Democracy is on the march

Bush and his pals in Washington made a lot of noise in March when Syria looked like it was going to pull its troops out of Lebanon. “Freedom will prevail,” Bush said. And indeed, Lebanon just held its first free elections in 30 years.

Around the time Syria was considering withdrawing, Bush stated his hope that Hezbollah would disarm and become a purely political party. “I would hope that Hezbollah would prove that they’re not [a terrorist organization], by laying down arms and not threatening peace,” he said. Well, George, Hezbollah certainly has embraced politics: it just swept the southern Lebanon election, winning all 23 seats that were up for grabs, and is expected to win more in the rest of Lebanon as well.

But how did it win? Not by “laying down arms.” Not at all. It won by running on an anti-American, pro-Syrian platform, specifically against Bush’s calls that it disarm. The people have spoken, Bush, and they want violence against America, they want to go against your will, they want terrorists in power.

Congratulations. Your plan to make the middle east safer is working like a charm.