Keeping an Eye on the World

Over the last several weeks I’ve spoken to a number of my closest friends regarding the ever-increasing violence around the globe. I do so, not because our nation is not strong, for it is. I do so because our country and a few others are quickly becoming the last bastions of humanity that understand the terrible consequences of shooting first and thinking about the significance of our actions later.

The American citizens do not have the stomach for a long and protracted conflict, either in the Middle East or on the Asian Continent. We have seen our share of body bags unloaded at the Dover Air Force Base and value human life higher than those who would take it. That therefore leaves only the option of a swift and overwhelming show of force, and the use of that style of weaponry would take us down a road which will bring dire consequences to all of humanity.

Those allies of America and the remainder of the clear-thinking world do not dare to start down that road, but we may slowly but surely be headed in that direction should cooler heads fail to prevail. The Israeli leadership may be drawn into a public relations trap that will find them backed into a corner as we began to see last week when a missile struck a hospital, killing and maiming so many innocent civilians and the world’s media jumped at the fact it was the Israelis, which we soon saw it appeared to be an errant missile fired from within Gaza itself.

Hearts grow sadder as each day progresses when we see the carnage come across our airwaves as the blood continues to flow, both in the streets of Israel and in Gaza, as well as the other occupied territories.

U.N. efforts in the Security Council are being blocked by a Russian led faction which continues to pursue its own warped agenda. Their motives are tied to the Ukrainian conflict and the embarrassment brought about by the failure of the Putin invasion of a sovereign nation. This criminal act by Putin, if left unchallenged, will surely result in further incursions into smaller and more vulnerable nations such as Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania to name just a few. These smaller peaceful nations that sought and received independence from the old Soviet Union after its collapse are the next pawns on this global chessboard being played out before our eyes.

The United States must be very cautious, for our leadership position amongst free, democratic nations hangs in the balance here should we and the remaining NATO Alliance fail to honor our commitments to Ukraine and now to Israel. Make no mistake, the Chinese and the North Koreans are watching and we must deal with both these challenges with strength.

Our nation can ill afford to become isolated, for with isolation comes an economy that will spiral into a deep recession and a possible depression.

America has stood on the front line with our allies during the darkest of times, and in my opinion, the ominous storm clouds continue to gather as we speak. The time has come for strong leadership to both lead our nation and the alliances we have always had by our sides.

I scratch my head and wonder at times where this leadership will come from. Both sides are looking for a Tom Brady, Roger Staubach or Doug Flutie to throw that “Hail Mary Pass” in the fourth quarter. Unfortunately, this isn’t football folks, because you don’t get to run into the tunnel and look forward to next season, this is an all-or-nothing battle for the future.

This childish stupidity we see going on in Congress must come to an end, and quickly. If not, those standing on the stage today who then? Personally, I don’t see anyone there today who I have confidence in, and this isn’t a job at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue which is one that is conducive to “on-the-job training.”

Where are the Sam Nuns, John Kennedys, or Harry Trumans from the Democratic side? At the same time, I see strong Republicans such as Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Theodore Roosevelt on the Republican side

Now to be absolutely transparent in my choices are not based upon their formal education but instead on their ability to make the tough decisions which are necessary by the person sitting in the office, as well as their ability to communicate with the American people and bring all segments of the electorate together to formulate working policies for their benefit. Unfortunately for H.W. Bush, he lacked some of the charisma as his opponent and media presence, which ultimately would cost him a second term. 

Again, this is my opinion, but to have yours count you will need to vote in the all-important 2024 election, and I’ve always promised “More Straight Talk,” to be just that.