How can the US deny recognition to Hamas and still insist on encouraging democracy in the Mid East?

Question

Hamas were elected by democracy. If the Bush admin. do think that democracy should be encouraged and nurtured in the Middle East, why does the U.S. administration then ignore what should, according to their own hopes, must be a step in the right direction? Is it a case of President Bush paying lip-service to the idea of democracy, yet in practice disliking what it produces? Surely the U.S. should realise that democracies can produce governments which do not agree with them, but that such is the price of freedom?

Answer 1

The US recognizes and supports democracies around the world only when those democracies serve US interests in that part of the world.
In other countries, US is very happy to support allied dictatorships and military regimes ... see Saudi Arabia, Columbia, etc ...

Answer 2

The US are probably quite happy for the Palestinians to vote their support for Hamas, that's their democratic right. But why do they b*tch and whine when voting in a group which the US government does not like results in the US not liking that country??? Just as George W Bush is now considered the face of the US by the rest of the world, regardless of whether he is or not, surely the same is true for Hamas? In theory, the majority of (voting)Palestinians must support Hamas, therefore, the majority of Palestinians must also be on the US's blacklist. Your question is similar to saying that denouncing the opposition party in the US when they get elected is undemocratic. Its the whole POINT of democracy.

Answer 3

You missed an important qualifier: DUMBYA'S and DICK'S concept of "democracy," not the real democracy.
To the guys above, let's remember that Hitler, too, was elected and Dumbya's family supprted him in thought, word & deed, fully aware that he was a genocidal maniac - and exactly BECAUSE he was that way. If Hamas promised Dumbya some oil, he would attack Israel tomorrow morning.

Answer 4

It's simple. Hamas is a terrorist organization that is hellbent on eradicating Israel from the face of the Planet.

Hypothetical:

If the Germans elected a government whose stated goals included the destruction of France...would you want our government to back them?

Answer 5

Because Hamas is a terrorist organization. They call for the complete destruction of a country. They regularly violate cease fires and claim they have no sway over the smaller radical groups.

Answer 6

power of "the people" is not necesarily a good thing..not if most of the people are morons!!

and the case with Hamas is a clear example, an extremist organization bent of hate and violence voted to power..so what does THAT say about the "people" that voted them into power uh??

morons!!!!!!

so again voting depends on intelligence and education of the voter....lol....! so if the voters are morons....lol!!!

Answer 7

Because we are the modern equivalent of the Roman Empire. We decide what we think is right or wrong, and if you don't agree we kill you.

Bullies suck.

Answer 8

for u.s it isn't important who is elected in fact they clean name of Palestine from the world map so all the people in that area are terrorist because they wants to have their country.one important thing is that just an stupid person can accept what American say.

Answer 9

The US is the Super power of the World and they can do anything thing they want to anybody at any time for any reason.

Answer 10

oh brother since when does a terrorist organization have anything to do with democracy? geez