Tidbits are starting to trickle in about the details of the Bush visit. Most gratifying (to a redneck conservative like me) was the story that he walked past former prime minister Jean Chretien to greet someone else at that table. This though, is even better. Toronto Star (reg.required)
For six minutes last night, while the top layer of Canada’s political class schmoozed with cocktails and canap�s, New Democratic Party Leader Jack Layton told President George W. Bush why a lot of Canadians don’t like the idea of a missile-defence shield over North America.
Bush was not moved. If there were no such thing as North Korea or Iran, Bush reportedly said, then there would be no need for missile defence. He seemed to like Layton’s spunk, however.
As Bush started to slide away, to shake more hands among the three dozen or so high-ranking guests invited to the private reception at last night’s gala dinner, he smiled and told Layton: “Every country needs a good lefty. … We even have some in our country.”
Layton spoke to the Star last night after what he described as a direct, amiable but ultimately “disturbing” conversation with Bush, which was followed up by longer chats at the private reception with the outgoing and incoming U.S. secretaries of state, Colin Powell and Condoleeza Rice.
In all, Layton had about half an hour with top U.S. politicians. He was gratified he got a chance to help explain to Americans what the protests in Ottawa were about yesterday, but he also knows he didn’t make a dent in their determination to go ahead with the plan. “He’s a very determined man.”
Politician, meet statesman.
Amen to that, great post as always!
Spot on Kate, Bush has a plan, was elected on the plan, will carry out the plan. A lesson that appears to be lost on “politicians” of the left(Dalton McGinty, come on down!)
Poor litle Jack; he gets to eat at the grown-up table and it leaves him “disturbed.” It must be galling to be put in your place by a man you consider a moron. Once again George Bush demonstrates that he’s a man of grace and humour. Spin that Jack.
Put Layton in his place by… naming two countries that can’t hit America with missles, and even if they could, would be able to by-pass the “missle-defense shield” with considerable ease.
You seem to be operating under the mistaken impression that the missile shield program is limited to the North American continent.
You seem to be operating under the mistaken impression that the missile shield program could actually work…
Missile defense is a strategic attempt to head off something which is otherwise certain: at least a dozen arms races which will lead to edgy strategic balance such as we see between Pakistan and India.
What it is more useful for is to cut short a triangular challenge, such as one could easily find if the DPRK had a beefier arsenal, and Japan has to match. DPRK can induce an asymetrical advantage in a nuclear challenge with Japan or RoK by first nuking someone else (US, Canada, or Aus.) and THEN their politcally confused opponent.
The goal is to be able to pluck them out of the sky in a high ballistic trajectory from across the ocean, and the short range ones from ships or aircraft.
Their purpose is to LIMIT arms races across Asia, and in the case of a semi-nuclearized world, survivable.
One more thing:
Kate rocks. Rock on Kate.
Yes, George Bush is quite the “statesman”. How wonderfully diplomatic of him to thank Prime Minister Jean Poutine of Canada for supporting him in his bid for president.
Bernice
That one went right over your head, eh?
Google Jean Poutine
Cal, Bernice is actually a troll who appears to take perverse pleasure in antagonizing our esteemed hostess, see comments re: “Who failed Delores Bird?”
Bernice’s thing seems to be “first nations” rights, that most curious of monikers since neither “first” nor “nation” accurately describes her alleged ancestors.
Bernice’s real name is Meaghan Walker-Williams, an oft times off-topic commentor at the Shotgun, and wanna-be troll. Hard to tell the difference, as her efforts are badly hampered by literacy handicaps.