Subject: DEMOCRACY? President Bush deserves congratulations for urging Middle East nations to adopt the democratic traditions of the United States. His recommendation would have been even more persuasive had he offered some examples. He might have apologized for U.S. support of the dictatorial overthrow of democratically elected government in Chile and Guatemala, or he might have announced that he and Vice President Cheney were immediately furnishing their document about the 9/11 incident and about U.S. energy policy. such governmental transparency is a hallmark of traditional democracy. The content of "democratic traditions" is best made by example rather than empty words. JB