John Quincy Adams July 4, 1821 address to Congress:

[Xicano]

"She (America) has abstained from interference in the concerns of others, even when conflict has been for principles to which she clings, as to the last vital drop that visits the heart. She has seen that probably for centuries to come, all the contests of...the European world, will be contests of inveterate power, and emerging right. Wherever the standard of freedom and Independence has been or shall be unfurled, there will her heart, her blessings and her prayers be.

But she goes not abroad, in search of monsters to destroy. She is the well-wisher to the freedom and independence of all. She is the champion and vindicator only of her own. She will commend the general cause by countenance of her voice, and the kind sympathy of her example.


http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:zHVr_bXYfpYJ:204.184.153.3/users/rbrallier/chap09/psource_2.pdf+July+4,+1821,+address+to+Congress&hl=en&gl=us&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEEShaU4N0hnIQB5k385of-J4Xcp7bZhBzHZGkHqLgYVWykk_klIinqGJdeaSLEJBGtn-LYHH7zHlR6_ITly5p73FIHKAzQjrCY3c2EHDcJYFXLA7c1yHffwlVlUP9ZUrGnwzcS-FV&sig=AHIEtbSmFfhE2guOLZ9BGE-MsdctVDgR1A

[Davis_X_Machina]

1. The country...

...Adams apostrophizes had warships cruising off the west coast of Africa as he spoke, pursuant to various international agreements, as part of an international squadron for the suppression of the slave trade.

[DefenseLawyer]

2. Commie n/t

[EFerrari]

6. Adams, Nader, they sound so much alike.

[barbtries]

3. if only...

peace.

[demosincebirth]

4. We were "all hat and no cattle."

[johnroshan]

5. Non-Interference doesn't always work for the best.

There will always be a time when we would need to stand up for those who are oppressed, speak for them, and sometimes, even fight with them. I think the UN showed a lot of restraint in Libya's case. Gaffadi crushed so many cities, bombed so many civilians and threatened to show "No Mercy" to the opposition in Benghazi, at which point the decision for military action was decided by the UN. Its not just the US which is acting. It is approved by the UN.