If You Show Me Your Friends, I'll Show You Your Future.

The United States Government may be making a HUGE leap toward the support of gay rights through their new evaluation of the nations that they have relations with. The standards of our foreign policy may soon be changing.

The country of Uganda's President, Yoweri Museveni, is under international criticism from the United States and many other countries after he approved a law imposing cruel punishments for homosexuality. Some are even as severe as punishing same-sex relations with up to life in prison. Republican Senator John McCain has responded by saying, "It's outrageous. It's wrong. And it ought to, and I'm sure it will, affect our relations with that country." He has even been sited as calling the law a violation of human rights. Another well-known political figure, White House Press Secretary Jay Carney, has made his opinion known by calling the law "abhorrent" and saying the country "took a step backward" with the law as he urged it's repeal. Still there are some U.S. law makers that are reviewing the law more closely before they make their judgement calls. When pressed for a reaction to the law South Carolina Senator, Lindsey Graham, stated "Africa is a continent in peril. The problem in Uganda with AIDS and, you know, kids starving: Do we deny economic aid to the developing world in Africa, which could be an ally, over an issue like this? I'm not so sure that is the right answer."

Regardless of the countless opinions on this event, a review of the relationship with the country has already been confirmed by State Department Spokeswoman, Jen Psaki.

"Now that this law has been enacted, we are beginning an internal review of our relationship with the government of Uganda to ensure that all dimensions of our engagement, including assistance programs, uphold our anti-discrimination policies and principles and reflect our values."

What's that old saying our parents drilled into our heads as children? "Show me your friends and I'll show you your future." The United States needs to definitely stand by the policies and values that our country has set. We should make sure that the countries we involve ourselves with and invest our efforts in countries share the same ideals as us. The U.S. has been making amazing advances in the support of gay rights and anti-discrimination support. Continuing to have foreign relations with countries that are imposing laws that support opposite effects would be a tremendous loss on our part. Uganda may be in need of support from a major donor like the United States (a reported 1.6 billion a year from in total financial assistance), but that is no excuse for the views points that the country is spreading throughout it actions.

If the country really wants to continue to have the alliance with the U.S., it will change its policies. Otherwise, the decision to cut ties can just benefit our country by showing its citizens that it is willing to make changes to protect them from the distorted values of foreign countries.