Posted on 04/10/2006 8:12:52 AM PDT by Peach
Press conference now. The president is taking questions.
Islam and Democracy are two contradictory terms.
President: It's in our interests to see a two state solution between Palestinians and Israelis. Elections are the beginning of the process and the election of Hamas was very instructive. It was the final culmination of the Arafat era and we don't want corruption. They want health care and better attention to the interests of their people. A government that has announced they want to destroy Israel....
Democracy will eventually allow them to live side by side in peace.
We're going to succeed in Iraq, if we don't loose our nerve, will send a powerful signal. Imagine the signal it will send to Iran. I believe the women's movement will be the defining moment in changing the middle east. There is a universal desire to be treated fairly.
Kuwaiti women are running for office. We have to be realistic about what's possible but firm in our belief that freedom is possible and necessary. Otherwise a system that says tolerate the tyrants didn't work and was a lesson of the attack on the US.
The world seemed okay, but beneath the surface there was tremendous resentment.
Islam was the first democracy in the world? first of all it wasn't a democracy, secondly the Greeks had democracy way before that.
Well, as far as that region goes, he's right. Nobody is worried about the Japanese. Korea is kinda on the back burner for the time being as well. China is always a worry.
Very true. The Athenians would be surprised by Muhammad's invention.
Are you using a speech recognition system on your PC?
LOL -- leave her alone! ;0
Never interrupt a genius at work.
Someone ask the POTUS why he thinks that the North American Union is a)Constitutional and b)good for America.
Oh, yeah - this is the CFR Administration.
In context to the question asked, he's probably right.
Is that what he was referring to...the region? Then, I misunderstood. I thought he meant as in all issues..ie borders, immigration, etc.
Thanks for clarifying that for me.
Question: You've alluded to tesnsion beneath the surface in countries. You haven't spoken about economic development this morning; where does it lie on your priority list. Also, countries that haven't gotten everything right regarding political stability. Keeping development funds from those countries - is it counter-productive. If you can help, maybe the tensions will be eased.
President: Good question. Talked with ? re the WTO because trade helps lift people out of poverty. Relationship between development aid and capital and how a society benefits more because of trade. Free trade agreement with Africa. Pres. Clinton signed it and I was happy to extend it. NO question the economy is important. Jim Woolfson went over with a plan to help Paleastinians with their economic development. It's an integral part of our policy.
We give lots of aid to countries that like us and those that don't like us. I have added on to the development for the millenium development account. Depends on the behavior of government. We should insist goverments fight corruption. A challenge of the account is if they don't fight corruption, they don't get $$.
CNN opts out; no one is carrying it currently.
Understood
If you think otherwise, you're waaay out of touch. Folks are more concerned about trade deficits and outsourcing than they are about illegal immigrants. That might be changing slowly, but the main concern is with China -- and rightly so.
GMTA!
Incongruent idiocy. Why we will fail in our purported Mideast aims.
President: "Yes, but first, have I mentioned recently how an ugly warthog in a dress is more appealing to men than Helen Thomas is on a good day?"
"The issue on most American's minds is the issue of China."
What? We surrendered to Chinese Communism years ago.
How about the Mexican invasion of America? How about terrorists crossing our borders? How about knowing who and what is coming into our ports? How about merging America, Canada and Mexcico into a new State?
I work on my typing skills playing Typer Shark Deluxe.
WOW!!!
Awesome you, Peach!
ROFL
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.