Today we are treated to a lecture by Prof. Madeleine K. Albright, “Confidence in America.” Dr. Albright, whose most famous exploits as Secretary of State were chasing after Yasser Arafat and officially changing the designation of “rogue states” to “states of concern.”
The Democrats were the ones who were always elevating Arafat. He was at the very center of their road map. After he stalked out of a meeting room in Paris during cease-fire talks in late 2000, Albright actually ran in breathless pursuit to lure him back. It was the Democrats who perpetuated Arafat’s demonic sway over the Palestinians, and it was the Democrats who sustained him among the other Arabs. And so the cause of Arab democracy was left for the Republicans to pursue. After September 11, the cause became a matter also of U.S. national security.
We know how well glorifying Arafat worked and how well letting down our defenses again radical Islam worked. So what does Prof Albright have to tell us?
We are 4 percent of a planet that is half Asian, half poor, one-third Muslim and by and large far more familiar with recent American actions than with our country’s past accomplishments. To many, the Bush administration is America. Our reputation is in disrepair. We will not recover by acting out of fear but by educating ourselves about the world around us, learning foreign languages, appreciating other faiths, studying the many dimensions of historical truth, harnessing modern technology to constructive ends and looking beyond simplistic notions of evil and good.
Regardless of the current president’s shortcomings, of which there are many, the previous president – with the support of his advisors – Dr. Albright included – simply kicked those problems down the road. Yes, there can be simplistic notions of evil and good, but turning a blind eye to evil, or, if you prefer, threats isn’t exactly a great way to operate. Prof Albright’s plea at the end for the next president is, of course, for Sen. Clinton to be elected. I guess she’s looking forward to a return to power despite her absolutely dismaying record.
Crossposted on Soccer Dad.
