Throw the dog a bone

President Pervez Musharraf of Pakistan claims US officials, Dick Armitage for one, threatened to bomb Pakistan unless he cooperated with the US in the war against the Taliban in Afghanistan. The relations between Musharraf and the Bush Administration are murky and complex. Both parties walk a tight rope. Musharraf has lots of folks to appease within his country. The Bush Administration must assist him in managing the appeasement. I wonder if both parties are not complicit in making this announcement on this Sunday's 60 Minutes. The Bush Administration can deny it with impunity while Musharraf throws a bone to his critics at home.

If that upsets you, then just repeat after me: we are spreading freedom and democracy around the world, we are spreading freedom and democracy around the world, we are ...