The American Spectator

Reader Mail

(Page 2 of 7)

Now here is my question. How much of what we see of a Bush '43' international affairs set of beliefs is due to the influence of Mr. James Baker III? We have seen Bush bluster rhetorically against North Korea, Iran, and Syria, as well as Iraq. Iraq was the only one that has suffered any real result of this rhetoric. I would suggest that Afghanistan and Iraq were the result of a robust, macho response by President Bush to the situation presented on Sept. 11, 2001. Afghanistan was brought under control quickly and a new government installed. It is only of late that the Taliban seem to be growing large enough and bold enough to be of a serious consequence.

Iraq has been a different breed of cat. Even before the war started, Turkey thwarted our plans. I would propose that this has had a bigger negative influence than was seen at the time. Nevertheless, the actual government of Iraq fell in record time, but the significant resistance to our efforts has never ceased to any great extent. Yet President Bush, like his father before him, prematurely declared victory and shifted to a PC, low-level war fighting method that has, in my humble opinion, extended the violence and the loss of life and maiming of our fine military men and women.

Did Mr. Bush '43' let his natural emotions get ahead of him in the immediate aftermath of 9/11 before James Baker could get to him and temper the fire? Are the present PC rules of engagement in Iraq and the "war by lawyer" (the JAGs) proof positive that James Baker III has gotten back in control of the Bush family foreign policy and geopolitical mindset? How much is Condi Rice influenced by James Baker III, and does that become a reinforcing mechanism in advising the current occupant of the Oval Office? I certainly do not know the answer, but I am suspicious and would love to see Mr. Klein do one of his excellent reportorial jobs on the subject.

p>Mr. Klein is a true asset to the Spectator . Please don't squander that asset or let it atrophy due to underutilization. br> -- Ken Shreve br> A Conservative First Above All /p> p> SCARLET LETTER 'R' br> Re: Jeffrey Lord's Nancy Pelosi Ducks :

topics:
Foreign Policy, Nancy Pelosi, Business, Law, Military, Iraq, Iran, NATO, North Korea, Nuclear Weapons, Oil