All you have to do is browse the Headlines to get a sense of what the initial affect of "the New American Goodwill Diplomacy" is. Anybody that is old enough to remember the Carter Presidency will be having serious Deja View. The initial IMMATURE, NAIVE, overtures of this new government has been met with nothing but hard lines as the enemies of America ratchet up their game plans. We will leave Israel on their own in the cold, let the Southern Hemisphere become the playground of Socialist Dictators and Moscow, watch as Old Europe takes advantage (of the man they wanted to be President) and sticks a knife in our back as things get tough. Does anybody in this new Cabinet even know any American History or even World History, or maybe even played a game of Chess?
All I pray for is that maybe we will get lucky again and before its too late that a real, mature, wise, Leader will be elected who can hopefully repair the damage once again.
I will say one more thing. It sadly is a fact that will continue to be borne out. O.B.A.M.A. = "One Big Ass Mistake America"

No point in trying to get into an argument over my views. Its obvious that we have fundamentally different views and political ideology. I do not beleve this board is really for arguments as it will do little to change either of our minds. Rather than refute you or defend my statements I would like to clarify our differences. This Presidency will be viewed and judged from the historical perspective of the future and like the Carter years and the Reagan years it will most likely be at odds with the general view at the time of their terms.

Carter was viewed at his time as being pragmatic, having a higher intellectual understanding, more pure, honest and that philosophy was going to make a difference in dealing with our enemies.

Reagan on the other hand was viewed as an old, out of touch, dunderhead who was going to get the country in a nuclear war because of his not having the smarts to deal with our enemies diplomatically.

In retrospect,I believe the Carter years are viewed as an unmitigated disater, (both domestically and in foriegn relations). We are still recovering from the blunders in Central America, and the Middle East while the Reagan years cleaned up many other issues created at this time. I know the one thing that is considered a success is the Sadat overture to Israel but I don't think most people give all the credit to Carter as it just happended to be on his watch and was a great opportunity for him despite his misteps with Arafat.

It is amazing how the view of Reagan's time has changed much to the chagrin of most of the media, He is now given credit for many things that we take for granted. I could list many of them but I think it would just start a flame war. Suffice it to say that it proved "Peace through Strength".

I will conclude that while I would be thrilled if Obama's approach meant that our enemies became friends and it brought security and peace to us, I know from history that is not likely to happen from his philosophy.

The analogy to that would be the playgrounds of our youth. Some kids are giving a boy a hard time. He is a good looking, smart, strong guy and they are obviously jealous of him. He is a good guy and always tries to reason with people which is not a bad trait. He starts off by trying to be diplomatic, reasoning with them, and he lifts up his hands and says "I don't want to fight you. It will do no good for any of us. Lets be friends". At this time one of the kids takes the opportunity to knee him in the nuts while the others jump on him.
Sure this analogy may be simplistic but I believe it shows there is evil in the world and that evil hates us for our goodness. While some may not think America is fundamentally "good" and that my view is actually naive I just will state that our history proves out my belief even if it has some embarrassing history in it. Fundamentally, America is a force for good and it takes strength, and the use of force to keep it from getting kicked in the nuts!
Sorry for the long post or the arguing nature of it.

Mr Obama's taped message to Iran was an embarrassment. What's the name of the teleprompter that is advising this man? He's already been played by the Russians and Putin. Why wouldn't the little hairy madman from Persia get his chance to play our Celebrity in Chief? In my opinion, in dealing with countries, they should either love us, respect us or fear us. It's apparent Iran doesn't fall into any of these categories.

Since I am a republican, I disagree with almost everything OBAMA, especially after the last 60 days, and the statements he has made regarding Iran. This man appears to be the most naive 48 year old US citizen since WWII. Anyone politician who thinks they can talk to the government of Iran, and then beleive anything they say, should have their head examined, RESIGN from elected office, and change their name to JIMMY CARTER, the US president responsible for the middle eastern fiasco. Dealing with rouge nations are like dealing with a pet dog, or young child. They respect strength and direction, and will respond to kind, but FIRM direction, and will eat you if show any sign of weakness or fear. US troops, are the most compassionate, kind, and can be dangerous men on the face of the earth. That is the message that should be given to Iran. Send John Bolton as ambassador, and let him whisper sweet knowthings in Iran's ear, telling the people of Iran we respect and want to help them join the world community, but they need to change their own government to do their part.

Here's food for thought. One is a statement of fact that history does back up and the other is Ideological. I doubt you will agree with them.

1) The previous policies were effective in protecting America! Since 911, we have not been subjected to a foreign terrorist attack on American soil. If you compare that to the previous 8 years, it is an amazing fact and one that cannot be disputed. Of course, Not dealing directly with rouge nations or nations that support terrorists, Preemption, dealing with problem countries with strength, etc., etc., has to be partially credited for this record.
Now we are off trying this new approach of being more diplomatic, reasonable, civilized have you, and civilized people believe it is the logical way to go. I hate to say it, and I dearly pray it doesn't bear true but I believe this will invite many actions that will show it to be a terribly stupid, naive, policy. History will judge once again.

2) The other thing that needs to be defended is my statement about America being basically "good" and a "force for good" in the world. "Good" is not subjective. Unfortunately, Moral relativism has made many Americans doubt if we are indeed a good country. Sure we do things in our best interests but that doesn't mean that we are the same as the totalitarian religious regime in Iran, or the terrorists of Hamas, or even "the not so free" Russia. Our history proves that we are a force for good . America has raised its standard of living through capitalism and in doing so has raised the rest of the World with it, America has not conquered, raped, pillaged, plundered other countries for its benefit no matter how many people (who want to bring us down) say it. To equate America with enemies that show they are evil is a form of psychological guilt disorder. Empathizing with terrorists and madmen clouds reasonable judgment. N. Korea starves its people, China forces abortions, jails/tortures dissidents, Hamas targets civilians and shields itself with its own civilians. Russia kills journalists, consumes private businesses, and Iran is a Religious, Totalitarian, regime who does not tolerate any discourse, actively supports terrorism, and is as brutal as any Fascist regime in history if the truth was told. America has kept these other countries from showing what an evil country, acting in its own selfish interest, can do. How can anyone equate America, even with her faults, with these countries.

Japan, Europe, Germany, the Marshall plan, S. Korea, Taiwan, the fall of the Iron Curtain, support of Russia after the fall, Liberia, Central America time and time again, and many, many, more. These are all things that while maybe in our best interests showed we are a force for good in the world. And even though many decry it as an injustice, Iraq will be added to that list. America did not go ROMAN and take over the Middle-East for Oil. It protected its interests and did it in moral, just way.

Just look at our public discourse over torturing. We are debating whether water-boarding is torture and whether that is moral. We are not skinning live people, dropping them into meat grinders like the Hussein's. Blinding people, mutilating them, ripping off all their nails, ruining them. That is torture and other evil countries do it. I am not saying that we are perfect but we are morally, conscientiously deciding what constitutes torture and that once again proves my point about being "good". Iran, on the other hand, is actively plotting the destruction of a Democratic country (and ours as well) and if people do not believe that then they do not take them at their word. (for proof just Google "Iran + death to America").