OPED PIECE:

Submitted to the blog by R L.

Op Ed article in Albuquerque Journal April 10, 2009 by Kathleen Parker, Syndicated Writer.
Selected Quotes Only.

Suffice to say, there is usually much talk of sabers. missiles and such.
"Speak softly and carry a big stick," was how Teddy Roosevelt framed his foreign policy.
Thus evaluating Barack Obama's first European tour as president, analysts have focused on whether he was quite manly enough.
Columnists asked whether Obama should have "grabbed an opportunity ..to demonstrate his toughness, showing his saber as well as his smile.
Verily, spoken like men.
What they're really asking is: Did Obama do justice to the fire hydrant?"
In what may prove to be an epochal development, Obama seems to have his under control. He doesn't strut, swagger or flex. He doesn't even notice the hydrant.
If George Bush was a cowboy, Obama is a group hug.
He says we should show leadership by listening. That we should show humility. This is, of course pure porn for women, But unfortunately, women don't rule the world.
Men still do and we have to worry whether Obama will be viewed as weak and the U.S. therefore, vulnerable.
We now know that he is without qualm when he finds it necessary to fire corporate chiefs. But will he be as bold when rogue nations strap on their Speedos and display their missilery, as North Korea just did?
John Bolton, former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations said the president's "hand-wringing" which is a polite way of saying Obama is "girly".
A man who listens may be perceived as weak by those who prefer to talk big. But playground wisdom holds that showoffs are usually overcompensating, and the strongest one has nothing to prove.
To answer the original question: When you're the big dog, you can afford to smile. . The saber is understood.