The Right loves to claim that our President is an excellent leader. After all, he had the courage to abandon the neo-socialistic Kyoto Treaty and the harmful ICC, he rallied Americans and the world around the task of invading Afghanistan and he convinced the feckless United Nations and pressured the intransigent Iraqis to start and accept a new round of inspections. He has, so many claim, shown bold and decisive leadership.
The American public should not be. As I have written here and here, the perception that there are 'contradictions' is easily resolved. But this administration's continued and well documented quest to use the war on terror for partisan political advantage, their secrecy, their continued shrill attempts to demonize their domestic opponent's valid criticisms as unpatriotic and their arrogance prevents them from engaging in one of the most important aspects of leadership: educating the public.
This administration's principals should be on all of the Sunday morning gab-fests, Fox, CNN, ABC, CBS, NBC etc. . . explaining to the public the important distinction between why we cannot act in Korea and why we must in Iraq. Instead of using loaded words like 'apologists,' and 'appeasement,' demonizing people like Carter and using simplistic dichotomies like 'good versus evil' the administration should engage and educate the public. It is an important and valid distinction that too many people I know and talk to can't make. After I sit down with them and explain it, Lefties and Righties, one and all say, "aha, I see. That makes sense."
True leadership has many components. Some of them, such as decisiveness, singleminded determination and a willingness to take risks, Bush has. Unfortunately, the difficult and time consuming task of educating the public is sadly, something our President doesn't seem interested in doing.
In that, he resembles his father.
Posted by Sean-Paul @ 01/05/2003 02:45 PM
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Comments:
The trouble with crying wolf is that nobody believes you when the wolf shows up. You're right, enough news has hit the media that an increasing number of Americans have doubts even about honest initiatives - i saw a blue collar New Yorker saying the mass vaccination was just a way to give money to the pharmaceutical industry. And trust once lost is very hard to get back. I guess the best Bush can do is as you say, try the truth for a moment instead of soundbites. But I also buy the argument that Bush's North Korea policy has been inconsistent and reckless since he took office. It's time also for him to do something about that.
Posted by: John Isbell on January 5, 2003 07:58 PM
The New York Times says that "The American people are confused by the contradictions between their government's approach to North Korea and Iraq, and frustrated by the sudden lack of clarity in their government's foreign policy."
Perhaps, it's because the NYT doesn't print anything of merit that the Bush administration has said. They have said repeatedly that they believe that NK can be dealt with diplomatically.
What is it that you guys know that the administration doesn't? Try a little patience. I know that you are used to an administration that easily loses focus and does things half-assed...but remember Clinton is gone - you need to understand that most presidents try to complete their objectives - not just do enough to make it look good and be done with it. The are not going to allow NK to distract them from Iraq. It's that simple.
RE:"i saw a blue collar New Yorker saying the mass vaccination was just a way to give money to the pharmaceutical industry."
Perhaps this guy outta read something besides the NYT.
RE:"And trust once lost is very hard to get back. I guess the best Bush can do is as you say, try the truth for a moment instead of soundbites."
Has it been so long since you heard the truth that you fail to recognize it when it does?
Listen, one thing that most Americans respect most about Bush is his HONESTY. Most Americans believe that he is honest. I know PLENTY of die-hard Democrats that hate Bush policies and such but believe that he is a truthful man.
The situation in North Korea is a direct product of the appeasement policy practiced by the Clinton administration starting with 1994 treaty. The reason we must act decisively in Iraq now(!) is to not let it turn into North Korea.. The appeasement policy practiced by previous administration has led North Korea to push its nuclear program forward with impunity to its eventual success today..
We must act in Iraq now(!) BEFORE it turns nuclear like North Korea..
Confronting a ruthless dictator that already has nukes in possession is a very different ballgame, especially when this dictator is more unpredictable than Saddam and in a close vicinity to our major allies..
The principles however remain the same - NO APPEASEMENT..!
