What does Olmert and Bush have in common? One: they sing in perfect harmony about the glory of Israel wrecking Lebanon. Two: they were both taught by Ariel Sharon.
An especially repulsive “news” publication, the New York Sun, has a revealing comment on Israel’s latest war. Bush, it suggests, imbibed the wisdom of the now vegetative general:
One of the remarkable features of America’s own relationship with Israel during the last five or so years is the bond that obtained between Messrs. Sharon and Bush. The future American president had gained his first tour of the battleground from the Israeli general. The younger leader was more than an apt student. When Mr. Bush gained the American presidency and the war struck our own shores, he began put establish [sic] certain principles [sic] — we will take the war to our enemies so as to prevent it from coming to our shores — that fit well with the lessons learned from Mr. Sharon. They [sic] are no doubt among the principles Israel will be operating on in the coming days.
With 55 65 and counting civilian deaths in Lebanon and a threat of societal collapse, that is well underway. And what a success it proved in Iraq!
The New York Sun may be on to something. As Sharon, Bush’s “man of peace,” arrived at the White House in June 2001, Human Rights Watch called for investigation of his war crimes in Lebanon.
Is that how the subject came up? Bush may have expressed concern, and Sharon reassuringly patted his shoulder: “Don’t worry, son. You can too! I will teach you.”