[Martin]

Interesting debate on U.S politics.
Just to add a little European flavour, I travel quite a lot within Europe and my territory includes the Middle East and Russia. I see the same scenarios being played out everywhere. It's always power and money that drives political will and this is the case everywhere. The Ukraine for instance is being punished by Russia because it wants to join NATO and get closer to Europe. Russia has it's main gas pipeline into Europe running through the Ukraine and sees it's alliance with Europe as suspicious and threatening. It's only when you visit Ukraine do you see how this former Russian state is changing due to Western Influence. The introduction of a democratic state has done little to spread wealth among the people. Although Communism was suppose to maintain everyone as equal, it's funny to see how different say the hospitals are for government employees and the ones for normal citizens. The Governemt hospitals are in beautiful grounds with excellent facilities, where general hospitals are run down and quite shocking. Government employees had access to western goods, even though they shouldn't have, and the black market exchange of goods and services meant wealth for those in privilaged positions. When the "Iron Curtain" came down, it was those individuals who had money to buy up the land and gain political influence. So same old people under a different banner.
99% of people in Kiev for instance drive old or very basic cars. However, between 11p.m and 2 a.m you will hear the sound of V8 and V12 engines being thrashed around the empty streets as the elite play with their toys.

I was in Turkey this week, and the political climate is changing there also. Always viewed by the West as a tolerant country, and by Islamic states as too close to the West. This position of status quo is changing as the U.S are influencing government policy by steering it closer to fundamental Islam and away from democracy. Why ? Well this is another debate, but it's interesting the way the U.S government will have you believe in their devine purpose of spreading democracy, but in reality it's only when it suits a political end.

My experience is that most people, including Muslims, are tolerant, decent , hard working people and not complicated or compromised by political ideology. The fringes of every society will throw up extemists and politicians exploit them to their own ends.
Just my 2 cents worth.
Cheers,
Martin