Other issues: Economic concerns not the only issue you need to watch out for

With the stock market in what seems like a modified free fall, most people aren't paying too much attention to the foreign policy decisions that are being made on their behalf.

So, the news that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is now vowing support for a Palestinian state might not even have made your radar.

That's what happens when you are so worried about your economic future that you cannot concentrate on anything else.

And while there are pros and cons to that announcement, it reminds us that we have other fish to fry with the Obama administration -- especially as it relates to the protection of this country.

There are some who are concerned that there might be a whole lot of policy shifting going on while the country is distracted with the economic crisis -- shifts that might actually harm this nation's ability to control its future as it relates to self-defense and its enemies and allies.

And that is a critical concern as plans continue to remove most of the U.S. troops from Iraq before the end of 2010.

The trick here is to watch, closely, and to listen to not only what is being said, but what is not being said, as it relates to foreign relations and the defense of this country.

And now is the time to speak out about what we expect from the new administration when it comes to whom we want to negotiate with and whom we don't.

It is really important that Americans who have strong feelings about what to do about the Middle East and terrorism remind their leaders that the election was not carte blanche to undo every stride that has been made since 2001, and that we have not forgotten the action that killed 3,000 people.

We want the world to know that we are still the caring nation that offers assistance to those who need it and is willing to negotiate with those who are willing to meet us halfway.

But we also need to remind all these leaders -- including terrorists -- that when it comes to protecting the citizens of this nation or when we find that someone has violated agreements meant to protect the interests of the United States, we will respond with swift strength.

And we need to make sure that our new administration understands that objective.

That is how you continue to stand tall, proud and safe.

Published in Editorials on March 3, 2009 10:27 AM