Yeah - look at how we did in Malaya. Communists try & take over. We (Brits) try & stop them. We basically do the whole 'hearts & minds' trip. We offered them independance if they help us win. We convinced them that Communism is really not what they want. Especially Peking-sponsored Communism. We point out that Commies intimidate locals, but we are nice & helpful, and also protect the locals from intimidation. And we did (as the Yanks did in Vietnam) win military victories. It took years & years, but it worked. Malaya was made easier by the fact that the Communist infiltrators belonged to an ethnic minority group in the country (Chinese), which made isolating their support base much simpler.
Well Canada did, the Soviet sattelite countries jumped ship all the time. But then I am not comparing it to the Mexican crisis, I don't think anything can. Did you know that the University of Mexicao has just over one million students? Part and full time. UBC, here in BC has just under one hundred thousand full and part time students; and that is a lot too me.
Back to Bush, here is a joke I was sent... George Bush goes to a primary [elementary] school to talk about the war. After his talk, he opens the floor to questions. One little boy puts up his hand and George asks him what his name is. "Billy,” he says. "And what is your question, Billy?" “I have 3 questions. First, why did the USA invade Iraq without the support of the UN? Second, why are you President when Al Gore got more votes? And third, whatever happened to Osama Bin Laden?" Just then the bell rings for recess. George Bush informs the kiddies that they will continue after recess. When they resume George says, "OK, where were we? Oh that's right - question time. Who has a question?" Another little boy puts up his hand. George points him out and asks him his name "Steve,” he says. "And what is your question, Steve?" "I have 5 questions. First, why did the USA invade Iraq without the support of the UN? Second, why are you President when Al Gore got more votes? Third, whatever happened to Osama Bin Laden? Fourth, why did the recess bell go 20 minutes early? And fifth, what the f**k happened to Billy?" My thanks to Tankpark for sending it & daring me to post it!
Not a serious point really, just a quote I heard which amused me! On Thursday 5th August 2004, Bush said: "Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people - and neither do we."
I heard about that. Just means Mr. Bush is a flawed, imperfect human being, like the rest of us. To me, it makes him seem more like a regular guy.
Corp, I wasn't intending it to make a point, but your reply brings up an interesting idea for discussion - should the leader of a country be just "a regular guy"? I'm not a particular fan of Media-slick politicians (see JFK), but it strikes me that the leader of your country should be able to make a speech properly, at least. Discuss...
I think it doesn't hurt to see him do something we all do, like say something we didn't intend to. I had eight years of Bill Clinton, who never did or said anything in public without rehearing it over and over again, and that was enough to give me a bellyfull of it. The man acted like he thought he was perfection incarnate. Frankly, I find Mr. Bush curiously refreshing after watching Clinton.
I think politicians should not be rated wether they are a "regular guy " or not, but should be judged by the political results they achieve.
That would be nice, but I think it is unlikely to happen, given that there is almost never total agreement on what results a certain politician achieves. There's always someone out to put down anything that he/she did, mostly because of ideological differences.
A politician should have the qualities that make him deserve and retain his position in a government. If Bush is just a regular guy to you, that is not enough for the leader of a country. Therefore, this mild judgment makes him inadequate as president of the USA.
I haven't seen too many politicians who've managed that, Roel, including some who were heads of state.