Islamic Democracy in Action

We cannot change the way Iraqis (or Egyptians) vote. Otherwise, it wouldn't be a truly democratic republic.

Nevertheless, this article in today's Seattle Times makes a good point:

Islamists gain ground from American push for Mideast democracy
By Warren P. Strobel, Knight Ridder Newspapers

WASHINGTON — Call it a case of why you should be careful what you wish for.

President Bush's efforts to spread democracy to the Middle East have strengthened Islamists across the region, posing fresh challenges for the United States, according to U.S. officials, foreign diplomats and democracy experts.

Islamist parties trounced secular opponents in recent elections in Iraq and Egypt.

Perhaps someone ought to point out to the radical Islamists that if we have to come back because of a renewed threat or an attack on America, we won't be making any distinction between the country's leadership and the people who elected them. The absence of any distinction may be one of the reasons democracies are often reluctant to go to war.