There is a phrase in the business world, “putting out fires.” These words usually refer to an event that if left alone will spread throughout a company and could potentially destroy the business.

General William Sherman, a Union General during the Civil War, was successful in pulling off the strategy of literally setting fires across Georgia that could not be put out. In 1864, General Sherman marched with his men from Atlanta to Savannah, burning everything in sight. Sherman’s strategy proved to be one of the major turning points in seeing the Union troops win against the Southern troops in our Civil War.

Throughout history, we have known of the war strategy of burning the homes, factories, and farmland of the enemies as a means to bring victory in battle. Today’s wars are fought with high-tech weapons, but it seems the old plan of setting fires that cannot be put out is working on the world scene. Each time the news pictures are seen across the media, we are seeing the burning of our embassies in other countries.

The confusion and mixed messages from the current administration in Washington about calling the attack on the embassy in Libya a terrorist attack, resulting in the deaths of four Americans and the destruction of American property inside Libya, has shown the weakness of the policy that has been practiced for more than three years as part of the “hope and change” spin from this White House.

The Unites States Ambassador to the United Nations (the most useless organization on earth) made the rounds on the “talking heads” news programs last week to announce the official position of not calling the terrorist attack on our embassy terrorism. Late in the week, however, the new signal seemed to indicate that the Obama Administration was willing to admit terrorism was involved in the attack. There might have been a clue concerning the heinous attack since it occurred on September 11, but that fact seemed to be missed by the advisors in the White House. 

What do the events occurring more than halfway around the world have to do with Barrow County’s citizens? As tax paying, law abiding voters we need to know that the international policy of apology and appeasement has not worked to put out the fires of dislike, distrust, and disdain held by much of the world against our nation.

The opposite seems to be true, however, that the policy of apology and appeasement has been seen as showing weakness and that America will not defend against enemy attacks on our representatives anywhere in the world.

A swift and clear message must be sent to any who would attack us that we will defend and not bend or break going forward.

From where I stand we are watching the current policy go up in smoke bearing in mind that it is gone with the wind as we see the fires being set by our enemies across the globe.

Follow Ray Newman on Twitter @RayNewmanSr