THE TIMES OF INDIA MUST GET WITH THE PROGRAM - AT 10:35 A.M. ET:  It's pretty clear that reporters and editors of The Times of India don't know how to get invited to the proper parties in Georgetown and Manhattan.  Here, the nerve of them, they actually run a story favorable to former President George W. Bush:

NEW DELHI: Prime ministerial lunches are rarely fun affairs. People sort of get on with it, and then get on with their lives. Not on Friday.

Early in the day, former US president George Bush, on a pleasure trip to India, announced cheerily, “I’m off to have lunch with my old pal.”

He sauntered across to the home of his pal, one Manmohan Singh, who famously abandoned his starchy mien to declare this nation’s “deep love” for Bush, then stood stoically through the vicious jokes hurled at him. But for all those present at the “friendly” lunch this afternoon, Bush clearly reciprocated in full measure. The food wasn’t to die for but the conversation, declared one guest, was adequate compensation.

Colleagues reported that Singh was rarely as “chirpy” as he was on Friday afternoon. The conversation was light and sparkling, there was a lot of laughter and banter. So when Singh talked about how much he appreciated the huge gesture of the nuclear deal, Bush quipped, “Yeah, it was a big deal and to get it we had to break a bit of china.”

COMMENT:  Wait a second.  Just wait.  I thought President Bush was hated throughout the world.  I thought they throw shoes 'n stuff at him.  I thought none of these countries actually exist anymore because of BUSH (!!).  I thought...

Maybe I'm reading the wrong papers.  Maybe I'm reading papers.

Fact is, former President Bush is highly respected in many parts of the world - India, the world's largest democracy; Africa, where there are roads named for him; Eastern Europe, which appreciates his stalwart support; Japan; South Korea.  Unfortunately, these aren't the places dear to the hearts of the university and media left.  They much prefer the cafes of Europe and the socialist union halls of the UK. 

Bush, like Truman, will grow in stature.  But some historians and columnists may have to retire first.

November 1, 2009