Many Unsure about Ending Tyranny
Friday, January 21, 2005
(SNN) George W Bush took his second term oath of office yesterday. Bush promised to dedicate his presidency to the spread of democracy and freedom “with the ultimate goal of ending tyranny in our world. But many are afraid of the implications of bringing democracy to other countries.
Many are afraid of the implications of bringing democracy to other countries.
One of these people is Shirley Lentan, a 27 year old student. Shirley pointed out a possible problem in the democracy and freedom plan. “What if we like, made Iran a democracy, and then they voted against freedom. But then we came back and said they had to be free, would we be taking their democracy away?”
Thad Cankus, a self described slacker, was thinking along the same lines as Shirley. “What if we invade a country, and they vote to become a dictatorship? Do we have to invade them again? What if we think a country’s a dictatorship and we invade it by accident? Bush says that we’re going to like treat leaders as well as they treat their people. What if Kim Jong-Il said, ‘I’m not going to be nice to you until you let a total dickhead run your country.’? And does this mean that we aren’t going to do any business with China anymore? Because if it does, I’m going to go buy one of those really cheap mini fridges, before we can’t get them anymore.”
What about countries that are democracies and are still all messed up?
Others were quick to point out historical examples. Red Taylor, an investment banker from Utah, said, “I’m not sure that democracy is the best form of government. Look at Canada, they almost voted to split their country in half. They are a democracy, and despite that, they nearly became a divided nation. I’m glad nothing like that has ever happened here.”
Brett Mauseberger, a 44 year old guidance councilor, had a different opinion. “What about countries that are democracies and are still all messed up?” Mauseberger asked. “If France doesn’t get its act together soon, it is looking at a life working in the food service industry.”
It is clear that Bush’s inaugural speech has left many people with more questions than answers. But one message is clear: We are planning to do things that we may or may not do to our enemies or out friends and the may not like them. While stating some very broad goals, the speech left everyone very little in the way of details.
