I’m going to do a bit of idea borrowing.

Last week, Robert Robb, an editorial writer for The Arizona Republic, very ably pointed out there are few actions this nation can take if China, for example, does something we don’t approve of such as letting Edward Snowden leave their country.

Yes we have the strongest military in the world, but that does us little or no good when such intervention can only lead to unintended consequences as it has in Iraq. This is why we have to be so cautious when it comes to deciding what actions to take in Syria and Egypt and Iran and other world hot spots.

There are those who believe we should tell other nations, “Do it our way or else!” Toughness rules. Such an attitude may have worked yesterday, but it is no longer true, as Mr. Robb pointed out in his thoughtful article, it is not because the United States is in decline but because other nations such as China are on the rise.

“Slow down, we want to be top dog” is not a reasonable or responsible position to advocate.

Consider what is occurring in this country with the election of our first black President, the rise of the minority population, equal rights for gays and lesbians. Though trivial by comparison, I don’t like the thought of Kindles replacing books.

The world is changing, the nation is changing. Attempting to find fault and place blame because our comfort zone has been exceeded is not a viable option. We must work with that which is real rather than wishful thinking tied to our selective memories regarding the past.