smooth

From what I have read and heard from some prominent neo-conservatives is that we need to project a stance of strength in order to be respected by the Arab community.

People making that argument claim that demonstrations of strength are the only thing Arabs understand. According to this view, our perceived (actually some claim actual) lack of resolve and action is what has led up to the current events.

I don't agree with their assesement or their conclusion as to the underlying reasons for Arab aggression. I think being antagonistic is going to exacerbate the situation. While it certainly demonstrates our power to ignore large or otherwise powerful groups, I don't think it will result in respect from them. But it is a definite strategy--not an accident.

I also am not surprised that Bush doesn't think or act like his dad. First of all, I believe we can all point to examples of children who intentionally strive to be unlike their parents' thinking because they think it isn't always correct.

I also think that in this particular case, where Bush elder wasn't re-elected, that Bush younger may think it was due to a perceived lack of resolve to do what the country needed (or maybe even wanted) that cost his dad the re-election. His apparent overemphasis on being the tough leader may be a combination of his actual belief that it is the right way to act as well as the fact that it might be a good vote grabber--we'll actually see in a few months. The word on the street, however, is that a lot of people are respecting him for his "resolve" and toughness--so I don't see why he would back off from that stance.