Bush Asia Trip a Great Success

President Bush returned Sunday from an historic and hugely succesful trip to Afghanistan, India and Pakistan. But you would hardly know it from watching the lamestream media. Even Fox News failed to do more than mention it on it's hour long Sunday program.

Rich Lowry, of National Review has a few thoughts:

Salt Lake Tribune - Opinion: President Bush has visited South Asia, and one would expect multilateralist hosannas to be showered on his head. In India, he worked to cement a burgeoning relationship with a dynamic country central to a region where - with China on the rise - geopolitics in the 21st century will be very ''interesting,'' in the unsettling sense of the Chinese curse, ''May you live in interesting times.''

Next on the itinerary was Pakistan, a longtime enemy of India and another newly minted U.S. ally. That the U.S. is friends with both India and Pakistan has a lot to do with circumstances (the end of the Cold War and the advent of the War on Terror), but it also speaks to a certain level of Bush-administration diplomatic finesse. The administration won't get any credit for it since it runs counter to the media's favored ''unilateralist behemoth alienates the world'' storyline.

India especially falls victim to the new liberal standard in international relations, which is that countries that genuinely like us are discounted as allies. It's the diplomatic corollary of Groucho Marx's refusal to belong to any club that would have him. India falls into the same category as Japan, Britain, Australia, the democratic countries of Eastern Europe and a few Gulf emirates. These nations lack the simmering resentment toward the U.S. of a France, so close and fruitful relationships with them don't earn Bush any multilateralist points.

In fact, Democrats are perfectly content to alienate these natural friends. The United Arab Emirates is getting a swift kick to the teeth in the uproar over the port deal, and no Democratic members of Congress complained when the press revealed the existence of secret U.S. prisons in Poland and Romania, thus making it less likely that those countries would be helpful to the U.S. in the future.

Now, the administration has cut a deal - finalized on Bush's trip, and pending congressional approval - to aid India's civil nuclear program in return for India opening up its civilian facilities to international inspections. This has prompted charges of hypocrisy: How can we bless India's nuclear breakout while trying to stifle North Korea's and Iran's? But there should be privileges to being a democratic, responsible government presiding over an open society. Nonproliferation advocates worry about the signal sent to the rest of the world by the deal - that message should be, ''Create a consistent record of decent governance, and we won't be as alarmed if you pursue nukes.''

India will probably never be as close to the U.S. as Britain or Israel. It has a proud tradition of international independence that it's not going to entirely relinquish. But it will be an important friend, partly due to the diplomatic work of the Bush administration. Multilateralists, take note.

No Civil War in Iraq: Dems Disappointed Again

In all the spin of defeatist lies and manipulation "Iraq on the verge of civil war" ranks right after the Dem all time favorite: "Iraq -- A quagmire. Another Vietnam."

Well it's been two weeks now since the bombing of the Golden Mosque in Samara and still no civil war. We will probably find where Saddam hid the weapons of mass destruction long before we ever have a civil war in Iraq.

An excellent front line report from inside some of the most radical Shiite neighborhoods in Baghdad:

"Dude Where's My Civil War" by Ralph Peters, New York Post:
March 5, 2006 -- BAGHDAD

I'M trying. I've been trying all week. The other day, I drove another 30 miles or so on the streets and alleys of Baghdad. I'm looking for the civil war that The New York Times declared. And I just can't find it.

Maybe actually being on the ground in Iraq prevents me from seeing it. Perhaps the view's clearer from Manhattan. It could be that my background as an intelligence officer didn't give me the right skills.

And riding around with the U.S. Army, looking at things first-hand, is certainly a technique to which The New York Times wouldn't stoop in such an hour of crisis.

Let me tell you what I saw anyway. Rolling with the "instant Infantry" gunners of the 1st Platoon of Bravo Battery, 4-320 Field Artillery, I saw children and teenagers in a Shia slum jumping up and down and cheering our troops as they drove by. Cheering our troops.

All day - and it was a long day - we drove through Shia and Sunni neighborhoods. Everywhere, the reception was warm. No violence. None.

And no hostility toward our troops. Iraqis went out of their way to tell us we were welcome.

Instead of a civil war, something very different happened because of the bombing of the Golden Mosque in Samarra. The fanatic attempt to stir up Sunni-vs.-Shia strife, and the subsequent spate of violent attacks, caused popular support for the U.S. presence to spike upward.

Think Abu Musab al-Zarqawi intended that?

In place of the civil war that elements in our media declared, I saw full streets, open shops, traffic jams, donkey carts, Muslim holiday flags - and children everywhere, waving as our Humvees passed. Even the clouds of dust we stirred up didn't deter them. And the presence of children in the streets is the best possible indicator of a low threat level.

Southeast Baghdad, at least, was happy to see our troops.

And we didn't just drive past them. First Lt. Clenn Frost, the platoon leader, took every opportunity to dismount and mingle with the people. Women brought their children out of their compound gates to say hello. A local sheik spontaneously invited us into his garden for colas and sesame biscuits.

It wasn't the Age of Aquarius. The people had serious concerns. And security was No. 1. They wanted the Americans to crack down harder on the foreign terrorists and to disarm the local militias. Iraqis don't like and don't support the militias, Shia or Sunni, which are nothing more than armed gangs.

Help's on the way, if slowly. The Iraqi Army has confounded its Western critics, performing extremely well last week. And the people trust their new army to an encouraging degree. The Iraqi police aren't all the way there yet, and the population doesn't yet have much confidence in them. But all of this takes time.

And even the police are making progress. We took a team of them with us so they could train beside our troops. We visited a Public Order Battalion - a gendarmerie outfit - that reeked of sloth and carelessness. But the regular Iraqi Police outfit down the road proved surprisingly enthusiastic and professional. It's just an uneven, difficult, frustrating process.

So what did I learn from a day in the dust and muck of Baghdad's less-desirable boroughs? As the long winter twilight faded into haze and the fires of the busy shawarma stands blazed in the fresh night, I felt that Iraq was headed, however awkwardly, in the right direction.

The country may still see a civil war one day. But not just yet, thanks. Violence continues. A roadside bomb was found in the next sector to the west. There will be more deaths, including some of our own troops. But Baghdad's vibrant life has not been killed. And the people of Iraq just might surprise us all.

So why were we told that Iraq was irreversibly in the throes of civil war when it wasn't remotely true? I think the answers are straightforward. First, of course, some parties in the West are anxious to believe the worst about Iraq. They've staked their reputations on Iraq's failure.

But there's no way we can let irresponsible journalists off the hook - or their parent organizations. Many journalists are, indeed, brave and conscientious; yet some in Baghdad - working for "prestigious" publications - aren't out on the city streets the way they pretend to be.

They're safe in their enclaves, protected by hired guns, complaining that it's too dangerous out on the streets. They're only in Baghdad for the byline, and they might as well let their Iraqi employees phone it in to the States. Whenever you see a column filed from Baghdad by a semi-celeb journalist with a "contribution" by a local Iraqi, it means this: The Iraqi went out and got the story, while the journalist stayed in his or her room.

And the Iraqi stringers have cracked the code: The Americans don't pay for good news. So they exaggerate the bad.

And some of them have agendas of their own.

A few days ago, a wild claim that the Baghdad morgue held 1,300 bodies was treated as Gospel truth. Yet Iraqis exaggerate madly and often have partisan interests. Did any Western reporter go to that morgue and count the bodies - a rough count would have done it - before telling the world the news?

I doubt it.

If reporters really care, it's easy to get out on the streets of Baghdad. The 506th Infantry Regiment - and other great military units - will take journalists on their patrols virtually anywhere in the city. Our troops are great to work with. (Of course, there's the danger of becoming infected with patriot- ism . . .)

I'm just afraid that some of our journalists don't want to know the truth anymore.
For me, though, memories of Baghdad will be the cannoneers of the 1st Platoon walking the dusty, reeking alleys of Baghdad. I'll recall 1st Lt. Frost conducting diplomacy with the locals and leading his men through a date-palm grove in a search for insurgent mortar sites.

I'll remember that lieutenant investigating the murder of a Sunni mullah during last week's disturbances, cracking down on black-marketers, checking up on sewer construction, reassuring citizens - and generally doing the job of a lieutenant-colonel in peacetime.

Oh, and I'll remember those "radical Shias" cheering our patrol as we passed by.

Ralph Peters is reporting from Forward Operating Base Loyalty, where he's been riding with the 506th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division.

Democrats shouldn't worry. They still have plenty of lies, false scandals and manipulations they can whip up before the November Congressional elections.

Update on Golden Mosque Bombing: Iranian Fingerprints?

There has been speculation that Iran might have been behind the bombing of the Golden Mosque. Would Iranian agents really want to destroy one of the Shia sects most holy sites? Well, if it served two purposes they might. First to foment a civil war in Iraq that would be likely to bring their hard line allies to power. And second, the crazy Iranian President, Amadjihad (my name for him) is convinced that the 12th Imam, a five year old who disappeared from Samara in the 9th Century will reappear. It's the Muslim equivalent of Christ's second coming, only with a five year old boy. War and pestilence are the precursors of his return. What better way to bring it about faster by creating war and pestilence.

In another interesting twist, UPI Intelligence Watch reports that the bombing was a professional demolition job that required at least 12 hours preparation.

Student at Colorado School Says People are "Exaugurating" Teacher's Remarks

Chris at Conservative Thinking had this particularly telling comment from "Sam" regarding the Colorado Geography teacher, Jay Bennish's communist/socialist/moonbat hate America lecture:

I think people are over Exaugurating something little,let the guy have his freedom of speech, hes just teaching the kids to think for themselves and giving his own oppinions. All you damn people are to stupid to realize bush is like hitler

In reporting the comment at The Jawa Report Chris relates that the above comment came from a computer within the Cherry Creek School System which includes the Overland High School at which Bennish teaches.

It's apparent that they are not teaching the three R's at Overland; let alone history.

And I am SO GLAD that student Sean Allen had the tape of this incident, otherwise people like Sam might get away suggesting that we are all "Exaugurating something little."

But then I guess I am just one of those "damn people [who] are to stupid to realize bush is like hitler."

More Information:

• Dignan's 75 Year Plan goes point by point through this idiot teacher's rant and shows that not only is he a total loon moonbat, but the "facts" he is supposed to be teaching are all WRONG!
• Crush Liberalism offers a parody transcript of the tape, which isn't far off the original. Here's a sample:

  Student: Mr. Bennish, I forgot...what's the capital of Brazil?
  
  Bennish: Capital? The oppressive tool of the robber barons? You'll forgive me if I abstain from answering your neo-imperialistic question. Next!
  
  Student: Mr. Bennish, I was wondering why the weather is warmer on one side of the Alps as opposed to the other, cooler side?
  
  Bennish: Simple...Bushitler McRummyburton won't sign Kyoto! Next!
  
  Student: Why do certain Arab groups live in the desert, despite the lack of readily available water or food?
  
  Bennish: Because Bush gave the ports to the UAE. Haven't you learned a damned thing in this class? Next!
  
  Read the rest here.

Teacher's Guide for Moonbat 101:

Mike's America readers long ago realized that most moonbats have all the intelligence and advanced reasoning skills of the Autorantic Virtual Moonbat. It's becoming abundanly clear they are learning these skills from loony tunes like Bennish. Perhaps it's time the Virtual Moonbat be updated as a teaching tool:

Sneaking Into Occupied Holland: Is Islam Winning by Default?

We should fear Holland's silence London Times: "Would you write the name you'd like to use here, and your real name there?", asked the girl at reception. I had just been driven to a hotel in the Hague. An hour earlier I'd been greeted at Amsterdam airport by a man holding a sign with a pre-agreed cipher. I hadn't known where I would be staying, or where I would be speaking. The secrecy was necessary: I had come to Holland to talk about Islam.

Last weekend, four years after his murder, Pim Fortuyn's political party, Lijst Pim Fortuyn, held a conference in his memory on Islam and Europe. The organisers had assembled nearly all the writers most critical of Islam's current manifestation in the West. The American scholars Daniel Pipes and Robert Spencer were present, as were the Egyptian-Jewish exile and scholar of dhimmitude, Bat Ye'or, and the great Muslim apostate Ibn Warraq.

Both Ye’or and Warraq write and speak under pseudonyms. Standing at the hotel desk I confessed to the girl that I didn’t have any other name, couldn’t think of a good one fast. I was given my key and made aware that the other person in the lobby, a tall figure in a dark suit, was my security detail. I was taken up to my room where I changed, unpacked and headed back out — the security guard now positioned outside my bedroom door.

I had been invited to deliver the closing speech to the memorial conference on what would have been Fortuyn’s 58th birthday. I said I would talk on the effects of Europe’s increasingly Islamicised population and advocate a tougher European counterterror strategy. There was no overriding political agenda to the occasion, simply a desire for frank discussion.

The event was scholarly, incisive and wide-ranging. There were no ranters or rabble-rousers, just an invited audience of academics, writers, politicians and sombre party members. As yet another example of Islam’s violent confrontation with the West (this time caused by cartoons) swept across the globe, we tried to discuss Islam as openly as we could. The Dutch security service in the Hague was among those who considered the threat to us for doing this as particularly high. The security status of the event was put at just one level below “national emergency”.

This may seem fantastic to people in Britain. But the story of Holland — which I have been charting for some years — should be noted by her allies. Where Holland has gone, Britain and the rest of Europe are following. The silencing happens bit by bit. A student paper in Britain that ran the Danish cartoons got pulped. A London magazine withdrew the cartoons from its website after the British police informed the editor they could not protect him, his staff, or his offices from attack. This happened only days before the police provided 500 officers to protect a “peaceful” Muslim protest in Trafalgar Square.

It seems the British police — who regularly provide protection for mosques (as they did after the 7/7 bombs) — were unable to send even one policeman to protect an organ of free speech. At the notorious London protests, Islamists were allowed to incite murder and bloodshed on the streets, but a passer-by objecting to these displays was threatened with detention for making trouble.

Holland — with its disproportionately high Muslim population — is the canary in the mine. Its once open society is closing, and Europe is closing slowly behind it. It looks, from Holland, like the twilight of liberalism — not the “liberalism” that is actually libertarianism, but the liberalism that is freedom. Not least freedom of expression.

All across Europe, debate on Islam is being stopped. Italy’s greatest living writer, Oriana Fallaci, soon comes up for trial in her home country, and in Britain the government seems intent on pushing through laws that would make truths about Islam and the conduct of its followers impossible to voice.

Those of us who write and talk on Islam thus get caught between those on our own side who are increasingly keen to prosecute and increasing numbers of militants threatening murder. In this situation, not only is free speech being shut down, but our nation’s security is being compromised.

Since the assassinations of Fortuyn and, in 2004, the film maker Theo van Gogh, numerous public figures in Holland have received death threats and routine intimidation. The heroic Somali-born Dutch MP Ayaan Hirsi Ali and her equally outspoken colleague Geert Wilders live under constant police protection, often forced to sleep on army bases. Even university professors are under protection.

Europe is shuffling into darkness. It is proving incapable of standing up to its enemies, and in an effort to accommodate the peripheral rights of a minority is failing to protect the most basic rights of its own people.

The governments of Europe have been tricked into believing that criticism of a belief is the same thing as criticism of a race. And so it is becoming increasingly difficult and dangerous to criticise a growing and powerful ideology within our midst. It may soon, in addition, be made illegal.

I had planned — the morning after my speech — to see Geert Wilders, but instead spent the time catching up with his staff. Their leader had been called in by the police to discuss more than 40 new death threats he had received over the previous days.
As I left the Netherlands I once again felt terrible sorrow for a country that is slowly being lost. A society which should be carefree and inspiring has become dark and worried. The jihad in Europe is winning. And Holland, and our continent, takes one step further into a dark and menacing future.

Douglas Murray is the author of Neoconservatism: Why We Need It

It won't be long before Europeans pass laws outlawing anything that Muslims find offensive. How long will it be before the U.S. follows suit? And you wanted to know why the speech by Justice Scalia on International Law was so important?

Another America Hating Ward Churchill in Colorado Schools at Tax Payer Expense

What's going on in Colorado? First Ward Churchill, a tenured professor at the University of Colorado uses his position to spew the most violent and hate-filled anti-American rhetoric imaginable (update on the Universities LONG overdue investigation here.

Now, Jay Bennish (email address) a GEOGRAPHY teacher at Overland High School (email address) in a suburb of Denver is using his taxpayer supported position to promote the religion of the left: a hate America platform of propaganda and deceit.

Sean Allen, a student in the class, recorded remarks made by Bennish and took them to KOA talk-show host Mike Rosen. You can hear the audio there or at Michelle Malkin, who also transcribes the remarks.

The venerable Walter E. Williams, Professor of Economics at George Mason University in Virginia also writes on the issue in his Town Hall. Com column:

In reference to the president's State of the Union: "Sounds a lot like the things Adolf Hitler used to say." "Bush is threatening the whole planet." "[The] U.S. wants to keep the world divided." Then the speaker asks, "Who is probably the most violent nation on the planet?" and shouts "The United States!"

Had Professor Williams, or ANY conservative used their position to promote pro-Bush views at a school or university you can imagine the liberal firestorm of protest.

So why should we let a high school teacher, take young and ill-informed minds and brainwash them with hate rhetoric against their own country?

Why should we permit the religion of extreme anti-Americanism be taught in a geography class to students who have few other options for their education?

Today, a large number of those hapless no-nothings walked out of school in protest to the PAID suspension of teacher Bennish. They chanted "Freedom of Speech- Let him teach."

But a large group of students counterprotested with their own chant "Teach, don't preach."

No wonder so many parent's choose to homeschool their children!

Flopping Aces has more.

India Moves from U.S. Neutral to Strategic Ally

From President Bush's 2006 State of the Union Speech:

"We will choose to build our prosperity by leading the world economy -- or shut ourselves off from trade and opportunity. In a complex and challenging time, the road of isolationism and protectionism may seem broad and inviting -- yet it ends in danger and decline. The only way to protect our people, the only way to secure the peace, the only way to control our destiny is by our leadership -- so the United States of America will continue to lead."
...
"America rejects the false comfort of isolationism....To overcome dangers in our world, we must also take the offensive by encouraging economic progress, and fighting disease, and spreading hope in hopeless lands. Isolationism would not only tie our hands in fighting enemies, it would keep us from helping our friends."



More photos from the India trip at the White House web site.

Now, I know this is going to upset a handful of readers who worry that an ally of the United States must be an ally for all time, like France, lest we invest our efforts in working together only to get stabbed in the back.

Those who feel that way may wish to skip the following high praise from Indian Prime Minister Singh on the occasion of President Bush's visit to New Dehli on Thursday.

Faced with President Bush's call "You're either with us, or you are with the terrorists" India has clearly made it's choice to stand with the United States. The second most populous nation in the world has gone from being neutral and indifferent as a leader of the Non-aligned Movemement to an important partner for peace, democracy and freedom in a part of the world that desperately needs it.

And this news may also discomfit our Democrat friends like former Secretary of State Madeline Alwrong who recently lectured the President that we had no friends around the world.

From White House Transcript:

PRIME MINISTER SINGH: Mr. President, ladies and gentlemen of the press: President Bush and I have completed very cordial and productive discussions this morning. We reviewed the status of our cooperation, including the agenda that was set on July 18, 2005. The joint statement that will be shared with all of you today contains a number of announcements and initiatives that underline the significant progress in our relationship.

Many of the areas that our cooperation now covers are essential to India's national development. They include energy, agriculture, science and technology, trade and investment, high technology, health and a clean environment. This is a highly ambitious agenda, one that is befitting our growing strategic partnership. When implemented they will make a real difference to the lives of our people.

The President and I had an opportunity to review the global situation in our talks. As you're all aware, India and the United States are working together increasingly on global issues. This is not just good for our two countries, but also benefits the international community, as we can complement each others' capabilities and share responsibilities. President Bush is admired for his strong position on terrorism. And I was particularly pleased that we agreed on the need to root out terrorism, of which India has been a major victim.

I'm particularly pleased that we have reached an understanding on the implementation of our agreement on civil nuclear cooperation of July 18, 2005. I have conveyed to the President that India has finalized the identification of civilian facilities to which we had committed. I was also happy to hear from the President that he now intended to approach the U.S. Congress to amend U.S. laws and the Nuclear Supplier Group to adjust its guideline. We will discuss with the International Atomic Energy Agency in regard to fashioning an appropriate India-specific safeguards agreement. You will appreciate I cannot say more now, while our parliament is in session.

Before concluding, I would like to express my warm appreciation for the personal interest shown and the leadership role that President Bush has played in the transformation of our ties. I have met the President a number of times, and on each occasion, I have admired his vision, his resolve, and his commitment to strengthening our bilateral relations. Our discussion today make me confident that there are no limits to the Indo-U.S. partnerships.

And here we've been told that everyone around the world hates us. Guess that was WRONG too!

Ports Confusion Lifting?

If you're still thinking the Dubai Ports Deal represents a threat to our national security, I recommend this video report by Jim Angle for Brit Hume's Special Report on Fox News.

What's today's Charlie Trie special? Have some fun with this.

President Thanks U.S. and Coalition Troops in Afghanistan

More photos from the trip here.

During his surprise visit to Afghanistan, President Bush took time to thank the American soldiers serving so far from home. One message he was particualarly keen to send is "the United States doesn't cut and run."

While echoing the words of Congresswoman Jean Schmidt (R-OH), who directed a similar phrase to Congressman John Murtha (Defeaticrat-PA), won't win President Bush any friends on the left, it went over very well among the troops who are called on to make the sacrifice.

The White House web site has all the photos and statements from this historic trip.

Culture of Corruption Democrat Style

Former Conyers aides press ethics complaints: Two former aides to Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich.) have alleged that he repeatedly violated House ethics rules.

Deanna Maher, a former deputy chief of staff in Conyers's Detroit office, and Sydney Rooks, a former legal counsel in the district office, provided evidence for the allegations by sharing numerous letters, memorandums and copies of e-mails, handwritten notes and expense reports with The Hill.

In letters sent separately by each woman to the House ethics committee, the FBI and the U.S. attorney's office, they allege that Conyers demanded that aides work on several local and state campaigns and forced them to baby-sit and chauffeur his children. They also charge that some aides illegally used Conyers's congressional offices to enrich themselves.

You will want to read the rest here.

Will Congressman Conyers step down as Ranking Democrat of the House Judiciary Committee while these allegations are investigated?

Anybody need more proof that standards of conduct and ethics are ONLY meant to be applied to Republicans?

Can't See the Forest for the Trees. Or Mrs. Wallis Simpson and the Dubai Ports Deal

I realize they don't teach history in schools these days. So I may have to rely on older readers to answer this question: What happened 70 years ago on March 7, 1936?

It was a late winter morning, when Adolf Hitler ordered 14,500 German troops to re-enter the Rhineland, a portion of Germany, but a move that was forbidden under the Versailles Treaty that ended World War I and the later Locarno Pact. After Hitler ordered German rearmament, invasion of the Rhineland was the second of many illegal moves that led to the beginning of World War II. And it could have been easily stopped by the French and the British who possessed the nearby overwhelming forces necessary to counter it.

But there were few voices calling on either France or Great Britain to live up to their obligations under the Versailles Treaty and the Locarno Pact which guaranteed the borders of Europe.

No one wanted war, even a small one, and besides attention of the Great Powers, particularly Great Britain was elsewhere.

The Illustrated London News offers a timeline of distraction. Six weeks before Hitler invaded the Rhineland King George V had died. The ascension of Edward VIII initiated a constitutional crisis when he demanded to marry American divorcee Wallis Simpson (can't have any foreign influence in high places now can we?) Behind the scenes, Britain's top policymakers were consumed by the crisis which led to Edward VIII's abdication on December 10, 1936.

The rest of the world was preoccupied as well with Italians having invaded Ethiopia the previous October and Spain tottering on the brink of civil war. The United States was happy to indulge our penchant for isolationism (can't have any foreign entanglements you know) and confident that talk, talk and more talk at the failing League of Nations could address the issue of Hitler's violations.

Besides, most people thought the Versailles Treaty had been unfair to Germany. And on the day Hitler invaded he promised the Reichstag: "We have no territorial demands to make in Europe!...Germany will never break the peace" and "we pledge that now, more than ever, we shall strive for an understanding between European peoples.

Once again, lies, talk and indifference carried the day.

And of course this story cannot be complete without a cartoon. Months later, in July, 1936 famous cartoonist David Low offered a prophetic look at where this early expression of appeasement would lead:


David Low (bio here), Evening Standard (UK) July 8, 1936. On the backs of the spineless politicians reads "Rearmament...Rhineland...Danzing" and ultimately "Boss of the Universe."


Histories Lesson: Don't Get Lost in the Fog

Jump forward to today.

One week we had Dick Cheney's shooting accident on the news 24/7. Now, going on for the second week, the story of the leases of a handful of port terminals at even fewer ports being sold by a British company to one controlled by the United Arab Emirates, a strategic ally in the war on terror.

And what are we not talking about? The real threat brought into clear focus by the Cartoon War. And as Barry Rubin explains in a brilliant column "Appeasement Redux" we may find once again that we are only too eager to blame ourselves for precipitating another crisis with such convenient excuses like our support for Israel (the Jews again... and foreign entanglements to boot).

The real danger with the Dubai ports hysteria is that we may lose sight of the larger war while we indulge our prejudices and engage in political infighting. We may hand our political opponents in the United States a tool with which to beat us in the fall elections. You know they will wave the white flag of surrender in the war faster than you can say "Patriot Act."

And while we continue with the passions of the moment, the enemies of freedom continue to execute their carefully laid plans. It will only be with unity of purpose, and strong, confident international leadership that we may yet forestall the calamity of another failure to act in time.

And that unity of purpose must begin here at home. The 2006 elections will be a key moment in deciding the course and confidence of U.S. leadership in a world where confident, strong leadership are all too lacking. Now is the time to focus on the larger picture, the forest and not the trees and unite to win both the political battle here at home and the wider war.