Democracy dies undefended

Palestinian children doing some recreational activity amid Israel’s genocidal war against Gaza. The US keeps giving Israel a pass, again and again and again, for its atrocities. — AFP

TO the horror of many in the world, a seemingly racist, misogynist, Islamophobic would-be dictator has beaten his highly qualified and intelligent opponent, to become “leader of the free world.” Many are lamenting that America will no longer be a beacon of democracy.

But let’s get real. The United States has never been a shining star of justice and human rights. America has consistently supported totalitarian regimes in other countries. It decimated Vietnam because of a fear of communism, casually dropping leftover bombs on Cambodia and Laos. It invaded Iraq after Saudis, not Iraqis, attacked the World Trade Center. It continues to provide arms to Israel despite all the atrocities Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has committed.