How timely of Bush to seek Congress’ fast track approval of a free trade agreement with Colombia during the shame Mark Penn campaign.

Lori Wallach, Director of Global Trade Watch, encapsulated the problem with Bush’s letter to Congress in the title of her response:

"Sending Colombia Free Trade Agreement to Congress Without Democratic Leaders’ Nod Dooms Pact That Already Faced Uncertain Prospects Because of Unionist Assassinations, NAFTA-Style Provisions"

Bush remarked yesterday that:

"This agreement will advance America's national security interests in a critical region. It will strengthen a courageous ally in our hemisphere. It will help America's economy and America's workers at a vital time. It deserves bipartisan support from the United States Congress."

But the reality of agreement's implementation is, of course, hidden behind the rhetoric.

As Jonathan Tasini says:

“ … The proposed deal would, at the very least, push thousands of farmers off their lands. And, as likely, empower the paramilitary death squads that have flourished, in part through the U.S. financing of the ‘war on drugs,’ but also via the strengthening of the powerful business interests who fund some of the most violent political forces in Colombia.

Global Trade Watch’s Blog, Eye on Trade, is keeping up-to-the-minute coverage of the trade deal.

The agreement is likely to fail Congress' "fast track" approval, but the move demonstrates Bush's ignorant audacity to continue an economic model that has severe consequences for foreign and domestic workers.