All cowboys now

The Washington Times ^ | February 25, 2005 | Austin Bay

[lizol]

All cowboys now

By Austin Bay

Chalk it up as a second VE Day (Victory in Europe), and credit President Bush for following Winston Churchill's wise counsel: "In victory: magnanimity."

Mr. Bush's low-key shellacking of France's crook in chief, Jacques Chirac, signals the political defeat of "Old Europe" on the issue of Iraq. On Monday, before a state dinner in Belgium, a reporter asked Mr. Bush if he would invite Mr. Chirac to his Texas ranch. Mr. Bush quipped, "I'm looking for a good cowboy."

Remember, "cowboy" is Euro-snob code for "pathological American suffering from hyper-power and gigantisme militaire."

Mr. Chirac responded by praising the excellence of U.S.-French relations.

(...)

The Poles understood the stakes. When I attended an August 2004 planning session at the Polish headquarters in Babylon, one senior Polish officer told me: "Poland appreciates freedom. That's why we are here." I did not take that as a snide shot at France -- the colonel meant it as a fact that had shaped his own life.

(...)

While training assistance certainly serves as a political fig-leaf, it's an absolutely vital task, as is economic development.

That's where France and Germany can still contribute. With Churchillian grace, Mr. Bush acknowledged that: "Today, America and Europe face a moment of consequence and opportunity. ... We can once again set history on a hopeful course -- away from poverty and despair, and toward development and the dignity of self-rule; away from resentment and violence, and toward justice and the peaceful settlement of differences. Seizing this moment requires idealism: We must see in every person the right and the capacity to live in freedom."

[lizol]

When I attended an August 2004 planning session at the Polish headquarters in Babylon, one senior Polish officer told me: "Poland appreciates freedom. That's why we are here."

And that's the point!!!

[shezza]

The Poles have continued to be staunch and loyal allies. Many thanks to the people of Poland for their support of freedom.

[Racehorse]

Have our liberal critic friends taken any kind of favorable note that Bush has now laid waste to their bile, i.e., he has reached out to our European "friends and allies?"

[MJY1288]

BTTT

[G.Mason]

What a great article!

" ... Mr. Chirac banked on the United Nations as a platform for his cynical brand of political power projection ... "

How's that for two bullseye's with one shot? ;)

[conservativecorner]

You picked out the same section that I would have posted. I have said this all along, and it's no surprise to see former Warsaw Pact Countries now promoting freedom to the rest of the world. When you have had the boot of the former USSR on your neck for 40+ years, you understand what freedom really means to each and every person. DITTO BUMP on the article!!

[Valin]

And in the dumbest move since the introduction of the "new Coke", Mr. Chirac banked on the United Nations as a platform for his cynical brand of political power projection. Say Jack, how's that workin out for ya?

[steel_resolve]

My next trip to Europe is going to be Italy and/or Poland. Stalwart allies and great friends.

[G.Mason]

"And in the dumbest move since the introduction of the "new Coke", Mr. Chirac banked on the United Nations as a platform for his cynical brand of political power projection. Say Jack, how's that workin out for ya?"

At least with Coke© they had a fallback.

The frogs thought riding the back of the 'gator was neat, that 'gator hunting was illegal, and they could ride the beast with impunity.

As it turned out, a new hunting licence was given to some Texas 'gator hunter and that scenario isn't looking to good right now. ;)