Here Is What I would Do

Today at the United Nations, only a few short blocks from where I am now seated, the leaders of two nations of great importance to world peace will both be attending the General Assembly meeting.

George W. Bush will be there. So will Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Yes, the two of them will be in the same place at the same time. The leaders of the two nations whose actions have the largest impact on world peace will be in the same room attending the same meeting.

According to CNN, it is expected that the two leaders will largely avoid each other. This is the wrong behavior.

If I were in George W. Bush's shoes -- well, let me clarify. If I were in George W. Bush's shoes, We'd never have invded Iraq and the leaders of al Qaeda would be either dead or imprisoned and I would have focused our military strength toward the other terrorist organizations in the Middle East. We'd also still have all of our rights, we wouldn't have trampled on the Geneva Accords and...

You get the picture.

If I were President of the United States and I was going to the General Assembly meeting today, I would make it a point to do two things. I would stand up and walk over to where President Ahmadinejad was sitting and I would offer him my hand. Second, I would assure him that the United States would do everything it could to insure that we had peace in the Middle East, and that I would welcome Iran's assistance in that regard.

Why would I do that?

If you could win a man to your cause, first convince him that you are his sincere friend.
- Abraham Lincoln

There is a homely old adage which runs: Speak softly and carry a big stick, you will go far.
- Theodore Roosevelt

I would, without hesitation, follow in the footsteps of two of our greatest presidents. There is no better show of confidence than to offer friendship. And there is no bigger stick than the American military.

Let us see what transpires today.