Hamas-led Palestinian Government--Democracy?

Over the past few weeks, there is something that I must have missed in public discourse.

President Bush has repeatedly indicated that he wants to see democracy (meaning, I suppose, the kind of political system that we know in the West) implanted in the Middle East. Fundamentally, I don't have a problem with the idea of less authoritarian governmental systems in the Middle East. It seems to me like a no-brainer that we would prefer that the people select their governments over coups, hereditary regimes (i.e. Syria) and strong man governments run by thugs (the former Iraq).

In the case of Palestine, it appears that the people have, in fact, spoken clearly about what government they want and it is a Hamas-led government. The elections were generally seen as fair and the proportion of voters in the population was greater than that of voters in the USA.

Since the elections, the Bush administration has made it very clear that it has changed its mind and now does not want to recognize the government chosen openly and fairly by the Palestinian people.

Apparently, the problem is that Hamas is considered to be a terrorist group and refuses to renounce violence to achieve its goals. I agree that this is a problem. With 9/11 still fresh in the American memory, violent actions by political groups have to be of concern.

However, the Bush people are sending the wrong message in their opposition to the Hamas government of Palestine. They seem to be saying that democracy is okay as long as the decisions of the people suit the USA. When these decisions do not suit the USA, then we will renounce them and turn our back on democracy.

What is it, George? Are you willing to accept decisions by other peoples with which you disagree? Is it democracy or what that you really want?