George Bush is more important than the war on terrorism
...so says Mark Steyn, in today's Sunday Telegraph.Well obviously he doesn't say that in those words, but essentially that is the gist of his article which in reviewing Richard Clarke's book Steyn offers us a half-page rant, in which Clarke, 'a mid-ranking bureacrat' is attacked through name-calling, innuendo, and inaccurancy.
Clarke's book, which I have read, makes uncomfortable reading for those of all political persuasions. Those on the right and left who have downplayed the extent of the challenges global terrorism poses will find it hard going - Clarke is in favour of earlier, more aggressive and more widespread action against terrorists than any US Administration has been, let alone European governments. But those who support such action, but also support Bush's Presidency and Administration will find it most soul-searching. Clarke's allegations against the Bush White House (which concur with those of other insiders) are such that it is clear for Bush -- cocooned by all the security the Presidency allows - finds the war on terror, if not a joke (see below), merely a smokescreen for policies unrelated to the security of America and other countries.
Which is why Steyn's article is so unwelcome, if hardly surprising. Steyn has built a career on light-weight, jokey material so it would be wrong to expect much political analysis. But at least on the war on terror, which has the capacity to affect so many of our lives, one would have hoped he was serious. But today we learn what matters is the re-election of George W Bush. Period.
posted by Matthew @ 3/28/2004 09:56:00 AM
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