Bush Kisses Saudi Prince And Holds His Hand
By Drew Bland
Published: 4/27/2005
Oil prices are sky-high, and President Bush seems to be turning up the gentle charm that nabbed him first lady Laura Bush. But this time the target is a man - Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Abdullah.
Bush welcomed the Saudi Arabian prince with a kiss on both cheeks and a warm embrace according to an Associated Press report.
It is customary in other parts of the world to kiss other men on the cheek. After all, Borat does it on "Da Ali G Show." But Bush must have received some extra cultural training from his staff, because the transnational man-love didn't end there. He held Prince Abdullah's hand in "a firm, guiding grip," according to the AP, as they walked up a path of bluebonnets
Bush probably knew about the kisses, but I'm trying to imagine the look on his face when his advisers told him he had to hold Abdullah's hand. While walking past a bed of flowers. In front of cameras.
Who says conservatives are homophobic?
Then again, Bush didn't really have a choice. Saudi Arabia is the world's top oil producer, giving it significant control over global oil supplies and, consequently, prices. Domestically, the House passed the president's energy plan last week, but it didn't satisfy the skeptics.
"$8 billion in tax breaks to energy producers and billions of dollars more in direct federal aid," According to a National Ledger editorial, "(and) no immediate relief for the soaring prices of fuel."
Point taken. The only short-term fix is to persuade producers to increase output through hugs, kisses and tender floral-laden walks. But what's so terrible about helping businesses? People begrudge the business community for - well - giving them jobs?
Governments should interfere as little as possible in the free-market, but providing tax incentives for research and development of alternative energy is a legitimate solution to a long-term problem. Bush risked looking like a "girly-man" because we can't control short-term oil prices. Hate him if you must, but give Bush credit for putting his pride on the line. The man sure loves his bluebonnets.
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