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2003-02-24

"Speak softly and carry a big stick."" If I recall my history correctly, that century-old quote is from Theodore Roosevelt, a Republican that most of us can admire.

Teddy was a fighter on the battlefield as well as in the political arena. He proved his bravery in the Spanish-American War and later, as our president, helped establish the United States of American as a world power. He also led our country in developing a national park system designed to conserve and preserve our natural wonders.

He was probably would not fit in well with today's conservatives. I doubt that he could come close to a presidential nomination at a Republican Convention.

But George W. Bush would do well to consider Teddy's advice.

George W. had my support in his initial response to the September 11 attack on our nation and our citizens. He did most of it exactly right. He rallied our people but tempered his words, taking care not to excite religious and racial prejudice. He gave little comfort to the enemy, although I do wish he had flown directly to Washington after learning of the terrorist assault. Teddy would have.

In the hunt for the terrorists George W. quickly proved that we carry a big stick. Decisive action in Afghanistan left no doubt about American strength and resolve. The Taliban fell quickly and most of the world was on our side.

So far, so good.

Now was the time for some quiet but firm diplomacy. Here I fear Dubya failed to weigh the effect of his words.

First (and probably inadvertently) he encouraged Sharon's brutal crackdown on Palestinian ""terrorists."" Sharon needed no encouragement. This conflict has spun out of control and is uniting a Muslim world that sees us as allied with Israel.

Next he lumped Iraq, Iran and North Korea into an ""axis of evil."" I am no admirer of governments in the latter two countries, but do not believe they should be equated to Saddam Hussein's brutal regime. Both have shown signs of tempering their anti-American, anti-Western stance. Governments of these nations had nothing to do with the September 11 atrocity. Indeed, a majority of the people involved in the terrorist attacks and most of the money backing them came from a ""friendly"" nation, Saudi Arabia. Bush's gratuitous remarks were unwarranted.

Now Bush and his administration are loudly promising almost unilateral action against Saddam Hussein. While Saddam has few supporters outside of Iraq, our present course may unite the Muslim world behind him and against us, leaving other nations on the sidelines.

Saddam must be isolated and removed from power. The question is how.

The world knows that we carry a ""big stick."" Perhaps now is the time to speak softly. In other words, engage in quiet but firm talk behind the scenes. Support and be part of a world court instead of fighting it ""tooth and nail."" Work with and be part of the United Nations, insisting on real and meaningful arms inspections.

When Saddam refuses to permit those inspections (and he will), then, maybe, we'll have allies to help us take action.

Our present course is leading to isolation and could even end our status as a ""super power."" Then Bin Laden will have won. We should not . . . cannot . . . go it alone. Not if we want to continue to run our SUVs and heat our homes with Middle East oil.