HE IS WHO CLINTON WAS SUPPOSED TO BE TOO:

Thank You, Mr. President: Finally, a Sensible Approach to Gang Violence (Gregory J. Boyle, February 7, 2005, LA Times)

When I watched the State of the Union speech, I was surprised by what President Bush had to say about the gang dilemma. As a lifelong Democrat, I could fill these pages with the many subjects on which the president and I disagree. But this time, I was impressed. I have never before heard a president speak of gangs and then suggest that despair might well be at the root of the problem. He did. And he suggested offering "hope to harsh places" and said he wants to give "better options than apathy or gangs or jail" to young people in our cities, and especially young men. Not bad.

I believe assigning the first lady to the task of this proposed three-year, $150-million effort gives it heft, not just lip service.

When all is said and done, a president spoke of gangs without once speaking of tougher laws and more suppression. Perhaps nothing will come of it — but a different language was used Wednesday night, and that's progress.

Despite using it as an epithet for years, conservatives are the natural "root causes" party.

Posted by Orrin Judd at February 7, 2005 12:20 PM