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September 23, 2005
Ignatius: Don't Expect Love
Here's a pretty sensible column on what to expect out of our Arab friends.
I've had a lesson in our unpopularity in Egypt, where I've been hearing anti-American broadsides from activists who should be thanking the Bush administration for its pro-democracy stance. These are people who, but for the administration's pressure over the past few years on Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, might well be in prison. But do they appreciate President Bush's help? Not on your life.
-snip-
Another leading democracy activist, Hisham Kassem, said he warned the secretary of state when she was in Egypt not to expect any bouquets. "I told Rice your administration is the most unpopular ever in the Arab world and will remain so until Bush leaves office." He thinks that this anti-Americanism is unfair and that Arab historians will eventually realize the importance of Bush's pro-democracy policies. But not anytime soon.
By now, you all know where I stand. Bush will be remembered as a giant among US presidents, respected and revered both by Americans and Arabs. Not in the first draft, of course; that's already being written by the pinheads in the legacy media. Maybe not even in the second draft. But well before the book is finished.
Posted by pat at September 23, 2005 10:08 AM