Letter to the Editor 10/2

To the Editor,

It continues to astound me how Giles Howard has made a complete 180 from being… To the Editor,

It continues to astound me how Giles Howard has made a complete 180 from being President Obama’s biggest cheerleader and a champion of the American Left to suddenly espousing neo-conservatism in all its misguided glory. His latest column, “Obama mishandling Iran,”

which ran on Sept. 30, is nothing short of silly. The entire column is a rehash of American exceptionalism: America must shake its finger at Iran for their rigged elections and weapons-oriented nuclear program. America also should be “engaging … pro-democracy activists and aiding them in their attempt to establish a true Iranian republic.”

Haven’t we meddled in the Middle East enough? America has no more of a duty to “support democracy” as it does to “support indoor plumbing” when it comes to other nations.

T

here are myriad issues regarding liberty that need attention right here in the United States before we can even consider admonishing other nations. A greater adherence to the Constitution would go a long way in resolving these issues. Moreover, such adherence would help America realize that it has no power to meddle in other nations’ affairs.

This is not a call to isolationism. It is obvious that the rise of globalization makes interaction with other nations necessary and even unavoidable. However, let us recall Thomas Jefferson’s words: “Commerce with all nations, alliance with none, should be our motto.” Assuming that the people of other nations have no idea how to govern themselves is pure arrogance.

Philip DiCicco

Junior

School of Information Sciences