Free Republic

Border crossings to Mexico closed by protests Largest display of discontent against the army's crackdown on drug cartels Protesters block a main avenue during a demonstration against the Mexican army in Monterrey, northern Mexico, on Tuesday. The army has blamed protests on drug cartels targeted by the government. Monterrey is not on the border but is southwest of Nuevo Laredo. CIUDAD JUAREZ, Mexico - Hundreds of people blocked bridges to the United States in three border cities Tuesday, demanding the army leave in another challenge for the Mexican government as it struggles to quell escalating drug violence. The protests in...

Anyone who publicly supports a Bush Administration policy soon encounters the accusation that he is a "Bush apologist." The term is an interesting one. It is, of course, dismissive and meant to be. It both downgrades the integrity of the supporter and relieves the accuser of any obligation to consider the facts of a particular debate. But there is more to it than that.Being an "apologist" really means you are an excuser-- either of a deficient policy, a deficient president, or a deficient administration--most usually all three. In any case, the premise of the accusation is that you, the apologist,...