"People of America: The world is following your news in regards to your invasion of Iraq, for people have recently come to know that, after several years of tragedies of this war, the vast majority of you want it stopped. Thus, you elected the Democratic Party for this purpose, but the Democrats haven't made a move worth mentioning. On the contrary, they continue to agree to the spending of tens of billions to continue the killing and war there." -- Osama bin Laden, ABC News, Sept. 7, 2007

This message was regarding the congressional elections in 2006. Two years later, bin Laden could have said the same thing. Osama bin Laden does not care about who leads America. His goal is clear. He has always aimed to kill the infidel through Islamic jihad. His brand of Islam is not as popular as it might seem. We hear the extremes in the news. We never hear the middle ground of Islam from places like Egypt or Saudi Arabia or Turkey where extremists are dealt with, even killed, by those governments for attempting random acts of violence.  

Members of al-Qaeda and other Islamic militant groups and leaders of rogue nations believe that America is an indecisive nation. They also consider the United States to be the worst criminal nation on Earth for its violence, or crusade, against Islam, its support and withdrawal of sanctions and gratuity, its worldwide naval and air power, its meddling in the well-being of sovereign states, and, worst of all, the continued support of the nation of Israel.

Is it a good thing for this country to back off consistently when it comes to radical Islam? The world looks to America for guidance and help in its affairs. Why should it if America is so indecisive? The U.S. track record on response to terrorism is absolutely dismal, bungling and inappropriate on behalf of all nations in this world.

The one time when things looked good for American strength was the invasion and occupation of Iraq. North Korea and Iran weren't nearly as threatening then. For the most part, they kept their mouth shut.

With "regime change" at home, Americans now can see the true nature of indecisiveness. Now, North Korea wants to point a missile at Hawaii on July 4. Why in the hell has it gotten so far out of hand? The United States no longer represents strength in this world because it appears that this nation is unwilling to accept responsibility for protecting other nations. What capability a rogue state has nuclearwise is of no consequence to what they can and cannot do. One bomb, one dirty bomb in Tokyo or Seoul is a strategic and economic target for North Korea in its struggle against Western capitalism. In that struggle it achieved what it wanted whether or not it survives. Nuclear retaliation will not be the answer because this is a "nation of indecisiveness."

"Meddling" is not new in foreign policy. It has existed since the beginning of history and can assuredly be assumed in existence many millennia before that.

Human nature does not begin when history is first recorded. Mankind is much older than that. Human nature is wholly addicted to violence and war as much as it is addicted to the need of companionship and the pursuit of happiness.

Each nation acts on its own interest in this world, even when it acts in its own assumptive interests of others.

The world distrusts American foreign policy, but they don't want Americans to quit altogether.

The problem is this: America cannot stay at home nor can it go abroad without some country in the world blaming Americans for all the world's problems.

In fact, the world is a place for talkers, not for actors. Actors are treated as rogues when no other nation will act.

Negotiators solve nothing. Crisis points continue to exist in places where talking things out was seen as the best idea.

A show of strength stopped Russia in Georgia. This administration and its record could not have handled Georgia the same way with the same results. It's too indecisive.

It does not matter how the United States government acts, this nation will always be hated because its signs of strength are threats to the rest of the world, no matter the intention. Who else then will step up and accept some responsibility?

The G8 plus 5? What rogues trust these giants of industrial power?

Indecisiveness is knocking at the front door. Should we answer it? Or should we let it go away on its own accord, and hope it assumes we aren't here?

Adam Conkey, an Edmond native living in Hays, is the son of a Kansas farmer and a graduate of Fort Hays State University. saveremus@hotmail.com