Schieffer: Don't let the world question U.S. resolve
(CBS News) Put aside how we got from there to here; put aside that this may have been poorly handled.
But here we are: the President of the United States drew a line in the sand, a red line.
At this point, that may be the only good reason left for Congress to give him the authority he now asks for, to respond to Syria's use of chemical weapons.
When the President of the United States says something, the rest of the world -- our friends AND our enemies -- pay attention.
If we do not follow through, what impact will that have on North Korea or Iran the next time we warn them of dire consequences if they press on with their nuclear weapons programs?
More important, how will it be viewed by our strong allies like Japan? We have treaties that promise we will retaliate if they are attacked by nuclear powers. Will they now question our resolve?
I don't like anything about where we are. But in a dangerous world, when the United States takes a stand and then goes back on its word, we are left in an even more dangerous place.