Resets and new beginnings

I am happy that we've reset our relations with Russia. What reset you ask? Remember that moment in 2009 when our esteemed Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton clumsily pulled out a big plastic button that was supposed to say "Reset." Except, it didn't. What it actually said was "Overcharge," and her Russian counterpart let her know it. I guess that's what you get when you swipe a plastic scrap from a Jacuzzi the night before in Switzerland. That was just one of many things that didn't quite work as planned early in the Obama era. The Ruskies still don't like us; they don't respect us, and most of all, they don't fear us. They once did. Ronald Reagan saw to that.

The other "reset" that didn't work out like planned was when Barack Obama, as the newly elected U.S. President visited the Middle East. He called it a "New Beginning." It began in Cairo in June 2009. Unfortunately, his "New Beginning" was doomed when he bowed to the King of Saudi Arabia in London in April of that year. After the infamous bow, Obama extended an open hand of friendship to all nations, especially in the Middle East. When they stopped laughing (not out loud or to his face, but under their collective breaths) they showed him what they thought of his gesture of friendship. The Arab Spring and its disastrous consequences soon followed. Former friends of the U.S. and a few enemies were toppled from power, most by Islamic Jihadists, who are still on the rampage today.

Of all of the nations, including Russia and the Middle East, there is not one that has a relationship with us now that is the same as it was when President Obama was sworn in.

Others in the Far East also have concerns like Japan, Korea, and the Philippines. And these are all nations with which we have trade and defense treaties. Of course, there are many other allies who must be confused or are unsure about our commitment not only to them, but they must question the firmness of our own internal resolve. Here, I'm talking about our very important European allies like the United Kingdom, France and our NATO partners. What must they think of Obama's recent uttering's, blunders and endless golf outings?

Good coffee

I enjoyed having "Coffee with the Congressman," Steve Womack, last week at the Siloam Springs Regional Hospital. I came away convinced that we have an able and knowledgeable person representing our interests in Washington, D.C. (I really didn't need convincing). Steve is astute and very much attuned to the goings on in Congress. He expressed his opinion about many front-burner items including ObamaCare (it won't be repealed as long as a guy named Obama is in the White House); immigration and the border mess along with the middle east muddle (both are dangerous situations); the GOP's chance of flipping the Senate (even if it happens we still have a long way to go, but there will be more votes on House passed legislation and less stonewalling). Caution: be aware that the things in parentheses are my words, not the Congressman's, but they represent a fair summary.

All in all I enjoyed the get together and I encouraged his staff to continue to urge Steve to remind people in the third district to vote.

He's got it made with no one running against him, but Tom Cotton needs a strong turnout in this district to combat the Democrat/Harry Reid/George Soros machine that's out-spending Cotton by the millions. Asa can probably use a little help too. Speaking of Pryor, have you caught his ever-too-clever ad about him getting cancer a few years ago, (I am sorry about that). His insurance company wanted to cancel him.

Pryor then says "That's why I helped pass a law that prevents insurance companies from canceling your policy if you get sick."

Isn't it strange that even though he's talking about ObamaCare he never mentions it by name?

I wonder why?

I opine, you decide.

-- Willie Williams is a Siloam Springs resident. He can be reached at [email protected]. The opinions expressed are those of the author.

Editorial on 08/27/2014