Recent events in the US taking out Osama Bin Laden hinted of strong resolve.  Paradoxically, Barack Obama's position re Israel vs. the so-called Palestinians showed an absolute lack of resolve.

My dictionary tells me that resolve means "to come to a definite or earnest decision about; determine (to do something): I have resolved that I shall live to the full."

In the history of the US there have been periods of resolve, to the full.  The Cuban missile crisis in 1962 was a matter of resolve, no matter what.

Ironically it was a liberal, Democratic government that managed the job to face off the Russians and the Cubans.  A potential mega-incident was avoided through sheer resolve.

From a distance, in global and if I might say objective terms: the US remains weak.  It is a well-known fact that so-called freedom fighters delight when a Democrat is elected as US President.

This should be no surprise.  Traditionally the Democrats have been a bunch of wimps while the Republicans have been seen as hawks by the world.

Resolve is about global perspective.  The countries in Europe have shown resolve as and when it suits them, but its present governments have mostly shown they are wimps.

No matter what Barack Obama says from the White House podium, he's playing the game to please the world and win an election.  He will show little resolve for the USA, when it comes to the crunch.

General Hayden's view about interrogation deniers (like Obama) is quite relevant here.  I hope that the evidence will show that Osama Bin Laden was killed through ruthless resolve.

In fact, it was quite sobering to observe, from a distance in South Africa, Pres. Obama and Hillary Clinton taking credit for this historical hit while they have resisted this cause -- with such vengeance.

What is the character of a man like Barack Obama, to take credit for the killing of Osama Bin Laden, while giving little credit to Gen. Hayden and his predecessors for showing resolve when it really mattered?

My point is that, no matter what the liberal media will have the USA believe, the terrorists understand one simple language -- the will of Americans to be consistent it its resolve, or not.

Of course the USA is not the only country with a populist government.  Here in Africa we have wimps with a lot more resolve than Barack Obama -- Zimbabwe is a prime example.

No regrets here.  Even this past week the so-called liberation ANC movement sent Pres. Zuma (who has been married 5 times and has 20 children) to dine with some weirdo called Moammar Gaddafi.

Does America still have resolve?  Somehow 9/11 galvanised the people of the USA to stand in strong resolve against a common enemy.  Just to see it wasted 2 elections later.

Since then the waters got a bit murky.  Bush screwed up re weapons of mass destruction -- never mind that he removed a Muslim despot from power -- and Michael Moore made a fortune.

Yes, the positive of democracy is to remove a despot from power, not that Bush ever was close to being one.  The downside is that strong leaders can and will be replaced by wimps like Barack Obama.

The question is: will the American people shift the balance of power?  If Barack Obama wins another term of office then the world will think that the USA is a nation of wimps.

And maybe the world will be right.

Nicolouw M. Kruger lives in South Africa.