Editorial: Two ships that pass in the night

Washington was preparing for vacation by trying to debunk Obamacare despite the inevitable futility. Wisconsin teachers took vacation a week early with protests to their Governor’s budget plans. A Scottish Deer Hound named Hickory walked away with Westminster’s Best in Show. And quietly two ships passed in the night and will change the world.

For the first time since 1979 Iranian warships have been given permission by Egypt to sail the Suez Canal. Two ships armed with missiles are headed for Syria. As Egypt displayed its new alliance with the terrorist state of Iran, and as Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman pronounced the act as a “provocation” by Iran and begged the international community to “speedily” take action, the Obama administration did, what it does best, nothing.

First the State Department said it was “skeptical” and then it had “concerns.” And finally the White House explained that it was “monitoring” the situation. While Washington was giving the Obama-stare or the Obama-glare or perhaps the Obama-I-don’t-care, Egypt continued having some more firsts. A Sunni Sheik delivered his first public address in 50 years, in Cairo. He is banned from the United States and Great Britain for aiding violence against Israel and America.

The military, which now runs Egypt, banned striking Egyptians from that democratic activity. It also recognized the Wasat party, an Islamic group tied to the Muslim Brotherhood. In Tunisia, where all the Arab democratization began, anti-Jewish rallies were held outside the main synagogue by Moslems chanting, “Jews wait, the army of Mohammed is coming back.” There are additional reports from Tunisia of a Torah and a synagogue being burned.

Obama’s long awaited physical presence in the State of Israel is clearly a non-starter event. But his state of mind concerning Israel’s continued presence in the world is clearly one of apathy at best and sympathy toward Moslem extremists at worst. Where is he? Perhaps he cannot throw on a flak jacket and jump out of a plane over the Suez. And yes he has to watch his diplomatic tongue concerning the Arab region during these volatile times of Middle East transformation. But in between his vacations, his concerts honoring Paul McCartney, his post-shellacking maneuvers and coaching his daughter’s basketball team, he can open his mouth.

What should he say? He should say: “Israel is one of America’s strongest allies. We share common values, and fight common enemies in the form of violent extremism. The people of Israel have sacrificed for the sake of peace and stability. With change coming rapidly to the Middle East, the United States is committed to standing by our close ally to maintain peace and stability in the region.”

That’s exactly what the new Speaker of the House John Boehner asserted to Israel last week. He figured out that there was growing instability, that violent extremism was an imminent threat and that a strong friend and ally needed a public statement of assurance.

John Boehner should be extolled for his thoughtfulness to a friend and his great diplomatic courage in the face of the world while the president, as he sits back, should take a lesson from a seasoned leader.

And so two ships pass in the night. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow concludes his famous poetry: “On the ocean of life, we pass and speak one another, only a look and a voice; then darkness again and a silence.” It is clear that as we journey through these rough waters we only have a “look and a voice.” The president’s got the look; but a voice is needed. Even the Scottish Deer Hound who won Best in Show did some barking.