America mending fences

President Barack Obama, who is attending the Summit of the Americas, has made headlines by having a photo-op with Venezuelan president, Hugo Chavez.

Republicans are beside themselves with grief and worry. They warn the president not to be "laughing and joking" with one of America's enemies. Let's revisit the whole scenario that led to countries, like Venezuela, becoming our enemies. I think I can sum it up easily: George W. Bush.

Barack Obama is not George Bush. The voters of the United States spoke clearly when they elected Obama to the White House. We want a new direction for America at home and around the world. That is what Obama has been doing. He has done a great job of it so far.

The United States is easing decades-old sanctions against Cuba, which have proven to be ineffective time-and-time again. Venezuela, which had its ambassador expelled by Bush, is talking about mending diplomatic ties with the United States. Mexico and the United States are openly discussing the war on drugs, which has mangled parts of Mexico and is dangerously close to America's southern border.

I know we have had eight years of war and antagonism with the rest of the world, but this is the new face of America, and it is called diplomacy.