Report says freedom is not growing

[deadparrot]

WASHINGTON - Russia encourages autocrats in nearby countries by systematically weakening or marginalizing independent media and regime critics, according to a report released Wednesday by a pro-democracy group.

The report by the New York-based Freedom House also found that dynamic change in China's economic sphere may someday transform the country's now stifled political culture.

Overall, the Freedom in the World 2007 survey said the percentage of countries designated as free has failed to increase for almost a decade, suggesting "freedom stagnation."

In addition, 2006 "saw the emergence of a series of worrisome trends that together present potentially serious threats to the stability of new democracies as well as obstacles to political reform in societies under authoritarian rule," it said.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070117/ap_on_re_us/us_freedom_report

[MADem]

1. Well, in order to grow, it must reproduce. And how can it do that, if BushCo keeps it always on the

goddamned march????

[illinoisprogressive]

2. it's because we are not doing our job in diplomacy and pay attention or

encouraging new growth. We are no longer the moral compass of the world. We have abandoned our place in the world and our job. We have failed to do what we should do.
Everything is about war, torture and hate for us now.

[psychopomp]

4. The moral compass

Unfortunately, we never were, we just bought our own propaganda. For many around the world the USA was either the overt or covert conqueror. Not to say that the US did not lead the way in some way, though. I know what you mean.

[Lost4words]

3. call me surprised!

[truthisfreedom]

5. But but but... "I think the Iraqi people owe the American people a huge debt of gratitude!"

What about that? Huh? Huh?