JUST MAYBE, OTHER COUNTRIES MIGHT LIKE TO CHOOSE THEIR FORM OF GOVERNMENT FOR THEMSELVES

I lunched today with five other women marketing executives (three Republican, one Democrat, one independent) and we spent the better part of an hour discussing politics -- not the presidential race per se, but tangential topics. Interestingly, the one thing we all could agree on was the foolhardiness of trying to deliver democracy/freedom/liberty/whatever-the-buzz-word-of-the-week-is to other countries who haven't invited us to do so. Every single one of my companions was adamant that not only is this "mission" "not our job," but it's an arrogant, ignorant, oh-so-dangerous just-plain-crazy policy that will reap the whirlwind if we sow it anymore...if it's not too late already. "Democracy works great for us," one commented, "because we're founded upon certain moral principles that we (mostly) all agree to. Other cultures don't have the same moral principles, but that doesn't make them all wrong; it's just barely conceeivable that they might have moral principles that their people adhere to that are as valid for them as ours are for us." One well-traveled lady raised the subject of lying, which she explained is not considered a sin but rather an acceptable negotiating tactic in many Arabic countries, contrary to Western mores. "What does Bush want," asked another, "a century of constant war? Because that's what it will take, to accomplish his ideal of the 'liberty century.'" Another commented, "I want to feel safe NOW, I don't want to hear about plans for remaking the world that will make the world more dangerous until after my grandchildren are dead and buried."

I believe I'll add this to my anti-Bush talking points.