Lawrence of Arabia

I wonder if the current administration has watched the movie. The Middle East seems to have changed little since the making of that movie. They continue to govern just as they did before the Magna Charta established the roots of democracy -- sheiks, sheikdoms, or whatever term is used to depict the reigning family. They have a tribal way of life that has no use for democracy. We're a 200 year-old country. Have we learned more in that 200 years than the Arabs have learned in thousands?

Is not one of our allies in the Middle East a family-run country? Was not Saudi Arabia established to be dictated by the Saudi family? Will we next force democracy on them? Or, will they be protected by the Bush families' friendship?

I watched Lawrence of Arabia again last night. All along I was being reminded of how the volatile situation there developed. I was also following the twists in perception as information was presented from different points of view. It makes me wonder if we will ever find a way out of the mess in the Middke East. Is there not a better way than "you're either with us or against us?"

I see the Arabians as shrewd, well-informed negotiators. Just as in Lawrence of Arabia, they have a way of putting their own twist on a situation. You can hardly discredit Mr. Bush for avoiding negotiating with Iran and Syria. I've never heard him described as schrewd.

I wish Mr. Bush would listen. He has counsel from some very wise and knowledgeable sources. It seems to me that even his military commanders also advised against this buildup. He replaced them. He has ignored most advice from the Baker-Hamilton Commission. I won't claim to be smarter than Mr. Bush, but most people are.

And, I question our association with Great Britain. Their extensive world holdings unraveled when they became over-extended. Can we not learn from their mistakes? Will thousands of years of Middle East culture succumb to force? Are we doomed to constantly repeat history?

I hope Mr. Bush was watching Turner Classic Movies last night.

L8r