Posted on 02/24/2006 9:14:38 PM PST by conservativecorner
US President George W. Bush suggested overnight that being in government might have "a moderating influence" on the radical group Hamas in the wake of its victory in Palestinian legislative elections.
"As democracy takes root, the responsibilities of governing will have a moderating influence on those who assume power in free elections. It's easier to be a martyr than a mayor or a cabinet minister," he said.
President Bush's remarks came in a wide-ranging speech in which he defended his push for spreading democracy in the Middle East from critics who say the victory by Hamas harms US national security as well as Israel.
"When you're responsible for building roads and bridges and power stations and educating people and providing health, you're less likely to blow up health clinics and schools and bridges," he said.
"In democracies, elected leaders must deliver real change in people's lives or the voters will boot them out at the next election time. It's a lesson that the leaders of Hamas will now have to learn," he said.
"The leaders of Hamas have a choice to make: If they want the help of America and the international community to build a prosperous, independent Palestinian state, they must recognise Israel, disarm, reject terrorism and work for lasting peace," he said.
"The international community must continue to make clear to Hamas that democratically elected leaders cannot have one foot in the camp of democracy and one foot in the camp of terror," said Bush.
"The world is waiting to see what choice Hamas makes," said President Bush, who has warned of US aid cuts to the Palestinians if Hamas fails to meet his conditions.
It was not but a week or two ago that, in referring to democrats, the President said, to paraphrase, "One has to lead as things are, not as they wish them to be."
A moderate Hamas is nothing but wishful thinking.
The Palestinians ?
Just as evil on a smaller scale; why don't you ask the family members of the hundreds of Israelis killed over the last ten years for a truer perspective.
Hamas is certainly a group that we should not even be talking to...oh...except for the little matter that we did support the elections.
Then we were shocked when the bad guys won...what with "people yearning for a peaceful existence," and all.
Why, a culture as a whole might just truly support evil...who knew? Well, besides anyone who paid attention in Jr. High history class.
"Well, besides anyone who paid attention in Jr. High history class."
Yep. It was ridiculous that Sec. Rice acted shocked at the election. Any one here could have told her what was going to happen.
Who knows?
Great point BUMP! He's acting like these murdering Islamo-fascists can be rehabilitated which is damn scary if you value the lessons of history.
He knows Hamas' heart and soul. Don't worry.
"As democracy takes root (in the Muslim world)"
HA! What a JOKE!
These people don't want freedom, they want martyrdom.
MIGHT
not fall in your vocabulary
If you type louder next time maybe I can understand what you're trying to say.
And yes, HAMAS MIGHT reform itself and stop murdering Jewish women and kids, but the chances of that happening are about the same as you allowing a mild criticism of Bush to slip by without inserting an insulting comment into the thread.
BTTT...
Or about the same as you ever posting without hyperbole, hysteria, and out and out misinformation.
Are we suppose to just let that pass? I think not.
The same could be asked of you; when is what he EVER says enough?
Are these remarks:
"The leaders of Hamas have a choice to make: If they want the help of America and the international community to build a prosperous, independent Palestinian state, they must recognise Israel, disarm, reject terrorism and work for lasting peace," he said. "The international community must continue to make clear to Hamas that democratically elected leaders cannot have one foot in the camp of democracy and one foot in the camp of terror," said Bush. "The world is waiting to see what choice Hamas makes," said President Bush, who has warned of US aid cuts to the Palestinians if Hamas fails to meet his conditions.
not enough for you?
i gess my reedin komperhichun is not cuyt az gud az yurins but i stil bleeves thet thim thar hamas fokes is bint on nuthin les thin kilin efer last wun uf thim thar joo fokes jes az sune az thay gits thu chans.
Maybe. But that doesn't mean it will stop you from killing your enemies wherever you can find them.
In the case of Hamas, those whom they consider their enemies live right next door. Besides, why would they hesitate for a second blowing up health clinics, schools and bridges that belong to Jews if they thought doing so would also kill the Jews inside them?
You are right of course, but when did that ever matter to a poster trying to maintain an untenable position? Here are the first two paragraphs of the thread's article:
US President George W. Bush suggested overnight that being in government might have "a moderating influence" on the radical group Hamas in the wake of its victory in Palestinian legislative elections.
"As democracy takes root, the responsibilities of governing will have a moderating influence on those who assume power in free elections. It's easier to be a martyr than a mayor or a cabinet minister," he said.
Notice that the President's words are in quotation marks, while the writer's word "might" isn't. IOW, the writer said "might" and the president said "will".
I'm sure you can cite a few of my hyperbolic, hysterical, and misinforming posts to confirm your accusation. I'll hang around while you run a search.
On second thought, don't bother. I could not possibly care any less about the knee-jerk reaction of a one-track mind to every mild criticism of Bush's handling of any situation.
But I will invite anyone who may be tempted to grant a wee tad of credibility to your consistently whiny posts to run that search.
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