Bush’s Embrace of Israel Shows Gap With Father (NYT)

By SHERYL GAY STOLBERG
Published: August 2, 2006
WASHINGTON, Aug. 1 — When they first met as United States president and Israeli prime minister, George W. Bush made clear to Ariel Sharon he would not follow in the footsteps of his father.

The first President Bush had been tough on Israel, especially the Israeli settlements in occupied lands that Mr. Sharon had helped develop. But over tea in the Oval Office that day in March 2001 — six months before the Sept. 11 attacks tightened their bond — the new president signaled a strong predisposition to support Israel.

“He told Sharon in that first meeting that I’ll use force to protect Israel, which was kind of a shock to everybody,” said one person present, given anonymity to speak about a private conversation. “It was like, ‘Whoa, where did that come from?’ “

That embrace of Israel represents a generational and philosophical divide between the Bushes, one that is exacerbating the friction that has been building between their camps of advisers and loyalists over foreign policy more generally. As the president continues to stand by Israel in its campaign against Hezbollah — even after a weekend attack that left many Lebanese civilians dead and provoked international condemnation — some advisers to the father are expressing deep unease with the Israel policies of the son.

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http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/02/washington/02prexy.html?hp&ex=1154491200&en=dbd72c62c560623c&ei=5094&partner=homepage

that he ain't a needle dick like his daddy. How do ya think Cheney and Rummie are able to manipulate him into doin all this stupid shit. He hasn't got the brains to figure it out for himself but you can just look at him and tell he has some SERIOUS mommy issues....