Arizona Republic from Phoenix, Arizona • Page 22

the Arizona Republic B6 TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2004 At last, a victory for diplomacy Trade missions worth the effort TIIE ARIZONA REPUBLIC opinions.azcentral.com We can breathe a little easier: Iran agreed to freeze its nuclear AnH imp ran thank Skeptics scoff at the value of trade missions, such as the trip Gov. Janet Napolitano recently took to London. But an idea can escalate the decision-making ladder if a i i. (JlUglcllllJ. nii inr noontiatinof the deal.

tuiupcano IUI "tj a Their next step is to work out a plan I for Iran to pull the plug i corporate poon-oan nas a meeting with the governor. Marginal permanently in excnange uw compared with tax and regulatory policy, but worth doing nevertheless. ROBERT ROBB, editorial columnist and otner incentives. diplomacy to work. For many reasons, including the burden of Iraq, force just isn't an option.

KATHLEEN INGLEY, editorial writer Editorials represent the opinion of the newspaper, whose Editorial Board consists of: Sue Clark-Johnson, Patricia Biggs, Phil Boas, Ward Bushee, Richard de Uriarte, Jenniter uoKes, Joanna nensiey, unay nemanuM, hlono Inn low Hm icr MarFarhprn inpl Dan Nowicki. Robert Robb. Paul Schatt, Linda Valdez, Ken Western and Steve Benson. I HI 1 Mm IT 00 '0001 Q)USlS 1 1 Our stand: Powell's aura of global restraint will be missed in the Cabinet ho ppnins nf Gen. Colin Powell's tenure as secre tary of State is that he personified the mission of his office.

In terms of laying the foundation for the U.S.-led invasion, Powell's presentation remains memorable for the fact that it characterized Saddam as a menace. As described by Powell, Saddam's obsession with weapons of mass destruction and his vaguely described connections to terrorists eventually could directly threaten the United States. He was compelling. Of course, the intelligence Powell presented regarding suspected stores of weapons and the laboratories that supposedly were producing Powell's task indeed, the task of any secretary of 'Artistic' license Our stand: 'Saving Private Ryan' flap has hints of TV hypocrisy Television is the master of manipulation. So be very careful how you react to the extremely high-profile decision by some ABC affiliates including Channel 15 (KNXV) not to air the Oscar-winning movie Saving Private Ryan on Veterans Consider that maybe it was a little too high profile.

The 66 stations across the country that bumped Ryan said they were afraid the FCC might come down hard on them because of the language and violence in the movie. But did they really have that much to worry about? Sen. John McCain, and Parents Television Council President Brent Bozell said showing the film would not violate FCC standards. Private Ryan was shown twice before on national television with no sanctions. Of course, that was before the FCC issued fines for the over-the-top Super Bowl halftime show that resulted in the exposure of Janet Jackson's breast.

It was also before networks and broadcasters got on their high horses about the adverse effect the threat of FCC sanctions would have on the flow of their creative juices. Truth be known, it was also before ABC launched Desperate Housewives, which features a grown woman having an affair with a high school kid, or ABC's Life as We Know It, which is about hormone-crazed high school boys. The artistic merit of these programs is breathtaking. Shelving Private Ryan likely had less to do with fear about FCC fines than concern about whether the public might be on the FCC's side when it comes to wanting a little less smut on prime time. What better way to turn the FCC into a villain than to blame this regulatory bureaucracy for keeping a movie about war heroes away from the viewing public on a day set aside to honor veterans? If you like the bad-taste stuff on TV these days, and many are watching, stay tuned.

If you think maybe it's time to exert some adult control over the adolescent minds that must be writing this "artistic" stuff, we're with you. Colin Powell faced the most difficult international turmoil since Henry Kissinger in the Nixon administration. State has been to extend the president's foreign policy overseas. No American secretary since Henry Kissinger has had to perform those duties in the face of international crises of the magnitude Powell has faced. For much of the world, certainly for much of Europe, Powell has been the "good cop" to an entire precinct full of Bush administration "bad cops." As such, he has been the essential diplomat.

With the announcement Monday of his resignation pending the approval of his Successor likely, National Security Adviser Condo-leezza Rice the valuable perceptual tension that this ladroit diplomat brought to his duties may be lost. Powell's greatest asset as a wartime secretary is that brought with him the authority of a military veteran who understood the consequences of unleashing military power. And despite Powell's "good soldier" determination to defend the post-Sept. 11, 2001, Bush doctrine overseas, his belief that war always should be the last option was always apparent. When the rumors of conflict among President Bush's advisers surfaced before the 2003 invasion of Saddam Hussein's Iraq, there was never much doubt about Powell's role in those internal debates.

He was the one ad-vising restraint. Bush would have done well to convince this good soldier to remain. Bush still needs the tension-Powell brought to his Cabinet. Perhaps now more than ever. Most of the instant analyses of Powell's tenure as sec- 1.

1 1 P. 1 MMrnMfnflAn Vaffya tVl TT NT them proved largely wrong. However, the subsequent reports published regarding Saddam's plans for re-launching his weapons programs should, in the cooler eyes of history, vindicate much regarding Powell's assessments of the dangers Saddam posed. Powell may not have made great headway in convincing many skeptical nations of his president's aggressive anti-terrorism foreign policy. Nevertheless, he has proved a superior spokesman for difficult positions.

At a meeting last fall in Washington, D.C., for a group of editorial writers, Powell described the antipathy he saw overseas toward American policies a hostility he insisted should not be construed as "anti-Americanism." "It's policies and policy choices we have made that people disagree with," Powell said. "Despite all you hear about anti-American attitudes out there, I believe there still is a good deal of comity in the world." That view of the world is what Bush will miss most. It is what America will miss most when Powell steps down. reiary maiK. ins puwenui picscuiouuii uvwv Security Council on Feb.

5, 2003, as his most memorable moment. Unfortunately, and incorrectly, many of them are characterizing that presentation as a bad thing. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Associated Press Deportation worries seem like no-brainer 1 It seems pretty ridiculous that illegal aliens -are complaining publicly in the newspaper and on TV that they are just now worried about being deported (because of) Proposition 200. If I were in any country illegally, it's a no-brainer that I would be worried all the time about being caught and deported. This just shows you how much Arizona business and government caters to illegal aliens.

No wonder we have such a big illegal-alien problem sapping Arizona taxpayer dollars. Ron Fucsell, Phoenix Prisons harden teens? Well, duh It is rather a "duh" moment to read the Sunday Republic headline "Adult prisons harden teens." We all know that treating teens like adults prepares them for an adult life. It is no surprise then to see children turning into more aggressive criminals themselves as they are subjected to our state's most violent criminals in the prisons to which they are sent. Duh! Look at the usual rush to try as an adult any youth involved in a significant crime. Regardless of the nature of the crime, for gosh sakes, these are children.

1 Have we forgotten how to raise our children, even when they are not the ideal people we want them to be? It is time we stop trying children as adults. It makes no more sense than trying adults as children. Let's try a new way and start looking at our youths as the youths they are and stop creating the next generation of rapist, robbers and murderers, as we are doing now. Mike Gerkin, Apache Junction 'Freedom' in the eye of beholder Regarding "It's just a little thing called 'freedom' (Letters, Saturday): I'm one of those "what's with the attitude among some people" folks that the writer refers to, one who takes issue with Michael Moore, Molly Ivins and other "vigorous dissenters" who aggressively promote their opinions and agendas without particular concern for accuracy or truth. Long live talk radio and the bloggers.

Robert Downey, Cavt Creek dergarten has been made. It's time for the committee to do its job and find the funding. Andrew Morrill, Phoenix The writer is vice president of the Arizona Education Association. Woman's 'manly advice' wrong Regarding "Manly advice" (Your Home, Saturday): I might have guessed this article would be written by a woman. Why continue to perpetuate the myth that men are somehow handicapped when it comes to matters of design or style? How can you possibly expect anyone to take this article seriously when it states about men: "Most would rather do anything than This must come as a great surprise to the many men who go shopping every weekend.

Yes, men do enjoy decorating and style, we like designing our home environments and we are no more "reluctant" than women to shop for anything regarding the home. And we aren't all gay, either! David McSparron, Tempt Amendment is a tool to bash gays Your Nov. 9 article regarding the proposed amendment to the Arizona Constitution banning gay marriages neglected to tell readers that the Arizona courts have ruled that gay marriage is not a constitutional right. Accordingly, you let stand unchallenged the amendment's proponents' claim that it would provide a safeguard against court rulings that could open the door for such unions The goal of the amendment is not to stop courts from saying that gay marriages are legal. The courts and Legislature have ruled that they are not.

The goal is to promote a particular religious viewpoint on homosexuality and to bash the courts. It gives social conservatives an excuse to whip up fears of gay people in speeches urging the passage of this unnecessary amendment, and to attack the judiciary. That branch of government enforces the separation of church and state. Religious conservatives hate this because it stops them from forcing all of us to follow their religious teachings. By omitting the crucial fact that proves the amendment is unnecessary, you allow its promoters to pretend they are setting public policy, when in fact they are simply looking for an excuse to trash courts and bash gays.

Bryan B. Perry, Phoenix Incompetent boss is a real burden No one should be surprised at the number of resignations from the Bush Cabinet. I worked for an incompetent boss who was in over his head. It was no fun! I quit that job, too. Phil Bacon, Scottsdale Church's money already taxed once Regarding "If churches play, let them pay" (Letters, Monday): The money I donate to my church has already been taxed by the feds.

The church gets my net cash. So how many times should they tax my money? The writer is saying I cannot give taxed money without it being taxed again. The writer is a scrooge. Joseph Stringer, Fountain Hills Exit strategy? Ask the Iraqi voters There is an easy way to get out of Iraq. With Iraqi elections coming up, all it would take is to put this question on the ballot: Do you want the Americans to stay in Iraq? The day after the election members of our military can start coming home.

-Max Seifert, Sun City Kindergarten panel missed point The charge of the legislative kindergarten study committee is to find a way to fund full-day kindergarten statewide by the 2009-10 school year. Full-day kindergarten is currently offered in schools where 90 percent of the students are low-income. It seemed to be a simple assignment until the Joint Legislative Study Committee on Full-Day Kindergarten met on Nov. 9. Rep.

Linda Gray and Rep. John Huppenthal ignored the committee's task and attempted to re-debate the merits of full-day kindergarten and whether the educational value was worth the costs. When Rep. Gray was reminded that the full Legislature had voted on the merits of full-day kindergarten by agreeing to phase it in, she abruptly adjourned the meeting. Needless to say, the reason for convening the committee to find funding for full-day kindergarten was never addressed, to the dismay of the 80 educators, parents and early-education activists in attendance.

Those of us who care about early education will be present when the committee reconvenes today. If nothing else, we will remind Chairwoman Gray that the decision to provide full-day kin The turmoil over televising Saving Private Ryan has a reader worried about "freedom." Seems our 'freedom' is falling short I think it is a shame that a "free country" cannot see a powerful film such as Saving Private Ryan on prime-time network television for fear of being fined by the Federal Communications Commission. This movie could be a great tool to teach our children how awful war can be, and with the proper introduction of the movie and its content, parents could make their own decisions on whether or not to watch this film with their children. I wish we could be the "free country" that we boast about so much, instead of everyone telling us what we can or cannot say and do. When it comes to being a "free country" we increasingly seem to be falling short of a lot of other nations.

James Wekch. Fountain Hills You fix your sandwich, I'll fix mine Regarding "What's peanut butter without the jelly?" (Letters, Saturday): I love peanut butter. I dont like jelly. The writer is certainly entitled to his opinion, but I sincerely hope President Bush does not plan to introduce a constitutional amendment to ban sandwiches that have peanut butter without jelly! Dawky Savodnik, Cottonwood Another movie, another landslide I understand that Michael Moore is planning a sequel to Fahrenheit 911. That's great.

It means another landslide for us Republicans. Michael Sansone, Phoenix YOUR VOICE COUNTS ASPER GENOVESE PrrsUrW HA KAREN FELDKAMP The Arizona Republic Founded 1890 Gannett newsoaoer Incorporating The Ptwenm Gazette VtSfT US fe afcon Hters of up to 200 or on i topic Thm be edited tor clarity and nffi Letters must inrtjde iom tame, address and a davtime phone number. I your letter selected fcr pubteiirion. i notity mi Letters to the edttot 00100 columns and articles sutrntted to Tnr ReuMc mm be pubftsned or distrrjuted prnt electronic or other terms for mcne ntermaton, cal as at (W) U-8m JON HELD Enscafnc XPAniei financial Officer leon ixvrrr Executive President WARD BUSHEE iMfAF Sewl KEN WESTERN EAfnr of the Atonal Paten ftw an fcnd arm i pst cartoons or trv aw nhr md intonwatian serwcerf The Anmnt fepuMt trdw artdrws ft LINDA GREHVE pretJmt Advrrtamf i. MICHAEL WOMACK President Circutattm KAREN CROTCHFELT PBwmrM Development BOB KOTW ASINSKI Yure PreMdenf Pmaucnm 1.

SUE CLARK JOHNSON Chairman. CkO ani Pita.T JOHN ZIDICH and fVrtuW GENE D'ADAMO PA mnmwnty Relatwm MIKE SPECTOR P0 Bar 244 PtweoH. fb0Q2 FU: (SO?) 4i4 8933 EUGENE PL LLIAM.