The AEGIS Decision

The editorial pages of America's leading newspapers agreed on the essential: The Bush Administration's decision not to sell AEGIS destroyers to Taiwan was prompted by its desire not to displease the Chinese regime, and necessarily has the effect of leaving Taiwan vulnerable to Chinese ballistic missiles. The New York Times thought this a good thing , while the Wall Street Journal thought it a bad thing .

 With equal ease, these differently inclined observers disregarded the Bush Administration's attempt to carefully craft and communicate a sophisticated non - answer to the questions posed by Taiwan's request for AEGIS destroyers, namely, One, is America serious about neutralizing China's ballistic missile force? Two, is America committed to the survival of an ally that wishes to survive? Three, having humbled itself with words to assuage the Chinese regime's regret that the collision between Chinese and American aircraft resulted in the death of the Chinese rather than of the American crew, would America now give in with deeds to China's principal foreign policy demand?

Willy Nilly, the Bush Administration has pleased those who, like The New York Times, the Chinese and Russian dictators, the world's rogue states, and the European Left, want America to be less serious about missile defense. It has displeased those who, like the Wall Street Journal, Japan, Taiwan, and America's friends in the world (and most Americans who voted Republican), want America to be more serious about missile defense.  It has pleased those who are willing to see the free people of Taiwan -- the first free Chinese people in 5000 years -- coerced into a relationship with Beijing that they do not want.  It has displeased everyone who wishes to count on America for its freedom. It has pleased those who are pleased whenever America is humbled, and displeased those who wish America well.

The lesson here is that while it may be possible to put "spin" on words, it is less possible to "spin" deeds.