Thanks Doug; no apology necessary. While I tend towards the Democrats' positions, I am not really a party man. And I recognize that a conservative and/or Republican could end up feeling outnumbered on this forum. I enjoy discussing this stuff with intelligent people, whether or not we agree on everything. So I hope you'll continue to offer your perspective, as I will offer mine. And I will try not to seem so thin-skinned.

I'm not optimistic about Bush, but I am hoping he will prove me wrong. I remember hating his father as a candidate, but feeling that he wasn't all that bad as a President (sometimes campaigning brings out people's least attractive qualities). I hope to feel the same about our current President.

Personally, I think GWB just spoke too quickly in the interview, and then had to spend the rest of the day trying to pretend his statements had been intentional. Like his father (who was famously characterized as having been "born with a silver foot in his mouth"), he isn't all that comfortable speaking without a prepared script. It doesn't help that his predecessor, whatever you think of his actions and policies, was rather gifted in that regard. But probably no real harm was done by the little flap over Taiwan; intelligent people on all sides (including the Chinese) should be able to recognize the difference between public rhetoric and more constructive engagement.

Pleasure chatting with you, as always. -- WS