Are They Ready for the Tools of Democracy?

Watching the coverage of what's going on in places like Libya and Egypt got me thinking today about an appropriate response. This latest "crisis" was spurred by the release of a so-called film by a Coptic Christian extremist in California who has some kind of an ax to grind with the prophet Muhammad. I've made more professional looking films with my cell phone and a laptop.

 This YouTube "film" has been featured in newscasts across the Middle East and has lead to demonstrations, violence and death. Some leaders in the region have demanded that the United States arrest and "punish" the person responsible.

Much of the Arab Spring, and incidents like the murder of our diplomats in Libya, have been mobilized using technology like YouTube, Facebook and cell phones. I believe all of those technologies are dangerous in the hands of those who have no real respect or understanding of democracy. It's like giving a loaded machine gun to a two-year-old.

These technologies are really designed to further extend the freedoms enjoyed by those in democratic societies. It's true that these technologies can also foster democracy in autocratic societies, but in many cases those throwing off the yoke of a dictatorial regime aspire to replace it with an equally anti-democratic theocracy.

The litmus-test for the introduction of these technologies should at least be an aspiration to freedom of speech and religion. If not, they should not be allowed to develop these American technologies. Perhaps an appropriate response would be to "turn-off" their access to Internet, cell and other technologies that are weapons in the wrong hands. Remember what we did to Iran's nuclear program by unleashing a sophisticated virus?

At least the leadership in Libya has condemned the attack, but in other places where leaders either remained silent or praised it, perhaps we should not share these tools that are designed for free democratic societies. Reminds me of the old "Prime Directive" in Star Trek. Do not share advanced technology with societies that are not ready.