[rintense]

Because he basically put his entire foreign policy reputation on the line with this policy speech. He is heading into a G-8 summit with this in his pocket, and will basically say, this is the way it's going to be. But I do believe that this isn't just his idea. I firmly believe that he spoke with moderate Arab states ahead of time as well as Great Britain and Russia to let them know what was coming. If they had an objection, they had a week to let him know.

I don't believe this is capitulation anyhow. This is Israel's war. We are simply playing the role of 'trusted advisor' to Israel- just as they did to us after 9-11.

I will go on record (as I have before about the Mideast situation) that if Bush backtracks, it will be the third thing I have vehemently disagreed with him about. But I don't think that will happen.

[Steve Eisenberg]

But I do believe that this isn't just his idea. I firmly believe that he spoke with moderate Arab states ahead of time as well as Great Britain and Russia to let them know what was coming. If they had an objection, they had a week to let him know.

But they did object in private, I'm sure, just as Putin has just objected in public. Bush has taken a position which, in an international perspective, will be a lonely one. As far as moderate Arab states are concerned, Bush has tried to take into account their views, but hardly has followed their advice. Arab moderates are likely to say a few kind things to Bush in private, out of respect for for U.S. power, but overall he took brave positions today.

I am among those who would have liked for Bush to say that because of the terror, the Palestinian people will be punished. Fat chance. It is totally unrealistic to think that the President, any President, would say such a thing. Bush has done better than could have been hoped for.

[pyx]

Because he basically put his entire foreign policy reputation on the line with this policy speech. He is heading into a G-8 summit with this in his pocket, and will basically say, this is the way it's going to be. But I do believe that this isn't just his idea. I firmly believe that he spoke with moderate Arab states ahead of time as well as Great Britain and Russia to let them know what was coming. If they had an objection, they had a week to let him know.

M'am, I respectfully disagree with you. I don't believe President Bush has put his entire foreign policy reputation on the line. I do believe he has however, made a tactical error. My reply in #535 of this thread outlines, more or less, my opinion of this most recent position announcement. Additionally, (I'm sorry I can't state this less stridently), I can only paraphrase the good words of another Freeper, 'moderate islam is the Trojan Horse in which Radical islam hides within.'

I don't believe this is capitulation anyhow. This is Israel's war. We are simply playing the role of 'trusted advisor' to Israel- just as they did to us after 9-11.

M'am, I'm sorry. But again, I have to disagree because I'm of the opinion that be even acknowledging the demand to negotiate with barbarians who use terrorism as a bargaining chip to initiate negotiations, that is in fact, capitulation.

I will go on record (as I have before about the Mideast situation) that if Bush backtracks, it will be the third thing I have vehemently disagreed with him about. But I don't think that will happen.

M'am,
I believe you've been honest in your reply to me, and I respect and appreciate that.
I *hope* you are correct in your conclusion and that I am wrong. I *fear* I am sadly correct, though and a tactical error now is not good.
Respectfully,
Pyx