I THINK CONSERVATISM

as we know it has been sold out. Surely the Bush Administration realizes that it has pulled the rug out from under its staunchest allies on two fronts--doubts about the science of global warming, and opposition to international accords based on that science such as the Kyoto pact.

The administration has given the gold seal of approval to dubious science.

It has also made its own case against Kyoto more difficult. Now that the EU has ratified that treaty, the other peg we opponents had--that it was a cynical treaty, aimed at our economy and not at environmental trouble, the proof of which was that no other major signatories had ratified it--has now been snapped. Upon what then will the administration hang its opposition to Kyoto, and to son of Kyoto, and so forth down the line of treaties that will follow? And why should its supporters help in the defense, if we'll just be sold out later on?

This decision is perilously close to Bush 41's breaking of the "no new taxes" pledge in 1990. Perilously close.

I can't figure this administration out at all. In terms of national defense, it says the right things, does the right things, and really seems to get the big picture. On domestic issues, though, it gives up without a fight, caves at the first sing of trouble, and where there isn't any trouble this adminstration will create it. And the trouble it creates is nearly always trouble for its conservative wing, without which this administration cannot survive.

I don't get it. This move--accepting global warming as a fact--doesn't placate the environmentalists, and alienates both the administration's conservative and industrial bases. If President Bush loses in 2004, mark this day, June 3, 2002. It may prove to have been the beginning of the end of his administration.