Free Republic

Now for the bad news. Two weeks ago, the mainstream media were chasing after Secretary of State Condolleeza Rice on her whirlwind debutante tour of Europe, commenting on her elegant ensembles and disarming smile. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Venezuela's Hugo Chavez was accusing the United States of trying to assassinate him. This week, the potentates of the press mused over President Bush's efforts to melt the iciest of "Old European" hearts. But within four hours of Florida, Nicaragua's Daniel Ortega -- still the head of the communist-inspired Sandinista Party -- was endorsing Chavez' call for the creation of a...