The leaders of Western nations have developed cosy relationships over the years with some of the Middle East’s most despicable dictators. In attempts to secure oil supplies, to cultivate the sale of armaments, and to dampen anti-Israeli aggression, the United States, Britain and other European governments have sucked up to Arab leaders in Saudi-Arabia, Kuwait, Yemen, Libya, Egypt, UAE, Bahrain and Jordan, without reference to their records with respect to human rights and economic freedom.
Now that the internet has reduced the cost of organizing effective revolutions by the oppressed of these nations, Western governments are initiating unbelievable about-turns, castigating despotic leaders for the very despotism that they have actively encouraged and funded. The Western media blinks not an eyelid at this remarkable volte-face. All friends of liberty should expose such past hypocrisy and urge the future abandonment of meddling in the affairs of other nations. It is none of our business unless it directly affects our own lives, liberties and properties.
Typically The Wall Street Journal tends to be more respectful of the affairs of others than much of the United States media. Yet, here is an extract from today’s Editorial that amounts to nothing less than Jingoism of the kind that led the British Empire into eventual overreach and dissolution:
“It’s time for the West to drop its studied neutrality and help Libyans topple one of the world’s most loathsome regimes. Paul Wolfowitz (yes that neocon who encouraged President George W. Bush to walk under-armed and under-equipped into Iraq) has some useful suggestions starting with humanitarian aid and support from Western capitals to keep communications open inside the country…We’d go further and tell the Libyan armed forces that the West will bomb their airports if they continue to slaughter their people. Arming the demonstrators also cannot be ruled out. ”
Perhaps the WSJ should have added: “We don’t want to fight, but by Jingo if we do: we’ve got the men, we’ve got the ships,we’ve got the money too!”
Well, how far is The Wall Street Journal prepared to go? Will they recommend carpet-bombing Saudi Arabia when the Royal Family moves to quell its own impending revolution? Or pouring napalm onto the Chinese military in Beijing, once the revolution makes its way to the Peoples’ Republic of China?
When will the West ever learn to take care of its own business and leave others to do likewise and to take responsibility for their own actions?
Tags: do under others that which we would not want others to do unto us, hypcrisy of the west to Middle Eastern dictators, meddle meddle toil and trouble
February 23, 2011 at 2:28 am |
When all the mid-east despots move to New Jersey, then you’ll have your answer.