I acknowledge that international diplomacy is tough. There are shades of meaning and behind-the-scenes agreements that are often withheld from the average American citizen.

This is particularly true when confronted with the task of selecting the better of two evils. The current situations in Egypt and in Syria are examples of such. In Egypt, Mubarak was bad and the alternative (a government run by the Muslim Brotherhood) was just as bad and possibly worse. In Syria, we all recognize that Assad is just another middle eastern thug who wants nothing more than to hold on to power. Once again, however, the alternative is a group of rebels led by the Muslim Brotherhood.

What makes these choices so difficult is the very nature of the alternatives. We know about dictatorship. It is not a form of government we admire or respect nor should we encourage. On the other hand, just how much does the average American know about the Muslim Brotherhood? Their website declares that they are tolerant and that they reject violence. Hogwash! Those pronouncements are for the most gullible and naïve. The Muslim Brotherhood supports Hamas, an organization committed to terrorism. Egyptian President Morsi, a member of the Brotherhood, openly and blatantly attacks anyone who is not a Muslim. He is vehemently anti-Israel and has stated his intention to erase it from the map. In short, the Muslim Brotherhood is anti-Israel, anti-women’s rights, anti-Christian and anti-American. Yes, anti-American! We are the infidels who must convert or be exterminated.

Still, the United States continues to send monetary support (foreign aid) to Egypt and recently the Obama administration has sent 20 F 16 fighter jets to Egypt. Mr. Obama has declared himself to be a Christian, a supporter of Israel and an advocate of women’s rights. These are things that most Americans can agree with. Why, then, would he knowingly support a group that is vehemently anti-American and against all those things that Mr. Obama says he believes in? Either he truly does not believe in those things, or he is too gullible and naïve to be president of the United States and Commander in Chief of our armed forces.

Ford McLain

LaGrange