Regarding John Carlson’s commentary of May 21, Renton Reporter. If he reads his own quoted words of our President, George H.W. Bush is defining the mere act of communicating with leaders we don’t like as “appeasement.” He shows this to be poor policy with the example of Kennedy meeting Khrushchev in 1961.

Mr. Carlson will no doubt enjoy reading of the similar disasters resulting from Nixon meeting Mao, Carter meeting Arafat, Eisenhower meeting Khrushchev, Reagan meeting Gorbachev, etc. Oh, wait, never mind.

The result of Mr. Carlson’s proposal would be so-called “toddler diplomacy.” That is to say, “Well then I’m not your friend anymore!” Is the U.S. really going to lose prestige by high-level communication with, say, the junta in Burma? Should we only talk to people with whom we agree? Is chatting the equivalent of giving up Czechoslovakia?

So far, “toddler diplomacy” is a big factor in our President’s abysmal reputation at home and abroad, and a reason so many Americans of every political stripe – and none – look forward to January 20, 2009.

Chris Cornuelle

Fairwood