I just watched an interview on PBS with Condeleeza Rice. She commented on Carter’s trip to Cuba by pointing out, several times, that Cuba is the only country in the hemisphere which is not a democracy and that Castro needs to shape up.

And, I read numerous articles about the Bush regime working to overthrow a democracy in Venezuela, and install a military dictatorship. The Bushies were working very hard to see that Castro had company, his wasn't the only dictatorship in the neighborhood.

Now, I’m remembering GWB talking about free trade, opening borders, promoting development and fostering trade agreements with other countries, in order to raise the standard of living for all people.

And, I read the following in a British paper.

The Brits on US farm subsidies

A person is left with about three options.

Don’t believe anything you see, hear, or read.

Believe only what the Bushies say today, realizing that tomorrow it may well be “inoperative”. "Just for today", we love democracy, for instance. Just for today, we need tariffs and large subsidies to the biggest companies.

Anothe option is to just accept they do not have principles except to talk about, they don’t believe in free trade or democracy, and judge them by their actions.

Tough choice. I mean, you can respect someone with values, even if they aren't your own. It's tougher, but less confusing, to realize they don't have principles which reach beyond their words.

Arf