[Vision2020] U.S. Must Lead By Example

[Tom Hansen]

>From Bob Schieffer's commentary on today's (September 24, 2006) "Face the
Nation" -

--------------------------------------------------------------

U.S. Must Lead By Example
By Bob Schieffer

It irritated all of us last week when two of the world's leading blowhards -
President of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and the leader of Venezuela, Hugo
Chavez, insulted America and its leaders. 

But it was probably a good thing for us because the more the world sees and
hears these two, the quicker they will understand just how awful they - and
what they represent - are. 

With every appearance, the Iranian President reminds us that in a movie
about Hitler, he'd be the perfect "Mini-Me" for the Nazi dictator and I
doubt there is much of a market for Nazism anymore, no matter how much some
people resent the United States. 

And speaking of movies, the more you hear Chavez, the more you realize this
guy wouldn't be a credible villain in a Batman flick. 

Sure we have to keep an eye on them, but the way to hurt their cause is to
keep encouraging them to show the world how they do things and let the world
compare it to our way. 

That's why it was so important that while they were blowing off, Senator
McCain and the White House came together on a plan that insures America will
abide by the Geneva Conventions in dealing with enemy prisoners. 

It's not a perfect plan, but it shows how we do things in a democracy - out
in the open - and in accordance with the law even when dealing with the
worst of the worst. 

We'll never win a battle for hearts and minds by preaching. We do it by
showing who we are and inviting the other side to do the same.

--------------------------------------------------------------

Seeya round town, Moscow.

Tom Hansen
Vandalville, Idaho

"Patriotism is not a short and frenzied outburst of emotion but the tranquil
and steady dedication of a lifetime." 

--Adlai E. Stevenson, Jr.