Here is the URL to Bush Sr's speech at Tufts, forwarded to me this morning by a friend who knew I was searching for it after reading Friedman's column: Tufts E-News -- Fares 2003 Special Coverage: Former President Bush's Speech
I did not find the speech particularly damning of 43's foreign policy adventure in the Middle East. I would call it a weak endorsement, like a limp handshake. Offered, but not firm. 41 was making a pep talk about NGOs working to overcome stereotypes and cultural misinformation, frequently referring to his Saudi and Lebanese friends, and disclaiming any influence on his son's decisions. Barbara is used as humor several times, however. His comments that affirm multilateralism are the only place where I saw him differentiating between his son's narrowing exclusionary vision (you're either with us or against us). He told the story about walking into a room after Desert Storm where Arabs and Israelis were seated across from each other in Madrid to discuss peace and hoped that this would again happen soon. Given that 43 has again declined to deal with the I-P situation while Iraq is consuming his attention, this may be the most significant comment for foreign policy wonks looking for signals. Bush Sr made three remarks that I found interesting; 1. He referred to the Iraq war as "disarming Saddam", not regime change, or the promise of reverse domino-theory democraticization, although he did refer to the richness of Arab culture and possibilities for the future. 2. He went out of his way to decry the hatred and stereotyping by certain groups in this country who demeaned Arabs in general. He was publicly disassociating himself from the fake patriots who think everyone must be Christian, although he did not mention names. He did remind his audience that many in the Arab world are Christians, which reinforced my interpretation that he was referring to rigthtwing fundamentalist nuts. He used the phrase "hope over hate" several times. 3. He addressed the war for oil issue as wrong. Didn't say why, simply that it wasn't true. Missed his opportunity. Mostly, this was another lightweight, benign speech; even when he predicts we will once again be buddies with France and Germany, almost like a grandfather patting your hand at the hospital saying "everything is going to be alright". It was rambling and reads too much like it was a repeat of several others and pulled together in the limo on the way over. Bush Sr does his best work behind closed doors, working those contacts, which apparently the son does not have the patience or temperament to do long-term. I am less concerned with what Bush Jr does with himself than what he does with this country's credibility. I do not believe he has grandiose personal ambitions, but he does like to win. Since the powers behind the throne know there is an election ahead, much effort will be made to restore credibility at home. If all the money anticipated to be thrown at the 2004 Bush campaign were shared among the states, we might not have a First Responders' problem. Spending excessively on reelection at a time when the country is suffering near depression conditions in many states is the equivalent of building a new palace while the masses starve, and common sense Americans won't tolerate that. Let's hope Bush Jr isn't taking lessons from Prince Charles. The credibility lost will be overseas, not just with allies, but trading partners, and that worries me a great deal, given our leaky economic ship of state and the way the world markets look. The Bush Team has managed to expose the weak flank of American power while flexing its overdeveloped military muscle. Typical macho display of brawn over brains. They lost the moral clarity argument. N Korea is the wild card here. Unbelievable the way the Bush Team has played that one. Karen _______________________________________________ Futurework mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://scribe.uwaterloo.ca/mailman/listinfo/futurework
