Posted on 12/06/2006 3:30:19 PM PST by SJackson
The Baker Report: What a Waste of Paper!!
Today, the bi-partisan Iraq Study Group in the US released its much-anticipated report, which was met by a virtual blizzard of media coverage and interest.
But after glancing at the text and looking over some of its recommendations, it's hard to see what all the fuss is about.
While it may have been prepared by diplomatic heavyweights such as former US Secretary of State James Baker, this report has got to be one of the least creative and least imaginative set of policy recommendations to have been produced in Washington in a long, long time.
Indeed, rarely have so many spent so much time producing so little of value.
Take, for example, the section on "The Wider Regional Context". In short order, Mr. Baker and his colleagues recommend that Israel withdraw from the Golan Heights and agree to the establishment of a Palestinian state.
I read this part of the report and just could not help but wonder: what the heck does any of this have to do with the sectarian strife in Iraq?
Does Mr. Baker really believe there is a connection between Shiites and Sunnis killing each other in the streets of Baghdad, and Israel holding on to the Golan?
Does he honestly think that what goes on in Gaza or in Ramallah is what is driving the former Baathists and Saddam loyalists, and Al-Qaeda in Mesopotamia, to kidnap and murder Iraqi government employees?
The logic of the report is so transparently silly, and so intellectually vacuous, that it is nothing short of amazing that anyone could take it seriously.
Here's my prediction: the Baker report will create some waves, but it will shortly end up being tossed into the "circular file" that is cleared out at the end of each day by the janitorial staff – which is about where it belongs.
High Volume. Articles on Israel can also be found by clicking on the Topic or Keyword Israel. or WOT [War on Terror]
----------------------------
My guess he's right about the circular file.
Still, it will be fun to discuss.
Jimmy Baker, James Carter.
Or is it the other way. I forget.
Israel must be forced out of the Golan Heights in order to end the sectarian violence in Iraq. Yeah, that'll do it.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, all Israel's fault, blah, blah, blah.
Take it over to the Pentagon and load the stalls
At the risk of making light of a serious situation it's as if they think there's a death match between the two with the last man standing having the "honor" of taking out Israel.
The Study Group members need to retire, same old failed pre 9/11 tripe with a new publication date.
What does one expect from a group of jackasses that has, over the past thirty years helped give us the fall of Viet Nam, the communization, and subsquent disintegration, of sub-Saharan Africa, the rise of radical Islam and the emasculasation of the U.S in Iran, and the sellout of the Kurds and Shia in Iraq after Bush, Sr. called on them to revolt, in Iraq after Desert Storm?
It's f***ing laughable! These nabobs actually put this garbage out? Who commissioned them to do it and who paid them?
Baker wants Israel to cede the Golan Heights to Syria because he knows this will destroy Israel. Israel needs the Golan Heights as a buffer zone to keep Syria from cutting off Israel's water supply. Baker obviously knows this but doesn't care. Bush ought to be put in the stocks and pelted with rotten eggs for giving Baker a soapbox.
Yes, I agree. Baker was Bush41's Secretary of State and made the famous comment, "F_ _ _ the Jews," regarding Israeli "intransigence" in surrendering to arafat's intafada.
I don't know who funded them, but they should ask for their money back.
We allowed politicians to fight VietNam. Let us not repeat that mistake.
Baker is either nuts or suffering from approaching Alzheimer's.
Left out Afghanistan, fell to the Soviets, later to the Taliban.
It's called setting up the Palestinians/Arabs for defeat. You return the Palestinians to their land (Spoils of War went out in the 1800's so they need to give it back) and then if they attack Israel they have the absolute right to defend themselves and destoy the attackers with total warfare.
Flame Away!
It appeared to me that James Baker wore the same tie he wore every day as Secretary of State. I guess it is his lucky tie, but I worry about someone in such a deep rut.
That might be the case if BiBi were running the show, but Olmert doesn't have the balls.
I guess Saudi money doesn't buy what it used to.
No, his positions are consistant with his history
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.