Easy Words, Easily Spoken

Submitted by Terry Quirin (United States), Nov 12, 2003 at 09:07

Once again President Bush speaks with a broad brush but will do little in way of follow through. I agree that the US policy of exceptionalism, especially in the Middle East, has had disastrous consequences. However, to suggest that countries like Saudi Arabia have made steps toward democracy is quite specious. So long as the US is hooked on Saudi oil, or the oil of other despot countries, our words will mean little because we will not take the steps to make them real.

The Bush family has a long history in the Middle East dealing with despots for personal profit. In the US the weak energy policy espoused by the Administration will not mitigate our dependence on foreign oil. Why do we not develop shale oil resources in the West and Canada, truly develop alternative energy sources, aggressively foster conservation (rather than give tax breaks for purchasing gas guzzling SUVs)? So long as we are dependent on foreign potentates for our energy, we will be lacking in follow through.

In addition, in all of this discussion of fostering democracy, I read little about what this means. Surely it means more than an election. What about rights of minorities, freedom to practice religion, freedom of association and a host of other substantive - as opposed to process rights? Every year Islamic countries in particular, as well as nations such as China, are cited for their human rights abuses, many dealing with freedom to practice religion and persecution, but nothing is done to promote change. Instead we have a President who preaches about the peaceful religion of Islam... Saudi Arabia will never be a democracy so long as non- believers are second class citizens who risk death. Until now Bush has coddled the Saudis. Let us see what he does.

I am afraid President Bush uses dramatic words but has no policy to realize these goals.

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