The Shrewd Move

I don't really understand our president sometimes. I keep hoping that many of the obvious things he does have some shrewd ulterior motive behind them that will achieve results that will amaze me and everyone else in a positive way, but I don't believe in my heart that that is what is going on.

Just a couple of days ago, the Bush administration gave its approval for the sale of some specialized computers to of all places, Syria. Through a United Nations program, and with license provided by the U.S. State Department, these duel-use computers are supposed to aid Syria in surveilling its borders, but the military enhancement possibilities these computers present for the Syrians is huge.

I'm looking for something shrewd here. I mean, since everybody knows (though many will not admit it) that Syria is buddy-buddy with Al Qaida, and serves as a conduit for them in the war against the U.S. presence in Iraq, why would we aid Syria in any way? Just a few years ago, President Bush presumably put his signature on legislation that placed restrictions on sending technology to Syria in order prevent that technology from being used against us. Did someone slip a cog? I may not be the sharpest knife in the drawer, but I am just at a loss to understand it. Are we shipping them faulty computers? The computers are fixed with a virus that will be released upon use that will eventually cripple this sponsor of terrorism? That it?

That same legislation gave President Bush the legal right to waive any sanctions in the event our national security became a concern. I must really be dense. I guess I have no ability whatsoever to discern what might make this a good idea. On top of that, a new investigation has determined that F-14 fighter jet parts were purchased from the U.S. Defense Department by Chinese brokers, who in turn, sent them to Iran. This kind of nonsense is really nothing new. Just about every recent administration has done these kinds of things. I just keep waiting for it to stop, and I had really expected better from the present administration.

Iran is building its first light-water nuclear reactor, or I should say, Russia is building it for them. In his latest peace-loving speech, given near that facility, President Ahmadinejad was at it again. He said that nothing will stop his country from attaining nuclear capabilities, and that once again, Israel needs to be completely wiped out. It's what he apparently lives for, and we are so short-sighted as to sell fighter jet parts in war time that end up in President Ahmadinejad's military? There is no excuse for this. None. This is gross incompetence. Right down the line, whoever was involved in the sale of those parts in the Defense Department should be fired.

Over the last two or three years, my view of this administration has become one of disappointment. President Bush is trying to take Israel down the wrong path. Pushing for a plan that would divide the city of Jerusalem is a mistake. I like President Bush. I believe he is a compassionate man. But if a conservative like President Bush wants to do such a thing, I can only imagine what a more liberal president, like a Hillary Clinton, or a Barack Obama would want to do.

I'll keep hoping for the shrewd move.