Operation Moderate Support.

[techs]

I am absolutely amazed that a great US success in the Middle East hasn't gotten more coverage.

LEBANON IS NOW A WESTERN ALLIED FULL DEMOCRACY.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06....html?_r=1&ref=opinion

First, a solid majority of Lebanese Christians voted against the list of Michel Aoun, who wanted to align their community with the Shiite Hezbollah party, and tacitly Iran, because he viewed them as being best able to protect Christian interests ? not the West. The Christian majority voted instead for those who wanted to preserve Lebanon?s sovereignty and independence from any regional power.

Second, a solid majority of all Lebanese ? Muslims, Christians and Druse ? voted for the March 14 coalition led by Saad Hariri, the son of the slain Lebanese prime minister, Rafik Hariri. This U.S.-supported coalition sees Lebanon?s future as a state independent of Syrian and Iranian influence and committed to its pluralism, modern education, a modern economy and a progressive outlook.

Gee, I wonder Obama's little speech in Egypt may have had something to do with it.
So, while it can't be said that Obama's hand out to moderate Muslims may have already swung one election, it didn't hurt.
I'm guessing the only thing that did hurt the moderates chances were all the Americans blasting Obama for reaching out to Muslims and all the hatred and death to Muslim rhetoric that was in the air.


Second phase of Operation Moderate Support happens in only 2 days. The Iranian election.
Interestingly, despite Americans belief that it is only a choice between which candidate wants to kill Americans faster, turns out its the ECONOMY that is the big issue.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06...l?scp=2&sq=iran&st=cse
as in so many other elections, another issue is seen as more important: the economy. Iran?s crippling inflation rate, unemployment, and the question of how its oil revenue is being spent are at the top of the agenda for most voters, analysts say.

I wonder how much Obama's Operation Moderate Support has helped the anti-Ahmacrazyguy party.
While the US probably couldn't decide the election this year, unlike in 2005 when Iranian moderates followed the US policy of boycotting the election, ensuring Ahmacrazyguy the leadership, the fact that the issue is no longer DEATH TO AMERICA and that moderates will vote gives us a chance to rid the world of Ahmacrazyguy


The third phase of Operation Moderate Support is a likely loser.
Seems the Iraqis are determined to go ahead with a plebiscite to approve the US keeping some forces there until 2011:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06...l?scp=2&sq=iraq&st=cse

American diplomats are quietly lobbying the government not to hold the referendum, but so far Iraqi politicians have decided to go ahead with it to avoid appearing to be in the pocket of the Americans in an election year.

On Tuesday, the cabinet approved the appropriation of $99 million for the referendum

?This is an election year for Iraq; no one wants to appear that he is appeasing the Americans,? he said. ?Anti-Americanism is popular now in Iraq.?


I guess after how the Bushies handled the aftermath of the war unless Obama actually turned out to BE a Muslim we have screwed our reputation with the Iraqis for a awhile.
Who knows, maybe if Obama had closed Gitmo like he wanted......and a certain faction of American politicians hadn't made such racist, hateful comments, we would be in a better position for the third phase.



Americans: Stand up and applaud Operation Moderate Support.

 

[StageLeft]

Gee, I wonder Obama's little speech in Egypt may have had something to do with it.
So, while it can't be said that Obama's hand out to moderate Muslims may have already swung one election, it didn't hurt.
I'm guessing the only thing that did hurt the moderates chances were all the Americans blasting Obama for reaching out to Muslims and all the hatred and death to Muslim rhetoric that was in the air.

Instead of guessing, why not do some homework and find some pre and post-speech poll numbers? Should be easy and will support or refute your assertion.

 

[ElFenix]

I am absolutely amazed that a great US success in the Middle East hasn't gotten more coverage.

LEBANON IS NOW A WESTERN ALLIED FULL DEMOCRACY.

from what i've been reading that blurb there is well overstating the implications of the lebanon election.

 

[cubeless]

and the hezbo chiefs put out a statement that the new gov won't be touching hezbo's arsenal, or basically doing anything to restrain it...

any good news is, of course, good news, but stay tuned for the next chapter... bush, obama, i don't matter: these guys are going to keep fighting... if u ain't the boss then it's just no fun...

 

[techs]

Originally posted by: cubeless
and the hezbo chiefs put out a statement that the new gov won't be touching hezbo's arsenal, or basically doing anything to restrain it...

any good news is, of course, good news, but stay tuned for the next chapter... bush, obama, i don't matter: these guys are going to keep fighting... if u ain't the boss then it's just no fun...

Yes. But they had free and fair elections in Lebanon and elected a pro-western, moderate government.
Now maybe if they govern effectively, and are aided by other countries, they will be strong enought to disarm the militants.

Oh wait, along with Israel, Lebanon is now a middle eastern democracy? And it didn't cost us one soldier? Cool. And, yes, Iraq is also a democracy, thought that cost us a fortune in treasure and lives.

Anyways, as I type this, I believe, Iranians are going to the polls.
Ahmacrazyguy may be on his way out.
Get out there and vote you moderates in Iran!!!

 

[techs]

The news is saying they have extended the election by 6 hours due to a huge turnout.
Scary that they may have a larger turnout in Iran than we have in America for an election.

 

[CPA]

sorry, techs, but the lebanon situation had NOTHING to do with Obama's appeasement speech. Bush had been pushing Lebanon in this direction for years. Of course, I get it, we can't credit Bush with any good (lebanon), we are only allowed to blame him for the bad (Iraq).

 

[imported_inspire]

http://www.reuters.com/article...14340720090612?sp=true

Update time!

 

[Lemon law]

It looks like the 69% Achmadeinjad figure is based on very early returns, most likely from outlying rural districts where the incumbent is stronger. I do not think the city vote is in yet so its the last 81% of the vote that will tell the tale. And the polls, have only just closed.

We shall see, but I think its too early to tell. And already both sides are both crying victory and fraud.

 

[techs]

Originally posted by: Lemon law
It looks like the 69% Achmadeinjad figure is based on very early returns, most likely from outlying rural districts where the incumbent is stronger. I do not think the city vote is in yet so its the last 81% of the vote that will tell the tale. And the polls, have only just closed.

We shall see, but I think its too early to tell. And already both sides are both crying victory and fraud.

Various news outlets are saying that Ahmacrazyguys challenger is alleging fraud, and has some pretty good evidence of it.
If Ahmacrazyguy did win by fraud, it won't help him much. Up til now he has been the legitimate elected president. If he's seen as illegitmate than Iran could face civil war.
What's a Mullah to do then? If they side with the crazy guy that's it for their legitimacy which by the way they still have amongst many, or they can step in and say Ahmacrazyguy lost.
Either way, if the people of Iran believe the election was stolen, its a whole new ballgame. Perhaps not just the election of moderate president but a real challenge to the Mullahs.


And as to CPA's ridiculous claim:
sorry, techs, but the lebanon situation had NOTHING to do with Obama's appeasement speech. Bush had been pushing Lebanon in this direction for years.

that's just plain made up bullshit. Bush backed Israel one hundred percent when the Israelis entered Lebanon in 2006. And the Lebanese pleaded with Bush to at least restrain Israel a little bit, like not raining down 4.6 million cluster sub-munitions across southern Lebanon in at least 962 separate strikes.
No, you just made shit up.

 

[Hacp]

It looks like Obama's promise to meet unconditionally with ahmadenajad boistered him domestically and led to his 66% victory.

 

[Aimster]

Ahmadinejad got 69% of the vote? That's some B.S right there.

Clearly fraud.

 

[techs]

Originally posted by: Aimster
Ahmadinejad got 69% of the vote? That's some B.S right there.

Clearly fraud.

Yeah. Just the number alone shows how desperate the Ahmacrazyguy is.
I predict either civil war or at least civil unrest in Iran.
It's a bad day to be a Mullah.

 

[Sacrilege]

Is it safe to say an Ahmadinejad victory increases the chances of an Israeli strike?

 

[Patranus]

Originally posted by: Aimster
Ahmadinejad got 69% of the vote? That's some B.S right there.

You actually think that "vote" matters?

Funny how people like Saddam Hussein got 100% of the vote...

 

[Orignal Earl]

Rock on Lebanon

 

[JSt0rm]

Originally posted by: Lemon law
It looks like the 69% Achmadeinjad figure is based on very early returns, most likely from outlying rural districts where the incumbent is stronger. I do not think the city vote is in yet so its the last 81% of the vote that will tell the tale. And the polls, have only just closed.

We shall see, but I think its too early to tell. And already both sides are both crying victory and fraud.

funny how its always the rural people who get it wrong.

 

[Nitemare]

Originally posted by: techs

Originally posted by: Lemon law
It looks like the 69% Achmadeinjad figure is based on very early returns, most likely from outlying rural districts where the incumbent is stronger. I do not think the city vote is in yet so its the last 81% of the vote that will tell the tale. And the polls, have only just closed.

We shall see, but I think its too early to tell. And already both sides are both crying victory and fraud.

Various news outlets are saying that Ahmacrazyguys challenger is alleging fraud, and has some pretty good evidence of it.
If Ahmacrazyguy did win by fraud, it won't help him much. Up til now he has been the legitimate elected president. If he's seen as illegitmate than Iran could face civil war.
What's a Mullah to do then? If they side with the crazy guy that's it for their legitimacy which by the way they still have amongst many, or they can step in and say Ahmacrazyguy lost.
Either way, if the people of Iran believe the election was stolen, its a whole new ballgame. Perhaps not just the election of moderate president but a real challenge to the Mullahs.


And as to CPA's ridiculous claim:
sorry, techs, but the lebanon situation had NOTHING to do with Obama's appeasement speech. Bush had been pushing Lebanon in this direction for years.

that's just plain made up bullshit. Bush backed Israel one hundred percent when the Israelis entered Lebanon in 2006. And the Lebanese pleaded with Bush to at least restrain Israel a little bit, like not raining down 4.6 million cluster sub-munitions across southern Lebanon in at least 962 separate strikes.
No, you just made shit up.

Regardless it doesn't matter, the Mullahs rule Iran and handpick the "figurehead" presidents. Until there is another revolution nothing will change in Iran.

I don't expect a fair election this year either.

 

[Lemon law]

Its been four hours since the 69% figure was put forth, lots of votes counted since, and according to the NYT, the 69% is still being claimed.

Sounds like fraud to me, Achmadinehad controls the ministry that counts votes, and if fraud is strongly suspected, even the Mullahs may have to back down.

 

[Nitemare]

Originally posted by: Lemon law
Its been four hours since the 69% figure was put forth, lots of votes counted since, and according to the NYT, the 69% is still being claimed.

Sounds like fraud to me, Achmadinehad controls the ministry that counts votes, and if fraud is strongly suspected, even the Mullahs may have to back down.

They can just send in their goons to squash protestors

 

[techs]

Originally posted by: Lemon law
Its been four hours since the 69% figure was put forth, lots of votes counted since, and according to the NYT, the 69% is still being claimed.

Sounds like fraud to me, Achmadinehad controls the ministry that counts votes, and if fraud is strongly suspected, even the Mullahs may have to back down.

Yeah, the Mullahs need for the people to believe they have a democracy and the election was fair. I suspect the Mullahs supported the crazy guy, but would have been ok the other way around.
It will be interesting to see how this plays out.
If several million Iranians decide to strike and stay home from work, I think they could bring down crazy guy.

 

[Sinsear]

I love the drivel being touted by the usual suspects in here. Its about time you guys face the facts. There is no revolution. There is no urban tide of progressives. Iran is Iran. A country run by the enemy of western civilization. Not too late to send in the air strikes while Achmadinajihad's supporters revel in the streets.

 

[techs]

Originally posted by: Sinsear
I love the drivel being touted by the usual suspects in here. Its about time you guys face the facts. There is no revolution. There is no urban tide of progressives. Iran is Iran. A country run by the enemy of western civilization. Not too late to send in the air strikes while Achmadinajihad's supporters revel in the streets.

Yep. Now I know why it is so hard for muslim moderates.

 

[heyheybooboo]

Originally posted by: CPA
sorry, techs, but the lebanon situation had NOTHING to do with Obama's appeasement speech. Bush had been pushing Lebanon in this direction for years. Of course, I get it, we can't credit Bush with any good (lebanon), we are only allowed to blame him for the bad (Iraq).

You are so full of crap.

Lebanon pleaded with Bush to call for a cease-fire (which Commander Codpiece ignored). Bush's antics toward Lebanon even provoked outrage from Tony Blair.

Feel free to respond when you are done polishing Bush's knob.

 

[Painman]

Some of y'all need to try and accept the distinct possibility that Iran simply wishes to remain a rogue, reactionary shithole. Remember United States of America, Election of November, 2004, before you assemble your displays of shock and dismay.