Posted on 03/02/2006 6:08:30 PM PST by West Coast Conservative
President George W Bush faced a chorus of protest as he honoured the memory of Mahatma Gandhi during his visit to India.
Before signing a historic nuclear deal yesterday, Mr Bush, a believer in the doctrine of military pre-emption, sprinkled rose petals over the memorial to the philosopher of non-violence.
The short trip to the Rajghat in New Delhi, with Mr Bush and his wife Laura barefoot, preceded a triumphant statement heralding a new era of co-operation between the two countries.
Arundhati Roy, the Booker Prize-winning novelist and social activist, wrote that millions of Indians would "wince" as Mr Bush paid his tribute. "It will be as though he has poured a pint of blood on the memory of Gandhi," she said.
More than 100,000 people, many from India's 160 million-strong Muslim population, took to the streets of New Delhi this week in vociferous but peaceful protests at his visit.
But the protesters were kept far away from the president, who later joined Dr Manmohan Singh, the Indian prime minister, in hailing a natural strategic alliance between the world's most powerful and most populous democracies.
Mr Bush said that agreements on trade, agriculture and fighting terrorism would advance the peace and prosperity of the democratic world.
The increasingly wealthy urban India, with its shopping malls and gated apartment blocks, has a natural affinity with all things American, with long queues for visas to the US where 1.6 million Indians live and work.
However, Mr Bush's 10-minute visit to Gandhi's memorial, a routine stop for all visiting heads of state, was a focal point for Left-wing parties instinctively suspicious of the US.
"I am grateful to have the opportunity to honour Mahatma Gandhi at this sacred site," Mr Bush wrote in the visitor's book.
"His life was an inspiration to people and the world and his contribution to all mankind place him among the great leaders of history."
But quoting from Gandhi's autobiography, The Story of My Experiments with Truth, critics questioned how Mr Bush, who fought the war in Iraq in the name of freedom and democracy, could be granted such an honour.
"What difference does it make to the dead, the orphans and the homeless whether the mad destruction is wrought under the name of totalitarianism or the holy name of liberty and democracy?" asked Gandhi.
But whatever the philosophical differences, Mr Bush and Dr Singh agreed that a new world order was rapidly emerging in which India and America were natural allies.
As well as increased military co-operation, the US is pressing hard for greater access to Indian markets and their new consumer class, hungry for US products.
The nuclear deal, which guarantees fuel for India's nuclear reactors, is one of several measures to support the country's expanding economy, which faces serious shortages of affordable, clean energy.
Before it becomes reality, however, the deal requires the US Congress and the 45-member Nuclear Suppliers Group to amend strict rules which govern the export of nuclear technologies to countries such as India.
There is no pleasing some people. I heard that the rose petals had beef fat sprayed on them to keep them fresh. (and tasty)
If he hadnt visited Ghandi's grave some would have called THAT an insult. Damned if you do damned if you dont.
Nop matter what the President does, somebody has to piss and moan.
"What difference does it make to the dead, the orphans and the homeless whether the mad destruction is wrought under the name of totalitarianism or the holy name of liberty and democracy?" asked Gandhi.
Hmmm... very deep.
RUBBISH!!!
"More than 100,000 people, many from India's 160 million-strong Muslim population, took to the streets of New Delhi this week..."
All I needed to know.
Beautiful picture, that.
And the first lady looks radiant, eh?
As for the comments, ignore the commie rats. The semi-commie media will print any trash if mouthed by a leftie-lib.
Seems only muslime nations are free of the scourge that is commie leftism.
So, what story would we be reading instead if the President had skipped it?
Arundhati Roy, the Booker Prize-winning novelist and social activist, wrote that millions of Indians would "wince" as Mr Bush blew his nose. "It is a clear vision of millions of bacteria crying in despair wrapped in a cold, cruel moment of death, all enclosed in Bush's malicious indifference to the suffering of living beings" she said.
There are only two kinds of stories about the visit to India.
1. It was a great success and India loves George Bush.
2. The evil warmonger was protested by thousands and he deserved it.
Gosh, when did it become 160 miillion now? last I heard it was 140million. These muslimes have a way with inflating their numbers for perceived political clout. And also as some kinda fear factor.
The moonbats including a US-based radical leftist group called Peace Now have been sending these press releases. The MSM takes these press releases and faithfully reproduces them as news.
Let us not forget that the "Telegraph" is a pominent member of the anti-US anti-Bush UK media. For a true picture of the overwhelming support and love for the President and the First Lady, please click on the "India" keyword on the FR Firums home page. An excellent collection of articles from the Indians media are available there.
I have been following this visit in the MSM very closely; the bulk of British, Australian, and American MSM has only been highlighting protests by moonbats and muslims. disgusting behavior by the MSM (yet again).
Oh give me just one BIIIIIIG honkin' break............sheeesh
I think it's a good thing Gandhi didn't live in Hitlers Germany.
My boss is East Indian, very leftist and very pacifist. He and I almost got into a fistfight once over his claim that George Bush and Israel were murdering warmongers using 9/11 as an excuse to kill innocent people.
It's not a good thing to nearly slug your boss in the elevator.
Lies.
Arundhati Roy is a well known leftist activist
Another rewrite of history. Gandhi used non violence because it was the only tactic available to him. He srtongly denounced the gun ban that denied the Indians a proper revolution in his autobiography.
A person who wishes life were free of contradiction.
Depends on whose version you read...the moonbats are busy spreading the second version. For a true picture, take a look at prominent Indian news sites like Indian Express, Sify.com, Times of India, and the like.
You might be interersting in reading my post (in #12 on this thread).
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