Administration refuses to use diplomacy to solve conflicts with countries it deems enemies.

Last month, the chief U.S. negotiator with North Korea wanted to meet privately with his North Korean counterpart, hoping he could persuade Pyongyang to return to talks on eliminating its nuclear weapons program.

But the meeting between U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill and North Korean Vice Premier Kim Kye Gwan on the sidelines of a conference in Tokyo never took place.
Hill's superiors in Washington forbade him from talking directly to the North Koreans, said three U.S. officials, a conference participant and another knowledgeable expert. All requested anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue.

The Bush administration also is refusing to talk directly with Iran about its nuclear program, with Syria about Middle East security and the infiltration of terrorists into Iraq, and, like Europe, with the Palestinian government led by Hamas, which it considers a terrorist organization.

This approach to diplomacy is drawing criticism.

Do we really need any more proof that our country is being led by a "shoot first, ask questions later" crowd, bent on creating conflict throughout the world? George Bush is trying to shuffle in Armageddon and he will succeed if others do not step in to stop him.

You know Ronald Reagan helped to end the Cold War by talking to the leader of a country that he once labeled as "evil". This president cannot even bring himself to entertain the idea that conflict should be avoided. That would mess up his fundamental belief that he is a man of destiny.

Apparently that destiny is the destruction of our world!