead the world by example.
Regardless of what you think of spreading representative government by force, any effort to promote our political system cannot be successful unless we are consumed by a desire to become better models of democracy ourselves. Much like World War II brought on better race relations as the U.S. battled anti-Semitic fascism, we must improve ourselves to gain the ideological high ground before preaching to others.
Strangely, this transformation has not occurred in the present political climate as the Bush administration has opted to exploit fear as a tool to retain political power. If we insist to Iraqis that democracy is worth the risk, we ought to believe it ourselves. We must be extremely wary of reinterpreting international agreements or giving away our central freedoms due to paranoia. Most importantly, we must restore public confidence in our voting system.
Although some believe all is lost for whatever noble standing the U.S. once had among the international community, I believe we can regain credibility with a few simple steps.
First, President Bush's proposal to rewrite vague portions of the Geneva Convention for American agents should be rejected. Despite the potential pitfalls of international law for our interrogations of enemy combatants, its reinterpretation for our own benefit would set a precedent that international law can be manipulated at convenience.
The long-term effects of this legislation would undo decades of what is among the most important advancements in human history: codified terms of engagement. If the Bush administration has a legitimate gripe with the vague nature the Geneva Convention, it needs to be taken up with the international community. We ought not promote democracy by showing the world how corruptible it is under pressure.
Another snag in our attempts to lead by example is the imprisonment of Pulitzer Prize-winning Iraqi photographer Bilal Hussein, who appeared to be embedded with insurgents. Although his photography is highly suspect, allowing an internationally revered journalist to defend himself in trial poses no threat to our troops. Further, it would be a better step toward winning the war of ideas than sending Karen Hughes to give press conferences in Qatar.
Closer to home, there is no more vital issue than fixing our voting system. Already suspect Diebold voting machines have recently been hacked by a Princeton professor, and in Milwaukee an error nearly doubled turnout in last week's primary. Although the problem was resolved in a manual recount, how long before a programming error like the one in Milwaukee creates civil unrest among portions of a population convinced elections are rigged by a shadowy aristocracy? One need only look as far south as Mexico to consider the effect this might have on our nation's productivity. Because of this threat, we need a comprehensive non-partisan nationwide system that is not wrought with conflicts of interests. (See: Diebold CEO Waldon O'Dell promising to "deliever" Ohio to President Bush before the 2004 elections)
Wisconsin's own Senator Herb Kohl has yet to take a position on what may evolve into the seminal threat to democracy in our lifetimes. The proposed Telecommunications Act overhaul would allow large Internet providers to choose which web sites work fastest based on who generates more money. This breach of the current "Net Neutrality" sets a dangerous precedent for companies and eventually government to apply their own standards to the Internet. Further, its democratizing effect would be severely hindered. If moderate senators like Kohl refuse to take this stand, giant conglomerations will tighten their stranglehold on our media and public discourse.
By strengthening our democratic institutions at home and taking steps to be a better example abroad, we may be able to show the world why our system is worth emulating. While this lesson may be lost on the current administration, we must remember it is impossible to spread democracy by forfeiting it ourselves.
Bassey Etim ([email protected]) is a junior majoring in journalism and political science.
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Democracy is majority rule. The majority of Americans feel we’re on the “wrong track” regarding Iraq. President Bush wants to “stay the course,” and congress can’t find its way out of its own ass. Maybe congress and the President need to listen to their constituency and change course instead of trying to sell us on the wrong course. Then, only then, can the world take our mission to bring “democracy” to the Middle East seriously.
Democracy starts here, at home. If you disagree with the President, don’t worry, you’re not a terrorist.
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Lead by example? Long before the Bush administration, we were leading a pretty good example. But the muslims didn’t care, they attacked us anyway. Many times. Clearly, they aren’t interested in peace and democracy. The threat they pose is real. And basically your proposal for fighting it is to close your eyes and not fight.
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The US Supreme Court recommended Congress clarify the Geneva Convention provision applications to foreign terrorists.
Extending Geneva Convention protections to illegal, non-uniformed combatants violates not only the spirit, but the letter of the Conventions. The clauses about non-protection of illegal combatants are specifically designed to protect civilians, from terrorists and brigands who would otherwise hide among civilian populations to escape justice. The harshest penalties are allowed for those who abuse this convention, up to and including summary execution on the field of battle.
It is absolutely vital that Congress craft US law clarifying our intentions.
Moreover, there is no “torture” implicit in current methods employed by the United States. That is an odious slander Leftists have gotten away with lying about for far too long.
Yesterday, The Guardian(UK) blew the cover on the nightmarishly brutal torture techniques the CIA wants permission to use. http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,,1874823,00.html
My friends, can your hearts stand the shocking facts about … the belly slap?
“The techniques sought by the CIA are: induced hypothermia; forcing suspects to stand for prolonged periods; sleep deprivation; a technique called "the attention grab" where a suspect's shirt is forcefully seized; the "attention slap" or open hand slapping that hurts but does not lead to physical damage; the "belly slap"; and sound and light manipulation.
“Several of those techniques chime with information gleaned about interrogation methods used against some serious terror suspects. The New York Times recently reported that Abu Zubaydah, the first al-Qaida member captured after the September 11 attacks, was kept in a freezing cell until he went blue, and later assailed with loud Red Hot Chili Peppers music.”
Anyone who read this and still believes America has lost the moral high ground has truly lost their mind to Bush Derangement Syndrome.
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Wrong. This country is a republic, not a pure democracy.
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THIS SOUND TRITE,BUT I CONSIDER THE ATTITUDE OF EUROPE(PARAMONT).THEY NEVER LISTEN TO THE OPINIONS OF THE YOUNG. ….THE YOUNG ARE THE SYMPATHIC IDIOTS AND A BURDEN TO THE NATION,(HORNY ,EGO CENTRIC,MINDLESS)”JUST THE RIGHT ATTITUDE FOR A SOLDIER)….CHINA WE ALL KNOW IS A COMMUNIST COUNTRY(OR DO WE) AND NOT TO UNDERSTAND THAT WE ARE FUNDING THE THE ROPE THAT THEY WILL USE TO HANG US.WE HAVE MADE THE PRC VIABLE ,THE OPTIMAL LABOR POOL CONTROLL ,FOR (THE GOOD OF MOTHER COUNTRY)…TOTAL CONTROLL OF POOL OF ALL OUTSIDE THOUGHT PATTERN BEHAVIOUR WITH ONE SINGLE PURPOSE THE ELIMINATION OF THE BURGESS STATE(THE U.S.)….THERE WAS A TIME, WHEN A NATION WOULD HAVE TO QUANTIFIE OR THE FAVORIT NATION STATIS,THE PRIME CRITERIUM WAS A FAIR AND JUST LABOR REPRESENTATION,QUALITY CONTROLL,ENVIRMENTAL IMPACT,AND TARIFFS(AND ABOVE ALL NOT A THREAT TO NATON SECURITY)…ANY NATION THAT DEPENDS ON PROFITS FROM THE SALE’S ORIENTED ECCONOMY WILL WHITTER AND DIE…AND WHEN THE COFFER’S OF THE NATION TRADE TREASURE BONDS ARE ENTIRELY CONSUMED BY A NATION BENT ON THEIR DESTRUCTION THAT NATION WILL SHRIVAL AND DIE….WHEN A NATION DOES NOT HAVE THE ABILITY TO DELIVER IT’S PRODUCT ,AN DEPEND ON FORIEGN NATION(FOR SHIPPING ,PRODUCT DELIVERY ,WATER SUPPLY(NOW 67% FORIEGN OWNED),CRUDE OIL DELIVERY,FINISHED OIL PRODUCT(GRAND/BANK PRC OWNED).SELL’S OFF IT’S NATIONAL PRODUCTS ,LUMBER ,METAL”COPPER,STEEL(ALL RECYCLED)CEMENT,(RAISING THE PRICE 300% P/C IN TWO YEARS)) IT WILL CHOKE ON IT’S OWN GLUT…WHEN BIG MACs ARE THE ONLY PRDUCT REPRESENTING AMERICA THERE IS NO HOPE….HAS ANY OF YOU YOUNG DUP’S TRAVELED TO PANAMA,THE HAVE CHANGED THE DEMOGRAPHIC OF THE COUNTRY(ASIAN OUTNUMBER THE INDIGINOUS PEOPLE KNOW ,THEY EVEN MANAGED TO ELIMNATE A FEW ISLANDS FOR CONCRETE PRODUCTION(MILITARY USE BUNKERS)….LOOK TO SOUTH AMERICA YOU’LL FIND INTRUSTION INTO THEIR WATER SUPPLIES,OIL SUPPLIES ,ALL PRC ,AND THEIR EXPLOITATION, THE PROMOTION OF COMMUNISM REBELS THROUGHOUT THE AMERICAS.
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When discussing “democracy” it is important to remember H.L. Mencken’s definition of it: “Democracy is the theory that the common people know what they want, and deserve to get it good and hard.” The medium is the message, after all.
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Secret CIA interrogation techniques revealed! America's shame just keeps growing.
The Faux Shirt Stain: Interrogator points at suspect's chest: "Look, you've got something on your shirt." When suspect looks down, interrogator brings up index finger, tweaking suspect's nose. Interrogator laughs. This grievous affront, a loss of honor in the eyes of Allah, administers massive psychic trauma to suspect. Repeat as needed.
The Urkel: Suspect is locked in room lined with 72-inch plasma screens showing non-stop Family Matters episodes featuring '90s "urban nerd" Steve Urkel. Longest recorded breaking time: 2.3 hours.
The Echo: Interrogator repeats all of suspect's statements in snotty voice…
Suspect: All unbelievers will fall before the sword of Allah! Interrogator: [Flouncing about room in effeminate fashion] All unbelievers will fall! Before the sword! Of Allah! Who is my boyfriend! Pppbbbbbbhhht!! Interrogator's failure to be struck down instantly places suspect under extreme psychological stress. In case of emergency, interrogator may deploy Nyah-Nyah-Nyah Protocol.
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“Long before the Bush administration, we were leading a pretty good example. But the muslims didn’t care, they attacked us anyway.”
We “stopped” leading a good example 800 years ago. And they really only started attacking us after we got thirsty for oil… Coincidence?
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Bassey, it would certainly be nice if more countries were democracies like ours, but liberals haven’t shown much interest lately in promoting it. They don’t seem to be really interested in protecting us from terrorists either. All liberals do these days is cook up one conspiracy theory after another.
None of these theories are convincing! And Since the Republican party is the only party getting anything done, they get my support from now on. I don’t care for the way Bush and Co. are running the show, but in a couple of years. we’ll elect a new president. I will vote STR(Straight Ticket Republican) from now on. I no longer trust liberals.
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To 5:24, Mr. STR, I don’t believe for a second that you have ever voted anything but STR, so the evil “liberals” haven’t lost anything from your boycott.
How is the Republican Party getting anything done? They run the three branches of government and still have not turned back Roe V. Wade. Heck, that was the only reason fundies were backing Bush in the first place. Without the fundie vote, the GOP’s going to sink fast.
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Right on 5:24!