I'm kind of surprised that

some critics are trying to paste the "wimp" label on the president

over this little incident in China.

I can understand those who

complained that he was too strident in the beginning of the crisis, and

even those who argue that he should have given the Chinese what they wanted

a full apology.

In every crisis, there are

those who clamor for appeasement.

But I don't understand the

hawks who are upset with the administration for expressing sorrow that

someone died.

Even though the guy was obviously

a hot dog who was trying to intimidate our reconnaissance plane with a

little high-speed cat-and-mouse, I'm sorry about the result, and I'm glad

our government has enough respect for human life to express that sorrow.

If you're going to call the

U.S. and its president a wimp for that, I have to wonder about your own

respect for human life.

That doesn't mean I'm ready

at this juncture to give Dubya an unqualified kudos on the handling of

the situation. I'm not, because the situation isn't over yet.

Now that we've got our people

back, we've stepped up the rhetoric. Bush and administration people have

been at the microphones making it clear we think the accident was the

Chinese pilot's fault, and that China handled the matter poorly.

I'm not entirely comfortable

with that. We made nice while they could hurt us, and immediately started

pointing fingers as soon as we got our folks out of harm's way. That does

seem sort of ... well, sort of wimpy.

But the real test will be in

how the administration interacts with the government of China over the

coming months.

For one thing, I'll be right

on the bandwagon with the hawkish critics if we don't get back on the

horse and immediately start sending reconnaissance planes on the same

course. Gathering intelligence on your "competitors" Bush's

word to describe our relationship with China now that adults have reestablished

control of U.S. foreign policy is standard operating procedure in today's

world. He who shrinks from that reality will get his clock cleaned in

the worldwide competition game.

And let's not forget the numerous

recent incidents in which we have discovered Chinese operatives with their

hands thrust deep into the cookie jar of our technological and military

secrets.

To back down and put a stop

to our reconnaissance flights in response to their complaints would be

the height of wimpdome.

So far it looks like we don't

have anything to worry about on that score. All reports are that Bush

intends to continue the flights.

For instance, the Washington

Times reported Friday that he has "vowed" to do so. Here's a

quote from the article. "Reconnaissance flights are a part of a comprehensive

national security strategy that helps maintain peace and stability in

our world."

So far, it looks like Bush

is listening to his hawk and dove advisers, making up his mind and moving

forward with confidence.

If that continues, I'll be

singing his praises on foreign policy.

Now if he can just get that

tax cut moving. ...