[tallhappy]

Nice post. I agree. People here are too sensitive about any criticism of the Bush administration. Bush's administration has done a lot for Taiwan and that needs to be noted and appreciated.

I wasn't happy with Bush/Rice's handling of the E-3 incident.

Me neither. This was before 911. Bush's instincts, though, were right. Remember his initial statement. It was no nonsense and to the point. Let them go. Period. That the ChiComs only had to keep silent for a week or so and we caved in totally and gave out apologies for hitting their plane was not good.

[patriciaruth]

we caved in totally and gave out apologies for hitting their plane was not good.

I remember Senator Feinstein groveling, but I remember that Bush said we were sorry for the death of their pilot as we would be for anyone, but we never apologized or took responsibility for the midair collision.

I specifically remember Chinese commentators being angry that one Chinese word used in the official translation meant sorrow but was not the one that meant regret with nuance of personal responsibility that they wanted.