IT IS likely that United States President George W. Bush's inaugural speech on Thursday left conservatives delighted, and liberals confused. With no hint of hesitation or apology, he put forth a bold vision to justify his administration's foreign and domestic policies. Echoing some of the most famous inaugurals of U.S. history, Mr. Bush essentially committed his country to defending and promoting liberty everywhere, and at most any cost.
While a great many Americans dislike or disagree with Mr. Bush, few doubt the sincerity of his convictions. And his steadfast commitment to liberty will be read by U.S. conservatives as a robust commitment to democracy abroad, and the free market at home.
Liberals, on the other hand, will be scratching their heads and wondering how Mr. Bush will square his commitment to liberty with his government's support for repressive governments which, however, support the U.S. war on terror. They will also wonder how an administration that has bent the rules on torture and detention in that war is somehow advancing human rights.
Allies of the administration maintain that Mr. Bush was setting the general principles which should govern U.S. policies over the coming generations. Be that as it may, the president set a high bar for his government, and the world will rightly judge the U.S.'s future behaviour by the degree to which it conforms to his new standard. Whether in foreign policy, aid programmes or trade negotiations, he will be held to account for his government's determination to spread liberty.
With nary a mention of Iraq in his speech the world is left to wonder how and when the American exit from that Middle East quagmire will be achieved. The president has maintained that his election victory was an endorsement of that messy war. Perhaps the continuing carnage that is the prelude to Iraq's own election will signal either a way out or open yet another chapter of uncertainty.
THE OPINIONS ON THIS PAGE, EXCEPT FOR THE ABOVE, DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE VIEWS OF THE GLEANER.
