I've had to start doing that lately, your meticulously documented evidence doesn't always stand up to scrutiny. Well it's there for anyone else who wants to read it, aufio and video, too.

I'm not surprised the Neocons didn't like it. They need a constant supply of enemies. In fact, now that the Red Menace is over, it appears radical Islam came just in time for them.

Mr Bush's 1989 remarks were not only downright cautious, in fact, they were very positive and non-confrontational. It had the perfect tone for that period in history, and this is about as rough as it got:

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"But the fulfillment of this vision requires the Soviet Union to take positive steps, including: First, reduce Soviet forces. Although some small steps have already been taken, the Warsaw Pact still possesses more than 30,000 tanks, more than twice as much artillery, and hundreds of thousands more troops in Europe than NATO. They should cut their forces to less threatening levels, in proportion to their legitimate security needs.

Second, adhere to the Soviet obligation, promised in the final days of World War II, to support self-determination for all the nations of Eastern Europe and central Europe. And this requires specific abandonment of the Brezhnev doctrine. One day it should be possible to drive from Moscow to Munich without seeing a single guard tower or a strand of barbed wire. In short, tear down the Iron Curtain.

And third, work with the West in positive, practical -- not merely rhetorical -- steps toward diplomatic solution to these regional disputes around the world. I welcome the Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan, and the Angola agreement. But there is much more to be done around the world. We're ready. Let's roll up our sleeves and get to work.

"And fourth, achieve a lasting political pluralism and respect for human rights. Dramatic events have already occurred in Moscow. We are impressed by limited, but freely contested elections. We are impressed by a greater toleration of dissent. We are impressed by a new frankness about the Stalin era. Mr. Gorbachev, don't stop now!"

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Not exactly what you would call firebrand Cold War rhetoric, especially when it ends with a compliment for Gorby. In fact, it was a downright conciliatory speech, certainly so by Cold War standards. You'll have to excuse me if I take Mr Zakaria's analysis over yours. You might profit by reading it all the way through yourself.