Time to Kick Some Diplomatic Butt

It's pouring a cold rain over the lake, with the temp dipping to 52 degrees, according to the gadget I put on the balcony. It's a blustery NE wind.

Thanksgiving was a riot at one house of a friend of mine (I wasn't there). After being told not to, the 14-year old niece (Ali) went around and let every bird out of its cage, causing great consternation among the adults. It was chaos before dinner.

That kind of describes the situation the U.S. is in as the President closes in on his last year to have an impact. That could happen Tuesday.

Tuesday is when the Middle East peace conference kicks off in Annapolis, the first time in 7 years that a real effort can be made to do something other than send troops and bullets to the Middle East. Political solutions can do what armies cannot. But it is hard work.

This is one of the last chances for the President to kick some diplomatic butt to bring about a more stable Middle East. It's not off to a good start, with the Saudi official declaring he would not shake hands with the Israelis.

I think its time everyone had to shake hands with everyone else to start -- Saudis and Israelis, Bush shaking Ahmedinjad's hand, everyone required to have dinner together, etc.

If I were there, I'd make everyone talk about their family and their kids, something everyone has in common.

Then i wouldn't let anyone out of the room to take a pee until they all agreed to treat each other with respect, open trade and stop shooting.

I figure a "first ever" deal could be done in a few HOURS, not centuries, under those conditions (serving lots of tea). LOL.

It's going to take serious diplomacy to get the U.S. back where it belongs - global peacemaker. That will be our best security protection in this nuclear age...