Jed, this is all getting
bizarre. I have been a frequent critic of this president, but
for the general public to give him such low ratings is absurd. By
all normal indicia, this nation is in terrific shape. Unemployment,
interest rates, inflation: All at levels that by historical
standards are incredibly low. Crime down. Home ownership up. Stock
market back up, while stock ownership is, too. Taxes low. No
domestic terrorism since 9/11. Success in Afghanistan. The end of
Ghadafi's nuke program. Solid relations with both India AND
Pakistan at the same time. Very solid relations with Japan and
Great Britain and Australia and with much of Eastern Europe. More
countries rated "free" (and more "somewhat free" as opposed to "not
free") by Freedom House that at any time in recorded history. But
Americans are spoiled. We don't realize just how good our lives are
today. I may have to write a column on this.
Meanwhile, National Review at one point had a saying that it was
a fair-weather critic of right-leaning pols but a firm foul-weather
friend. It's time again to be a foul-weather friend. For all the
administration's mistteps (especially after Katrina, which hit so
close to home for me), President Bush's heart is in the right place
and his courage on the big issues has been undaunted. In today's
foul political weather, I will now rally to the president's
defense. I urge all conservatives to put aside our grievances and
do likewise.
topics:
Taxes, Pakistan, Oil
