Quote - > Quote - That's why one side thinks that brutal dictators can be negotiated with and talked out of their innate brutality and their driven lust for conquest & power -- while the other side realizes that such thinking is nothing more than a dangerous pipe dream:

More nonsense. Both right and left have always negotiated with brutal dictators. Even Dubya, who insists he will not, has done, and is doing, so.

Show me any modern administration that has not negotiated with brutal dictators, and I will show you an administration that never was.

If I'd said that conservative (leaning) administrations didn't negotiate with brutal dictators, then you might have a point.  But as I didn't say that -- you have no point whatsoever.  I was referring to underlying philosophies & world views: not to outwardly pragmatic political necessities.

I did however, indicate that this isn't a perfect world -- and that politics is the "Art of the Possible".  I also said a few things about having to deal with political power structures as you find them.  So -- the realities are what they are.  Keeping your powder dry is a great idea.  But thinking that you can talk Ahmadinejad into turning over a new leaf & becoming a peace-lover by merely talking to him is not only stupid: it's downright dangerous.

Something To Do At 3:00AM