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[DSanner106 AT aol.com]

If you are feared, you can afford to be liked. By this I mean, for example, 
 the biggest kid
on the block can be nice to whomever he wants, be relaxed all the time, let 
 his guard down
and not worry about what others think. The weaker you are, the less  
everyone else fears you
the more on guard you are all the time. You have to measure your words and  
have to try
really hard to be friends with all the right people. If you have to make  
friends with everyone
else that means making concessions and giving them all sorts of  things.
 
The fine line that must be walked though, is that the nicer you are, the  
more concessions
you make, the more you capitulate, the weaker your image becomes. Others  
begin to assume
you are doing this because you are afraid to confront them and they start  
to demand things
and begin trying to bully you. This is why the image of Obama in Russia and 
 Iran is that he 
is a weakling President. Leaders in both countries have weighed in with  
that opinion. 
 
In short, you need a measure of both. speak softly and carry a big stick is 
 still as appropriate
today as it was in Roosevelts day.
 
Drew
 
 
 
In a message dated 9/22/2009 5:31:37 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,  
erthnsky AT bellsouth.net writes:

Here’s  my question to you: Is it more important for an American 
president to be  liked or feared outside the  country?