The question has never been whether not Islam is compatible with democracy. Certainly the recent elections in the Palestinian held territories proved that. But as those votes also proved, the question is whether not Islam is compatible with the remainder of the world. That, is still an open question.

Certainly the recent elections in the Palestinian held territories proved that.

Not in the least.

Free elections (especially one set) do not equal "Democracy." Democracy is a process which includes accountability, transparency, representation, etc.

And the nations with significant Islamic populations that are the most Democratic are largely at peace with the world, and not the main exporters of terrorism. This illustrates a continued association between the level of freedom and the level of violence and terror both suffered and exported by any given country.

Start here: http://www.news.harvard.edu/gazette/2004/11.04/05-terror.html

Bill is entirely correct. An election does not a democracy make. True, this was the biggest step toward a real democracy that they have taken yet. But it's only one of the bare bones requirements. It's like saying, "To be a United States Marine, you must be able to hear gunfire and not run away screaming from the magic thunder sticks."

But then, if Bithead had even tried to comprehend what I wrote, or even followed the link I provided on the survey methodologies and the base requirements before the judgement of "democracy" is finally granted, this would be obvious to him and we would not be required to have this exchange.

Jesus. What was that stuff about whipped cream and RAID again, Bill? You're so much more eloquent than I.

(Handy companion reference-comment)

Elections GOOD. Democracy GOOD. Democracy NOT elections. Elections NOT democracy. Hamas BAD. Hamas MAYBE WORSE NOW, MAYBE BETTER IF WE LUCKY. But Hamas still BAD NOW. If Hamas stay bad, democracy still good, because elections not democracy.

(Bill, this is brilliant. You should have patented it before it was too late.)

"Compatible with Democracy" only means that things get better for the majority.

In Islamic countries that majority is ... Muslim.

In all the countries you list, the per centage of non-Muslims has gotten smaller since they started keeping statistics: Turkey, Egypt, Indonesia, and now, even Iraq.

Islam has no social commitment to non-Muslims other than as a source of income for the Islamic majority through special taxes. And, Islam has only religious contempt to non-Muslims: in Hell they shall cry for their many gods to save them - Big Mo and Family being Christian heretics of the 'We rejected the Trinity' variety.

So my response to the "Islam is compatible with Democracy" is, 'So What?' Is Islam compatible with minority rights? The answer is an overwhelming no.

Proof:

Those of us who Germany has taken away passports to attend a Teheran research session of the law edicted by Reinhard Heidrich at the Wannsee conference know
of what they speak if they never use or mention Hebrew forged terms(two examples:[ 1.] the Walther & Herbert Bush clan attending a church or chappel always at the eve of a decapitation strike or else a bridge bombardement in Baghdad; [2.]Catholic Cross in the air Imitations: a smile to all those of us who don't hail the Hebrew language of a Pope & Priest decoy as the shadow CINC Kerry did on all tv screens during the burrial("pompes funebres") of Roni Reagan in Washington and Arlington.
I welcome instead the "international festival of cartoons" of "Farid Mortazavi, graphics editor of Hamshahiri"(compare please: Anthony Browne, The Times, February 07 2006 ,"Cartoons""World leaders rally round as crisis deepens") which will in a nice try _d_r_a_w_ us the proof that the Western World [_ _--- actually ---_ _] _i_s__or__i_s__n_o_t_ so free as they pretend. Till today the Western world reacted with interdictions to the Reasons and Causes about the Wannsee Conference Decisions even when it is in form of a funny _Not-Hebrew_ cartoons festival in Teheran(Iran).

Bill is entirely correct. An election does not a democracy make. True, this was the biggest step toward a real democracy that they have taken yet. But it's only one of the bare bones requirements.

But the fact is, that was the only requirement to calling such a 'democracy'.. a vote, and living with the consequences of that vote. Under that definition, as Adriene points up, the majority rules, and the rest can take the backside. This is an area, where, I fear Jimmy Carter has done us much damage.

Now, if your object here to to redefine what constitutes a 'real' democracy, to something that includes minority rights, fine, bring it.

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