Does George Bush's vision for a US-developed democratic Middle East prove he's an a$$-hat?

Question

I live in Dubai, which is not in a democratic country. The leader of Dubai has created a city that is one of the fastest growing in the world, with almost zero crime, high levels of population contentment, extreme wealth, exceptional public services and an overall great place to live. Nothing would screw that up more than democracy.

There is hardly even a pro-democracy movement here, because everything works so well without it. The same could be said of other countries in the region. Iraq and Lebanon are the two democracies in the region, aside from Israel, and both are flowing with civillian blood on a daily basis.

So my question is: If Middle Eastern people don't want democracy, isn't that more democratic than forcing "freedom" down their throats?

billyandgay – Dubai has no oil whatsoever. Abu Dhabi does but the Dubai economy is driven by commerce, real estate and tourism alone.

Answer 1

I can only say that Democracy at the barrel of a gun is more along the lines of Chairman Mao than Jefferson.
Please check out my questions at:


http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AgtPTQVY_A08ikqGtzgs0xLsy6IX?qid=20060717174935AA5mOse

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Aq5qPjyckqb.mHc30LVZ0VHsy6IX?qid=20060717142839AAya4eh

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AoV3.3ATZOeMlG_VAMRwR0Psy6IX?qid=20060717131646AAtifRZ

radical fundamentalist religion:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AtKw40Oo0ez11r0lRHkI8yHsy6IX?qid=20060715213643AAp75Lm

History will bear this: All sides have done some serious wrong to the others. This is not the Nazis taking over the world, folks. Each side has blood on it's hands,and each side has legitimate complaints about the other.
I'm sure there are some things about Dubai that people don't like? I mean, I'll visit there if I can -I have a friend who has a flat there....... but hey, do they have freedom of the press? I don't know , I'm asking. If not, I'd bet they don't say a lot about what they'd like to see changed.
Bush is historical proof that during times of great crisis, we don't ALWAYS have a great leader arise and take the helm, like Washington, Lincoln, FDR, etc. Do we?

Answer 2

It proves definitively that he is an asshat. Yes.

This is not, ironically, the first time George Bush has been proven to be an asshat.

Internet fans in the early part of this decade were widely amused by a report card of a 7 year old George. The teacher, a thirty year veteran of the exclusive Houston primary school, wrote in her own hand:

"I've tried, dammit, Lord knows I've tried, but this boy is an asshat."

She retired shortly thereafter, said to be embittered by the experience.

The real question is not whether or not Mr. Bush is an asshat, but the sad reality that so few people are bothered by the fact. I suspect they are asshats.

(This boy Billyand...... referenced above....... is an asshat.)
(Pinkygoat? You guessed it, uh-huh. Asshat.)
(I'm pretty sure Doc is an asshat. Hard to tell; he ain't real clear)
(Humanist is not an asshat. Kinda grumpy, sure, but not an asshat.)

Answer 3

Don't got time to reply to all the issues - but uh, I'm not even that religious and I'm for Bush and Republicans. Religion has nothing to do with it, I respect their common sense that people seem to lack nowadays.

Answer 4

Oh thank you for this. I note that you say you live in Dubai. Do you not understand, the problem with Americans and I am one, is that the absolute majority have never left their towns, let alone their state and therefore can only recount on the rubbish they are fed on Television. I too have worked in Dubai, and I categorically concur with what you say. People in the USA are fed a diatribe on Democracy and they think the extent of living is being able to buy Kentucky Fried chicken and drink Coca Cola. If they travelled the world they would see that other systems work just as well if not better than anything we know.

The person who wants to force "freedom" down their throats", treat the American constitution, the basis of our Democracy, as toilet paper. Bugging our phones, restricting our free speech, incarcerating citizens on the say-so of flawed security agencies, the list go on. Unfortunately too many of my countrymen are too binkered to realise the truth or maybe are too afraid, it shatters their indoctrinated lives.

Answer 5

Giving credit to anyone, or downgrading anyone is a bit of a stretch. From the beginning society has tried to impose their beliefs on others. Democratic, communist, whatever, doesn't matter, we've always had a do it my way or we'll make you.

Answer 6

I agree with you. Bush is worst President ever. He shares the blame with the Demos who couldn't defeat him and the American voters who voted for him.
How could people think that a person who refused to serve his country could protect it better than a vet.

Just like Barnum and Mechen said you could never go broke under estimating the intelligence of the America public.

Answer 7

Bush and his band of fanatics want the entire world to be converted to Catholism. The way he does this is by invading the countries who he believes are 'axis of evil' to bring democracy. He calls it a war on terror. To the Republicans, anyone who isnt like America or things like America, is a terrorist, therefore they get the green light to invade

Answer 8

You have a good point.
But, Dubai is not the best example.
I think that there is another valid argument in favor of Bush's policy.
The oil is in the mid-east. The U.S. should have a presence but changing the way it operates may be futile.

Answer 9

Bush proved he's an a$$-hat a long time ago....

Answer 10

Bush is delusional. He actually believes that his god wants him to spread American style democracy across the planet, no matter how much the rest of the planet has no interest in changing.

I think it's scary as hell when one of the most powerful people in the world listens to the voices in his head for advice.