We're Wrong Either Way.

I keep hearing people say that our government should have stepped in to back the old regime in Egypt, or that we should have spoken up more forcefully for the opposition. I can't figure out why all those people haven't figured out that we should have done neither, which is what we did. First, how do you support a regime that has for decades mistreated it's subjects and been unwilling to allow basic human rights when that's exactly what we keep claiming we want. It's what we enjoy. How do we justify supporting one dictator over another. Either cruel dictators are bad or good. They can't be both. Either freedom should be for everyone or no one. On the other hand,  how do we speak up for and assist an opposition that may be as bad or worse as what's already there, if we don't know. More importantly, our track record for stepping in to straighten out a mess is very poor. Not only that, but people around the world don't want us "stepping in" to their internal problems. This is especially true in the Middle East where we're seen as invaders and occupiers. The only smart move for us, is to keep on the sideline as much as possible, protect our own citizens where possible and provide humanitarian aid where possible. And then once a leadership is confirmed, support it as much as possible. Is the Middle East critical to our national interest? Of course. Is Middle Eastern oil critical to our economy? Of Course. Can't we just dictate what those people will do and how they will interact with us? Of course not. You can't force anyone to be your best buddy. You have to earn that. Even then they may not like you. The same is true with countries. This isn't rocket science. Other countries have the right to go their own way even if that way leads away from us. Again, you have to earn people's respect and friendship. We haven't done so well in that area. We've always used bluster to get our way. That doesn't work well anymore. We can't go to war with everyone. We need to become a little more self reliant. Maybe a lot more.