I think ten years is being optimistic. I think it also may require some view changing on Americans' parts. What the Arabs want, democratically, may or may not be what we would view as a democratic society. The cultures are different, and it does make a difference.
FWIW, the husband (unlike all of us except Klecha) has actually been there, is more cynical about the prospects than I am. He also got to work pretty closely in with people (that whole speaking Arabic thing - I'm immensely glad that I wasn't smart enough by that test standard, although we probably still would have met) so I'm leaning in his direction. Brian is also a bit more on the politically/socially conservative side of things than I am - which makes for some interesting conversations.
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2005-03-24 07:17 pm (UTC)I hope the democratic experiment works out.
I think ten years is being optimistic. I think it also may require some view changing on Americans' parts. What the Arabs want, democratically, may or may not be what we would view as a democratic society. The cultures are different, and it does make a difference.
FWIW, the husband (unlike all of us except Klecha) has actually been there, is more cynical about the prospects than I am. He also got to work pretty closely in with people (that whole speaking Arabic thing - I'm immensely glad that I wasn't smart enough by that test standard, although we probably still would have met) so I'm leaning in his direction. Brian is also a bit more on the politically/socially conservative side of things than I am - which makes for some interesting conversations.
DV