Genuine, lasting democracy starts from a popular movement WITHIN a society. If it is imposed externally by another society it probably won't work. I didn't see too many Thomas Jeffersons or Ben Franklins or Thomas Paines sounding off in places around Iraq (or even in exile) about liberty, freedom and democracy. I saw crazed Shiites flagellating themselves in the streets though, just like George Washington and his troops did 300 years ago crossing the Delaware...