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.
There you go. "Democracy"* an end in itself, no matter what it means for the rights of women and minorities.
*"Democracy" we put in quotes as lately it seems to mean any system of government in which people go into booths and vote for something, preferably with purple fingers.
via Wolcott, who reminds us that the warbloggers will quickly abandon their recent affection for the rights of women.