On Wed, 16 Feb 2005 18:07:57 +0000, Doug Kanter wrote:


I don't think it's a failure, Tom. As you said, the election went fairly
well, and by that, I mean the mechanics of it. My concern is this: I would
like to know what's on the president's mind perhaps 10 years down the
road, if after another couple of elections, the country ends up being
another Iran. Why does that concern me? One must be the owner of a mind in
order to speak one's mind.

Don't sell democracy short in Iran. While the old guard still maintains
the power, there is a strong pro-democracy undercurrent pushing for
modernization of the political process. I'm also hopeful for Iraq. If
Sistani can engage the Sunnis in the political process, it is possible the
country might stabilize. Then again, it is just as possible for a civil
war to breakout involving the entire region.