This entry was posted on 9/30/2006 10:19 AM and is filed under All Posts, The Lies.
Michael Kinsley, arguably the best columnist in American journalism, really smokes W. out on the contradiction between his position on stem cell research, and his war in Iraq. I can't put it any better than he does:
President Bush does not believe that the deaths of all little children as a result of U.S. policy are, in effect, murder. He thinks that some, while very unfortunate, are also inevitable and essential.
A commander in chief who must face life-or-death questions such as these deserves a bit of sympathy. I would sympathize more with Bush if his answers weren't so preening and struggle-free. It is wonderful to be so morally pure that you won't allow a single embryo to be destroyed in the quest for medical cures that could save lives by the thousands. You are way beyond Gandhi, sweeping the path ahead to avoid stepping on an insect: Insects have more human characteristics than a six-cell embryo.
And regarding Iraq you are quite the man, aren't you, "making the tough decisions." A regular Harry Truman, consigning thousands to death in order to bring democracy and freedom and peace to millions. But Truman actually produced democracy and freedom and peace, whereas you want credit for your hopes. That's not how it works. If you want to be the hard-ass, you get judged by results. And you can't be Gandhi and Truman at the same time.
That's really it, isn't it: "credit for your hopes". Bush wants credit for his intentions only. Results, success, competence—he treats those things as out of his control. That's the new standard in American politics.
