President Bushs criticism of Pelosi is the latest in a round of several hypocritical statements that the administration has made lately.

Earlier this month, President George W. Bush announced his disappointment in House Speaker Nancy Pelosis trip to the Middle East.

This was after he learned that Pelosi was planning on visiting leaders from Syria, a nation that the Bush administration claims harbors terrorists as well as supports terrorism in other countries.

We have made it clear to high-ranking officials, whether they be Republicans or Democrats, that going to Syria sends mixed signals, Bush said.

However, Bushs criticism of Pelosi came just days after another congressional delegation returned from Syria.

This delegation received no criticism from the Bush administration prior to their travels to the Middle East, as well as no attention or scrutiny from the media. This may have to do with the fact that members of this delegation were Republicans.

Despite this revelation, right-wing talk shows and other media outlets have chastised Pelosi for her visit to a state that sponsors terrorism.

They have repeated the Republican Party line “ that her visit sends the wrong signals to leaders in Syria “ despite the fact that members of their own party have visited Syria several times before.

Even with Bush saying that both Republicans and Democrats are sending the wrong signals in talking with Syria, the fact that he waited until Pelosis visit to make this statement clearly shows a bias against Democratic leaders in Congress.

But not every member of the GOP has chastised Pelosi. Take, for example, Republican Sen. Arlen Specter from Pennsylvania.

Specter has come to the defense of Pelosi, saying that it is important for us to open a dialogue with Syria if we want to send them a message they can receive.

I think opening discussions with Syria are very, very important, Specter said on CNNs The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer. Id rather [Secretary of State] Condoleezza Rice did it, but if not, its up to Speaker Pelosi and Arlen Specter and others.

Specter has made 14 visits to Syria himself. Does this mean he is aiding terrorists? Of course not. Open talks to governments like Syria dont discourage the war on terror. Rather, it shows we are committed to doing whatever we can to stop such acts. By talking to Syria, we show that we want Syrian cooperation.

Of course, we will remain critical of Syria and do whatever we can to change their policies, including their endorsement of organizations we deem terrorist sponsors.

Other Republicans have, in fact, publicly endorsed supporting talks between countries like Syria. James Baker, former secretary of State and member of the Iraq Study Group, is one such Republican.

The Study Group has suggested talking to Iran as well as Syria in order to make the region surrounding Iraq more stable.

Given the ability of Iran and Syria to influence events within Iraq and their interest in avoiding chaos in Iraq, the group has stated, the United States should try to engage them constructively.

President Bushs criticism of Pelosi is the latest in a round of several hypocritical statements that the administration has made lately. Bush has blasted Democrats for recessing (on vacation, as he put it), after sending him a funding bill that he will ultimately veto; Bush has been on vacation two out of every five days during his presidency.

Bush blasted the Democrats for taking over 57 days to pass the supplemental funding bill upon his initial request; under the Republican Congress prior to this year, Bush had made similar requests, two of which lasted 86 and 119 days.

Now, Bush criticizes Pelosi for visiting Syria while several congressional Republicans were there just a few days before her. Theres even evidence that she told him of her intention to visit the state, and had his blessing.

According to Rep. Nick Rahall (D-W.Va.), [t]he Speaker had met with President Bush in the halls of the U.S. Capitol just the day before we left and mentioned to him that we were going to Syria. [There was] no response at all from the President. Its clear that the President is using this situation for political gain.

While Syria has supported several terrorist organizations, including Hezbollah and Hamas, it would behoove the leaders of this country to at least enter discussions with their leaders, just as it talks openly with leaders of countries that are less than credible in the war on terror (like Saudi Arabia), or in terms of human rights abuse (like China).

By ignoring Syria, we may endanger ourselves further. Diplomacy and good faith talks like these show commitment to fighting terrorists, strengthening both our image and our fight against terrorism.

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