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May 25, 2012
Mark Clayton: Is Hillary's State Dept. hacking Al Qaeda? Not quite
Erika Bolstad: Temple cancels Wasserman Schultz speech
The Kosher Gourmet by Ethel G. Hofman: The former president of the International Association of Culinary Professionals, whose members included the likes of Julia Child, is back with contemporary Shavous cuisine: Ruby Fruit Soup, Sweet Noodle Kugel with Cheese, Key Lime Curd, Calsone Casserole Frittata with Wild Mushrooms, Sun-dried tomatoes and Olives, Baked Tilapia with Pepper Cheese Cream and Brown Sugar Shortbread
May 24, 2012
Jeff Jacoby: The peace process battered Israel's reputation
Michael Muskal: 'Pro-choice' position hits record low, according to poll
Chris Farrell: Are We in a Tech Bubble?
The Kosher Gourmet by Penelope Wall: PHILLY CHEESE STEAKS --- hold the steak!
May 23, 2012
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Mary Beth Franklin: How to Choose the Right Annuity for You
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The Kosher Gourmet by Emma Christensen:A simple way to do fish right
May 22, 2012
Warren Richey: Can US group challenge overseas surveillance act? Supreme Court to decide
Thomas M. Anderson: Walking Away From a Mortgage
The Kosher Gourmet by Megan Gordon: Enjoy a celebration of the most rich and layered flavors: Black bean, sweet potato and quinoa chili
May 21, 2012
Mark Clayton: Cybersecurity: How US utilities passed up chance to protect their networks
Howard LaFranchi: NATO summit: Who will foot the bill for long-term Afghanistan security?
Chris Farrell : Earn Dividends in Emerging Markets with This WisdomTree ETF
Stephen Whiteside, Ph.D. : Mayo Clinic Medical Edge: Social anxiety disorder --- or just shy?
Guy Jackson : Victim's father regrets death of Lockerbie bomber
The Kosher Gourmet by Mario Batali: Famed chef's veal shoulder farsumagru: A festive meat course for late spring
May 18, 2012
Rabbi Berel Wein: Striving: The People of the Book's Book for (All of) the People
Steven Goldberg: 5 Great Stock Picks and the Exchange-Traded Fund that Owns Them
Mary Pickett, M.D.: Ask the Harvard Experts: Don't be forced into gluten-free lifestyle based merely on a doctor's false-positive test
The Kosher Gourmet by Carolyn Malcoun: DIY healthy lunchbox treats: HOMEMADE FRUIT BARS for kids and brown-bagging adults alike
May 17, 2012
Warren Richey: Teacher fired for being unwed and pregnant can sue religious school, court rules
Josh Mitnick: Netanyahu's 'centrist' coalition is already proving it's anything but
Steven Goldberg: Earn Dividends in Emerging Markets with This WisdomTree ETF
Amina Khan: Research links coffee to lower death rates
The Kosher Gourmet by Faith Duran : Cheesy Potato Breakfast Casserole with Cheddar and Sun-Dried Tomatoes
May 16, 2012
Carmen Terzic, M.D., Ph.D. : Mayo Clinic Medical Edge: A variety of exercises can help improve balance
Melissa Healy: National strategy on Alzheimer's disease aims to halt it by 2025
The Kosher Gourmet by Joyce White : GOODNESS GRACIOUS: GREENS! 4 winning recipes that are no longer just for down-home folks (Includes expert tips & techniques)
May 15, 2012
Kristen Chick: Obama administration resumes arms sales to Bahrain despite serious unresolved human rights issues. Activists feel abandoned
Pat Mertz Esswein: Homes are now affordable again and mortgage rates are low. What you need to know before you buy
Kathy Kristof: Our Practical Investor Fights Inflation with These 6 Investments
Sue Hubbard, M.D.: The Kid's Doctor: Lactose intolerant young child? Check again
The Kosher Gourmet by Kathy Hunt: Spread a Little Excitement with EXOTIC CONDIMENTS (4 RECIPES)
May 14, 2012
Lisa Gerstner: How to Protect Your Identity, Finances If You Lose Your Phone
Harvard Health Letters: Heart disease and dementia
The Kosher Gourmet by Megan Gordon: MANGO COCONUT OAT MORNING MUFFINS are a bright but hearty delight
May 11, 2012
Jessica L. Anderson: Get the Best Deal on a Used Car
Jett Stone: Forget face-lifts and fake knees. Scientists have seen the fountain of youth --- and it's broccoli
The Kosher Gourmet by Chef Mario Batali: The famed chef's vegetable dish that tastes true to the season: FAVAS AND SUGAR SNAP PEAS WITH POTATOES AND TARRAGON
May 10, 2012
Sergei L. Loiko: Putin sends warning to U.S., NATO in Victory Day speech at Red Square
Mary Rourke: How being a 'mentch' got Vidal Sasoon his start and fighting in Israel's War of Independence provided him with confidence and a strong sense of his own identity
Jeff Bertolucci: Get Home Phone Service for Less Than $10 a Month
The Kosher Gourmet by Betty Rosbottom: Gleaming with its golden, crimson, and snowy white hues, this silken smooth and creamy STRAWBERRY ORANGE TRIFLE looks impressive, but is easy to prepare
May 9, 2012
Sharon Palmer, R.D. How you can reduce your risk -- or delay -- chronic diseases associated with aging
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Jewish World Review
August 28, 2007
/ 14 Elul, 5767
Don't let Gonzales' record taint all Bush appointees
By
William McKenzie
http://www.JewishWorldReview.com |
This isn't a popular thing to admit these days, but I thought President Bush had made a good pick when he selected Alberto Gonzales as attorney general. Many saw the Houston attorney as the epitome of Bush cronyism, but I saw the selection as the president putting somebody at Justice who could shoot straight with him about terrorism, the FBI, all sorts of law enforcement issues.
I was wrong. We'll have to wait for history to show us when or if Bush's fellow Texan shot straight with him. What we know now is that Gonzales clearly lacked the political skill and leadership ability to survive in a high-profile post.
His failure may stem from the fact that he has been a lawyer, not a manager. But his ineptness at Justice has fed the image that Bush has surrounded himself with incompetents whom he should have left behind in Texas or never brought into his inner circle.
That feeling is so strong these days that Bush has become a caricature to some, like a bumbling Warren Harding. People who buy into this picture will use this episode to say, See, told you, he's a dunce.
The truth is more complex.
If you're going to buy into the idea that President Bush has surrounded himself with incompetent cronies, then you're going to have to explain away people like Education Secretary Margaret Spellings, White House Chief of Staff Josh Bolten, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Undersecretary of State Karen Hughes, former Budget Director Rob Portman and Deputy Budget Director Clay Johnson.
In one way or another, these people have been with George W. Bush since he first ran for governor or were part of his father's team or were friends from way back. They have earned high marks in their jobs from people across the aisle and, in some cases, around the world.
There also have been Bush pals who've handled tough assignments as ambassadors. Dallas attorney Bob Jordan stepped into Saudi Arabia immediately after 9/11 and steered a very sophisticated course. His successor in Saudi, Dallas businessman Jim Oberwetter, continued it by strengthening relations with Saudi Arabia while equally pressing the kingdom to modernize.
No easy task there, just as Bush pal Tony Garza has had to walk a fine line as our ambassador to Mexico. The Texan has pressed the Mexican government to do more about drug cartels while also making the case to Washington to modernize our immigration laws. Garza was Bush's first appointment as governor, but you don't hear charges of cronyism about him.
Neither do you hear crony complaints about Margaret Spellings, the education secretary. The Texan has been with Bush since he first started running for governor in 1994. Today, Democratic education leaders like Sen. Ted Kennedy and Democratic Rep. George Miller praise her for her handling of the No Child Left Behind Act.
She and Austin attorney Sandy Kress led the White House's effort to pass the education law in 2001, which drew both Democratic and Republican support. Now she's back at it with Kennedy and Miller to keep the bill alive while listening to the complaints about the measure.
My point is, there have been Bush pals who have made their mark and those who haven't. They aren't all Al Gonzaleses or Michael "Brownie" Browns, who have become the poster boys for Bush cronyism.
In fact, the Bush presidency took a turn for the worse when the ultimate Bush insider, Karen Hughes, returned to Austin in 2002. She's back now at the State Department, trying to breathe life into how America communicates to the rest of the world. But her presence was missed at the White House because she could speak plainly to the president about the mistakes she thought he was making with the broad majority of the public. After her exit, some Bushites tell me, Karl Rove had no equal before the president.
As a Bush backer and as an American, I'm as frustrated as the next person at this administration's problems. Some come from the president's stubbornness and impatience. But I don't buy the line that he's surrounded himself with a bunch of hacks who've yes-manned him. Al Gonzales and Michael Brown aren't the only ones around his table.
Every weekday JewishWorldReview.com publishes what many in in the media and Washington consider "must-reading". Sign up for the daily JWR update. It's free. Just click here.
William McKenzie is an editorial columnist for The Dallas Morning News. Comment by clicking here.
08/16/07: Rove was half right: He got the big picture, but didn't belong in the White House
02/01/06: GOP needs changes, but it can't forget the big picture
03/31/05: Mexico fixes problems when it wants to
12/06/04: Bush's new team has a Texas feel
11/08/04: Second chances shouldn't be wasted
08/25/04: Bush could profit from being like Ike
© 2007, The Dallas Morning News Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Information Services.
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