THAT, is a long piece, but interesting. FWIW, there are times when I wonder if I'm completely wrong about ol' "W." (Sounds of church bells ringing and hearty hosannahs)

I just don't think the guy has enough understanding of history and ths subtlties of human nature to actually effect the kind of ambitious changes he wants to pull off.

Lao Tzu has some excellent bits about the subtlties of true leadership.

Forgive me:

17. Rulers
The best rulers are scarcely known by their subjects;
The next best are loved and praised;
The next are feared;
The last despised:
They have no faith in their people,
And their people become unfaithful to them.

When the best rulers achieve their purpose
Their subjects claim the achievement as their own.
--Lao Tzu

So, IMO people don't respond well to having their nose stuck into water and being told to drink. Dub-ya's approach is not that heavy handed but it leans slightly in that direction. Don't forget, for thousands of years our antecedents looked like barbarians before a chance congruence of events led to the miracle that happened in the late 18th century. Should we be surprised that other nations are making the same, slow progress toward their own awakening? And, can that process be hastened? It's a tough one to figure.

__________________
Te futueo et caballum tuum

1986 300SDL, 362K
1984 300D, 138K