[DannyTN]

Where I really disagree with Carter is how to effect that change. He thinks a smile and a handshake and a handout will do it. He thinks friendship can be bought.

I'm not so naive. I think respect for human rights must be taught. And we need to focus on the areas of the world where respect is not practiced and where it is not taught. The palestinian schools for example, as well as the schooling of most of the middle east needs to be thoroughly reworked.

We are going to need to be increasingly premptive and not just when the threat is obvious as it was with Saddam. We need to build a world in which respect for human life is fostered, and that has checks and balances to keep a few from unfostering it like Saddam did.

And we should always awayts maintaing our military superiority.

[nicollo]

As Leto says, the imperative is to create a world built upon our first principles of justice, liberty, and equality. Carter's submission, to which I know you don't subscribe, won't get there. In this world, where evil grows where good is not sewn, preemption means more than might. Carter's doctrine is faith without act, the greatest sin. Carter wants the one without the other. He is insipid and wrong.

That's the kind of thinking that led the Carter-ites to believe -- and they did -- in the supremacy of the Soviet economic model. Contempt is the least of my emotions for them.

The American seed won't grow without watering. We must always be strong.

The challenge of the 20th century was to defeat totalitarianism and communism with our political concept that was percieved by many, worldwide and domestically, as a failure. We have proved its supremacy. The 21st century challenge will be to make it happen worldwide.

Only in strength and steadfast resolve can it happen. This is a great start.