Re: Walk softly, and carry a big stick.
<Serious diplomatic efforts should not be confused with sabre-rattling public statements. It's ok and consistent to favor the one and criticize the other.
Maybe saber-rattling is useful, maybe not. Still, it's worth pointing out that diplomacy ain't worth shit unless you have some kind of threat of force to back it up. Either military or economic. Otherwise, you are so much background noise to the people you are trying to convince.