It's funny how as time passes, perspective grows. I realized this the other day as I thought about the Clinton retreads filling the Obama White House. Given the economy, there are many people who think a repeat of the Clinton administration economically would be a good thing.
Unfortunately, I believe the events of Sept. 11, 2001 were firmly routed in the pacifist approach to diplomacy now being embraced by Obama and carried throughout the Clinton administration. Brutal terrorist operations take significant time to plan and execute.
The philosophy of "make nice, give everyone rights and show them how people should be treated and they won't do mean things" is hopelessly naive. It's better to be vigilant, aggressive and know who you are dealing with. It also helps to let them know you are not afraid to be aggressive.
Of course the Bush administration went into Iraq chasing terrorist and alleged weapons of mass destruction. I think there was a different agenda. Liberating Iraq from a dictator will result in a new Middle East democracy. Ultimately, it will spread and make a huge difference. It might also be called naive, but you know what? I'm certain many people thought Nixon crazy when he sat down with the Chinese. The same thing occurred when Reagan faced down Gorbachev at Reykjavik in 1986 and again when he stood at the Brandenburg Gate and called for the reunification of Germany in 1987.
Twenty and 30 years later, those moments are locked in my memory as formative difference makers. I don't think I see a Clinton legacy anything close to a parallel. By now, we should be beginning to hear the spin about how Clinton was really a great president, but we haven't.
Then it comes to the topic of moral outrage. Clinton couldn't keep his pants on in the Oval Office. Reagan wouldn't take his coat off. In hindsight, what Clinton did was distasteful but not that big of a deal. I think it is more outrageous to see the parade of Obama appointees in recent weeks brought forth and then dropped because they didn't do what most of us do on a regular basis — pay their taxes. Not to be cynical, but isn't it probably about time for one of those appointees to be charged with sexual improprieties of having an illegal alien as a housekeeper?
As I look at it all, and I think about perspective, I come back to my backyard. Does any of it have an influence on the Genco family? It does when colleges are forced to raise tuition. It does when my property taxes go up. It does when I see my health insurance increase. And as much as I can criticize Obama for his poor choices, and Clinton for creating an environment that opened the door to Sept. 11, this world-wide economic crisis started on Bush's watch.
One last thing – that economic stimulus package bouncing around Washington is a bad thing. It rests as part of the problem, not the solution. I don't believe big government ever solved anything. I prefer my money to be my money and charity to be something I choose to give.
Thanks for reading.
Word of the Week: Chowder – That's right, the Twin Cities' favorite delight. It actually comes from the housewives of Brittany who borrowed the French word for cauldron, "chaudiere", which in turn comes from that French word on the Tim Horton's cup that means hot (chaud).
LM Boyd of the Week: New York's Broadway started as Bloomingdale Road.
Contact Joe Genco at joegenco@gmail.com
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