John M. Tomaszewski – 3/16/07

This page was last updated on March 17, 2007.

Paying for policy blunders; John M. Tomaszewski; Beaver County Times; March 16, 2007.

Since September 2004, this is at least the 18^th letter from Mr. Tomaszewski spouting liberal talking points, with most bashing Republicans and/or President Bush.

Below is a detailed critique of the subject letter.

“A foreign policy of containment, diplomacy and strong military did us well in the Cold War.”

[RWC] I wonder if it ever occurred to Mr. Tomaszewski that different enemies require different tactics. I could be mistaken, but I don’t recall Red China or the Soviet Union blowing up our embassies or carrying out 9/11 attacks on us.

I also recall two wars – Korean and Vietnam – to hold back communism.

“This foreign policy was discarded by the Bush administration for a policy of tough talk, ‘Axis of Evil’ hype, pre-emptive strike wars and an attempt to impose our ideology on other nations.”

[RWC] Note Mr. Tomaszewski didn’t tell name the “ideology” we’re allegedly trying “to impose … on other nations.” I wonder if Mr. Tomaszewski opposed imposing “our ideology” on Germany, Italy, and Japan after World War II.

“This is a wrong, erroneous policy that has got us into two terrible wars, weakened our military, created hatred for us around the world and increased our national debt to an unheard of level that will be a burden for generations to come.”

[RWC] Since Mr. Tomaszewski appears to believe “containment” was successful and we were universally loved around the world, let’s do a brief recap.

·        1979: Muslims take over the U.S. embassy in Tehran and hold the 50+ Americans for 444 days.

·        1983: Hezbollah blows up the U.S. embassy in Beirut killing 17 Americans and 46 others.

·        1983: Hezbollah blows up the Marine barracks in Beirut killing 241 Americans.

·        1986: Libya blows up a nightclub in Berlin, killing two U.S. servicemen and injuring more than 50.

·        1988: Libya blows up Pan Am 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, killing 270 (189 Americans).

·        1993: World Trade Center - six dead civilians

·        1993: U.S. peacekeepers in Somalia - 18 dead soldiers

·        1996: Khobar Towers military barracks in Saudi Arabia - 19 dead soldiers

·        1998: On February 23^rd, Osama bin Laden declared war on the United States.

·        1998: U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania - 224 dead African civilians

·         2000: USS Cole - 17 dead sailors

·         2001: September 11^th attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and foiled attack on another unknown Washington, DC, target – approximately 3,000 dead civilians

These were only the “successful” attacks.

Yep, it’s clear. Containment worked and we were universally loved around the world until President Bush said enough is enough after 9/11/2001.

Does Mr. Tomaszewski actually believe what he writes?