BBC AND REUTERS FRANKNESS ON BUSH

It has been clear for a long time that many other countries do not hold President Bush in high opinion but this is the first time I have seen the BBC ridicule him so openly. Read the whole article to catch the entire context from which this quote was obtained:

Asked by the Israeli daily Yediot Ahronot whether he saw a chance to sign a comprehensive peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians, he replied: "Yes, I do, before I leave - I'm an optimistic guy."

Presumably he meant before he leaves office.

I think we could assume that would be legacy enough.

If people think the next President will bring automatic change in atmosphere, the article further states:

It is loosely called his "freedom agenda". As Stephen Hadley put it, "we need to promote democracy and freedom as a counterpoint... to the ideology of the terrorists".

It is a good idea, but having lived in both the Middle East and the United States in the past four years, I can assure you that what looks good on paper in Washington looks less convincing on the streets of the Arab world.

There people will tell you that the "ideology of the terrorists", or "resistance" as many put it, stems from big injustices that first need to be addressed.

And many add that until Mr Bush, and that unknown successor of his, grasp that, there will never be any progress towards a lasting peace.

Normally, reading like opinion from others on Bush makes me chuckle. However, the view the world has of us and what he has brought down on our heads is not funny at all to me.

Reuter's writes: Doubts remain over Bush's readiness to use his final months in office to push Israel, a key ally, to make compromises.

Gaza (Reuters): GAZA (Reuters) - Palestinian Islamist group Hamas on Saturday dismissed President George W. Bush's upcoming visit to the Middle East as a "photo opportunity" and said he was not welcome in the region. They further quote: "The visit is nothing but a farewell visit to get some photo opportunities as Bush prepares to leave the White House."

Why does the saying: 'An hour late and a dollar short' suddenly spring to my mind?

Meanwhile, our Boston Herald, commenting on Bush's trip doesn't mention Palestine and Israel but concentrates on what he will do about Iran. Yahoo News runs an article on two demonstrators while Senator Clinton was speaking (struggling to hold on to their manhood, no doubt) wave placards and shout "Iron my shirts", proving that America doesn't really get exposed to reality where it counts in our current media. Ah, I long for the return of the Amazons of mythology! I'd like to see someone iron their shirts while these two men are wearing them!