I'm very glad to see that power has shifted in Washington...for a variety of reasons. One thing that does worry me, though, is the current tone of conversations that I hear about our foreign policy and our motivations for that policy.
I've said it before and I'll say it again - just because "the other side" did something doesn't make it inherently wrong or bad. We need to evaluate policies on their face; look at the probable outcomes of taking a certain action (and taking no action) determine a plan and go execute it. It may not be a plan that looks attractive in the short run. But that makes good foreign policy.
Foreign policy by public opinion doesn't work. It cannot - the result that you will have will be worse than what you have today.
Five minute attention spans and headline-driven news are not a good combination for pragmatic, in-depth thinking. We have to be willing to listen to others who may not think as we do, accept that we do not know or understand everything and hear others' opinions (and facts). Then we need to be willing to talk about options and outcomes. Finally we need to accept that our way is not always the best way.
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