Is it obvious yet?

In a New York Post article of 6/30/2008, entitled, "Pols 'backed covert plan'", we are informed that "Congressional leaders agreed late last year to President Bush's funding of a major escalation of covert operations against Iran aimed at destabilizing its leadership," according to a published report. $400 million was approved at Bush's request for the covert operation aimed at "undermining Iran's nuclear ambitions and trying to undermine the government through regime change." This is to be done by "working with opposition groups and passing money."

And we are constantly told by our leaders that they hate us because of our freedoms. Here's a thought experiment: Which is more likely and more plausible?

1. They hate us because in our own country we enjoy freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, freedom of religion, and because our women show their ankles, wrists and head hair; and in their own countries they choose not to.

2. They hate us because of past and present covert operations against sovereign nations which include the undermining of their governments, destabilization of their economies and regime change.

Which makes more sense?