Originally Posted by Villages Kahuna

...the author of the "speech" cited in the opening message of this thread will never be elected to high office or even appointed to a responsible position in our foreign service.

What would be accomplished by giving such a speech? Basically, it says "here, here's a stick in your eye. Don't talk to us about not supporting Islam. We've bled and spent plenty."

What the author says is true, of course. But would our national purposes be served by going over to the Middle East and making such a speech? Anyone who reads it can conclude the answer to that question. There's a way to perform foreign policy that has a chance to further our national objectives, as well as other approaches that hold less promise in that regard. This proposed "speech" isn't that way...by a long shot!