Daniel J. Pipes

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Catch 22 ?

Reader comment on item: Support the lesser evil [in Saudi Arabia]

Submitted by yonason (United States), May 31, 2004 at 10:46

B"H

How does one promote freedom in a society full of violent elements just champing at the bit to take advantage of the slightest laxity in governmental control? How does a government maintain control of sedicious elements without suppressing freedom?

If the people don't want or know how to preserve their own freedom, how can it be imposed on them? How can a paranoid and contentious people who have no problem killing a close family member for even the perception of an insult to their "honor" have the conflict resolution skills to sustain a thriving democracy?

As you say, "For Western states, the choice is an unhappy one,..." Indeed.

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Note: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the authors alone and not necessarily those of Daniel Pipes. Original writing only, please. Comments are screened and in some cases edited before posting. Reasoned disagreement is welcome but not comments that are scurrilous, off-topic, commercial, disparaging religions, or otherwise inappropriate. For complete regulations, see the "Guidelines for Reader Comments".

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