"Why would people in the Arab world hate us so much? Mr. Bush's response was, "Because they envy our freedom." Really? Or is it, in large part, due to the fact that the US supports repressive regimes that deny Arabs their freedom?"

Couple things, Arab press is control by the state. Are you so foolish that you aren't aware of this? Surely this is indisputable. Now what affect could you imagine a state would have on a press that it controls? Don't you get that the Arab press is working for the state, and that when that press speaks it's speaking for that state- some small amount artistic license is permitted but that's about it. So the Arab press is basically a mouthpiece for it's dictators- the arab press isn't a press it's publication for the dictator.

So what does it mean when someone quotes the arab press and at same time blames the US for supporting these states?
There is a bit of problem here.
Now imagine if the Arab press decided that it wasn't going to allow their dictators to control them. You know have a conference with all arab press [say do it in France] and declared their rights to print whatever they thought was the news?
Who is going to stop them?
The US?
I don't think so. And when the dictators crack down [because they will]- then they will need to all go on strike until they get their rights.
It ain't rocket science. It will take balls, but it's pretty simple.

Second, the US IS NOT supporting the arab states any more than other countries like France, Germany or Canada are supporting arab states. The US support Mexico far more than it supports any arab state.
The US does provide global security. But in terms of security, Turkey actually has security agreement with the US [Turkey is not arab]. When Iraq invaded Kuwait, there was no clear understanding that the US would defend Kuwait. Kuwait had no more security protection than any other nation belonging to the UN. It was against international law for Iraq to invade Kuwait. There was a question about whether the US would uphold and enforce this international law. If some country attack Turkey- there would be no question about it.
Arab nation for most of their histories have been "non-align" nations. Now, you do have the gulf states that have US bases on them- and these countries are doing pretty well. And after Saddam invaded Kuwait and threaten Saudi Arabia, the Saudi asked for US military to help defend it. And as part of peace treaty between Israel and Egypt US promised to give financial aid to Egypt- which is suppose to go to things like schools and health care.

The only reason question is could the US [and/or other countries] apply more political pressure. But this could just as easily be described interfering with a nation's sovereignty. And we wouldn't ever want to give any sort of political pressure which results in large number of people killed or toppling a govt. It's simply not in our interest to support some kind violent destructive revolution.
It's simple: if an Arab leader wants to go to war with the US, maybe the US will attack that country, occupy it, and bring about elections and self govt. Otherwise it's up to those in the country to change conditions.