Former rep talks foreign policy

Because of the large turnout for former Congressman Lee H. Hamilton's lecture, "American Foreign Policy and You," Monday afternoon, Monroe County Public Library's auditorium space was designated standing-room only. The talk, a year-long effort sponsored by the Monroe County and IU Libraries, was designed to help citizens realize the importance of foreign policy in everyday life, said coordinator and IU faculty member Kate Cruikshank.\nCruikshank, a policy papers specialist who created a coordinating exhibit on Hamilton for the Lilly Library, said Hamilton's 33 years serving Indiana's 9th District, service on foreign affairs committees and work with the Camp David peace accords makes him an ideal speaker on the subject. Hamilton is also director of the IU Center on Congress. \n"He's been back there behind the scenes, so he knows what he's talking about," Cruikshank said.\nShe said that often times at speeches, people can't determine Hamilton's political affiliation, which is Democrat. \nBloomington Mayor Mark Kruzan gave an introduction and said Hamilton, a graduate of the IU law school, was the vice chair of the 9-11 Commission and served on the Iran-Contra committee.\nHamilton opened his speech by discussing the importance of foreign policy. \n"The choices we make in foreign policies have a profound impact on your daily life," he said. \nHamilton said when he stressed the importance of foreign affairs to former President Bill Clinton, he wasn't taken seriously. From there, he said the consequences of American foreign policy choices resulted in the nation's three current wars: one in Afghanistan, one in Iraq and one globally against terrorism.\nHamilton highlighted the different choices that could be made in nuclear armament, trade, genocide, energy and pre-emptive attacks. He added that the security and safety of Americans were at stake.\n"The choices you make define the kind of country we are," he said. "We stand for principle. Should we force our principles on others, and how?"\nIU student James Mann said he thought the lecture was interesting but had one unfulfilled expectation.\n"I was hoping for more specifics about what our country should be doing," he said.\nPhilip Duncan, an outreach specialist for the IU Center on Congress, said he was thrilled with the attendance.\n"The Q&A was very lively and very broad-ranging," he said.\nDuring the question and answer session, Hamilton said he believed President George W. Bush thought early intelligence regarding weapons of mass destruction in Iraq was true. He said the consequences of ignoring nuclear capabilities are unimaginable. To further questions, he provided a caveat on the topic.\n"I think there is too much politicalization of intelligence," he said.\nHamilton stressed that there are always alternatives in American foreign policy, and that Americans must live with the consequences of them. He also said issues should be not only for the elites, but for all citizens to consider.\n"To govern is to choose, and choices have consequences," he said. "We need to think a little bit harder on the roads we choose in American foreign policy"