Ambassador: Architecture More Important than Safety

According to a recent AP story, there is a desire for US embassies abroad to look warmer and friendlier. Victor Ashe, ambassador to Poland, says that US embassies look too much like fortresses, and not friendly. Perhaps, he says, this would make sense in Pakistan, but in friendlier nations, there shouldn't be the regulations for clearance from the road and concrete barriers.

What does Mr. Ashe believe would happen if the US built "warm and fuzzy" embassies in Western nations? The common sense answer is that the terrorist would attack US embassies in our allied nations instead of their own nations. C'mon – if they attacked us here in the US, and they attacked the Brits in Britain, why wouldn't they attack us there?

The days of important government buildings built primarily for their looks – domestic or abroad – are unfortunately over. With our enemies willing to kill themselves to kill Americans, and able to travel around this country unfettered, we need to be secure, and that might require slightly less beauty. The only way that Mr. Ashe can get prettier buildings would be for the military – and this means US military, as the rest of the UN isn't known for action – to rid the world of these terrorists. Until that time, we can look at these fortresses and feel secure.

- Ronald Rightside