Beginning sometime around February of this year, we heard stories about an Arab Spring beginning with the ‘democratization’ of Egypt.  I suspect Arab Spring is in the process of turning into a long hot summer.  Evidently, I am not alone in that idea.

Cal Thomas posted an article today at Townhall.com commenting on the Arab Spring. 

Mr. Thomas points out:

“At its recently concluded G-8 meeting of industrial economies in Deauville, France, Western governments pledged $40 billion to “newly democratic” nations in North Africa and the Middle East. One might as well throw money at Chicago and hope for electoral reform so the dead are no longer allowed to vote on Election Day.”

Mr. Thomas points out that if money were the answer to bringing democracy to this area, OPEC has more than enough money to do the job. 

Mr. Thomas reminds us:

“Democracy doesn’t spring up of its own accord. It must have a base from which it can blossom. That was a point made by Timur Kuran, a professor of economics and political science at Duke University, in a recent op-ed column for The New York Times entitled “The Weak Foundations of Arab Democracy.” Kuran wrote, “Democracy requires checks and balances, and it is largely through civil society that citizens protect their rights as individuals, force policymakers to accommodate their interests, and limit abuses of state authority. Civil society also promotes a culture of bargaining and gives future leaders the skills to articulate ideas, form coalitions and govern.””

The countries involved are very willing to take our money.  The are not necessarily willing to take any real steps to form democracies.  In Egypt, Coptic Christians are still being persecuted and the Muslim Brotherhood is consolidating its power.  It might be a good time to remember that one of the goals of the Muslim Brotherhood, openly stated in its charter, is the establishment of a worldwide Muslim caliphate. 

In his conclusion, Mr. Thomas reminds us:

“In C.S. Lewis’ “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,” Narnia has been transformed by a white witch into a land where it is “always winter, but never Christmas.” That pretty much describes the lands of North Africa and the Middle East where the “white witch” is radical Islam and spring will never arrive as long as it holds sway over the minds and hearts of the people.”

I would love to see a true Arab Spring.  I just don’t think it will happen.  The thing these events do remind me of is the unique conditions (and people) that created America.  The events in America in the late 1700’s moved us to freedom.  We were blessed to have leaders who put the good of the country and the value of freedom over their own personal ambitions.  I don’t see a Thomas Jefferson or a George Washington in the current Middle East.  America was blessed by these men, and we need to remember that.  I wish we could project freedom and democracy on to Egypy, Yemen, Libya, Syria, etc., but we can’t.  Until those countires accept the idea of equality among people and the concept of freedom of religion, there will be no democracy in that region.