December 3, 2004
President Bush's visit to Canada was important in a number of ways.
First, he again noted that the fight against terrorism is not America's alone, but is the battle of all free nations and those wishing to be free.
Then he said something that bears remembering and repeating.
He said he was not interested in process as much as he is interested in results.
Clearly this was a rebuke to the United Nations and those within the state department who believe that diplomacy is an end and not a means to an end.
The president believes in the end and the means to get there is less import ant than the objective.
He is right.
He summed it up well this way: "the success of multilateralism is measured not merely by following a process, but by achieving results.
The objective of the U.N. and other institutions must be collective security, not endless debate."
For many diplomats, the end is the means.
They enjoy the process more than any results.
In fact, too many don't care about results.
The president does.
Now let's hope he can convince others.
In New York, I'm Cal Thomas.
Cal Thomas is a nationally syndicated columnist based in Washington, D.C. Watch his television show, After Hours with Cal Thomas, on the Fox News Channel, Saturdays at 11 p.m. Eastern Time.
