A Dangerous Game

If there's one thing that President Bush understood about ancient Arab honour cultures, it was that they perceive olive branch overtures to diplomacy as naive signs of weakness. Bin Laden said this himself as far back as 1996, when Clinton's Obama-style diplomacy was met with mockery;

"...when tens of your solders were killed in minor battles and one American Pilot was dragged in the streets of Mogadishu you left the area carrying disappointment, humiliation, defeat and your dead with you. Clinton appeared in front of the whole world threatening and promising revenge, but these threats were merely a preparation for withdrawal. "

Emboldened by over a decade of American inaction, the extreme elements of Islam hit hard on September 11th, 2001, feeling comforted that there would be no reprisals by the new American culture of understanding and diplomatic weakness. They soon found out they messed with the wrong cowboy.

Extreme Theocracies and Islamofascists in the Arab world are becoming emboldened again by the naive pattering of President Obama. In a recent video to Iran, Obama praised the "...true greatness of the Iranian people and civilization". He could not have said anything more sand-poundingly stupid and dangerous then if he had invited President Ahmadinejad to the White House to watch American Idol over Nachos and goat's milk.

Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khameini, immediately shot back with ridicule and contempt that a sitting President would act in such a manner, viewed as weak and womanly amongst honour cultures;

"Have you released Iranian assets? Have you lifted oppressive sanctions? Have you given up mudslinging and making accusations against the great Iranian nation and its officials? Have you given up your unconditional support for the Zionist regime? Even the language remains unchanged."

Oh yeah, and when he was done, the crowd chanted "Death to America" for about an hour. Nice G-7 Democracy you have there. Pity if anything should happen to it.

So, is this the new responsible approach to foreign relations the President promised on the campaign trail? Making the US look vulnerable and cowardly? It appears so.

President Bush understood the Arab mindset, and his no compromise, no capitulation policy kept America safe for over 8 years. President Obama is a naif and a danger to America's security. Let's hope Iran's ridicule serves as a warning that warm and fuzzy overtures only lead to high-jacked planes and dead Americans.

Cordially

Joe