What Bush can't understand about the Middle East

Democracy is uniquely a western idea. And I am convinced that Democracy has its true roots in Christianity; the idea that each person is inhabited with the spirit of God AND recognizes the same spirit in all other human beings. These two thoughts, when joined, are the true Faith.

So Democracy could grow and really exploded in Europe after Martin Luther pushed the Roman Catholic Church out from in between God and each individual person. The idea of one man one vote, ending slavery, economic and educational opportunities for every one, no matter what class or station in life he or she was born into came into being. So now the individual organizes society and culture, (for better or worse), as they see fit, not religions.

Not so in the Arab/Muslim/Jewish world; These cultures are organized around the clan or super extended family, which is totally alien to us. The individual always takes second place to the clan, which is what makes suicide bombings no different to them as one of our soldiers dying on the field of battle after killing many enemy to us.

So I'll say it as plainly as I can: When Bush says "we are bringing Democracy to the Middle East", The Muslim hears "we are going to convert you to Christianity or you die".

We must build economic bridges first and foremost. Economic embargoes only push in the opposite direction. I say build on the IRA Northern Ireland model. Recognize
them politically then economically. As these societies stabilize we pick-off the terrorists one by and bring them to justice.