Hagel, speaking to a small gathering at the residence of the Italian ambassador, took umbrage with several positions taken by the McCain campaign, including the Arizona Senator's criticism of Obama for pledging to engage with Iran. Engagement is not, and should not be confused for, capitulation, he argued.Hagel, being a Senator, understands the importance of engaging in discussion with people who disagree with you. After all, it's what he does every day as a Senator.
Which suggests, for me, a key reason that Americans should concentrate on negotiation and diplomacy as means of peaceful conflict resolution: we're really good at it. It's what we do. We are constantly refining our own abilities, both individually and as a country, to achieve non-violent means of resolving conflict. We have name for this. We have a structure for engaging in this process. It's called "democracy." Negotiating non-violent resolutions of conflict is the raison d'etre of democracy.
American politicians are the best in the world at negotiating with people they don't agree with because that's what they're paid to do. It's their day job. That's one reason this is a great country.
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