George W. Bush enters his final year in office. It's the President's last opportunity to push his counterparts to actualize the Almighty's freedom, granted to all people, yet withheld by worldly leaders. Numerous questions arise. Is democracy the result of fairly elected governments characterized by a separation of powers? Does it require a free and fair press? Are there certain expectations of behavior like the right to a fair trial and to be held without torture?
Many U.S. allies took giant steps backwards on the Democracy board this last year. Leaders intent on maintaining their lock on power dismantled keystones of freedom in Pakistan, Nigeria, and Kenya. Human Rights Watch adds Bahrain, Russia, Thailand, and Jordan to this list of countries reneging their democratic promises.
HRW Executive Director Kenneth Roth said it had become too easy for autocrats to get away with mounting a sham democracy "because too many Western governments insist on elections and leave it at that. They don't press governments on the key human rights issues that make democracy function - a free press, peaceful assembly, and a functioning civil society that can really challenge power."
His last statement has me concerned about our democracy here at home. Where is our society that can challenge power? Bush administration representatives won't even answer questions before Congress. What's an individual citizen to do, if those in power are powerless?
On his other points, America has an advertising funded, corporate owned press. There is nothing free about it. The right to peaceful assembly applies only if one stays in the relegated protest zone miles away from any "public event." Also, that public event is invitation only, for like believers. The good seats are parcelled to those showing their support monetarily.
I believe Mr. Roth is missing numerous democratic failures on America's part. As for voting, all Iraqi's need to select a leader is a body part to dip in purple ink. In many parts of the U.S. it now requires a photo ID, driver's license or passport. We have the best democracy in the world, now selected by automobile operators and international travellers.
Many U.S. allies took giant steps backwards on the Democracy board this last year. Leaders intent on maintaining their lock on power dismantled keystones of freedom in Pakistan, Nigeria, and Kenya. Human Rights Watch adds Bahrain, Russia, Thailand, and Jordan to this list of countries reneging their democratic promises.
HRW Executive Director Kenneth Roth said it had become too easy for autocrats to get away with mounting a sham democracy "because too many Western governments insist on elections and leave it at that. They don't press governments on the key human rights issues that make democracy function - a free press, peaceful assembly, and a functioning civil society that can really challenge power."
His last statement has me concerned about our democracy here at home. Where is our society that can challenge power? Bush administration representatives won't even answer questions before Congress. What's an individual citizen to do, if those in power are powerless?
On his other points, America has an advertising funded, corporate owned press. There is nothing free about it. The right to peaceful assembly applies only if one stays in the relegated protest zone miles away from any "public event." Also, that public event is invitation only, for like believers. The good seats are parcelled to those showing their support monetarily.
I believe Mr. Roth is missing numerous democratic failures on America's part. As for voting, all Iraqi's need to select a leader is a body part to dip in purple ink. In many parts of the U.S. it now requires a photo ID, driver's license or passport. We have the best democracy in the world, now selected by automobile operators and international travellers.
