Wednesday, August 13, 2008

So Long Screwy, Remember ol' Saint Louis

Max Boot, the hard ass right wing Op-Ed guy in the LA Times, cries for weapons from the West for Georgia and a hard line against Russia, because Russians are just outrageous and could be trying to reinstate their empire, just like HITLER did when he invaded Czechoslovakia! Oh my. And then there’s Maureen Dowd (okay this is off subject, but still an example of extremity) in the NY Times bashing Hillary Clinton whenever she gets the chance. She just hates Hillary so much. Jealousy? What is it with you, Maureen? You seem kind of out of your mind.

It’s great to close the papers and see what’s happening in the world, away from opinion.

We see Sarkozy cozying up to both the Russians and the Georgians like a good Frenchman does. Because, babies, it isn’t black and white out there. It’s all about diplomacy. Let’s remember Saint Louis IX (Yes, St. Louis, Missouri is named after him). He was loved partly because he listened and brought people together. He was also quite a Catholic. I guess one of the good ones, because they turned him into a saint.

Why are Americans so strident and unyielding? At least in newspapers? And why can’t we all just be a little more French, like Sarkozy and Saint Louis? Sarkozy knew this skirmish was mere breakaway trouble—like Glendale trying to escape the tyranny of Los Angeles County bureaucracy. He smiled, carried legal documents between foes and acted like a calm adult.

I have to give Bushy a little extra French credit. He played both sides. And friends, that’s what diplomacy is all about. Give Bush a discount at Galaries Lafayette.

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