By now, every publication and media source has taken an in-depth look at the invasion of Pananma.

And, by now, almost everyone has formed an opinion about the event.

One man’s opinion really struck me as, well, unique.

This man is well-known by his colleagues for being radical and opinionated. Yet he is also an eloquent and intelligent speaker.

And a loud one.

The 14 other gentlemen at the table had been avoiding asking Professor Woodstock anything all night, so he was relatively quiet—until I decided to ask him what he thought of the Panama invasion.

“The United States,” he began, “has no rights outside of its boundaries. None!”

All 14 men—and a couple of neighboring tables—stopped talking, and turned their attention to the professor. I’m not sure if it was because of their respect and interest for him, or because they couldn’t hear their own conversation over ours.

ow can you say that, when the drug trafficking directly affects the U.S.?

I was shot a couple of dirty looks for that question. And a couple of pleading ones.

“First of all, young man,” the professor said, “the drug problem is not in Panama—or any other country—it is within the United States. Demand breeds supply.

“The United States is not quelching that demand. If the U.S. really wanted to stop drug trafficking, we would invade our own states and cities. We would invade Mexico or Canada!

“Besides, like I said, the U.S. has no rights outside of its boundries.

“What if the Vatican sent the Swiss Army to invade and destroy all of our condom factories?”

There were a few smirks, and a couple of “SHHs” from the table. I looked up and saw that the waitress and busboy were listening now.

Oh, c’mon. It’s not even comparable!

“Certainly it is,” he cried. “It is an excellent parallel. But instead of mortal lives, you are dealing with immortal, or eternal life! It seems to me that the Catholic Church would have more justification for invading our condom factories than we do in invading Panama!”

An elderly couple at a nearby table got up and left.

“Alex, do you know the real reason for the invasion?” Professor Woodstock asked me, lowering his voice a little.

Well, I thought I did, but I think I am about to find out I was wrong.

“It was a test,” he said, nodding his head confidently. “President Bush was ‘testing the waters’ to see how the American people reacted to this type of military action.”

“Because the real target is not Panama, or General Noriega. It’s Nicaragua.

“And you know what? President Bush gained immense popularity because of the invasion. According to the polls, the ‘waters’ are clear. Guess what’s next?”

What was so impressive about the professor’s views was not necessarily what he said, but that what he did say appeared to be well thought out.

That is what makes his opinion so unique.