JINSA Report #547 The State of the Union

JINSA
1779 Massachusetts Ave., NW
Suite 515
Washington, DC 20036

202-667-3900
202-667-0601 Fax

February 1, 2006

JINSA Report #547

The State of the Union

It was a good speech, an excellent one in some ways, so we hate to
nitpick. Take that back - these are not nitpicks, there was a glitch in
the worldview.

Point 1.

President Bush said, "Elections are vital - but they are only the
beginning." No. Elections are not the beginning of the democratic
process; they are the crowning glory of the process. Only AFTER you
have, as Mr. Bush said, "rule of law, protection of minorities, and
strong, accountable institutions that last longer than a single vote,"
are the conditions ripe for an election that produces liberal
government. Iranians, Syrians, pre-liberation Iraqis, Egyptians, and
even Palestinians have marched to the voting booth at various intervals,
but the outcomes prove that elections do not produce democracy (although
they can ratify it), but rather tolerance and liberty produce free and
fair elections. The order is essential.

Leading to Point 1a.

President Bush continued, "The Palestinian people have voted in
elections - now the leaders of Hamas must recognize Israel, disarm,
reject terrorism and work for a lasting peace." It is highly unlikely
that Hamas will take the President seriously. After all, the voters just
ratified its platform, not his. Had Mr. Bush adopted the main points of
Sen. Kerry’s campaign after the election, we would have thought it odd
indeed.

Which is Point 2.

President Bush wisely reminded us of the strategic rationale for our war
against terrorists and the states that harbor and support them. "On
September 11th, 2001, America found that problems originating in a
failed and oppressive state seven thousand miles away could bring murder
and destruction to our country. Dictatorships shelter terrorists, feed
resentment and radicalism, and seek weapons of mass destruction."

* His bottom line could be the bottom line for Israel. "If we were to
leave the terrorists alone, they would not leave us alone. They would
simply move the battlefield to our own shores."
* The tactics America brings to bear against al Qaeda could be brought
to bear by Israel against its existential enemies. "America and its
allies have killed or captured many of the leaders of the terror
networks. For the others, their day will come."
* The "relentlessness" our troops and their leaders have shown in
"shutting off terrorist infiltration" and "clearing out insurgent
strongholds" would be appropriate for Israel - if that is the path the
Government of Israel chooses.

President Bush is very, very sure that our enemies hold to their
political/terrorist views with such fervor that he does not ask Bin
Laden to change his platform. We agree. Could he think Hamas believes
any less fervently in its cause and its program than does Al Qaeda? If
so, he would be wrong.

To view this JINSA Report online click on the link below.
http://www.jinsa.org/JINSAReports/3303

___________________________________________________
To unsubscribe from JINSA Reports, visit:
http://www.jinsa.org/lists/unsubscribe.html

And to subscribe to any JINSA mailing-list:
http://www.jinsa.org/lists/subscribe.html

Access past JINSA Reports at: http://www.jinsa.org/

Comments? Send e-mail to info@jinsa.org