Making Friends

For various reasons, I try to resist questioning President Bush's intelligence. It seems to me that he cannot be as stupid as he sometimes appears.

But sometimes, he really does appear to be very stupid indeed.

I believe that a democratic, prosperous Pakistan will be a steadfast partner for America, a peaceful neighbor for India and a force for freedom and moderation in the Arab world.

Pakistanis are Arabs then, are they? Er, no, obviously not. Scott McClellan later told reporters that Bush had meant to say "Muslim world". It seems that Mr Bush does not feel any great need to distinguish between one group of brown people and another. No harm done, I'm sure. How's that hearts and minds campaign going, by the way?

That stupidity aside, it's pretty provocative for Bush to visit Pakistan at the moment. Can't imagine Musharraf will be particularly pleased to see him. A public show of solidarity? Pakistan's unpopular due to being US friendly military dictator needs a public show of solidarity from Bush like he needs Tessa Jowell in his cabinet. Does the President even realise that this visit will damage Musharraf domestically, I wonder?

But isn't Bush brave though? All he's got between him and a suicide bomber is literally thousands of heavily armed people who are explicitly tasked to protect him. What courage.

Ha, ha. I was trying to remember where I'd read that article about brave President Bush when I accidentally stumbled on this:

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — President Bush rewarded this anti-terror ally Friday, minimizing U.S. concerns about democracy's pace and anti-American sentiment in favor of a high-profile visit to boost Pakistan's global standing.

Rewarded? Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha...

Bet you can't guess where that came from. Any ideas? I'll give you a clue. It starts with an F. Fair and balanced every time.

Tags: News, Politics, President Bush