Bernard Lewis's comments..

Submitted by J.S. (Canada), Sep 15, 2006 at 15:29

Bernard Lewis has said that the key is to bring freedom to the Middle East. But, I'm wondering, yes, freedom would be great, but how?? How do you bring freedom? (especially when there's a sizeable number of religious fanatics who say they don't want freedom). There also seem to be so many inter-related factors (one factor is in need of the other factor -- or chicken and egg problems).

For example, take journalism -- ideally there would be a free press -- free thinkers allowed to express multiple points of view without fear of being shot dead as a consequence...so one needs security, one needs protection. Then, even if you GET protection and security for journalists, there's a problem with trying to get RESPONSIBLE journalism -- not publishing wild, inflammatory, rumour and error-plagued, propaganda tracts (which might tend to get the hot-heads to engage in some violent acts). And this is just a small facet of attempting to establish a working, civil society. I have grave doubts about "success" in Iraq...Perhaps the imposition of a "strong man" (as Dr. Pipes has suggested) during an interim (transition) period is best. (?)

Might also add, that most Muslims in Canada appear to want an immediate withdrawl of U.S. forces from Iraq. Ironically, if this occurs, I think the Glenn Beck scenario (eventually bomb the X out of them) becomes more *probable*. Hence, in an ironic fashion -- it would be Muslims clamouring for withdrawl that would (eventually) lead to a hideous end result (with far more Muslim deaths, then if the western nations "stayed the course.")

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