Pruden mentioned what (to me) is the major issue:
"Like every president, George W. wants whatever he says to be taken as the last word, but no president before him, not even Washington, Jefferson or Lincoln, was accorded that kind of deaf, dumb and blind acquiescence to authority. That kind of acquiescence is practically un-American."
I have not taken a position yet on this whole port deal. I'd like to know more about it. I'm not comfortable just taking the President's word for it, regardless of which party the President is part of.
Most of us would probably agree that democracy is not a spectator sport. We shouldn't just be satisfied with a statement that someone else has reviewed the deal and doesn't have a problem with it.
The President has not made a compelling case as to why this is a good deal, why he supports it. Now we know that the senior members (Secretary of Defense, Secretary of the Treasury, Secretary of Homeland Security) of this committee charged with reviewing foreign acquisitions didn't even know about the deal before it was approved. Doesn't that raise legitimate questions about the thoroughness or top-level supervision of this review? I think so.
Let the record reflect that I have not taken a position on this deal one way or the other. I'd like to take an informed position so I need more information.
Let the record further reflect that I am proud to support President Bush. My family and I pray for him every day, and we have materially supported both of his campaigns. I generally support his initiatives. I'm not sure yet about this one. As much as I support the President, I do not blindly/unquestioningly follow any man.
I am a Washington Times subscriber. Pruden's column is always a must-read. He does a great job. I almost always agree with him and I consider myself to be a true conservative.
Thanks for 'listening'!
As in the Harriett Miers nomination, I believe that all of the facts were not presented to President Bush. Let's bring them out, in public, then go from there.
IMHO, that's the stance that Laura Ingraham and Mark Levin are advocating, as well.
Better get ready for work...