Politicians don't want democracy here in America, why would they want it in the Middle East?

...dissent, protest, presures of a wide variety that escape elite control can modify the calculus of costs of planners, and offer a slight hope that Washington can be compelled to permit at least some steps towards "justice, freedom and democracy" within its domains.

When I wrote about the Spanish Civil War many years later, I used documents that I picked up when I was a child, as a lot hadn't been published (a lot more resources are available now).

Education is not for profit. If you're not in education for profit, it's not going to be a fair critique for education.

Private companies can make a personal profile, direct you to things - they will say - that you would be interested in, but that's their choice not your choice.

Governments will use whatever technology is available to combat their primary enemy - their own population.

I think religion has often played a very positive role. Take western civilization, the Catholic Church has played an honorable role in helping those in need. In contrast, the US carried out a virtual war against the church in central America in the 1980's primarily because prime elements in the church were working with great courage and honor to help those in need. And to organize them to help themselves.