(FinalCall.com)�During the Cold War, the formula for world peace was containment and deterrence. Today, since the Soviet Union is no more, President Bush wants the power to launch pre-emptive and defensive intervention strikes against the enemies of the "free world."

Though it is vehemently denied, the new threat to the free world is being portrayed as Islam; only it goes under the label of "Muslim extremists" and "Islamic terrorists."

The President already has voiced his desire to have the capability even at first strike nuclear attacks. Under the proposed guidelines, nuclear first strikes would be considered weapons of last resort. Imagine what will happen if that is the thinking of the leaders of Pakistan and India.

"The nature of the enemy has changed, the nature of the threat has changed, and so the response has to change," a Bush administration official said in a Washington Post article, noting that terrorists "have no territory to defend. � It�s not clear how one would deter an attack like we experienced."

That means that while there no longer is an "Evil Empire," there still exists an "Axis of Evil" and a cabal of loony terrorists who want to bring the U.S. down.

The United States needs to do what is necessary to protect its citizens and its borders, but will a "big stick" policy of "we�ll strike first" ensure that protection? Does the destruction of civil liberties mean that U.S. citizens will be protected by outside threats when some of the most egregious abuses of U.S. citizens have come from government agencies?

When will the U.S. enforce this new "strike first" policy? When U.S. "friends" suddenly become the world�s "thugs," like Osama bin Laden has become, yet he was a U.S. ally when the Mujahadeen fought the Soviet Union in Afghanistan. Or like Saddam Hussein who was a U.S. ally in his eight-year war against Iran?

Would the invasion of a defenseless Panama be called a "first strike," when the U.S. tested the Stealth Bomber on Blacks in that country when the U.S. went to arrest that country�s President Manuel Noriega?

What happens if U.S. intelligence agents uncover a plan by so-called "terrorists" in a country like Somalia to launch an attack on America? Will the U.S. lob "first strike" bombs into Somalia? What happens if the plotters are in France? Will the same set of rules apply? Let�s hope that every nation of the world does not adopt a policy like this.

Some analysts speculate that the latest announcement is a continuation of Mr. Bush�s effort to prepare the American public for an attack on Iraq. Maybe so. But it is a reckless policy that leaves U.S. allies scratching their heads.

The question that still has not been entertained with any sincerity to get past the current hysteria and very real possibility of more domestic terrorism is, why do they hate us? To get the answer to that question requires a sincere analysis of U.S. foreign policy, not saber rattling.

With the splendid performance in reaching the finals in the French Open Tennis Championship, Venus and Serena Williams have shown the world a class sister act.

Now ranked numbers one and two in the tennis world, the young ladies are a testimony to what hard work, dedication and loving parents can produce. They even said part of their victory acceptance speeches in French.

Many found it difficult to cheer on one over the other, just as it was difficult for their parents to pick one over the other. The Black community proudly claims these tennis stars as ours.

Congratulations to Venus, Serena and their proud parents. We are hopeful that they will continue to withstand the naysayers, the backbiters and the slanderers who want to break up the joy this family is bringing us through their excellence in their craft.