Is This What Democracy Looks Like?

Afghan Woman Voter September, 2005

As Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld stated on September 20, 2005, after the Afghan elections:

"The country that hosted Osama bin Laden, that supported training camps for al-Qaida, endured decades of civil war, Soviet occupation, drought, Taliban brutality, is now a democracy that fights terrorists instead of harboring them,"

Or, as President George W. Bush stated after the Afghan election:

"I congratulate the Afghan people and Afghan Government for today's successful parliamentary elections, which are a major step forward in Afghanistan's development as a democratic state governed by the rule of law. Braving deadly attacks and threats of violence, Afghans voted in large numbers for representatives to their new National Assembly and Provincial Councils. We commend the tremendous progress that the Afghan people have made in recent years, and we pledge the full support of the United States as Afghanistan acts to meet the new challenges ahead."

This is Abdul RahmanAs reported:

"Rahman, a father of two, was arrested and is on trial for rejecting Islam. The Afghan constitution, which is based on Sharia, or Islamic law, says that apostates can receive the death penalty."

And what exactly was his crime?

"He had been arrested after telling local police, whom he approached on an unrelated matter, that he had converted to Christianity. Reports say he was carrying a Bible at the time.

He said he converted to Christianity 16 years ago after working with a Christian aid group that assisted refugees in neighboring Pakistan."

And this is what we are fighting for in the Middle East?

So that we may establish Sharia Law in Afghanistan that would put a man to death for converting from Islam to Christianity?

And this is what we are facing in Iraq as they get their laws together?

There were no WMD's in Iraq. We aren't going to be creating Democracy in these countries. We may be helping religious persecution under Sharia law instead.

America deserves better.

Bob