Kind of like the average Republican…

So we can change the nature of something simply by saying the word means something different? Very Orwellian, indeed.

First off, such principles can be expressed under other forms of government. And in fact, I would argue that this is the exact opposite definition of “democracy”…as anything decide by a majority vote – BY DEFINITION – doesn’t provide for social equality and completely overrules the respect for any given individual….since both the wishes of the minority and the individual (the smallest minority possible) are subjegated to the “majority”. You can’t have “equality” when one party dominates the other. Two people ganging up on one is not equality nor respectful, even if they extend the courtesy of allowing him to say no.

Really, it’s better. Arafat would go to Camp David, hang out with Clinton, Bush, Barak and Sharon, talk about peace, then he would come home and put on a TV add calling for the destruction of Israel, praise suicide bombers, and say “I’m not afraid to die for my country!” (I think we all kind of wished he would.)

At least Hamas is consistent about it.

The principles of social equality and respect for the individual within a community

If you go by that definition, Hamas would be going against the primary interest of the form of government they were elected by. Sure the ‘majority’ of the people who elected a Hamas government, would like to see the Jews pushed into the sea… a moral people, cannot let them do as such.

Democracy or not, genocide is not acceptable. Imagine the global outrage, if our government decided that the French were the scourge of the earth and that we would not rest until there was not a frenchman left on this planet. I guess by your logic we could snub our nose at them and say “but we’re a democracy!”

Is there a difference?

Democracy is simply rule by mob… And if the mob wants to install thugs, then on what grounds can you criticize that?

Hmm….

In any event…why should we care if war breaks out between Israel and Iran?