U.S. President Bush added to the pressure on Syria Friday, saying, “The world is beginning to speak with one voice. We want that democracy in Lebanon to succeed, and we know it cannot succeed so long as she is occupied by a foreign power.” ~CNN

While Western media, pundits and politicians are agog at the prospect of a Syrian withdrawal from Lebanon and the possible ‘victory’ of the dubious “Cedar Revolution,” there has been, from the perspective of Mr. Bush’s critics, an amusing and noteworthy consequence of America’s sudden concern for Lebanese sovereignty: in his haste to humiliate Syria, Mr. Bush has denied the very reason for any continued American presence in Iraq, namely the securing of its “democratic” government. This is great news for opponents of the war in Iraq. I suppose it must mean that Mr. Bush will soon be ordering the withdrawal of all American forces from Iraq–we wouldn’t want to stifle their democratic spirit, after all. Perhaps Mr. Bush will agree to a trade? End one occupation in exchange for the end of another? Then democracy can spring forth, and all will be well. Isn’t that the way it works outside the “reality-based” community?