Lawmakers rip Bush's 'double standard' on terror (Barf Alert)

CNN ^ | October 17, 2001 Posted: 10:54 PM EDT (0254 GMT) | By Elise Labott

[Sparticle]

WASHINGTON (CNN) --Members of the House International Relations Committee Wednesday criticized the Bush administration in unusually harsh language for opposing Israeli targeted killings while it hunts down suspected terrorist mastermind Osama bin Laden "dead or alive."

Rep. Gary Ackerman, D-New York, the ranking Democrat on the Subcommittee on the Middle East and Asia, said it was inconsistent for the United States to denounce Israel when "they go after the miserable SOBs [who launch terrorist attacks against Israel] ... and they have every bit as much evidence as we have" for the September 11 terrorist attacks.

[BlueNgold]

Why am I not surprised to see that Lantos still has no grasp of foriegn policy. For those of you inclined to agree with him please allow me to explain: the point of trying to keep Israel somewhat in check is that it hurts our ability to keep religion out of this conflict. If Israel undertakes a massive offensive it incites radical Muslims, and inspires some moderate muslims to become radicals, at a time when we are trying to ensure the Arab and Muslim world that the war in which we are engaged is not about religion. While we do have some limited ability to proffer this claim Israel has none. Israel always has been and always will be a religious state. This does not take away from our support of Israel, but underscores the need for all of the players on the same side to understand the strategic goals and how best to achieve ALL of them.

Or, more simply put: There is a time and a place for everything. Now is not the time for this action by Israel, but that day is coming. Patience and determination will win the day.

[cactusSharp]

I wouldn't wipe my butt with either of them.Lantos is a vile SOB anyway

[Sparticle]

I thought we called the shots in Israel/Palestine. Didn't Israel come to us for our help in settling their perennial problem?

[11th Earl of Mar]

Bush and Powell are wrong on their opposition to Israel's targeting of terrorists. They have every right to kill the killers, just like we have every right to kill bin Laden and his band of terrorists.

[metesky]

Anyone think that Bush just might be trying to hold things together until it's Yassir's turn to eat sh!t and die?

[truthandlife]

I think it is time to start criticizing the Bush Administration on this one. I am a BIG GW Bush supporter (I worked on his governor campaign in Texas, gave money and worked for his presidency, and financially backed prayforgeorgewbush.com). I think we need to voice our opinion to the President on this one. You can email him at

president@whitehouse.gov

or call at 202-456-6213 Comment Line

[truthandlife]

I agree. I don't know what got into me. I will send my criticism to the President though.

[UbIwerks]

The liberals were unable to deal properly with Communisism because they were so much like them; it seems the Conservatives are unable to deal with Arab terror because of the anti-Semites that are in their midst.

Someone should tell these anti-Semites that the destruction of Israel will not stop terror against the U.S. It would probably make it worse because then the Arabs can pool their resources against the "Great Satan" instead of having to deal with the "Great and Little Satan" both.

Kahane Website

[america-rules]

How can you compare bombing the taliban to dust with killing a few snipers and murders. Israel isn't bombing the west bank or Gaza strip to dust so they can't be compared to what the USA is doing. If, a big If, Israel were to bomb them to dust they would have an Arab war that they wouldn't be able to handle without the US getting involved. At this time we can't afford to get involved fighting Arabs--it's not in our best interest at this time and I suspect that after this is over old Arafrat better get his house in top shape or the US will take some serious action on him and his thugs.

[Demidog]

And the Israeli method is IMO far more effective and humane to bystanders

I notice how effective it is. Terrorism has been halted in its tracks in the area...</sarcasm>

[veronica]

Many Conservatives - in Congress (Rep. John Kyl) - and out - see a double standard as well.

[veronica]

FYI.

[UbIwerks]

This talk by anti-Semitic Conservatives about letting Jews die so that Arabs will be appeased (who's killing Americans en masse, btw?) is even worse than when the liberals complained that we shouldn't do anything to antagonize the Chinese during the Korean war while the Chinese were across the Yalu river.

At least then, the North Koreans and the Chinese were not able to get to kill American civilians on American soil.

[maxamillion]

Murdering each other over there (tit for tat) is more like a fued. However killing 6000 in one attack over here is more like an act of war... Lets Roll!!!

[LibWhacker]

Israel is doing the right thing. Nobody can honestly fault them. However, we can never put them through the wringer enough times for the USS Liberty.

A wink and a nod, and three or four or five smacks upside the head. That's what they get.

[princess leah]

Did anyone hear Bush's remarks when he was clarifying about the Palestinian statehood issue? Well, what I heard him say was that he would ONLY CONSIDER LOOKING AT GRANTING STATEHOOD IF AND WHEN THE MITCHELL ACCORD (I'M NOT POSITIVE ON THAT WORD MITCHELL) KICKED IN ABOUT THERE BEING NO MORE VIOLENCE IN THE REGION! I have read to the end of the Book (Bible that is) and so has our President and he KNOWS that there will NEVER BE PEACE in the region, so therefore the accord will NEVER KICK in and THEREFORE there will NEVER be a reason to discuss a Palestinian statehood...You have to read between the lines...we're at war, you try to be as abstract as possible and I believe that this was Bush's intent when he made those remarks. Perhaps I am wrong?

[dirtboy]

I notice how effective it is. Terrorism has been halted in its tracks in the area...

Gee, dog, I thought you'd be smarter than that. Israel used to face annihilation from its enemies. Now it only has to deal with Pali terrorism. You pop the terrorist leaders, you have less terrorism. There will never be NO terrorism as long as the PLO has in it's charter a call for the destruction of Israel. But that's one less car-bomber in circulation.

[dirtboy]

Now, tell me again how conservatives are always in the right.

Oh, we make mistakes. But we are right most of the time, as opposed to the blind squirrel aspect of libs.

[pgkdan]

You anti-jewish proclivities aside, this article does not warrant a barf alert.

Rep. Gary Ackerman, D-New York, the ranking Democrat on the Subcommittee on the Middle East and Asia, said it was inconsistent for the United States to denounce Israel when "they go after the miserable SOBs [who launch terrorist attacks against Israel] ... and they have every bit as much evidence as we have" for the September 11 terrorist attacks.

As much as I hate to admit it, but this rat is right and so is Lantos and the other rat mentioned in the article. The State Department's position is sheer hypocrisy. President Bush said that we were waging war against all terrorism and if blowing up a bunch of teenagers dancing at a disco isn't terrorism then I'm afraid I don't know what is.

[Roebucks]

Now, tell me again how conservatives are always in the right.

Well, I don't know too many folks here who'd actually make that statement. I, for one will tell them loudly and often when I think they are wrong.

But comparitively speaking, the dims hardly have much to be proud of this in last corrupt decade. Treason is not an attractive quality in an elected official....