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Monday, November 17, 2003 |
Will the Shame Ever End?
Despite my distaste for all things W, it still stings to see our President trashed in the press of our closest ally for personal cowardice. And yet, here it is:
GEORGE Bush was last night branded chicken for scrapping his speech to Parliament because he feared being heckled by anti-war MPs.
The man who's willing to risk the lives of American servicemen so that Iraq can have an accountable government refuses to stand to account for his own decisions because he is afraid of facing criticism. How many times did Winston Churchill - the leader W's fawning fans love to compare him with - duck hard questions in Parliament? How about never, in a legislative career of over 50 years.
Hard to believe that less than 4 years after Bill Clinton could wade fearlessly into adoring crowds in Calcutta and Botswana, and 2 years after the French press declared "Nous sommes touts Americains!" in support of our nation after 9/11, our head of state is so hated that his arrival causes riots in the capital of our best friend on the world stage. Just last July, Tony Blair addressed a joint session of Congress - a body not without its rowdy elements - and won them over with a steely display of passion and principle.
Bush says he went to war for moral principles. In that case, he shouldn't fear a moment of embarassment when the time comes to defend those principles in a democratic forum - especially after he'd already agreed to speak. It's one thing to avoid the Brits altogether. In that case, just cancel the whole trip. But to show up, stay behind baricades at Buck House, and flip the bird to the elected representatives of the citizenry is just beyond the pale. Can you imagine any of the Democratic contenders shaming America in this way? This is a shocking and ugly moment in American history, and I hope the Brits don't hold back their contempt for the insult Bush has given them.
11:37:48 AM 
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Full Retreat
Well, this is unexpected, if true:
The United States accepts that to avoid humiliating failure in Iraq it needs to bring its forces quickly under international control and speed the handover of power, Javier Solana, the European Union foreign policy chief, has said. Decisions along these lines will be made in the "coming days", Mr Solana told The Independent.
The comments, signalling a major policy shift by the US, precede President George Bush's state visit this week to London, during which he and Tony Blair will discuss an exit strategy for forces in Iraq.
Mr Solana underlined the change of mood in Washington, saying: "Everybody has moved, including the United States, because the United States has a real problem and when you have a real problem you need help." There is a "growing consensus" that the transfer of power has to be accelerated, he said. "How fast can it be done? I would say the faster the better." [emphasis added]
Well, I suppose if defeat is inevitable, it's better to lose to our allies than to our enemies. But still, this is yet more bad news for American world stature. Bush is willing to admit to the problems that everyone could see coming from 10 miles off, but instead of negotiating with the hated Europeans from a position of strength, he now exposes himself and America to their condescension and pity. And it's still not clear what exactly they can or will do at this late date.
What leadership! Starting a war that he's too stupid to realize he can't win without help, then going back on his hands and knees to the people he spent 9 months cursing for their lack of moral courage. What's wrong with us for not just loving this guy after all he's done for our country?
8:40:53 AM
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Last update: 9/27/2004; 5:41:09 PM.
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