Lawmakers Press Bush to Stand Up for Israel

Los Angeles Times ^ | April 10 2002 | JANET HOOK,

[scratchgolfer]

WASHINGTON -- As President Bush comes under growing international pressure to rein in Israel's military offensive against Palestinians, he faces countervailing pressure from an overwhelmingly pro-Israeli Congress where some members are pushing for new statements of support for the country.-snip- The bipartisan support for Israel was driven home last week when House Majority Whip Tom DeLay (R-Texas)--viewed by many as the leader of the party's conservative wing in Congress--gave a speech denouncing Arafat as "completely untrustworthy." DeLay called on the Bush administration to throw its weight behind Israel's campaign to "dismantle the Palestinian leadership."

[section9]

The stability of the oil-rich Mideast is America's vital economic and strategic national interest. Israel is a democracy and that's nice but, given a choice, America can live without Israel but can't live without oil, which requires a stable Mideast.

I disagree. Remember, as Condi said, these people can't eat their oil. Besides, we get a full 3/4 of our oil from the Western Hemisphere. And if the Saudis went down for some reason, the Russians would want to step in and fill up the shortfall.

Do you think for one moment that Vladimir Putin would want his country to miss out on a financial bonanza like that?

Be Seeing You,

Chris

[Texasforever]

You are being sarcastic, right? Have you not watched Colin Powell and GWB repeatedly pull this wretch's chestnuts out of the fire in recent weeks/months?

I am completely serious. Sharon has Arafat's future in his hands. If he believes his own words then there is nothing left for him to do but eliminate Arafat as a threat to his country. He needs no permission he just needs the will to do it. If he does not and Arafat is still available to “negotiate” when Powell finally arrives then it is Sharon’s lack of moral courage that caused it.

[Texasforever]

I submit to you, that were it not for US (and, yes, European) pressure on Israel, Arafat would ALREADY be pushing up daisies as you and I debate.

So, the Prime Minister of Israel who has publicly stated that Arafat is terrorist number one and the greatest present enemy of Israel will not eliminate such a danger to the very people that elected him regardless of outside pressure? If that is the case, Sharon is a traitor to his own country.

[healey22]

Let's see, if terrorists were exploding themselves in my neighborhood, would President Bush tell me that I would have to negotiate with them instead of eliminate them? Somehow, I don't think Americans would stand for this insane idea very long and the militia would certainly eliminate the terrorists if our government refused to act in a decisive manner.

[CROSSHIGHWAYMAN]

I have just emailed the president. This is the text:

Dear Mr. President,

You embarass yourself and the country by trying to play both sides in this mid-east war. You must decide to take the side of truth and honor, whatever it costs.

At every speech you emphasize that the cost of freedom is never too much. We are Americans. You sound very much like the great Ronald Reagan at times.

But now your equivocating and apparent cowtowing to the arabs is unfortunate. Now you sound just like Bill Clinton. You surely don't want to be compared to that slimeball.

I plead with you to stand firmly on the side of Israel at this difficult time. You were placed in your job at this time in our history to lead and not to be led.

It's time to strike fear into the heart of our enemy. Stand shoulder to shoulder with Israel. The American people have annointed you with their trust and love and they will keep pace with you if you keep to your clear message of fighting terror, wherever it exists.

It now exists in the very worst form imaginable in and around Israel. Any society that would encourage it's young to strap explosives to themselves and commit murder is inherently evil and must be changed or irradicated because it is a blight on the moral fabric of the planet.

I strongly encourage you to strike at the head and heart of the problem. Iraq and Saudi Arabia fund and foment much of the hatred emanating from the region.

Back in September, when you called this a CRUSADE, you were right on target. A religion that preaches murder and hatred and intolerance must be either muted or pushed back.

You are the single most powerful human being in the history of mankind. Don't wimp out when your destiny demands so much more.

Remember the example of Richard Nixon and the Christmas bombing campaign against North Viet Nam in 1972. President Nixon took a calculated risk in a massive onslaught and ended a war. Viet Nam and America have made a peace but more than that; the deep psychological wounds have healed with time.

The same legacy may be yours if you act decisively, coherently, forcefully, and quickly to end the conflict in the middle east before it gets worse.

I will always remember your words last Thursday when you said, "ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!"

It's time for you to act.

I know that you are a decent man and the last thing you want to do is kill innocent people, but peace is a much better alternative to war. We've tried all the negotiations before. Arafat and the Palestinians will not make peace ......especially now. Now they smell blood in the water and the sympathy they are receiving from the appeasers in Europe will only further embolden them to resist the sane alternative of peace.

You have been a wonderful cheerleader these seven months now. You have brought a great nation together as never before. We are behind you now. Please don't let us down.

LET'S ROLL!!!!!!!!!!!

[RamsNo1]

Do you think that GW forgot to tell Tommie-boy about his master strategery?

[willyone]

Like his father who let himself be snookered by the Dems with the tax increase Junior will also self destruct. It makes no difference to me anymore because of his pro illegal immigrant stand I will neever vote for him or send money again. Just like the screening of kids and old people while Islamic males cruise through security, on this issue Bush is too timid to lead.

[willyone]

If the Arabs succeed in making Bush back down and betray Israel there will be no oil either. Not for a price you can afford. You sound like a fool who would sell his own mother out for temporary advantage.

[ChadGore]

WTF writes these headlines ?!?!?!?!?

[Skip Ripley]

Gas prices are rising not because of a shortage, but because of the fear of a shortage. It's a baseless fear. Unless the ragheads have a means of raising money other than selling us oil, we don't have any real concerns.

I'm getting bored with all of this Middleastern crapola. At some point the Arab world is going to have to repudiate terrorism, imprison their terrorists, accept blame for their own societal ills and shortcomings instead of blaming the US and Israel and recognize that Israel has a right to exist peacefully. Since there isn't snowball's chance in hell of any of this happening, I am becoming convinced that the pro "Palestinian" nutcases that dot the Arab world will eventually force a broader war with Israel. At that point we won't have to ask the Arab's to sort themselves out. Instead, we can allow God to do it for us...

[Toddsterpatriot]

Supporting what you think is moral is nice, but America's economic and strategic national interests come first. The key word is "vital." Oil is a vital US interest, but Israel is not.

Pumping oil isn't rocket science. Even the camel humpers can do it, how hard can it be?

You act like we can't install a puppet regime to keep the oil flowing. We've done it before and this time we're pissed.

Welcome to FR, are you posting from Arafat's office right now?

[steve-b]

America's President has to do the job he was elected to do which is safeguard America's own vital interests first

America's #1 vital interest is domestic security. This is threatened by terrorism. Therefor, the #1 priority of American foreign policy must be the suppression of terrorism. History shows that this is far more likely to be accomplished by firmness than by appeasement. QED.

[woody9]

Wow~! Here one day and already most of us will know what to expect when we see your name on a posting...as for me, I'll skip by it.

[KC_Conspirator]

I see you have fully bought into State Department histrionics.

Histrionics is too nice a word. More like "ravings" or "hysteria" or "delusions". Should the House of Saud fall and a new Wahhabist Anti-American government make any rumblings then the oil fields will be ours.

[HockeyPop]

Its too late for politics. Nothing short of war and unconditional surrender will change the Arab world. If they want to use oil as a weapon then that must be construed as an act of war. Let's see them try to ship the stuff to the EU and Asia with our Navy off their coasts and on the seas. We should be punishing them. Let them eat sand.

[WOSG]

what "pro-US Arab" nations? what 'stability'? Iraq and Iran are on our 'axil of evil' list, Saudis supported PA terrorists, Bin Laden, etc. with friends like this, we dont need enemies. And they need our oil money as much as we need their oil.