President Obama's decision to boycott the "Durban 2" conference is to be applauded. Although it was unclear right up to the deadline whether the US would attend, I believe that was the right and courageous decision for the US to take. This becomes even more clear after we witnessed the spectacle of Ahmadenijad spewing hatred and vile slanders today, amid some delegates leaving and others cheering. Free speech allows even despicable tyrants to speak, but it does not require anyone to listen.
I cannot help but wonder, however, how supporters of Obama, and his message of change, dialogue even with one's enemies, and a greater US engagement with the world, will judge this decision? In your opinion, was this decision consistent with Obama's message? Was it the right decision for him to have taken?
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President Obama had a very impressive weekend, and this decision suits me just fine. His overtures to Cuba and Venezuela were thoughtful and encouraging, and my goodness, his press conference from Trinidad dealing with those and other foreign policy issues was strikingly good. Not attending the U.N. Conference sends a useful contrasting message at the same time he is opening channels for talking with countries previous administrations have frozen out, including Iran. It's called nuance and maturity, and I'm a big fan.
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