1 15 years after Gulf War I brought freedom and democracy to Kuwait the situation there is similar. One of the results of the latest Zogby poll of US service members in Iraq also showed that they are not optimistic about democratic change in Iraq.

2 They should be, John. The ultimate question, though, is not whether democracy is coming--it is already there--or if reform is coming--it is already happening--but, rather, to what EXTENT can that democracy and reform ever produce liberty in a culture that rejects it? Things are getting better, but they are still bad and maybe they always will be. I'll take better over worse or the same, any day.

3 Gee, I wonder why the President doesn't want to alienate the UAE, to the point he'll use a veto to defend the deal.

4 John That "situation" or variation is similar all over the world! I could probably come up with a list of say oh ... 192 countries give or take ... including some local school districts I know. But then - what is your point? I know your point - you wish to use this as a tool in your opposition to Iraq - it presents an opportunity for you. You really don't care about the topic - just how you can work it in. Here is a lil' mind game for you - a number of US school systems have banned - a number have allowed ... Heather Has Two Mommies ... er, your thoughts? I'm curious - would this constitute a failure of democracy, and require US withdrawl from various US school districts and states.

5 I think that what we are all saying here is that Islam is not compatible with freedom, and that's what I have been trying to say for several years. Churchill saw the same thing over 100 years ago. I've studied this phenomenon for several years and cannot come up with any entities that were Islamic and allowed freedom as we know it. The religion itself is intolerant of any other religions or ideas. Read the Koran, and you will see what I'm talking about.

6 JJ, I'm reading Prophet of Doom right now. It's a real eye opener.

7 People applaud Mr. Bush for standing firm against the bigotry motivating some opponents to the Dubai deal. Anyone who stands against bigotry sets an example worth following. However, anyone reducing this debate to that level fails to follow the president's lead. Taking the high road, Mr. Bush challenged people opposing the deal to "step up and explain why all of a sudden a Middle Eastern company is held to a different standard than a Great British [sic] company." Since we are talking about global trade, one important distinction between the UAE and Great Britain is the UAE has no diplomatic relations with Israel. Talking about bigotry, this is a distinction worthy of attention. It also raises a legitimate question: If the government controlling this company enforces the Arab boycott against Israel and doesn't even recognize Israel's right to exist, what impact will that have on our ability to trade with one of our allies?

8 Re: Islam being incompatible with freedom ... it is obvious that jesusland joe has a very parochial view of the topic..or maybe he has spent years in a library with meager offerings. In any event, the biography of Badshah Khan should provide interesting and enlightening insights into the historic combination of Islam and non-violence. His story is relevant for a variety of reasons that become apparent when you consider the region of the world that he dominated.

9 It is interesting to see how hard hondo has to work to put lipstick on this pig of a deal. Now you want to pretend that Dubai is no different than the US in regards to freedom of expression? == "This Nazi thing. It's just like a Democratic-Republican election fight." - Patton Sept. 22, 1945

10 Will you please give me some more examples, Mr. Noise? Because any non-violent Muslim is trumped by the radicals who have the Koran and the actions of the prophet himself on their side. And that's not to say that there aren't non-violent Muslims, it is just to comprehend the religion itself and its history of suppressing other ideas and religions in the most violent of ways. Of course, my meager library did contain the Koran, which became boring, I must admit. For some reason, the radicals never get bored by it. Perhaps you have some insight into that also, Mr. Noise.

11 Oh, before I forget, Mr. Noise, I have sought in my meager library the influence Mr. Badshah Khan has on Islam today, and in the past for that matter, and I cannot find very much of his influence. He is commendable as an individual, and what he sought to do is what needs to be done. I have said many times(you probably missed it, Mr. Noise) that until Islam is remade it will continue to be a backward and dangerous force in the modern world. Unfortunately, the followere of Khan are few in number and have even less influence on Islam. But they are the people I support in their effort to change Islam and make it compatible with the modern world.

12 So what's new?! There are ever growing numbers of blogs being blocked in the mid-east such as Michelle Malkin and Religion of Peace and many other political articles etc. Cest le vie!

13 The noise is shotgunning across the spectrum on this - anyone else notice? Seemingly pro-Israel and concerned one moment - then berates JJ on his ignorance of enlightenment within the muslim world ... Then the faux concern and stretched extrapolation over freedom of expression (I'm shocked) using school books as the guide! ... My My - does anyone here doubt where Mr (concerned) noise would come down over the ongoing issues here in this country over the mere presence of the Bible in a public schools or Heather Has Two Mommies? (which is why I prior included that) Yes noise - lots of red lipstick! Plus stockings and a garter belt and cheap French perfume if neccessary! I know exactly what angle your playing on all this - and if anyone here believes you have suddenly developed an interest in National Security - then they are fools - and you are hoping - aren't you?

14 There may be a few exceptions, hondo, but anyone with any sense at all knows which side Mr. Noise is on. He has made it patently clear to me.