Define Democracy

I feel that equal rights for women are essential for any true democracy. Reuel Marc Gerecht, former Middle East specialist for the CIA and current employee of the American Enterprise Institute (a Washington think tank), thinks differently. Regarding the possibility that the new Iraqi constitution might not grant equal rights to women, Gerecht said on Meet the Press Sunday:

In 1900, women did not have the right to vote. If Iraqis could develop a democracy that resembled America in the 1900s, I think we'd all be thrilled. I mean, women's social rights are not critical to the evolution of democracy. We hope they're there. I think they will be there. But I think we need to put this into perspective.

Actually, this gives me an idea: I have been reluctant to call for an immediate withdrawal of troops from Iraq because of the potential consequences for the Iraqi people. Though I opposed going to war in the first place, I think that the U.S. is obliged to clean up some of the mess before we leave. But, if the Iraqi Parliament decides to institutionalize misogyny (regardless of any religious reasons for doing so), I think that we should pull our support without hesitation. Dying for freedom is tragic but noble; dying for discrimination is simply tragic.