Bush Middle East Speech Discussion Thread

[RCW2001]

Bush Middle East Speech Discussion Thread

[Diddle E. Squat]

Since when is acknowledging the truth, instead of conservative utopian revisionist history, a cheap shot?

[Amelia]

And if the Palestinians don't do all asked of them, what will we do? Allow the Israelis to defend themselves? Some consulation. The Israelis should be free to defend themselves now. How many more ultimatums and false peace agreements must there be to make the point? wake up and smell the terrorists! We wouldn't tolerate any of this, and we shouldn't insist that the Israelis tolerate it.

I'm surprised, I'd have thought your reaction to this speech would have been more along the lines of "About damn time!"

My take on it was that the Palestinians could cease and desist immediately, or the dogs of war would be unleashed. I would agree that the Israelis should have taken more forceful action before now - it's not clear to me whether they've held back on our account or because of other factors.

[MJY1288]

Jim, That is a very good response, one of the best i've seen.

Hats off to you,

[Miss Marple]

And what explains your mental incapacity, you little puke. You think because you learned how to type with two fingers that you can take cheap shots at anyone who disagrees with you. Up your dosages, jerk.

Apparently appearances on television and talk radio leave one with the idea that he is the sole arbiter of truth. Apparently, it also leaves those folks with the impression that they have a license to be rude.

Either that, or cocktail hour started early.

[holdonnow]

You're no different than the Clintonoids. Your arguments are personalized. You feel you have to attack those who disagree with you rather than simply argue your case. You are, in short, a jerk.

[illstillbe]

OK ... I've only just now read the President's speech and I am left with a deeper distrust of politics than I had 15 minutes ago.

In the firestorm which has become all of our lives, I wonder if we are not micro-reading, managing ... editing ... *sigh* ... a useless comment, that ... sorry.

holdonnow ... Secretary of State recently saying ...

The operative word there, it seems to me is .. recently .... but not now ... or today ... or ever again ... I wanted a ka-BOOM from the Presidential podium ... and did not get that ... but ... after reading his words only twice .. I'll go back again ... and again, if needs be ...

I see instead the very real prospect that he has just set up the entire Middle East ... forced them all to draw their own lines in the sand.

Makes it easier to target them, it does ...

There have been posts and threads, lately ... mentioning troop movement ... increased supply demand ...

Anyway ... this is my first take on this ... and maybe not a very good one, at that ... but I think our President's Foreign Affairs pocket is slightly deeper than we may all think.

[ClancyJ]

Sheesh! That's twice someone in this thread claimed I was being "anti-Bush".

We read fast and sometimes comments run together. Have to get those replies quick. Have to be tough around here.

[Howlin]

When did Bush find this "vision?" He never mentioned it during his campaign. In fact, he didn't mention it until October of 2001 -- after 9/11. I have a vision of dancing sugar plums, or whatever, but that doesn't make a serious position. Another terrorist state is not a vision, it's a terrible mistake.

Gee, Mark, some people who take over the Oval Office actually learn things as they go along. It's calling 'growing.'

And if you think Bush is going to allow a "another terrorist," you, too, have misread this man.

[Diddle E. Squat]

Now you've got me curious. Who is holdonnow, or what show is he on?

[wardaddy]

I only have 2 things to contribute:

Bush did pretty good today in my view, not as hawkish as I would like but nonetheless not too shabby from someone who has to take a world perspective beyond my own keyboard's insular perch.

FReepers are rarely ever satisfied.

[illstillbe]

#559 ... *smile*

[ClancyJ]

Thanks for your reasoned reply to the Bushwhackers. Wish you had time to post more - we need you.

[holdonnow]

TV and radio have nothing to do with this. Your immature, personal attacks do. You can make your case without your insulting comments. But you didn't -- and still won't.

[pyx]

My position is stated in #535 of this thread.
It presupposes NOTHING except one does not give credance or lend legitimacy the demands of terrorists by replying with appeals to negotiate to their absurd and obscene demands to negotiate.

If the only thing a barbarian understands is raw, unbridled brute force, and its absolutely requiste to communicate with him, make sure your first shot at least rocks him on his heels. I'm of the belief that America can do considerably better than merely rocking a seventh century, knuckle-dragging cretin in his sandals.
Can ya' dig it ?

[Howlin]

Boy, I get tired of the condescending tone of people like you.

Pot, kettle, all that.

[Darlin']

I think you two should have your own show, too :)

The Bible says, "I have set before you life and death; therefore, choose life." The time has arrived for everyone in this conflict to choose peace, and hope, and life.

Make no mistake about it, as the President threw down the gauntlet today he quoted a verse from the Old Testament, i.e. that would be the Hebrew version of the Bible. The significance of that was not lost on the Palis or any other Arab. Arafat ain't gonna see the Promise Land. The President plays elegant, eloquent hardball.

[Dane]

Ok, brainiac. I'll defend Reagan as you wonder mindlessly into the darkness. Reagan made deals that promoted our agenda.

And Bush got a tax cut through, got rid of the ABM treaty, reversed the UN Mexico City abortion decisions, stated that the 2nd admendment is an individual right, took us out of the World Court etc. etc without the mandate Reagn enjoyed.

The point being that Reagan and Bush are pragmatists. A point you will never concede.

[MJY1288]

"To: Jim Scott

Thanks for your reasoned reply to the Bushwhackers. Wish you had time to post more - we need you.

I will second that

[holdonnow]

Thanks for the bumper-sticker advice. I'll have to remember that.