Other Viewpoints

I try to keep myself well informed. One way is to read online newspapers from a variety of countries. Ha'artz from Israel, and the Arab News from Saudi Arabia, The Times of India and newspapers from Singapore, Taiwan and others, are all among my sources. Occasionally I end up more entertained than well informed. Take for instance today's issue of the "Arab News". The author of an article was making an interesting (and perhaps valid) point about journalistic sensationalism in the United States. Then he went on to complain that less than 50% of Americans read newspapers and less than 50% vote in Presidential elections. Perhaps this is true, but what percentage of Saudis vote in their executive elections? Oh wait! Their country is not a democracy! The percentage is zero. Western democracies are not perfect, and we have much to learn, but lessons in democracy will not come from absolute monarchies.