Who is the dog? Who is the tail?

George W. Bush, president of the world's only superpower, was pulled out of a public engagement to take a call from Ehud Olmert, the corrupt president of a small country of 7 million people, in which Olmert asked Bush to order Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice not to vote for the draft UN resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. Israeli arrogance in making the call is what we expect from Israel, as they see how much they can get away with. However, Bush's supine agreement is ludicrous and demeans both the man and his position.

It is nonsense that America can be ordered around by Israel in this way. Rice spent a large part of a week drafting what was an ineffective resolution to start with. She spent all her time trying to make the resolution in Israel's favour, and for Israel to dismiss it in the casual manner speaks volumes for the lack of respect Israel now holds for the United States.

And now Olmert has boasted of his achievement in a public speech, making Bush's and America's humiliation all the worse. And this nonsense comes from an Israeli prime minister who has been forced out of office due to corruption charges. It is hard to imagine how much lower America can drift.