Last week, President George W. Bush created quite a furor when he accused American politicians – including Sen. Barack Obama – of being Nazi-like appeasers for calling on him to hold talks with nations like Iran and Syria. But I was exceedingly pleased when Obama and others reacted with swift indignation by pointing out not only the political hypocrisy but also the historical fallacy of Bush’s accusation.
I am dismayed, however, that there has been virtually no reaction to his demonstrably disingenuous claims about brokering peace in the Middle East (before the end of his term on January 21, 2009) and “jawboning” the Saudis into lowering the price of oil.
After all, accusing politicians of being appeasers is consistent with what passes for political debate these days. Whereas, making fatuous claims that affect the economic well-being of Americans on the one hand, and the lives of Palestinians on the other, is unconscionable.
Of course, these days, Israelis and Palestinians alike believe in Bush about as much as they believe in Santa Claus.
And even though the Chamberlainian irony – of making such a patently hollow promise of peace – was completely lost on him, I doubt it was lost on them.
Unfortunately, far too many Americans still believe that he has the power (and the will) to order the Saudis to lower the price of oil. Therefore, I feel obliged to continue my modest efforts to disabuse them of their ignorance in this regard.
However, instead of dignifying his groundhog mission to Saudi Arabia last weekend with fresh commentary, I shall suffice to republish (with parenthetical modifications) the article I wrote the last time he offered comfort to foolish Americans by promising to jawbone the Saudis on the price of oil:
World Beware! Bush and the Saudis are talking down the price of oil…again
(January 18, 2008)
Many people thought Hillary Clinton was being rude – during Tuesday’s Democratic presidential debate – when she called President Bush “pathetic” for flying over to Saudi Arabia this week to beg King Abdullah to lower the price of oil. Whereas, in fact, she was being kind.
After all, there’s something positively venal and conspiratorial about Bush promising to “talk down the price of oil” with his Saudi friends, given that the price actually rises every time he promises to do so. Indeed, here’s how I noted this oxymoronic synergy in April 2005 – in a commentary entitled The Bushes and the Saudis: Elusive (financial) ties that really bind:
[I]t’s worth recalling that on the eve of entertaining [then] Crown Prince Abdullah at his ranch in April 2002, Bush promised Americans that he would “talk down” the price of crude oil with his royal compadre – “mano a mano”. But since then, the price of oil has more than doubled (from $23 to $60); no doubt much to the constrained glee of oil sheiks in Saudi and oil barons in Texas.
Therefore, it seems more than a little ironic, if not incredulous, that Bush reiterated the same promise (to get the prince to put out) on the eve of their date just days ago. Indeed, his unfulfilled promise from 2002 begs the question:
What is America (and the Bush family) getting out of this relationship with Saudi Arabia?
But, if his constant begging to no (public) avail isn’t pathetic enough (and true to form, the price is now hovering around $125), what does it say about Bush’s personal integrity that he has gone from holding Abdullah’s hand in 2005 (like a proud boyfriend) to carrying his royal train in January 2008 (like a humble footman) to bowing before today (like a gypsy mendicant)?
Related Articles:
Bushes and Sauds..
Bush’s peace in our time…
Bush Saudi Arabia oil
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.