Dubya's attempt to engage in a European "charm offensive" is interesting....because THAT is EXACTLY the opposite of his first hundred days in the first term....when Dubya ignored Europe and dissed the middle east openly.
Remember back when....it was all about Kyoto, and unilateralism....and...and..then came.. 9/11!
So then, 911 changed everything...?
No Wait! It didn't change a thing! Then, Bush when into TOTALLY UNILATERAL MODE.
Attacks on Afgahnistan...! Invasion of Iraq....! UN lies. War. Death. Destruction. Chaos. Monetary Collapse. Insurgency.
Dubya was Busted, Disgusted, Distrusted, and out of money and manpower.....
Like a drunk coming home after an all night bender....Dubya is now stuck using his weapon of last resort (WLR)....Charm!
But, there could be another reason for this big change of heart.
Dubya's first term was seen by many in the middle east as a "green light" for Sharon to make his move on the West Bank.... And indeed, all Hell broke loose in Palestine shortly after Dubya was sworn in the first time...and the US "disengaged" to let Sharon and the Likud run the show in Palestine.
So far so good.... Condi was re-decorating her office, and all was right with the world...seemingly. But....
THEN CAME 911....
So, the question NOW must be--- if Bush's actions, inactions and hubris in the first term provoked 911.....?
Could it happen again, as he starts the second term?
After all, Muslim "greivences" against Bush are surely no less? And perhaps they are even greater...if the CIA is to be believed.
IT'S POSSIBLE THAT THIS "CHARM OFFENSIVE" --AND THE SUDDEN "MAKING NICE" FROM SHARON-- WITH PRISONER RELEASES--AND TALK OF A WEST BANK PULL OUT OF SETTLERS--IS AN ATTEMPT TO AVOID THE MISTAKES OF THE FIRST BUSH TERM....?
Whatever happens next, Dubya does not want to be open to the criticism....YOU DID NOTHING.
IN FACT, YOU PROVOKED THE DREADED SECOND ATTACK......
IF DUBYA'S FIRST TERM WAS ALL ABOUT HUBRIS?
THE SECOND TERM COULD BE ALL ABOUT HUMILITY......
But then, when you're finally busted, disgusted and can't be trusted.....humility comes a lot easier. Ya Suppose?
Stay tuned.....for more on "Ignorance Abroad."
