ORIENTALISMWATCH-Christopher Hitchens: No “Arab Spring” If Saddam Still Ruled Iraq http://www.loonwatch.com/2011/04/christopher-hitchens-no-arab-spring-if-saddam-still-ruled-iraq/

The Arab Revolutions are a unique moment in the history of the world for a number of reasons. Chief amongst these important reasons is the shattering of age old Orientalist myths that Arabs and Muslims are impervious to Democracy, the language of rights, etc. These talking points are usually further essentialized by the view that what is holding Arabs and Muslims back is the retrograde force of Islam.Yet, there are attempts to steal these revolutions. Attempts to deny the indigenous, organic nature of the transformation happening before our eyes. “How could the natives rise against their dictatorships without our help,” the thinking goes.