The entire text of Barack Obama’s address to AIPAC is worth a read. Anytime a presidential candidate confirms our commitment to Israel and expresses any understanding of the historical and religious roots of the state of Israel I am pleased. We should never get so caught up in electoral politics that we fail to appreciate that a bipartisan consensus on the value of the Israeli alliance remains a key component of our national security agenda. That said the speech was, well, odd.
He began with the excuse/warning that bad things were being said about him in emails. But again he did not use the occasion to mend any fences–to explain, for example, that advisors say things he doesn’t believe in, or that he has come to see how hateful and disturbing Rev. Wright’s hate speech is and how it poisoned the well with the Jewish community. The elephant in the room just stomped along.
On several policy points, the most obvious problem to me seems that there is a disconnect, and absence of means to ends, in his vision. He says he loves and will defend Israel but there is no road to get there (i.e. a more peaceful and secure Israel) other than some vague diplomatic avenue. But with whom shall we negotiate? Why will he succeed when others fail? In part, of course, this is because he repudiates means that might pressure opposing forces either diplomatically or militarily. And for those hoping that he might have seen the light on the surge, the answer is “no.” He is still pulling out and seems blissfully unaware what impact it might have on Iran, Hamas and other terrorists — that is, the enemies of Israel.
As for his position on designating the Iranian National Guard as a terrorist organization, we should be clear. He opposed it last fall, was criticized by Hillary Clinton and Dick Durbin, and now has invented a patently false excuse: that it involved U.S. troops. At the time, his real problem was that it was too confrontational (“Bush saber rattling,” in Obama’s nomenclature). He should be honest if he has changed his mind. It is a good thing, after all, that he now recognizes the Iranian National Guard as a terrorist organization. It does make it that much stranger, though, that he still wants to meet with the Iranian President.
yeah ,well things are tough all over
yeah ,well things are tough all over
Proving point number 3 above with a bullet is lester the jew hater. Crawl back in your hole nazi-boy.
Lester- When was the time bombs flew off in Laguna- Times are tough. Enjoy the sunshine.
israel disrupts life in gaza. hamas disrupts life in israel.
I didn’t used to think that lester hates Jews, but, since this site is run by Jews, concerned with Jewish issues, and disproportionately frequented by Jews, the fact that he posts one smart-alecky, calculatedly offensive and unsympathetic, otherwise entirely pointless comment after another makes him objectively anti-semitic, regardless of what he imagines he believes. He’s habitually rude to Jews, whatever else he might want to say for himself. I believe the same can be said for many of the leftwing trolls who can’t seem to compose a post without personally attacking or otherwise denigrating the main bloggers or fellow commenters. I’m not talking about occasionally expressing oneself sharply – I’m talking about excessive and obsessive incivility focused on a small handful of issues and a few repeated statements that, even if they don’t start out as codewords, turn into them.
I’m sure it’s true that things are tough all over, but they seem to be particularly tough where Tagraffiti is, and rather soft where Lester hangs out or he would show a bit more respect.
Tagraffiti, you have my real sympathy, my support and my sincere hope that you will soon have a government that will take appropriate action to defend you, whether or not it is supported by the dubious crew we are now blessed with over here. Israel has stumbled at times, but it, and the folks who are its citizens, have shown a most impressive talent for survival. I expect it to be around and moderately heathy far longer than I am.
As for Lester, why do you folks feed this troll? Digital ink is awfully cheap, and Lester’s barbs are cheaper. Let him stew! If he had any semblance of a life he would find other ways to entertain himself.
The problem, materialist, is that “don’t feed the trolls” works about as well as “don’t scratch the itch.” It’s usually good advice, but certain afflictions will continue to itch, and even worsen, whether you scratch them or not.
This blog is largely unmoderated. In addition, it supplies a steady stream of newcomers and occasional commenters who can be counted on – if you’re a troll – to provide direct feedback. To make matters worse, the main bloggers themselves have from time to time taken it upon themselves to “feed” certain trolls, including lester and even Hartland, with attention. In the aftermath it hardly seems worth the effort anymore to ignore them, especially when their repulsive leavings come to dominate a given thread.
Point well made, Ck.
Speaking of that rapscallion devil, have any of you seen him recently? I so do wish he would stop bothering you all so things could be like they were before he discovered Commentary and its horde of nasty neocons. Personally I don’t think John really likes it when I come around looking for him — what with his being so witty and brilliant in his dissings. Now that lester, I do so like a man that can’t find the caps key. Just like e e cummings. I remember reading lots like him in my days at Bard. There was always a lester who needed a place to sleep for a couple of weeks or two and one morning you would wake up and find that lester was gone and so were your Bjork cds and the fake silver. The only thing that wasn’t missing when a lester left was the soap. If you see John, let me know. otherwise i look forward to hearing more from lester
Was a dork named Lester
Who did endlessly pester
But his flaccid schtick
Like his poxied dick
Soon began to fester
Joanie, Babe, welcome back. Let me break it to you as gently as I can, the CAPS KEY is lester’s “G-spot.” Now I know bein’ a liberal he should be writing with the caps lock on, but there’s only so much key-diddling he can take before our boy has to leave his computer screen and find the real thing, or at least something more real than pixels and caps can provide. Sheesh, have you priced liver lately. I know, I know, the last piece of liver lester had was the best piece he’d ever done, but the bloody thing dripped all over the front of his Che emblazoned thong, and those things are expensive.
#9, Joan Hartland:
“[...] for a couple of weeks or two [...] The only thing that wasn’t missing
when a lester left was the soap. ”
Beautiful prose, ma’am. You make it all worth while.
Their input is justified now – because it led to yours.
” the fact that he posts one smart-alecky, calculatedly offensive and unsympathetic, otherwise entirely pointless comment after another makes him objectively anti-semitic, regardless of what he imagines he believes.”
so what? I mean is that your big point? that I’m an anti semite?
I don’t feel I am but what difference does it make?
there were alot of racists and anti semites during the cold war who were reliably anti communist. does that mean communism was actually good? of course not.
so debate the issues not the debaters