Despite setbacks that the superficial and cynical cite as proof that democracy will never come to Tunisia, Tunisian society is definitely evolving. What is the old adage? Rome wasn't built in a day, and Tunisia, which was once part of the Roman Empire, can clearly attest to that historically.

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Excerpted from al Jazeera:

There's been much reporting in the past week about a faltering revolution in Tunisia - about looming sectarian battles, confrontation with police, impatience at the speed of change, and derision at what are regarded as show trials of a president in exile.

Its accurate to say Tunisia has not had the best of times recently. The forcible end to demonstrations last Friday worried many, the shooting of a young boy in the central Tunisian town of Sidi Bouzid brought back memories of the violence that accompanied the revolution that began there, and the curfew that is in force in many parts is an all too uncomfortable reminder that things are far from normal.

But to look at these specifics misses the big picture of what is happening here. It is just over six months since the former president fled the state - a truly brief period in a country that measures its history in thousands of years. And in this time much has been achieved, not least the creation of a new and vibrant political debate.

More than 90 political parties say they'll contest the elections in October - they range right across the spectrum from far right to extreme left- with the majority elbowing each other in the middle. The sense that people themselves can make change has not gone away, the belief that the mechanism to do this lies in a democratic political process is one that is clearly held by the majority. (FOR THE FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE)

Submitter: Mac McKinney

Submitters Bio:
I am a student of history, religion, exoteric and esoteric, the Humanities in general and a tempered advocate for the ultimate manifestation of peace, justice and the unity of humankind through self-realization and mutual respect, although I am not a pacifist, nor do I believe in peace at any price, which is no peace at all but only delays inevitable conflict. There are times when the world must act. Planetary consciousness is evolving, but there are many retrograde forces that would drag us back down.

I have also written one book, a combination of poetry, photography and essays entitled "Post Katrina Blues", my reflections on the Gulf Coast and New Orleans two years after Katrina struck. Go to the store at http://sanfranciscobaypress.com/ to purchase. And I also have a blog called Plutonian Mac.