by shaky_ethics

Presidents are not psychically endowed with a coercive energy that can be transmitted over the world's airwaves. Rather, they develop prioritized and plausible objectives in regards to foreign countries, based upon the powers and interests of affected parties. Moreover, the declared objectives should be matched to the resources and political will to achieve them. Foreign policies should not be judged upon the tone and tenor of their announcements, but rather upon their merits and their success. It is an old bipartisan practice to critique an opposing party's president for lacking toughness. And it is time that rational, peace-loving Americans see through it for the war cry it usually is.