Woodrow Wilson was one of our greatest Presidents. His fondest dream was the establishment of a worldwide organization, whereby member nations could meet, negotiate and settle disputes, ending the need to routinely resort to warfare. Ironically, the U.S. never became a member--due to our legislators' reluctance to permit anyone other than themselves (however sensible and appropriate others' suggestions might be) regarding our role in international affairs. Wilson died heartbroken in the knowledge that the concepts he envisioned in his Fourteen Points--the last being the proposal for this association of nations--had been rejected by his fellow countrymen. (In my book, "One World," I favorably describe President Wilson's efforts in this direction.)
President Obama somewhat reminds me of President Wilson. He is extremely intelligent, yet not afraid to shed a tear in public. Like Wilson, he believes that discussion ought precede pugnacity. I am not averse to the use of power and might to deal with objective evil, when it can't be eliminated in any other way. But I know that ignoring a potential problem as it arises, or refusing to speak with the source thereof, is an improper and dangerous choice. I hope Mr. Kerry can at least "get the ball rolling" toward a sea change in our policies and activities regarding the Middle East.
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