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January 21, 2004

"We have no desire to dominate, no ambitions of empire. Our aim is a democratic peace, a peace founded upon the dignity and rights of every man and woman."

"For diplomacy to be effective, words must be credible, and no one can now doubt the word of America."

"As part of the offensive against terror, we are also confronting the regimes that harbour and support terrorists, and could supply them with nuclear, chemical, or biological weapons."

- George W. Bush, State of the Union address, January 20, 2004

Getting over an initial chuckle, or perhaps even a slight groan, it will be interesting to see over the coming weeks how this type of electioneering will go over with the American public, and whether it wil leave a bad taste in people's mouths.  Regardless, it is an interesting exercise to look at President Bush's first State of the Union address after the September 11 attacks to understand how stilted American foreign policy has truly become, and will continue to be.

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

Prime Minister Paul Martin accompanied Flat Mark in his triumphant return to Fenside Public School in North York yesterday.  Apparently Mr. Martin had absolutely no idea of what Flat Mark did at night, because he was always late to morning meetings.  Hey, the life of politics on the road with Paul Martin could drive one to wild nights to break the stress and monotony.  Fair enough.

More importantly however, was the fact that Flat Mark was "very, very helpful developing policy," and every time Martin had "lots of people... argue" and "needed support for...[his] ideas," Flat Mark would be his rock. 

"I would turn to Flat Mark and ask, `Am I right?  And he would smile and nod, and I would know I was doing all right."     

This explains so very much.

Here's hoping that Mr. Martin can quickly replace the lost expertise.

Comments? jonathan@tdhstrategies.com