If Barack Obama wants to be president, I would suggest he start listening to some of the men who did a real good job of it. Teddy Roosevelt, our young, energetic and fearless 26th president made the phrase “speak softly and carry a big stick” famous. These words still are true today because this nation still does face many threats from abroad.

The problem with Barack Obama’s policy is that he wants to speak loudly and only carry a stick if it would not hurt our reputation. Obama wants to sit down and talk with rogue leaders in Iran and North Korea without existing pre-conditions — a horrible idea. Does he not get that these guys are goofier than a pet coon and do not care what he has to say? Obama wants to be the great mediator, the appeaser. But you can not appease crazy, which is what the most formidable enemies of the United States are. 

Obama has the reputation of the United States before the safety of the United States, and that is a big problem. That is not to say it doesn’t matter what the world thinks of us, but we have to do what is best for us. Other countries do not have our best interests in mind and that is perfectly fine. The United States needs to make sure it looks out for itself first and the world second — harsh, but true. Obama will not have the experience to know how to do this. He is used to being babied by the media and the world and will not want to lose his standing with the rest of the world. Just another example of the way Obama is.

In contrast to Obama, McCain does know how to be commander in chief and keep this country safe. McCain calls not necessarily for more spending on defense, but smarter spending, as opposed to Obama. McCain supports putting up a missile defense system in Europe to protect us from the ever-unpredictable Mother Russia. McCain knows what it is like from first-hand experience to be put in harm’s way for this country. He can make the smart and well thought out decision about future conflicts and protect us from threats abroad. Take a lesson from Ronald Reagan, who, when faced with a rogue nation back in 1986, made sure they knew that the U.S. was not going to be pushed over. While Reagan tried to reason with the Libyan government, they would not listen. Reagan ordered a nice little air strike right in the heart of the country, and we have not had problems since. That is the type of diplomacy that keeps us safe, and that McCain will employ.

McCain knows when to talk and when it is time to flex our muscles. Obama knows how to talk.  

So the question is: Who do you want? Obama, the guy who says he can stare down rogue leaders but, avoids the big mean Fox News Channel at all costs. Or McCain, who is experienced, knowledgeable about the military and knows how to realistically deal with problems. The choice is clear: country first.

— Justan Spaid is a sophomore in history from McCallsburg.