Submitted by rick (United States), Apr 24, 2006 at 10:46
If Fulbright scholarships and teaching fellowships can be offered to known supporters of terrorism what real hope is there that the reality of 9/11 and what needs to be done about Islamic terrorism has been understood by the United States.
I often hear that the US supports known enemies of democracy in the Middle East such as Mubarak in Eqypt as well as the Saudis, etc. Unfortunately it is an undeniable truth. Critics of US policy say that the US should shpw open support to real democratic leaders and intelligensia. These are the people the US should be offering Fulbrights and US teaching posts.
But we seem to continue to invite enemies of the United States and Israel, the only democracy in the Middle East.
So my question is:
Are there any of these leaders out of power and university people who embrace the value systems we in the West believe in , including an open society, women's rights and the respect for minorities?
Do they actually exist?
If they do, why do we ignore them in favor of the more extremist elements?
Do we have anyone on the ground who can tell the difference between a supporter of the values expressed above and a supporter of Death To the Great Satan? It appears that almost 5 years after 9/11 we still can't tell the difference.
Who exactly do we depend on for our "references"?
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