Baltimore Sun January 7, 2004

America Has A Choice: Accommodate Evil, Or Defeat It

By Cal Thomas

ARLINGTON, Va. - It seemed like a good idea at the time. The Bush administration would use the earthquake tragedy in Iran that killed at least 30,000 people not only as an opportunity to show the United States was eager to alleviate international tragedy, but also as a diplomatic wedge.

Some officials believed that as humanitarian aid was provided, discussions might open that could lead to a new relationship between the two countries. President Bush stated the potential political benefits of the aid when he said, "What we're doing in Iran is we're showing the Iranian people that American people care, that we've got great compassion for human suffering."

The United States would follow up its international version of compassionate conservatism with a high-level diplomatic team. There was talk of sending a member of the Bush family along as further evidence of our sincerity.

It would have been the first public U.S. diplomatic effort in Iran since the 444-day hostage ordeal when Iranian "students" held 52 Americans, releasing them the day Ronald Reagan was inaugurated because they rightly concluded that if they didn't, Tehran might be turned into a parking lot. The one "diplomatic" effort since then involved trading "arms for hostages" in the mid-1980s.

Secretary of State Colin L. Powell expressed optimism about the latest diplomatic overture to Iran even before the Iranian government responded. He cited "encouraging" moves by the Islamic republic in recent months, which have included an agreement by Iranian leaders to allow "surprise" inspections of the country's nuclear energy program and diplomatic overtures to moderate Arab governments.

Iran's president, Mohammad Khatami, threw cold water on the U.S. wishful thinking when he said that while American aid to earthquake victims was welcome, it would not alter relations between his country and the United States.

Iran understands the impossibility of making bargains with "the Great Satan." The U.S. government should take a similar view. Evil cannot be accommodated. It must be defeated.

In the 1980s, there were pleadings by the American left to decrease tensions with the Soviet Union. The proposal was for the Reagan administration to cease deploying missiles in Europe to counter a Soviet buildup and instead to unilaterally disarm in order to show Moscow we meant Russia no harm.

Mr. Reagan understood that the "evil empire" of the 20th century could not be accommodated but had to be defeated. He was right, and his detractors were famously wrong.

While the Bush administration's provision of humanitarian aid to Iran is the right and moral thing to do - and might, in fact, further encourage young reformers in the country - the old and hard-line religious leadership still dominates. Iranian radio continues to spew anti-American venom.

What might hasten "regime change" in Iran and elsewhere in the region is a proposal contained in a "manual for victory" written by Richard Perle, a Defense Department strategist and an architect in the war on terrorism, and David Frum, a former Bush speechwriter. Part of a new book, An End to Evil: Strategies for Victory in the War on Terror, the document calls for regime change in Syria and Iran and a Cuba-style blockade of North Korea backed by planning for a pre-emptive strike on its nuclear sites. It also calls for Saudi Arabia and France to be treated not as allies but as rivals and, possibly, enemies.

The United States has two options. It can fail to follow through on its initial blow in Iraq, thus empowering and encouraging America's enemies everywhere, or it can deal a knockout blow to terrorism by finishing the job.

As we saw with the Soviet Union, resolve is often enough to achieve American objectives. As long as American diplomats think humanitarian aid and political niceties will lessen the threat against us, we will continue to be threatened.

It is to be hoped the administration knows these things. "Peace through strength" worked as more than a slogan against the Soviet Union. It will work again with members of the "axis of evil."

Cal Thomas' syndicated column appears Wednesdays in The Sun.

-- Anonymous, January 07, 2004

Answers

RP, Why not just post a link or the URL rather than copying the column?

-- Anonymous, January 07, 2004

Most of the columns I post are sent to me by a friend. He cuts and pastes without the link, so that's what I do too. I don't know what the link is most of the time.

Besides, if you just paste it it's all right there for the reading. One less click.

-- Anonymous, January 07, 2004

Are you sure your friend is cutting all? Perhaps he is cutting just enough to make you believe a lie?

-- Anonymous, January 08, 2004

I receive daily inspirations from the Cyper Daily Devotion. I thought this is an appropriate response to such anti Christian hateful acts.

0868 - cdd "How To Treat Others" 1/8/03 CyberDailyDevotion by Pastor Bill Thursday January 8, 2004 Volume 5 Number 4

Today's Author: Pastor Bill

“DollarBill” participants Denny and JoAnna Meyer from Palisades, Minnesota USA have generously contributed to support today’s cdd. Thank you – PTL! Pb

Scripture: Matthew 25:40 "And the King will tell them, I assure you, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me" (NLT)

Scripture: Matthew 25:40 "And the King will tell them, I assure you, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me" (NLT)

I heard a young lady named Sally relate an experience she had in class, given by her teacher, whom we'll call Mr. Smith.

She said Mr. Smith was known for his elaborate object lessons. One particular day, Sally walked into class and knew she was in for another fun day. On the wall was a big target and on a nearby table were many darts. Mr. Smith told the students to draw a picture of someone that they disliked or someone who had made them angry ... and he would allow them to throw darts at the person's picture.

Sally's girlfriend drew a picture of a girl who had stolen her boyfriend. Another friend drew a picture of his little brother. Sally drew a picture of Mr. Smith.

The class lined up and began throwing darts, with much laughter and hilarity. Some of the students threw their darts with such force that their targets were ripping apart. Sally looked forward to her turn, and was filled with disappointment when Mr. Smith, because of time limits, asked the students to return to their seats. As Sally sat thinking about how angry she was because she didn't have a chance to throw any darts at her target, Mr. Smith began removing the target from the wall.

Underneath the target was a picture of Jesus. A complete hush fell over the room as each student viewed the mangled picture of Jesus; holes and jagged marks covered His face and His eyes were pierced out. Mr. Smith said only these words, "I assure you, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me."

No other words were necessary; the tear-filled eyes of each student focused only on the picture of Christ. The students remained in their seats even after the bell rang then slowly left the classroom, tears streaming down their faces.

What powerful reminder that our attitude toward Jesus Christ is demonstrated in the way we treat people around us.

Prayer: Father, please replace my anger and frustration for others with Your peaceful love. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen

-- Anonymous, January 08, 2004

"What might hasten "regime change" in Iran and elsewhere in the region is a proposal contained in a "manual for victory" written by Richard Perle, a Defense Department strategist and an architect in the war on terrorism, and David Frum, a former Bush speechwriter. Part of a new book, An End to Evil: Strategies for Victory in the War on Terror, the document calls for regime change in Syria and Iran and a Cuba-style blockade of North Korea backed by planning for a pre- emptive strike on its nuclear sites. It also calls for Saudi Arabia and France to be treated not as allies but as rivals and, possibly, enemies.

The United States has two options. It can fail to follow through on its initial blow in Iraq, thus empowering and encouraging America's enemies everywhere, or it can deal a knockout blow to terrorism by finishing the job."

First, I do not believe that posting anything from Cal Thomas is appropriate for this discussion board. That being said this is perhaps the worst example of right wing White Christian fundamentalism.

Send the young men and women of this country to go forth and fight another battle in the name of "freedom." This is trite and absurd.

We waged war in Afghanistan and Iraq and we still have terror alerts. Recently a couple in Texas were arrested with a large cache of weapons that were to be used in terrorizing America. RP will you please wake up and realize not all of the enemies of peace are Muslim or Arabic but they are white just like you. Should we also bomb Texas, Montana as well?

I really do not think this is the answer to settling the issue of terrorism. I feel sorry for people like you who do.

-- Anonymous, January 08, 2004

Brother, Harold what you did not mention is that the couple who had the weapons in texas also had nerve gas and are affiliated with the KKK and other white suprecicists cells in the country. What is troubling is that the FBI does not know who the targets were. And if you read this week's ameherald www.ameherald.com you will read there was a church fire of an ame church in georgia, in a town that is 70 percent black. The fire was intentional.

We must be vigilant for as the FBI said now that the focus is on international terrorist the domestic groups such as the KKK and others are flying low under the radar.

And in terms of bombing Montana, dang Br. Gibson, I thought you liked our mountains;-) One of the things that all of you should know is that if America is attacked Montana will be sending missiles to intercept and attack countries that attack the U.S. Malstrom air base is in charge of these nucleau weapons.

Those of us that live in Montana are very aware that if missiles were launched from other countries Montana would be a target because of our defensive capabilities.

-- Anonymous, January 08, 2004