[IAF ThunderPilot]

Freepers, what do you think about it?

[AppyPappy]

Chamberlain met with Hitler.

[asformeandformyhouse]

Freepers, what do you think about it?

I've always hated their music.

[conservativebabe]

Abbas, Arrafat, what's the difference?

[Convert from ECUSA]

Feh! Bush doesn't speak for many Americans. I wouldn't invite Abbas to a sewer-cleaning contest. I expect Bush and Company will start putting real pressure on Israel. This looks too much like Munich in 1938.

Churchill warned then that it was suicide to undermine a strategic ally. Nobody listened to him then, and I don't think anyone is listening how. Those that don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it. IMO, Abbas is just Arafat in an expensive Italian suit. Says one thing to the western media and something else in the Arabic media. Same ole same ole.

[trebb]

I think it's a good thing to get to tell him face-to-face that he can only have signifigance if he stops the terror.

After that, I wouldn't want to hear of him getting a second invite unless he actually does it. Of course, he probably wouldn't survive a real attempt, but the Prez is right in the initial invite.

[KMC1]

Israel seems hopeful...at least their ambassador to the U.S. said so this morning...

[killjoy]

Freepers, what do you think about it?

Good move. I think it will put a lot of pressure on him. Various groups in the Middle East will not like him meeting with President Bush. This will cause them to step up efforts against him and force him to react.

[Publius6961]

Another Bush faux pas.

I voted for him and would probably vote for him again, considering the likely alternative.

Screwups like this one, however, tend to accumulate. It blows my mind that he would invite a "winning" candidate elected by killers who used weapons and fired into the air (in at least one instance) to cut in line at one voting place.

How much will it take and how long, before it becomes obvious beyond ignoring that these subhumans don't deserve diplomatic discussions?

[Bahbah]

"It's a proof of responsibility and maturity that the Palestinians have given,"

I wouldn't get all warm and fuzzy about this, Barnier. There is no such "proof." I would not be surprised if Abbas showed up at the White House. Most Americans would very much like to see the Palis stop blowing up Israelis and if this helps, fine. My major concern right now is that the murders will continue and everyone will say we need to give Abbas a chance to try and control his people and this will go on for a while until it becomes clear that we have another Arafat on our hands. I wonder what we'll do then.

[SJackson]

If you'd like to be on this middle east/political ping list, please FR mail me.

[expatguy]

Is this from the Onion?

An Amerrican Expat in Southeast Asia

[M Kehoe]

Freepers, what do you think about it?

If Abbas stops the suicide/homicide bombers, the rocket attacks, etc., then maybe you can deal with him. Otherwise, it's the sos, just a different day.

5.56mm

[sarah_f]

Another career arab muslim terrorist is invited to the White House.

The only outcome will be pleasing arab terrorists and muslim terrorists around the planet.

Good call.

[sarah_f]

"No incident, a strong turnout: It's a proof of responsibility and maturity that the Palestinians have given," Barnier was quoted as telling French daily newspaper Le Parisien.

======

No.... it reflects the 20 million dollar cash bribe Bush gave Abbas right after arabrat's death and the promise of hundreds of millions more. Every year.

That's right, President Bush gave $20 million in CASH to the head of the infamous arab muslim terror group the PLO, killers of Americans and Jews.

But it's for PEACE, so it's okay.

[ZULU]

He should invite him down to Texas and introduce him to some rattlesnakes - up close.

[Txsleuth]

My opinion is I don't like it at all, but I can see why he did it---

He met with him before when he and Abbas and Sharon were discussing the original "Road to Peace" road map. He should at least "feel him out" privately to see how interested he is in cooperating in a "two state" solution.

I saw the thread today where Abbas has said "we just had a small jihad, now it is time for the big Jihad!" That doesn't bode well, and I believe he is an Arafat protoge, but it wouldn't so Bush any good at this point to treat him like Arafat----

For me, the first indication of Bush's appeasement or capitulation to Abbas is whether he will stand up for Israel's right to have the fence stay up---it HAS TO STAY UP and if Bush doesn't emphasize that, I will lose total faith in his policy.

[adam_az]

I despise Abbas, but I'm willing to see what happens during the visit before making a judgement. It's not necessarily a bad idea on a number of fronts.

1) Bush will have a chance to directly explain what he expects.

2) It will blunt criticism that Bush has been neglectful of the Paleotinian Arabs.

[Lazamataz]

[ariamne]

I'm agin' it. Seriously, why must Bush meet with an out of the closet terrorist supporter?

[colorado tanker]

I guess it never hurts to talk, but from what I've read Abbas' position is no different than Arafat's was, which would mean no deal is possible. He wants the "right of return" and 100% of the West Bank, neither of which can Israel give up.