BUSH'S BUDDY KARIMOV

Bush's Bud.

When not personally gunning down his opposition, Karimov keeps busy by instructing his security forces to boil, rape or asphyxiate political prisoners.

Luckily for Karimov, he's a key US ally in the war on terror.

An ally in the war on terror??? The man IS a terrorist! The hypocrisy surrounding the administration's embrace of this thug, the new Saddam Hussein, is reminiscent of our history of support for brutal tyrants UNTIL we decide its against our own interests. But hey! If we speak out against the tragedies in Uzbekistan, where will we go to "rendition" our terror suspects? If Karimov can't get the info out of ya, nobody can, right?

Heated criticism was growing last night over 'double standards' by Washington over human rights, democracy and 'freedom' as fresh evidence emerged of just how brutally Uzbekistan, a US ally in the 'war on terror', put down Friday's unrest in the east of the country.

Outrage among human rights groups followed claims by the White House on Friday that appeared designed to justify the violence of the regime of President Islam Karimov, claiming - as Karimov has - that 'terrorist groups' may have been involved in the uprising.

Critics said the US was prepared to support pro-democracy unrest in some states, but condemn it in others where such policies were inconvenient.

Witnesses and analysts familiar with the region said most protesters were complaining about government corruption and poverty, not espousing Islamic extremism.

Bush speaking a couple of weeks ago in Latvia:

"We will not repeat the mistakes of other generations, appeasing or excusing tyranny, and sacrificing freedom in the vain pursuit of stability," the president said.

I would wonder how he sleeps at night, only I know the answer: he doesn't have a clue what's happening in the world. He's an empty suit of clothes who just knows and does what Karl and Dick tell him.