Comments on: More Hypocrisy in the House of Bush http://www.notquitecenter.com/2008/04/22/more-hypocrisy-in-the-house-of-bush/ Thu, 30 Jun 2011 16:37:51 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Traveler http://www.notquitecenter.com/2008/04/22/more-hypocrisy-in-the-house-of-bush/#comment-241 Traveler Tue, 20 May 2008 16:08:21 +0000 http://www.notquitecenter.com/?p=61#comment-241 I wanted to put in a quick follow up regarding Barak Obama's foreign policy ideas. Lately, John McCain is attempting to show Obama's inexperience through highlighting his willingness to talk with Iran. Personally, I think McCain's comments are showing his inexperience and unwillingness to evolve with the ever-changing international arena. Any student of diplomacy or war knows that tactics and strategies must be changed if current methods are unsuccessful. Over the past eight years I watched with increasing dismay as the country I love lost credibility and influence abroad. Though I don't agree with everything Obama stands for (or any politician for that matter) I think he has the right ideas that will help our country's floundering image regain some of its former prestige and respect. We live in a global community and policies that promote isolationism, imperialism, and hegemony will not bring us back to our former glory days. May God help us if we continue to elect leaders who refuse to recognize this. I wanted to put in a quick follow up regarding Barak Obama’s foreign policy ideas. Lately, John McCain is attempting to show Obama’s inexperience through highlighting his willingness to talk with Iran. Personally, I think McCain’s comments are showing his inexperience and unwillingness to evolve with the ever-changing international arena. Any student of diplomacy or war knows that tactics and strategies must be changed if current methods are unsuccessful.

Over the past eight years I watched with increasing dismay as the country I love lost credibility and influence abroad. Though I don’t agree with everything Obama stands for (or any politician for that matter) I think he has the right ideas that will help our country’s floundering image regain some of its former prestige and respect. We live in a global community and policies that promote isolationism, imperialism, and hegemony will not bring us back to our former glory days. May God help us if we continue to elect leaders who refuse to recognize this.

]]> By: Mike W. http://www.notquitecenter.com/2008/04/22/more-hypocrisy-in-the-house-of-bush/#comment-240 Mike W. Fri, 25 Apr 2008 17:53:00 +0000 http://www.notquitecenter.com/?p=61#comment-240 Traveler mentions a great example of what can happen when terrorist organizations are dealt with on multiple levels, one important one being "talking" to the terrorist, by mentioning the British situation with the IRA. One huge problem that is developing in the Middle East, not dissimilar to the problems with Hamas, is the situation in Egypt with the Muslim Brotherhood. Also Islamists, this group is highly respected and appreciated by the people, but the establishment politicians (those who have made their bed with the West) are disenfranchising the voters by systematically eliminating the Muslim Brotherhood members as candidates for elections. This will backfire on the Egyptian government if they persist in pretending democracy...once the food crisis reaches it's critical level. Traveler mentions a great example of what can happen when terrorist organizations are dealt with on multiple levels, one important one being “talking” to the terrorist, by mentioning the British situation with the IRA.

One huge problem that is developing in the Middle East, not dissimilar to the problems with Hamas, is the situation in Egypt with the Muslim Brotherhood. Also Islamists, this group is highly respected and appreciated by the people, but the establishment politicians (those who have made their bed with the West) are disenfranchising the voters by systematically eliminating the Muslim Brotherhood members as candidates for elections. This will backfire on the Egyptian government if they persist in pretending democracy…once the food crisis reaches it’s critical level.

]]> By: Traveler http://www.notquitecenter.com/2008/04/22/more-hypocrisy-in-the-house-of-bush/#comment-239 Traveler Fri, 25 Apr 2008 15:34:39 +0000 http://www.notquitecenter.com/?p=61#comment-239 I absolutely agree. Baby steps are better than nothing. There is still the issue that Hamas is commited to the destruction of Israel, though I think that can change. It is really too bad that the Bush Administration was so quick to dismiss Carter. The US has caused itself a bit of problem in that it won't talk with terrorists or communist dictators, etc. There is an exception to this...if these entities have nuclear weapons, we then lend them some level of communication and respect, e.g. North Korea and Pakistan. That is scary. After the years of not talking to Cuba with no tangible results, I would think that we would learn something. Isolation of the organizations and states we don't like doesn't work and most of time entrenches them in more extremist behavior. I absolutely agree. Baby steps are better than nothing. There is still the issue that Hamas is commited to the destruction of Israel, though I think that can change. It is really too bad that the Bush Administration was so quick to dismiss Carter.

The US has caused itself a bit of problem in that it won’t talk with terrorists or communist dictators, etc. There is an exception to this…if these entities have nuclear weapons, we then lend them some level of communication and respect, e.g. North Korea and Pakistan. That is scary. After the years of not talking to Cuba with no tangible results, I would think that we would learn something. Isolation of the organizations and states we don’t like doesn’t work and most of time entrenches them in more extremist behavior.

]]> By: Centrist http://www.notquitecenter.com/2008/04/22/more-hypocrisy-in-the-house-of-bush/#comment-238 Centrist Fri, 25 Apr 2008 14:48:16 +0000 http://www.notquitecenter.com/?p=61#comment-238 After Carter's return, Hamas reiterated its position that they do not recognize Israel or its right to exist. However, a couple of days later Hamas is agreeing to talks about a cease-fire with Israel. This would be a de facto recognition of Israel. It looks like Crazy Carter and his silliness may actually pay off. Whodathunk? Talking can promote progress and solve a problem? I'm not naive enough to think a resolution is anywhere on the horizon, but this is a baby-step that, until now, has been completely unthinkable. After Carter’s return, Hamas reiterated its position that they do not recognize Israel or its right to exist. However, a couple of days later Hamas is agreeing to talks about a cease-fire with Israel. This would be a de facto recognition of Israel. It looks like Crazy Carter and his silliness may actually pay off. Whodathunk? Talking can promote progress and solve a problem? I’m not naive enough to think a resolution is anywhere on the horizon, but this is a baby-step that, until now, has been completely unthinkable.

]]> By: Traveler http://www.notquitecenter.com/2008/04/22/more-hypocrisy-in-the-house-of-bush/#comment-237 Traveler Fri, 25 Apr 2008 03:07:00 +0000 http://www.notquitecenter.com/?p=61#comment-237 The situation with Hamas is interesting. Though I understand the hesitation in wanting to open dialog with them, thus legitimizing a terrorist organization's activities, there is the point that Hamas is in power due to a democratic process. One must ask which is more important? Personally, I think extremist organizations have the capacity to change, as evidenced recently with the IRA, and become legitimate political powers. A peace deal between the Palestinians and Israelis cannot be accomplished without including Hamas. They are a player whether the US and Israel like it or not. Besides, having no contact with the elected Palestinian leaders flies in the face of the US goal to further democracy in Middle East. Three cheers for ex-prez Carter. The situation with Hamas is interesting. Though I understand the hesitation in wanting to open dialog with them, thus legitimizing a terrorist organization’s activities, there is the point that Hamas is in power due to a democratic process. One must ask which is more important? Personally, I think extremist organizations have the capacity to change, as evidenced recently with the IRA, and become legitimate political powers.

A peace deal between the Palestinians and Israelis cannot be accomplished without including Hamas. They are a player whether the US and Israel like it or not. Besides, having no contact with the elected Palestinian leaders flies in the face of the US goal to further democracy in Middle East. Three cheers for ex-prez Carter.

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