Wednesday, August 31, 2005
Democracy -- Some Get It, Some Don't
I could not help but be struck by the sharp contrasts in a couple of stories yesterday. The first was this news from Iraq
The contrasting story concerns Venezuela.
One of Iraq's top Sunni political leaders, Adnan Dulaimi, said on Tuesday he would work hard to ensure the country's draft constitution was rejected in a referendum due by October 15.I realize opposition to the proposed constitution is not a good thing, but how the opposition is being planned is just flat out wonderful. He is not talking about car bombs or suicide bombs at polling places -- he is talking about that great democractic institution -- debate and politicing. The process is working, and that matters -- a lot.
The contrasting story concerns Venezuela.
Chavez also said Venezuela would "exercise its rights" under the law in response to Robertson's remarks calling for his assassination. He has said his government could ask the United States to extradite Robertson.Uh...President Chavez? You know, Pat Robertson's comments were pretty doggone stupid, but see, here's the thing -- we're a democracy with guaranteed freedom of speech -- It's the good Reverend Robertson's right to be an idiot. I love the State Departments understated response to this threat
State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said Monday that Venezuela does not appear to have a sound legal basis for seeking Robertson's extradition.I'll agree with that.
