AND THE WORDS - AT 8:08 A.M. ET:  Okay, our first post this morning was a little joke.  In fact, the president did say some things in his acceptance speech that were worthy and appropriate, and we're delighted by that.  We give credit where it's due here:

As someone who stands here as a direct consequence of Dr. King’s life’s work, I am living testimony to the moral force of non-violence. I know there is nothing weak –nothing passive – nothing naïve – in the creed and lives of Gandhi and King.

But as a head of state sworn to protect and defend my nation, I cannot be guided by their examples alone. I face the world as it is, and cannot stand idle in the face of threats to the American people. For make no mistake: evil does exist in the world. A non-violent movement could not have halted Hitler’s armies. Negotiations cannot convince al Qaeda’s leaders to lay down their arms. To say that force is sometimes necessary is not a call to cynicism – it is a recognition of history; the imperfections of man and the limits of reason.

Good.  Very good.  The California delegation to the House just fainted.

Yet the world must remember that it was not simply international institutions – not just treaties and declarations – that brought stability to a post-World War II world. Whatever mistakes we have made, the plain fact is this: the United States of America has helped underwrite global security for more than six decades with the blood of our citizens and the strength of our arms.

Very, very good.  I like this.  Is the man learning? 

The service and sacrifice of our men and women in uniform has promoted peace and prosperity from Germany to Korea, and enabled democracy to take hold in places like the Balkans. We have borne this burden not because we seek to impose our will. We have done so out of enlightened self-interest – because we seek a better future for our children and grandchildren, and we believe that their lives will be better if other peoples’ children and grandchildren can live in freedom and prosperity.

And...

First, in dealing with those nations that break rules and laws, I believe that we must develop alternatives to violence that are tough enough to change behavior – for if we want a lasting peace, then the words of the international community must mean something. Those regimes that break the rules must be held accountable. Sanctions must exact a real price. Intransigence must be met with increased pressure – and such pressure exists only when the world stands together as one.

And...

I believe that peace is unstable where citizens are denied the right to speak freely or worship as they please; choose their own leaders or assemble without fear. Pent up grievances fester, and the suppression of tribal and religious identity can lead to violence. We also know that the opposite is true. Only when Europe became free did it finally find peace. America has never fought a war against a democracy, and our closest friends are governments that protect the rights of their citizens. No matter how callously defined, neither America’s interests – nor the world’s –are served by the denial of human aspirations.

And get this:

Ronald Reagan’s efforts on arms control and embrace of perestroika not only improved relations with the Soviet Union, but empowered dissidents throughout Eastern Europe. There is no simple formula here. But we must try as best we can to balance isolation and engagement; pressure and incentives, so that human rights and dignity are advanced over time.

COMMENT: The entire text is available here, through the courtesy of Andrew Malcolm at the L.A. Times's Top of the Ticket blog.

This is the best speech Barack Obama has given as president, vastly superior to his minor effort at West Point last week.  In this speech he begins to confront the inanities of his political left.  Is it the start of some desirable change in the Obama administration?  Or is it just a ploy to boost poll ratings?  We cannot yet say.  But, on balance, this is a very worthy speech.  Many of the quotes could have come from Jack Kennedy or George W. Bush. 

For the first time, Barack Obama has gone to a foreign country and given a speech we can be proud of.  I hope it marks change we can believe in.  We'll look carefully, and judge sternly.

December 10, 2009