Parish
U.S. Must Change Foreign Policy
RECEIVED Thu., Jan. 29, 2004
Dear Editor,
The knee-jerk foreign policy of this administration has no basis in common sense. We do have a right to defend ourselves against all enemies – foreign and domestic. That is not in question. The question remains whether our nation chooses the path of glory or tyranny. If our leaders intend to export democracy to the world they must take truly bold and innovative steps in the implementation of true diplomacy.
We must do everything in our power to facilitate a true peace in the Middle East. Peace which allows the Israelis and Palestinians a chance to finally live their lives without the horror of terrorism and hopelessness. The United States of America must show the world, especially our enemies, that we can wage peace as well as war.
Next we must confront the question of nuclear nonproliferation by doing what will be inconceivable and insane to some. We must call for the abolishment of all nuclear weapons. To use them is not only a crime against humanity but a crime against nature. The ultimate WMD must not be allowed to be unleashed upon the world again. Without them we would still wield the mightiest armed forces this world has ever known. How can we expect others to disarm or relinquish their nuclear ambitions if we can't lead by example?
And last. We must form a grand alliance against terrorism. All nations of the world are susceptible to the horrors and wasteful carnage brought upon by terrorists. We cannot go it alone. But we can show true leadership by working with others instead of against them so that history will not look back on the war in Iraq as just another front in the war against terror. But as a great war that deposed a dictator and ushered in an age of peace for all of the nations of the world.
The knee-jerk foreign policy of this administration has no basis in common sense. We do have a right to defend ourselves against all enemies – foreign and domestic. That is not in question. The question remains whether our nation chooses the path of glory or tyranny. If our leaders intend to export democracy to the world they must take truly bold and innovative steps in the implementation of true diplomacy.
We must do everything in our power to facilitate a true peace in the Middle East. Peace which allows the Israelis and Palestinians a chance to finally live their lives without the horror of terrorism and hopelessness. The United States of America must show the world, especially our enemies, that we can wage peace as well as war.
Next we must confront the question of nuclear nonproliferation by doing what will be inconceivable and insane to some. We must call for the abolishment of all nuclear weapons. To use them is not only a crime against humanity but a crime against nature. The ultimate WMD must not be allowed to be unleashed upon the world again. Without them we would still wield the mightiest armed forces this world has ever known. How can we expect others to disarm or relinquish their nuclear ambitions if we can't lead by example?
And last. We must form a grand alliance against terrorism. All nations of the world are susceptible to the horrors and wasteful carnage brought upon by terrorists. We cannot go it alone. But we can show true leadership by working with others instead of against them so that history will not look back on the war in Iraq as just another front in the war against terror. But as a great war that deposed a dictator and ushered in an age of peace for all of the nations of the world.
Paul Chavera
