Opinion
Apple pie diplomacy at embassies
By: Jeff Dufour and Patrick W. Gavin
Washington Examiner
11/14/08 12:05 AM EST
 |
Speaking Thursday morning about how to repair the United States' image abroad, former Clinton adviser Paul Begala and former Bush speechwriter Michael Gerson agreed that a "diplomacy of deeds" is the best way for America to boost its standing in the world, citing instances such as our response to the earthquake in Pakistan and the cyclone in Myanmar. They might not have been talking about dessert, as one activist group seemed to be.
CodePink, the self-described "peace and social justice movement working to end the war in Iraq," traveled around D.C. on Thursday in pink-painted vans, visiting the embassies of five countries with which America could use better relations — Cuba, Syria, Venezuela, Bolivia and Iran.
During each of the embassy stops, a representative from the group, dressed as Uncle Sam, presented each country's ambassador (or representative as was the case at the Venezuelan Embassy due to America exiling him out of the country, and vice versa) with an apple pie, a bouquet of flowers and a signed poster of peace. Uncle Sam made sure to tell Ambassador Imad Moustapha of Syria that he makes a "much better friend than enemy." The group even sang "Take Me Out to the Ball Game"!
Now that's a diplomacy of deeds.
More from Jeff Dufour
Follow The Examiner
