Quote Originally Posted by Dayuhan View Post
The problem with this of course is that any words can be twisted.
True -- but there are those that absolutely revel in all such twisting as opposed to those that merely do it on occasion for temporary advantage...
Actions, in the long run, speak louder than words...
Indeed.
...We can also make it clear in both word and action that while much is negotiable, the fate of those who attack us or shelter those who do is not.
True also. In that, consistency would be advantageous however consistency is not a hallmark of American foreign relations.

While I agree with what you say, there are those who apparently do not. That disagreement percolates and causes the inconsistency and a concomitant reluctance to allow the Intel folks to properly suss out the unkindly intentioned or the various forces and agencies of the US Government to respond rapidly and forcefully. A mixed message is often worse than no message...