I think that the Administration, and Powell in particular, was speaking from the view that there were those with a stake in derailing the "peace process", and that America's position as "honest broker" had to be maintained. Thus, we had to restrain Israel from being provoked into actions that would wreck the "process", meanwhile showing even- handedness.
Well, this is a different set of assumptions, a different paradigm. In this case, we are set to kill the hydra- headed scourge of international terrorism, which is a pretty universal threat, and to punish or destroy those regimes that sponsor the offending groups. It is urgent, not just because the public demands retribution, but because we cannot afford to let the terrorists continue along these lines, and wait until they get their hands on serious weapons of mass destruction. It is time to settle matters........ |
