Project for a New American Century (cont)

Just in case you haven't seen this, here's an exerpt from yesterday's Meet the Press. Reuel Marc Gerecht, PNAC's director of their Middle East initiative had this to say about concerns over women's rights in the new Iraqi constitution (read the transcript if you want to verify the context):

MR. GERECHT: Actually, I'm not terribly worried about this. I mean, one hopes that the Iraqis protect women's social rights as much as possible. It certainly seems clear that in protecting the political rights, there's no discussion of women not having the right to vote. I think it's important to remember that in the year 1900, for example, in the United States, it was a democracy then. In 1900, women did not have the right to vote. If Iraqis could develop a democracy that resembled America in the 1900s, I think we'd all be thrilled. I mean, women's social rights are not critical to the evolution of democracy. We hope they're there. I think they will be there. But I think we need to put this into perspective.

Good to know this he isn't losing any sleep.