There are wonderful things happening in Washington. It is a joy to see democracy in action.
We had an administration that seemed determined to ignore international opinion; preferring bold action to broad consensus. They said that the United Nations had outlived its usefulness. They acted as if diplomacy was a tool for the weak. The strong didn’t need allies. The strong just needed to flex their muscles every so often to keep everyone else in line. Democracy, not diplomacy, was the cure for what ailed the Middle East. We invented new policies to justify preemptive actions. We claimed exception to long held practices like the Geneva Conventions. We didn’t negotiate with rogue governments; we replaced them.
Now finally after five years of war, 3000+ US casualties, incomprehensible expense, and a resounding political defeat; things are changing. John Bolton, who questioned the United Nations effectiveness, has been replaced. We brokered a deal with North Korea that is identical to the deal the Clinton administration created and the incoming Bush administration rejected six years ago. We are also negotiating with Iran, one of the other “axis of evil” nations, about the future of Iraq. In Iraq, we are finally buying (rather than ignoring) the influence of tribal leaders in hopes of a political solution to the power struggles there.
The prodigal son parable is a very similar story. The younger son decided that he had learned all he needed to know at home and was prepared to take his inheritance and demonstrate to his father and the world what sort of man he was. Within a year, he had squandered his wealth and found himself starving. He had the good sense to humbly admit his mistakes and return to his father. His father welcomed him with open arms as one returned from the dead.
Like the prodigal son, President Bush had a budget surplus when he entered office. After the 9/11 attacks, he had vast political capital too. He had the support of much of the free world in responding to the threat posed by radical Islamists. He had a nation united and determined not only to defend itself, but to bring those who planned the attacks to justice. It took him six years to squander that wealth. Now, he is finally returning home to embrace the wisdom of his father by rejoining the world community. It is a good day.
“For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.” Luke 15:24