My Two Cents {the Middle East}

I'm late to this discussion.

I probably don't have much to add.

Barack and Mittens have already weighed in. And, most people on this continent have probably formed their own opinions ... and then, quite sadly, simply moved on.

I've read the news articles and followed headlines, and even watched that dreadful 14 minute dubbed video.

I understand the First Amendment. But, I wonder when simple decency will trump our "right" to saying whatever we want, regardless of the outcome.

J. Chris Stevens, the ambassador to Libya who lost his life there last week, was by all reports a wonderful man ... committed to his mission and passionate about the possibilities for that country. A friend in the blog-sphere who lives a life in foreign service in that region reminded that all in those posts know the danger. I appreciated what Donna had to say over at her blog Email from the Embassy. (http://emailfromtheembassy.blogspot.com/2012/09/here-in-jordan.html)

This week The Economist eulogized Roger Fisher. I'd never heard of Mr Fisher, but I've heard of the events he helped influence. He wrote a book about negotiation called, Getting to Yes. He wrote letters to Heads of State, and whispered quiet challenges in their ears. Fisher was foremost an academic, but, he was also an adviser at the Pentagon. He also coached leaders of Ecuador and Egypt.

It was Fisher who advised Reagan in 1985 not to confront Mikhail Sergeyevich Gorbachev, president of the USSR, at the Geneva Summit. Instead Reagan, "sat by a roaring fire with him while they exchanged ideas." (The Economist 9/15-21/2012 pg 86)

It worked.

"In December 1987 Gorbachev signed an agreement with U.S. President Ronald Reagan for their two countries to destroy all existing stocks of intermediate-range nuclear-tipped missiles. In 1988–89 he oversaw the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan after their nine-year occupation of that country." (Source http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/238982/Mikhail-Gorbachev)

In 1989, The Wall came down. In 1991 the Soviet Union ceased to exist.

Things are moving fast in the Middle East. But our best move in the Arab Awaking might not be a knee jerk one.

RIP Mr Stevens and Mr Fisher, may your work not have been in vain.