Exporting Fear instead of hope.

J2T has often been vigorously opposed the view of conservative N.Y. Times editorialist Thomas Friedman, particulalry with regard to his theories on free-trade, Europe ("Old Europe" that is) and his constant French bashing. (see our other posts here , here and here)
[Mr Friedman admitted to be ideologically biased - he said himsefl that he wrote a column supporting the CAFTA, the Caribbean Free Trade initiative. I and yet didn’t even know what was in it because he stands for free trade no matter what].
However, when he is not too blinded by his ideological agenda, he can say some very sensible things. That was the case yesterday at Meet the Press with regards to the foreign policy of the Bush administration:

Deep down, the world really envies that American optimism and naivete. And the world needs that American optimism and naivete. And so when we go from a country that, historically, has always exported hope to a country that always exports fear, what we do, and what this administration has done, is actually stolen something from people.

It is quite obvious that this administration has tried to maintain its power by instilling fear in the American people people and in the same way they have exported fear abroad. Fear then causes frustration which results in anger.