When Silence Isn't Golden

Nelson Mandela, whose struggle against white supremacy in South Africa inspired people all over the world, says he was rebuffed in an attempt to call George W. Bush, whose life of entitlement stands in marked contrast to Mandela’s personal sacrifice.

Mandela, a Nobel Peace Prize winner who spent more than two decades in prison, said Bush was not available when the former South African president called to discuss the Bush administration’s threats to mount a unilateral invasion of Iraq. Unable to reach Bush, who has spent the last month on vacation and raising money for Republican candidates, Mandela said he spoke with Bush’s father, former President George H.W. Bush, about his son’s behavior. Mandela says the younger Bush “is introducing chaos in international affairs.” [AP, Sept. 3, 2002]

Blowing off Mandela is just the latest example of George W. Bush’s unwillingness – or inability – to engage the rest of the world in a discussion about his administration’s international agenda. Rather than hearing out the near unanimity of opposition to his go-it-alone foreign policy or articulating a defense of his doctrine of unilateral invasions, Bush has chosen to avoid spirited debate and to duck unscripted questions.

In his recent stage-managed public appearances, Bush has repeated shopworn applause lines about hunting down terrorists and punishing corrupt corporate executives. He avoids news conferences with reporters and shuns traditional state dinners that involve diplomatic chitchat with world leaders. Instead of the strain of these conversations with foreigners, Bush opts for informal meals and small talk with old friends before turning in at an early hour.