What a difference a good leader makes

Three international leaders.

Three different responses.

All 3 positive.

What's it tell you?

Since President Obama became President, he has made it clear he is open to talking--talking to allies and old friends as well as people and groups perceived to be our adversaries or out and out enemies.

That said, his first goal, it seemed, was to discuss current issues with Iran's President Ahmedinajad. Recently, it seems those attempts have had a positive effect. The Iranian President and the Iranians seem to want to talk about working together to solve issues, questions and problems between the West, particularly the United States, and Iran.

The same thing seems to be happening with Cuba, the Cuban people and the Castro brothers.

It's fascinating.

The assumptions of our inability to work together and speak to one another are falling away rather quickly.

So now, today, new, incredible revelations.

President Obama and Venezualan President Hugo Chavez, who has always been considered to be purely hostile to the United States, has shown strong signs of openness to our new President and whatever his--and our--agenda is now.

It's fascinating. It really cannot be understated.

We don't have to give in.

We don't have to give away our own unique, special inerests.

But we do have to make it clear we're merely willing to talk, be open-minded and listen.

Link:
http://www.economist.com/world/mideast-africa/displayStory.cfm?story_id=13350657
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090418/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/cb_summit_obama_chavez