Obama Fails to Learn the Lessons of History

"The very foundation of the United States, without which this nation could not survive as a democracy, is that its citizens shall be kept informed, so that on the truth, and the truth alone, they may build their judgments. The public has a right to know when the executive branch of the government makes far-reaching commitments which affect millions of persons and which might seriously endanger the security of the United States. The support of the public is equally essential to our government in carrying out a policy toward other nations. The peace of the globe itself calls for the maintenance of a policy of firmness by the United States backed by military strength. History has already proved that such a policy is a far more effective deterrent of international aggression than a policy of inertia, vacillation or appeasement." (from I Saw Poland Betrayed: An American Ambassador Reports to the American People, Arthur Bliss Lane, United States Ambassador to Poland, 1944 - 1947)