"A NEW AGE IS NOT ONLY POSSIBLE BUT PROBABLE":

Democracy dawns in Arab world (Richard Beeston, Diplomatic Editor and Rana Sabbagh-Gargour in Amman, 3/03/05, Times of London)

“What happened in Beirut is the beginning of spring in the region. It’s a turning point,” Abdulellah al-Khatib, a former Jordanian Foreign Minister, said.

“It is a democratic electric shock,” Karam Gabr, the managing editor of Rose el-Yousef, an Egyptian political weekly, said. “The winds of change blowing through Cairo could sweep away quite a few regimes in the region. They will be faced with the march of democracy in the Middle East.”

Just months ago such predictions would have been unthinkable. The region was convulsed by the violence in Iraq, the continuing bloodshed in the Holy Land and the terrorist campaign in Saudi Arabia.

Really? Someone said the following just a couple months ago:

Some, I know, have questioned the global appeal of liberty - though this time in history, four decades defined by the swiftest advance of freedom ever seen, is an odd time for doubt. Americans, of all people, should never be surprised by the power of our ideals. Eventually, the call of freedom comes to every mind and every soul. We do not accept the existence of permanent tyranny because we do not accept the possibility of permanent slavery. Liberty will come to those who love it.

Today, America speaks anew to the peoples of the world:

All who live in tyranny and hopelessness can know: the United States will not ignore your oppression, or excuse your oppressors. When you stand for your liberty, we will stand with you.

Democratic reformers facing repression, prison, or exile can know: America sees you for who you are: the future leaders of your free country.

The rulers of outlaw regimes can know that we still believe as Abraham Lincoln did: "Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves; and, under the rule of a just God, cannot long retain it."

The leaders of governments with long habits of control need to know: To serve your people you must learn to trust them. Start on this journey of progress and justice, and America will walk at your side.

And all the allies of the United States can know: we honor your friendship, we rely on your counsel, and we depend on your help. Division among free nations is a primary goal of freedom's enemies. The concerted effort of free nations to promote democracy is a prelude to our enemies' defeat.

Nevermind the question of how much credit each deserves for the revolution he at least fronted, what makes men like Martin Luther King, Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush great is that they see as inevitable what others consider unthinkable.

Posted by Orrin Judd at March 3, 2005 9:22 AM