New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson has met with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez to ask for assistance in releasing three Americans who have been held hostage in Colombia since 2003. While some American politicians will liken Hugo Chavez to a leftist demogogue, Bill Richardson was able to seize the opportunity to ask for assistance in freeing the American contractors. This is problem solving 101.
In our current political climate, it has become the norm to disengage from discussion with leaders who have opposing views and philosophies and resort to threats and pre-emptive attacks. For instance, when Barack Obama mentioned that he would engage with Iran if elected, he faced sharp criticism. Why can’t we support diplomacy and discussion before firing off missiles or words that inflame passions and beat the war drums, much like Hillary Clinton recently did when she suggested that she would obliterate Iran if they attacked Israel? Hillary Clinton’s remarks were denounced by the National Iranian American Council. Senator Arlen Spector, a Republican, even supports diplomacy with Iran.
So if Bill Richardson is a “Judas” as Team Clinton maintains, I find his recent actions to be very Christ-like. I wonder what President Bush has been doing about these hostages. Where do the families of these contractors fit into the national agenda? I haven’t heard much about this case, which is disturbing. Perhaps our leaders will start giving diplomacy more thought in the spirit of “Judas.”
9 responses so far ↓
1 PunditMom // Apr 28, 2008 at 1:12 pm
If only more politicians would take issues like this as seriously. A little humanity without a political agenda? That would be refreshing.
2 Sheila // Apr 28, 2008 at 2:23 pm
As opposed as she is to the current war, I find Hillary’s comments to be incredibly irresponsible. I don’t understand why she feels the need to provoke another adventure in misspending.
3 HispanicPundit // Apr 28, 2008 at 5:10 pm
This is why Obama’s statement was considered bad foreign policy.
4 Michaelr // Apr 29, 2008 at 12:57 pm
It’s ironic to hear those words utilized by American politicians, people who feed off the public trough and engage in corruption and immoral behavior often with the sleight of hand. Bill Richardson serviced in the Clinton White House…how does that make him obligated to Hillary Clinton? Was she the President too?
5 kyledeb // Apr 29, 2008 at 4:03 pm
While the Democrat Primaries have certainly given me hope, it’s issues like the ones you bring up here with Obama and Clinton that make me feel like nothing is change. I can’t think of a U.S. President that has been good on foreign policy and I don’t know if there will be one in my lifetime.
6 PMG! // May 7, 2008 at 8:26 pm
Gov. Richardson has a long standing tradition in helping Americans abroad, including our soldiers. He’s even traveled to much more dangerous places than Venezuela…
http://www.freenewmexican.com/news/48929.html
Great man for a VP…
7 Wendy Carrillo // May 14, 2008 at 5:00 pm
i think bill richardson would make an awesome secretary of state that will leave people saying condoleezza who?
i say hooray for judas!
8 Irma // Jun 18, 2008 at 7:39 am
Bill Richardson turned his back on the people who made his political career. If I were Obama, I would
stay as far away from that opportunist as possible.
A president needs LOYALTY , Bill Richardson doesnt know the meaning of the word.
9 A real independence day for U.S. Hostages held by Colombian Rebels, Gracias to Governor Richardson // Jul 4, 2008 at 3:32 pm
[...] few months ago, I wrote about Governor Bill Richardson’s negotiation efforts to free some American hostages being held in Co…. Last week Governor Richardson was planning on returning to Colombia to continue the negotiations, [...]
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