Bush Drinks The Egyptian Kool Aid
January 16, 2008 – 6:39 pm“I’m absolutely confident that the people of the Middle East are working hard to build a society based upon justice. And I’ve assured them as they make the journey, the United States will be their friend and partner.”
The President conveniently forgets that Hamas, Hezbollah, Al Qaeda and an assortment of terrorist organizations are certainly not committed to justice and equality. But, when you govern by blind faith in an ideology while consistently disregarding inconveniences like facts, it becomes rather easy to cherry pick people and see the world through red, white and blue glasses. The only thing that has changed for Bush is the calendar, because he still speaks as if it is 2002 all over again.
4 Responses to “Bush Drinks The Egyptian Kool Aid”
I was surprised when I read that Bush actually said,”I can press when there needs to be pressed; I can hold hands when there needs to be — hold hands.”
That phrase stood out in the President’s obligatory tribute to freedom and American ideals, with a nod to our ‘allies’ in the Middle East, and an affirmation of their sincerity in the pursuit of those supposedly shared ideals.
To me it’s a not-so-subtle reminder, intended or not, of his friendship with the Saudi ruling family (whose hands he holds in deference to their social customs).
Bush has never hesitated to talk out of both sides of his mouth, so a shower of platitudes like these comes as naturally as blarney to Barnum, if he can just get them out without tripping over his own tongue.
I wouldn’t regard him or Cheney as a sincere believer in the apocalyptic millenarianism of end-times preachers, so I doubt this administration is committed to Israel for religious reasons.
I think it’s actually destructive to hopes of peace in the Middle East for the U.S. to have such a cozy relationship with the Saudis.
By Vince Williams on Jan 16, 2008
P.S.
And with a repressive Egyptian dictator who imprisons and harasses his opposition. Don’t we still give Egypt billions in aid?
By Vince Williams on Jan 16, 2008
@ Vince
The holding hands comment actually reminded me of this video of Bush http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dF07ApANFnQ
This visit by the Egyptian PM makes me sentimental about the time soon when we wont have Dubya to laugh at.
By Briggs on Jan 16, 2008
@Briggs,
About that video– if he can’t hold his weed any better than that, he should give it up.;-)
By Vince Williams on Jan 16, 2008