President Bush's Palestinian Bombshell

April 4th, 2002 | Sabertooth

[Sabertooth]

ON reviewing President Bush's outstanding speech today on the deteriorating situation in the Middle East, I was struck by the following passage...

"I call on the Palestinian people, the Palestinian Authority, and our friends in the Arab world to join us in delivering a clear message to terrorists. Blowing yourself up does not help the Palestinian cause. To the contrary, suicide bombing missions could well blow up the best and only hope for a Palestinian state."

Let's look at that last line again...

"To the contrary, suicide bombing missions could well blow up the best and only hope for a Palestinian state."

For the first time since the Oslo folly, we see the possibility that there might not necessarily be a second "palestinian" state in the Middle East. Jordan of course, is the first.

This is a very hopeful sign.

Let Israel be Israel.

[browardchad]

But when I heard we were sponsoring another UN resolution demanding Israel leave without delay.........I could only think of the way I think of most politicians, "it's not what they say, it's what they do.

It was a resolution to counter one introduced by the Arab states -- they wanted Irael to withdraw "immediately." We wanted the wording changed to "without delay" -- to keep the weasels from working their way up to UN intervention. By keeping the wording ambiguous, Israel gets more time.

[rbmillerjr]

It is not the United States obligation to fight Israel's battles for them.

LOL, that would be funny since many tactics we use in our Air-Land strategy come straight from the 1967 War where every friggin Arab country contributed men and equipment to destroy Israel.

the result was one week war in which Israel dominated.

ONE THING IS CERTAIN IT IS NOT ISRAEL'S MILITARY DOMINANCE THAT IS IN QUESTION

Of course with Bush we can't question him as we have no idea where he stands on a policy that changes from hour to hour....at 1030 PM last night I heard Powell state he would consider going to the ME if there was a chance at negotiations.............BAM, new policy change.

[Sabertooth]

It was a resolution to counter one introduced by the Arab states -- they wanted Irael to withdraw "immediately." We wanted the wording changed to "without delay" -- to keep the weasels from working their way up to UN intervention. By keeping the wording ambiguous, Israel gets more time.

Bingo.

They're close to done with this intelligence gathering, terrorist capturing, humiliation of Arafat exercise, anyway.

[Revolting cat!]

American foreign policy has been fickle for a 100 years, and aimed like our current corporate policies at the immediate future. It'll change on a dime as it has in the past. Besides, a speech is not a policy. I would agree with the assessment that you are reading too much into the speech, that the guy with Biblical prophecies is overreacting, and that other guy who calls other posters "idiots" should be banned immediately.

[SCalGal]

I'm reading this the same way you were. I've been hoping, the last week, that Bush's silence was an effort to buy time.

I particularly liked the fact that arafat's name was NOT used in this speach. speech.

Oh, I give up. I can't spell any more- someone please correct me after April 15!

[Sabertooth]

Of course with Bush we can't question him as we have no idea where he stands on a policy that changes from hour to hour....at 1030 PM last night I heard Powell state he would consider going to the ME if there was a chance at negotiations.............BAM, new policy change.

The policy is to destroy Saddam and his WMDs, and say whatever is necessary to keep the Arabs from uniting over Jerusalem and anti-Semitism until we do.

[Lion's Cub]

You are far more optimistic than I, my friend. One little bud in a sea of weeds doesn't have much chance in taking over the field.

As for the prevailing theory that we must give in to the muslims to get their help in defeating Saddam, Bush is dreaming. They have no more intention of helping us there than Arafat has of making a real peace with Israel.

[Governor StrangeReno]

The only drama with the arab states is wmd-I say call their bluff and stuff their sensabilities their prowess is legendary the Australian army could probably take them,who needs them and who cares,Israel clean up shop then for direct descendents of people actually there in 1948 plus a reasonable person to deal with talk turkey.

[over3Owithabrain]

I haven't really heard it discussed, but am I the only one concerned about Bush's elevation of the UN? I mean, remember how we conservatives hated how Clinton always followed that group of tin horn dictators and third worlders? And now Bush is urging Israel to abide by UN demands and he is sending Powell specifically to enforce a UN agreement. Bush is even now initalizing UN action. Scary...

[Texasforever]

LOL, that would be funny since many tactics we use in our Air-Land strategy come straight from the 1967 War where every friggin Arab country contributed men and equipment to destroy Israel.

And that was when I became such a supporter of Israel. They kicked ass and didn't whine for permission. This is not the same Israel this is a nation that can't even kill a terrorist when they have him surrounded.

[Sabertooth]

As for the prevailing theory that we must give in to the muslims to get their help in defeating Saddam, Bush is dreaming. They have no more intention of helping us there than Arafat has of making a real peace with Israel.

We don't need the Arabs' help, we just need them to sit on the sidelines while we kill Saddam.

[SCalGal]

"Of course with Bush we can't question him as we have no idea where he stands on a policy that changes from hour to hour....at 1030 PM last night I heard Powell state he would consider going to the ME if there was a chance at negotiations.............BAM, new policy change."

I don't think this was a change.... I think this was "buying time" until everything lined up just right- and when it did- BAM! The policy that was under wraps was brought right out.

[SCalGal]

"Of course with Bush we can't question him as we have no idea where he stands on a policy that changes from hour to hour....at 1030 PM last night I heard Powell state he would consider going to the ME if there was a chance at negotiations.............BAM, new policy change."

I don't think this was a change.... I think this was "buying time" until everything lined up just right- and when it did- BAM! The policy that was under wraps was brought right out.

[SCalGal]

"Of course with Bush we can't question him as we have no idea where he stands on a policy that changes from hour to hour....at 1030 PM last night I heard Powell state he would consider going to the ME if there was a chance at negotiations.............BAM, new policy change."

I don't think this was a change.... I think this was "buying time" until everything lined up just right- and when it did- BAM! The policy that was under wraps was brought right out.

[Sabertooth]

Besides, a speech is not a policy.

And one line even less so. Bush's line here isn't an about-face...

But it might come in handy for an about-face later.

[2Trievers]

BTTT &;-)

[rbmillerjr]

Do you seriously feel confindent that the Arabs are going to invite us in to use their bases (none of these players will imo) but we already have Kuwait and UAE. The Saudis would sell out their mothers and Wahabism for money and 6 virgins. So there in for a price.

I dont think we will be basing in Syria, Lebanon, Jordan anyway.

In addition I'd feel better if we were going out to the true menace and center of Islamic terrorism Iran.

[SCalGal]

Oops..... sorry about the triple post.

Same fingers that gave up spelling.

[Howlin]

So you're going to change your mind about the speech? :-)

[over3Owithabrain]

And that was when I became such a supporter of Israel. They kicked ass and didn't whine for permission. This is not the same Israel this is a nation that can't even kill a terrorist when they have him surrounded.

Leadership is the key. Netanyahu would probably be handling this in a more strong and consistent way, the way most of us around here would appreciate. Just like any country, the person at the helm matters. The difference between Sharon and Netanyahu is big, just as a Clinton/Bush comparison.