Here's Hoping

Being an Independent can be tough at times.

.

I watch in great frustration and profound sadness as the Democrats & Obama administration work feverishly to turn America into just another Western European-style socialist democracy, making more & more Americans more & more dependent on a bunch of professional politicians and the federal bureaucracy.

.

At the same time, however, I enjoyed his speech at the University of Cairo. Brilliant, well-delivered (as always), and hopefully historic, this speech could turn out to be the first step we're all hoping for.

.

Here's my two cents on this topic, worth every penny --

.

The goal of Mideast peace & long term victory over terrorism will require a global shift in attitudes. This can only be accomplished by...

.

... the kind of communication, respect and understanding exhibited by Obama's speech, repeated over and over and over, until everyone on all sides understands that those who seek to murder innocents must be isolated & exposed, and...

.

... the complete removal of the American military from Mideast soil, where we have no right being. How the former President thought that we could simply "plant" a Western-style democracy in this area and expect it to thrive is an absolute mystery.

.

Right now, the extremists can point at America's actions and (rightly or wrongly) use them as a recruitment tool. Our former diplomacy, characterized by force & intimidation, was doomed from the beginning.

.

Give murderers no excuse to murder, and you expose them for what they really are. It's not capitulation; it's a specific, careful strategy. You win.

.

Yes, I'm far to the right of Obama on domestic issues. And yes, I'm probably to the left of Obama on foreign policy issues. And yes, I may need a shrink. So sue me.

...

.