But Bush has clearly moved a long ways from the Powell mission's adjunct policy -- in the right direction in my opinion.
Palestinian rejection (a certainty, I think) allows now for open support of the U.S. for Israeli war against the terror institutions in the West Bank and Gaza. I consider this very positive.
Many have said here that Bush, in this speech, is still appeasing terror in the Middle East. I disagree. If this is appeasement, it is appeasing while pointing a cocked pistol at their head, and giving the choice of surrender now, or surrender after the trigger is pulled.
Bush did well today. And I haven't always said so before regarding the middle east.
I read that the division was Cheney/Rumsfield versus Powell. I think Cheney won. There is no Palestinian state until they act like they are human being and not animals. And the head animal has got to go. Period.
If the Palestinians say no... then, Bush is free to move as he wants.
He smacked the PA today -- and knocked the CRAP out of the press.........love it!
Agreed. Using the John McLaughlin scale where 10 is an absolute declaration of war on terrorism and 1 is a Chamberlain/Carter style surrender, I give this speech about a 7. If the administration supports what Israel will inevitably have to do after the next homicide bombing, it goes to a 9.