"Resistance," a block or a crock?

Submitted by P.K. (United States), Feb 14, 2011 at 16:58

I see the term "Resistance Bloc" is used often when describing Islamist nations or groups. Personally, it never makes sense. The term is always used with reference to countries or groups that are hostile, aggressive, and war-mongering. When a terrorist group like Hezbollah, who has taken over Lebanon and threatens Israel with missiles, can get away with calling itself a "resistance" movement, one has to wonder how sane those people are. When an aggressive country like Iran, with secure borders, is arming proxies throughout the Middle East, and trying to become a nuclear hegemon over the world's oil sources, calls itself part of the "Resistance Bloc," what does that mean? Is it simply a perversion of language to dupe the populace?

Yesterday's NY Times had the story about the military takeover of the Egyptian government, including forcing the termination of its parliament and suspending its constitution, based on protesters' demands. Their military, according to the Times, called it "a democratic transition." That raises another simple question: When the largest Muslim country in the Middle East is overthrown by its military in response to street protesters, and calls that a "democratic transition," (another perversion of language,) then what hope is there for any "real" democracy?

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