Response to commenter Walter Harbert

Submitted by Sida (United States), Feb 2, 2005 at 14:35

Mr. Harbert:

I appreciate your comments. It is always interesting to hear comments from someone who has first hand knowledge about the topic.

I'm all for not imposing alternative beliefs or political system on a country as long as that country's beliefs and/or political system poses no threat to me or mine. However, as we have come to realize since 9/11, what goes on inside other countries can have a disasterous affect on our national security. When certain societies embrace ideologies which incite hatred and that hatred manifests itself as an attack on my country, I feel we have every right, even a responsibility, to attempt to change those countries. It is a form of self defense.

I believe that was the course of action we took with Nazi Germany and Tojo's Japan. As long as these Middle Eastern countries continue to whip up their populations into a frenzy of hatred towards Israel, the U.S., and the West in general, our government has the right and responsibility to do whatever they feel is necessary to protect us from further attack. Some Saudis might not like the idea of democracy, and I understand that from their perspective, but I believe the spread of democracy is a whole lot better than what the alternative might be. Until these countries are truly willing or able to stop the indoctrination of their populations into hatred of those who do not believe as they do, and to stop the export of violence from these populations, we will have to do what we have to do.

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