[QUOTE]Originally posted by RICHARD
I apologize it it brings back any bad feelings.

Not at all - I can debate the issues with the rest of us - I just don't appreciate being pre-judged based on colour and/or nationality (NOT that it has happened here!!!!!)

"The people of Iraq are people who cannot and will not be ruled, by themselves or others. They are used to having edicts and laws pressed upon them. They have lived in fear and never had a voice in HOW they live their live...

Years of not having a choice has killed their spirit of humanity, freedom and peace....They can't grasp democracy because they never have had the taste of freedom and thinking for themselves.
"

It's a touchy subject. I didn't find the remarks "racist" - What I can say (from a Middle East perspective) is:

Since democracy came into being in Bahrain there is an undercurrent of lawlessness and a lack of respect towards authority which is getting much worse. The law enforcement has NOT been brought up to date to handle the increased and worsening crime which is happening. There have RARELY been riots, bank robberies, armed assaults etc here before - now they are becoming endemic.

Freedom of choice HAS to be tempered with an effective police and justice system, otherwise anarchy results.