Flag Day

Millions of Americans will wave Old Glory from their front porches today - Flag Day proud of what it symbolizes: freedom.

Yet in Washington, Congress again plans to debate an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would "prohibit physical desecration of the flag of the United States."

Most Americans don't want to see their flag spat upon, defaced or burned. But a nation that tolerates such acts shows a profound respect for the freedoms it holds dear, especially the freedom of speech and expression. Some say that burning the Stars and Stripes is the ultimate expression of free speech, even though most of us find the message repugnant.

Supporters of the amendment say it would stop those who express hatred for freedom, insult the sacrifice of patriots and reject American principles. But limiting freedom of expression because we don't like the message represents a dangerous slippery slope.

The flag is an important symbol of national pride, but it is not more important than our cherished right to live and speak freely.

Diplomacy 101 with Iran

The willingness — or desperation — of the Bush administration to try diplomacy in pursuit of dissuading Iran from its nuclear ambitions is a welcome change of behavior.

Tehran and Washington continue to push and shove with words, but the atmosphere took a decidedly promising turn when the White House agreed to talk with the Iranian regime. The two sides are wrangling over preconditions to those discussions, but even that is a remedial kind of diplomacy for each. "Working with our international partners," U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said last week, "the United States is making every effort to achieve a successful diplomatic outcome ... "

After nearly six years of bluster at every turn, these are welcome words out of the Bush administration.

American foreign policy has been powered by a sense of exceptionalism and independence from international rules and diplomatic protocols, as if the United States did not need anyone's permission or assistance. The Iraq war demonstrated the tragic consequences and expensive and lethal limitations of such an attitude.

Iran actively chose not to be impressed. Threats and intimidation have not worked, so President Bush and his secretary of state opted for old-fashioned diplomacy. They recruited two of Iran's key benefactors and trading partners — China and Russia — plus three European leaders — Britain, France and Germany — to tell Tehran to knock it off.

Suddenly, the mouthy Iranian regime no one trusts is confronted with a diplomatic coalition of the willing — countries ready to talk and cajole and back economic sanctions, if need be.

The next step is patience, plus the willingness to apply pressure and keep it in place to stanch the hemorrhaging of Iran's nuclear ambitions.

Give or take brief chats before U.S. military action in Afghanistan and Iraq, the two countries have not talked since 1979 and the rise of the Islamic revolution and the taking of American hostages. Give this process enough time to get established before it is prematurely declared a failure.

The Bush administration is invoking diplomacy and that ought to be applauded.
(by Seattle Times)