Tribal Council

We haven't had one of these in a while. To be booted off the virtual island this week is former White House speechwriter David Frum. His recent interview with Spiegel Online indicates that he recognized the administration's failure to acknowledge problems beyond the Iraqi borders. But apparently he chose to remain silent.

Frum: I would say that the story of the Bush Administration is the story of an administration caught halfway across the bridge; they did not want to face up to the magnitude of the problems. Its policies are premised on the assumption that we have a firm alliance with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. If it had been possible in 2001 to address the problem of Saudi Arabia, maybe there never would have been an Iraq war.

I can't say if this is true. But instead of turning a pretty phrase, he might have started a dialogue. Instead, Frum left the White House in 2002. Subsequently he joined the American Enterprise Institute where one would assume that he is less reticent. His most memorable legacy to the Bush administration is coining the phrase axis of evil. And the violence continues in Iraq.

Mr.Frum, the tribe has spoken.