Tommy Thompson: The Cure for Tyranny

Boston Globe ^ | October 24, 2005 | Tommy G. Thompson

[RWR8189]

AS IRAQIS voted on their draft constitution last week, President Bush praised their commitment to peace and declared: ''We believe, and the Iraqis believe, the best way forward is through the democratic process. Al Qaeda wants to use their violent ways to stop the march of democracy because democracy is the exact opposite of what they believe is right."

But if we have any hope of spreading democracy and ending tyranny in every corner of the globe, it is vital that we use all of the weapons of freedom at our disposal. That includes our most effective arsenal against terrorists and the forces of oppression: education, compassion, and medicine.

That is the principle at the heart of what I call ''medical diplomacy" -- the winning of hearts and minds of people in the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and elsewhere by exporting medical care, expertise, and personnel to help those who need it most.

Medical diplomacy must be made a significantly larger part of our foreign and defense policy, as we clean up from costly and deadly wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. America has the best chance to win the war on terror and defeat the terrorists by enhancing our medical and humanitarian assistance to vulnerable countries. By delivering hope we will deliver freedom.

With my own eyes, I have seen people respond favorably to America when we provided life-saving care, trained doctors, and restocked hospitals in war-torn Afghanistan, AIDS-ravaged Botswana, and storm-soaked Haiti. Our acts of compassion destroy the rhetoric of terrorists, while giving future generations hope for a healthy and free future.

[Dahoser]

Sure, but just don't show up wearing a cross in any manner. Geez, you'd think the medical personnel were going into a public school the way the Muslim locals react to someone wearing a cross who is trying to help them.

[qam1]

Yeah, Whatever Tommy

Sorry but I can't take serious what a Health-Nazi / Nanny Staters has to say about ending Tyranny

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U.S. Shocks with Promise to Back Anti-Smoking Pact (Tommy Thompson told journalists (WHO)) )

Tommy Thompson Floats New Tobacco Tax

[bybybill]

Tommy is one smart guy but those that hate GWB or all Muslims aren`t listening

[q_an_a]

As everyone who is conservative looks at the actions of President Bush may I suggest that they read and reread this Op-Ed by a hero of Republicans; former Gov. Thompson has suggested that spending money on medical care would help our world image. do you wonder how the conservatives of this forum are going to spin this concept?

President Bush and Gov Thompson have both been in charge of a state with a large population AND have been in Whashington - getting action is their history, but conservatives miss that they take big actions and wish that they only took little actions and made no mistakes. Get over it. If this article doesn't rewrite what conservatives think is the new Republican then nothing does.