Freedom Brings Responsibility

Tim finds an article on a democracy march in Hong Kong and comments:

Notably, I don't see reports of sympathetic demonstrations on behalf of Hong Kong in other democracies around the world.

Just as I don't see a whole lot assistance in the establishment of a democracy in Iraq by those in Europe who less than 65 years ago were, themselves, subjects of a megalomaniacal dictatorial, murderous tyrant.

According to organizers, 350,000 marchers turned out for a demonstration in Hong Kong Thursday to voice their aspirations for greater political freedom.

Why are so many who enjoy the blessings of liberty so cavalier about those who don't share those blessings?

Indeed. Make no mistake, the war to liberate Iraq will and has cost America more than it is worth: the blood of American sons and daughters, the treasure spent, the political capital expended.

Was it for oil? Ridiculous. If American aims were cheap oil, it would have simply gone ahead and bought into the food for oil program. I won't say that the Iraqi War was a purely alturistic move, for there are American interests involved: one less state sponsor for terrorism, one big wedge of democracy smack dab in the middle of Islamic fundamentalism (Iran, Saudi Arabia, Syria and Jordan), one big message to states worldwide (Khadaffi, I think, got the hint).

A democratic Iraq can accomplish (and it isn't a done deal yet) is the creation of a foundation upon which a more stable Middle East could emerge. It isn't cheap, it won't be quick, but it must happen.