By the way, if you've been following this thread I am not the only who feels that way.
I understood what you were saying. The WH did use the "Islam is a Religion of Peace" statement for awhile, although I'm not sure any actually believed it. Miss Marple is right when she says Hughes job was to "promote America," but my point is that America does not have to prove anything to Islamists. In fact, it is the other way around.
I think it was a useful statement right after 9/11 in order to keep people from going nuts here in this country, and to get moderate Muslim countries, like Jordan, to help us with intelligence.
The fruit of those statements is the cooperation we have received from the Saudis and Jordan during this latest deal with Hezbollah.
Wow, Mort Zuckerman is really agitated, and is GOING AFTER KERRY!!! All righty!!
http://www.state.gov/r/
U.S. engagement in the world and the Department of State's engagement of the American public are indispensable to the conduct of foreign policy. The Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, Karen Hughes, is laying the foundation for public diplomacy for the long term by implementing a comprehensive strategy based on three strategic objectives:
Offer people throughout the world a positive vision of hope and opportunity that is rooted in America's belief in freedom, justice, opportunity and respect for all
Isolate and marginalize the violent extremists; confront their ideology of tyranny and hate. Undermine their efforts to portray the west as in conflict with Islam by empowering mainstream voices and demonstrating respect for Muslim cultures and contributions
Foster a sense of common interests and common values between Americans and people of different countries, cultures and faiths throughout the world
From the following recent speech looks like Huges role is to promote Globalism.
http://www.state.gov/r/us/68460.htm
President Bush announced the Middle East Free Trade Initiative in May 2003 as part of a comprehensive effort to increase our engagement with the Arab world. Since MEFTA was launched the U.S. has been working on a country-by-country basis with those who are interested in economic openness and the prosperity it promises to bring.
Our free trade agreement with Jordan is a good example of a success story. Jordan's exports to the United States soared from $16 million in 1998 to 1.1 billion in 2004. In Egypt, trade from qualified industrial zone programs has nearly doubled from 60 million to 115 million last year. That trade adds up to a profitable relationship in many ways. By opening the door to trade we bring greater contacts between our people and it helps us step beyond misunderstanding and move toward a 2020 that is characterized by partnership and integration.
President Bush knows that global commerce is a crucial part of public diplomacy and building greater understanding. It's significant that he has nominated one of the top financial executives in the world, Hank Paulson, the CEO of Goldman Sachs as the new United States Secretary of the Treasury. Both he and President Bush know that trade brings jobs and makes for a more prosperous and more peaceful world.