Trudy Rubin. The Philadelphia Enquirer

September 17, 2008

Trudy Rubin
The Philadelphia Enquirer
400 North Broad Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19130

RE: Treaty obligations as commented on in your column in the Miami Herald today.

Ms. Rubin,

“Sarah Palin says we might have to go to war with Russia over Georgia.
I don’t really hold her responsible for this astonishing remark.”
The Miami Herald
Today
You

Perhaps you’ve forgotten. For treaties to become law they must be confirmed by 2/3rds of the Senate. A long and sometimes contentious process is necessary before this country commits to it. Versailles? Rejected. SALT 2? Kyoto? Never submitted.

Perhaps you’ve forgotten. In 1960 there was a contentious foreign policy issue in the Presidential campaign. Perhaps you’ve forgotten your geography. Quemoy and Matsu are in sight of mainland China. They flew the flag of Taiwan. Mainland China used to bombard them on an odd/even bombing schedule to show their humanity. There was a question of whether or not the United States would go to war with Red China over them. Senator Kennedy said

“Any place is defensible if free men choose to do so.”

Perhaps I’ve forgotten. Refresh my memory. The difference between Quemoy and Matsu and Georgia is…is…what?

In 1805 a United States war ship was anchored in Tunisia. There was ongoing domestic unrest. The wife of an American citizen was in danger. The Captain asked, “Do you want the protection of the American flag?” She said, “Yes.”

Perhaps you’ve forgotten. Were we not told that “we will pay any price, bear any burden in defense of liberty”? We don’t get to pick and choose the places to keep our promises. Perhaps you’ve forgotten.