Bush continues to be surprisingly impressive

Edmonton Sun ^ | July 3, 2002 | PAUL STANWAY

[Roscoe Karns]

George W. Bush continues to impress as U.S. president, and I continue to feel guilty that I'm more than a little surprised by his performance.

The former Texas governor won the presidency by the skin of his teeth, and even his most ardent supporters would admit that his political record was solid rather than spectacular.

I defended the guy in this space a number of times because I thought the attacks on him were spiteful and childish, packed with liberal pomposity: As a conservative, Bush must be a bad person so there was no need to see what sort of president he might actually be. Yet for the open-minded Bush's performance has been a welcome surprise; the latest example being some straight talking on the future of Israel and its Palestinian neighbour.

Apart from the Cold War, no issue has had so much impact on world affairs over the last half-century, through half a dozen dangerous wars and the evolution of terrorism into a global scourge. As the 20th century was defined by the struggle between democracy and totalitarianism, it's a good bet that relations between the Islamic world and the West will loom large in the 21st century - and Israel and Palestine will continue to be the flashpoint in that relationship. It was never a question of whether President Bush would address this situation, but when and how.

As with so much else in the Bush presidency, it was Sept. 11 which made a new U.S. policy on Palestine inevitable. If you are opposed to terrorism and states that promote terror, eventually you must find yourself opposed to Yasser Arafat.

Over the past couple of decades the man who developed and defined international terrorism as a political tool has been adept at milking the western and Israeli desire for peace. He's managed to get without giving. Oh, he's had to make the odd compromise (like having to publicly acknowledge Israel's right to exist - nudge, nudge, wink, wink), but until recently Arafat's strategy appeared successful. He'd managed to get control over a large chunk of the West Bank and Gaza through the creation of an internationally recognized Palestinian Authority.

Surely peace was only a step or two away. Bill Clinton clearly thought so, as did a succession of Israeli leaders, including most recently the alleged arch-hawk Ariel Sharon! The only problem is that Arafat either can't or won't sell a peaceful compromise to his own people. It really doesn't matter which it is, the bottom line is that the "peace process" has become horribly lopsided.

Israel will accept an Arafat-led Palestinian state, give up most of the land captured in 1967 and allow joint administration of Jerusalem. It will accept the displacement of thousands of settlers from the West Bank and the inevitable wave of protest from its own hardliners. Arafat, for his part, either won't or can't make concessions. He can't or won't end terrorist attacks on Israel. No doubt Clinton's response to this would have been to flog the dead horse even harder. That's certainly the course of action advocated by most European leaders.

To his credit, Bush has brought this deadly farce to an end. The Palestinian Authority experiment has been a disaster. Until the Palestinians are willing to stop the violence and make concessions, there's no point in negotiating - and if Arafat can't or won't make those things happen, the Palestinians need a new leader. This is simple common sense, not rocket science.

Bush's critics say he's being unrealistic: There is no alternative to Arafat's non-leadership, and it's unreasonable to expect Palestinians to opt for democracy and law and order. All of which underlines the fact that the Palestinians are not ready to live as a peaceful self-governing neighbour. The peace process was an illusion.

In the wake of Sept. 11, it's hardly surprising that the U.S. should decide it cannot support a Palestinian leadership tainted by terror.

The surprise is that Bush had the courage and conviction to say so clearly.

Oops. I did it again.

[First_Salute]

Bump.

[olliemb]

Thanks for the article.

[Jeff F]

Hard to imagine such a balanced editorial coming from an Eastern Canadian rag such as the Globe and Mail. The Edmonton Sun's Roscoe Karns provides a much more honest assesment of the G.W. and of the thuggish rubes that are the present day Palestinians.

[AeWingnut]

I agree the attacks on President Bush have been unjust. However, I see no need to call him a conservative. Compared to demChiComCrimocrats Durbin & Daschle anyone would look conservative.

Maybe someone here can list the conservative things President Bush has done. Has he undone any of the unConstitutional garbage signed into law by x-42 aka Caligula ? Are we still grinding up valuable US military surplus

[Southack]

"Maybe someone here can list the conservative things President Bush has done. Has he undone any of the unConstitutional garbage signed into law by x-42 aka Caligula ? Are we still grinding up valuable US military surplus?"

Bush killed America's involvement with the liberal, green, Kyoto Treaty on global warming.

Bush killed U.S. involvement in the International Criminal Court.

Bush withdrew the U.S. from the U.S. - CCCP ABM Treaty.

Bush ordered the Dept of Justice to enforce the Beck decision.

Bush signed the repeal of Clinton's CO2 regulations.

Bush repealed OSHA's home office ergonomic rules.

Bush has funded our National Missile Defense.

Did you really want to know about such Conservative actions taken by Bush, or were you just asking thinking that there were none?

[anniegetyourgun]

It does no good to recount these things for some around here. All they know is that they hate W.

[Ziva]

bttt

[anniegetyourgun]

The surprise is that Bush had the courage and conviction to say so clearly.

This is a surprise because he's never shown courage or conviction? What is it with these so-called journalists.....

[Savage Beast]

"I continue to feel guilty that I'm more than a little surprised by his performance."

There's no reason to feel guilty, Paul, just because you're a little...well...dim in the wit department. You have managed to figure out what many of us knew all along--that George W. Bush is a brilliant man and a great leader.

Just because you're a little slow is nothing to feel guilty about.

Try not to give advice, though. Leave that to those who...well...catch on quicker. You know what I mean? Some people are just...well...you know: more gifted in the gray matter...than others. You know what I mean.

[Pistias]

Bush killed U.S. involvement in the International Criminal Court.

Is that entirely correct? We may still be involved, just not capable of prosecution under certain circumstances.

[The Californian]

Bump (if bump means good point!) By the way, does anyone know what bttt means? I'm a little new to this site and it's codes.

[The Californian]

Try not to give advice, though. Leave that to those who...well...catch on quicker. You know what I mean? Some people are just...well...you know: more gifted in the gray matter...than others. You know what I mean.

Why in the world should he quit writing wonderful articles? I thought he did a great job. Give the guy a break.

[deport]

FYI

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

BTTTT means Bump To The Top.

Has multiple meanings , but usually means approval, good point made, etc and keeps the thread on the active list so that those who click Latest Posts see it near the top of the resulting list!

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

6/27 -- you are very recent.

Welcome!

[Jorge]

Bush killed America's involvement with the liberal, green, Kyoto Treaty on global warming.

Bush killed U.S. involvement in the International Criminal Court.

Bush withdrew the U.S. from the U.S. - CCCP ABM Treaty.

Bush ordered the Dept of Justice to enforce the Beck decision.

Bush signed the repeal of Clinton's CO2 regulations.

Bush repealed OSHA's home office ergonomic rules.

Bush has funded our National Missile Defense.

Did you really want to know about such Conservative actions taken by Bush, or were you just asking thinking that there were none?

Remember, all it takes is Bush to disagree with them on a single conservative issue for some people to declare Bush is not a conservative. It's rather silly.

We can add to your list the fact that Bush cut funding for overseas abortions.

Bush also gave us a tax cut we would have never gotten had Gore won...Bush release water to the Klamath farmers...etc etc.

[blackbart1]

...tainted by terror.

...tainted by terror?

I'd say Arafat was A LOT MORE than tainted by terror. Otherwise a good article but most of W's supporters were not surprised by his courage and character!

[jwh_Denver]

well...dim in the wit department

Very clever! LOL! Sorry pal, you can't be a journalist.

[WellsFargo94]

Yeah, whatever Southack #6 posted!

But really how do you think anything gets done in D.C.? It's give and take and you have to prioritize what you'll give up. Bush has the big picture in focus. Give credit where credit is due, who do you want to see in office, the irrepressible Clinton? (Gore would have been the same, minus the sexual escapades) or how about McCain - now let's talk about a sell out...