I sincerely wish that I could believe that that were true. But based on the incredible things that I have seen in Southern Arizona where I grew up, in California where I live, in Europe where I visit frequently on business, and the awful things that have happened just in the last few months and years to my family as a result, I simply cannot agree.
The man has not just compromised. He is vehemently on the other side. Why...God Knows.
As for Paul Martin groveling to the Sikh god, I can say that Britain is worse. Last week in Paris I was treated to an election "debate" in Britain on Sky News, featuring Michael Howard of the Tories and a bunch of other flotsam and jetsam who made up the Labour, Liberal Democrat, and Green Party opposition. His guarded and reasonable assertion criticizing the abuse of the "asylum" system was met with derision, catcalls, epithets ("Nazi!"), and all sorts of hoots and howls. The fools are rabidly and adamantly destroying themselves as they terrorize anyone who criticizes Muslim or any other immigration from non-Christian, non-white countries.
It's only a matter of time. Mr. Bush could help end it all, but....he's AWOL.
I was a supporter of Steve Forbes in the GOP primary race, and even then I'm sure that a President Forbes wouldn't have been able to do as much as we want done when it comes to government policy. I live in Los Angeles, and trust me, I am glad to have president Bush as Commander in Chief instead of someone that the many beasts around me support. President Bush pissed me off with his support of Arlen Specter (backed by George Soros) against a Conservative Republican Pat Toomey, who had really mobilized a big grassroots effort that came close to making an upset win. It was a mere 2% difference! I actually spent time and some money trying to get Pennsylvanians to support Toomey in the GOP Senate primary, but the other guy had the stamp of approval of the President of the U.S. I believe that the President drew away support from Toomey with his endorsement of Specter. So I know how it feels when something that we are doing is undercut by the president. I believe that on the borders issue the president just has bad judgement. And if it were better than it is now, then he would have bigger headaches over it and I don't know how much more he could really do without taking attention away from other policy battles and preparations for them. Since the midterm elections I stopped donating money to the Republican Party, but I'm definitely not going to join the chorus in bashing the guy who is advancing my beliefs in his limited personal capacity. I'de rather work to support what's right than to complain when things go wrong because the alternative is to put yourself in the sidelines or worse by joining those that complain for the wrong reasons. If you find a more intelligent method of insurgency, besides reading Mr. Auster's frustrated opinions, let me know. You know I'm interested.