Question; what is sending Colin Powel to the Middle East gonna solve?

[NFS4]

I mean, what can he do??? These people haven't listened to reason before, why would they now?

 

[NikPreviousAcct]

<< Question; what is sending Colin Powel to the Middle East gonna solve? >>

Getting him the heck outta here.

nik

 

[busmaster11]

The Palestinians welcome him now they say. Personally I think everyone changes their minds too much - its inconsistent. I personally think Arafat's a terrorist for not condemning the suicide bombings and being slow to quell his side, and the bombers themselves deserve to have their cause defeated for continuing the bombings when Isreal was already pulling out.

Having said that I think Sharon's a Nazi, and he was known to be one even before hew came to power. I saw this a mile away. Anyone who still supports the prick has his head stuck deep inside the collective ass of those Isreal loving DC lobbyists.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

I suspect it's merely another delaying tactic on our part in order for it to appear we are making a serious effort to mediate peace in the region while providing the Israelis with more time to weed out some of those terrorist dens. Furthermore, I believe there will be a dramatic and sudden change in the Israelis stance once they have accomplish a significant portion of their agenda.

 

[PsychoAndy]

it'll give them another american to take a shot at

remember murphy's laws of combat:

try to look unimportant. they might be low on ammo

 

[Novgrod]

all in my opinion of course:

The official reason is that Powell is well-respected internationally. Nobody knows anything about anthony zinni. Perhaps his clout would help.

The unofficial reason is that Bush has been lambasted for not doing enough in the middle east, and he wants to appear more active.

Now IMHO, Clinton tried to do too much and it didn't work; to think that anything Bush might do would help is a little, well, wrong. Though I'm no fan of bush, I respect that he has stuck by "they work it out; we'll help them work it out" thus far.

Then again, I could be entirely ignorant and stupid.

 

[Random Variable]

I think the administration thought that the incursions would go on indefintely, and in the meantime we would lose the support of our "allies" all over the world. I think it was the right move. And I think that my opinion holds at least a little bit of water because I have family living in Haifa.

 

[BaliBabyDoc]

all in my opinion of course:

The official reason is that Powell is well-respected internationally. Nobody knows anything about anthony zinni. Perhaps his clout would help.

The unofficial reason is that Bush has been lambasted for not doing enough in the middle east, and he wants to appear more active.

Now IMHO, Clinton tried to do too much and it didn't work; to think that anything Bush might do would help is a little, well, wrong. Though I'm no fan of bush, I respect that he has stuck by "they work it out; we'll help them work it out" thus far.

Then again, I could be entirely ignorant and stupid.

I agree with everything especially the last line.

But one caveat is that Clinton should have done less if he was expecting Bush to win the election. I am not endorsing Al Gore as a great negotiator but he would have been engaged from Day 1 and much of the previous admin. foreign policy team would have been retained. GWB policy was just ignorant and myopic. You can always use a friend and now that we are desperate for 'unsavory' friends we have to coddle an unreformed terrorist like Arafat while totally writing off whole countries like Iran and North Korea but kissing China's arse and promising to do Uzbekistan's dirty work. Clinton raised everyone's expectations; which is a good thing if you deliver. But Sharon and Arafat both have the same handicap. They expect more from one another but deliver less themselves.

 

[thebestMAX]

This is a big mistake!!

Powell is a known dove and was against the Gulf War effort. He was against Schwartzkoff (sp) putting an end once and for all to SO Damn Insane.

Bush has compromised his war on terrorism by this act and has put the integrity of the US in question.

Why cant we ever fight a war to win it and to hell with the PC crowd, world sentiment, the UN (especially) or the hind sight second guessers who have never placed themselves at risk?

 

[Maetryx]

I see it has an episode of Law & Order. Colin Powell is the good cop. He's the guy that "understands" and makes vague promises to help out and such. It's good to have that because it means we can play this thing both ways. He's the guy that prevents us from burning bridges in the event that the table turns, to mix metaphors.

 

[BaliBabyDoc]

Powell is a known dove and was against the Gulf War effort.

Bush has compromised his war on terrorism by this act and has put the integrity of the US in question.

Why cant we ever fight a war to win it and to hell with the PC crowd, world sentiment, the UN (especially) or the hind sight second guessers who have never placed themselves at risk?

There's something terribly wrong with a society when former 4-star generals are 'doves'. I distinctly remember Colin Powell saying we were out to kill people during the Gulf War.

Bush is not principled. He doesn't know enough to have principles.

So who are you itching to fight with? If your undergarments are that bunched up how about you exercise your constitutional right to collect some arms and go fight! World sentiment favors peace because war destroys. Much of the world desperately needs to be built up not torn down. Every water treatment facility, power plant, and road destroyed by Israeli action has to be replaced.

 

[bambam]

Maybe he wants to see if the Palistians really want peace .

 

[db]

Since he is so high level, it emphasizes how serious Bush is about his latest plan/advice. Also did you notice that only when Bush made his speech today did Sharon agree to let Zinny talk to Arafat w/o conditions. That was pure face-saving politics.

 

[ThePresence]

<< Powell is a known dove and was against the Gulf War effort.

Bush has compromised his war on terrorism by this act and has put the integrity of the US in question. >>



Damn right. Interesting how the US responds to terrorism by attacking the Taliban and Al Qeida, but expects different from the Israelis. What do you think would happen if suicde bombers were blowing up in packed malls in NY or Washington?



<< Why cant we ever fight a war to win it and to hell with the PC crowd, world sentiment, the UN (especially) or the hind sight second guessers who have never placed themselves at risk? >>



Agreed again. If Israel was to pull out now, it would lose much of what this operation was meant to achieve, namely, to wipe out the terrorist infrastructure.



<< So who are you itching to fight with? If your undergarments are that bunched up how about you exercise your constitutional right to collect some arms and go fight! World sentiment favors peace because war destroys. Much of the world desperately needs to be built up not torn down. Every water treatment facility, power plant, and road destroyed by Israeli action has to be replaced. >>



Oh, but you forget the limbs, lives and familes destroyed by the Palestinians which can never be replaced. And I did fight. Im not just an armchair airhead mouthing off. I did time with the IDF in Lebanon. I know what they're up against; terrorist scum. They hide in Churches, hospitals and ambulances. Anything to make the Israelis look bad.

 

[Miramonti]

I mean, what can he do??? These people haven't listened to reason before, why would they now?

If anyone has a chance at negotiating a resolution its the US - we have the strongest influence to get both sides to listen to us, but the leadership in the US has been so damn flimsey and contradicting its embarrasing.

 

[Martin]

<< Damn right. Interesting how the US responds to terrorism by attacking the Taliban and Al Qeida, but expects different from the Israelis. What do you think would happen if suicde bombers were blowing up in packed malls in NY or Washington? >>




Inconsistency in foreign policy is nothing new. They bomb Al-Qaida, they tell Isreal to restrain and they bomb the Serbs in order to help out the terrorists (KLA in this case)

 

[swayinOtis]

unfortunately the US has to stroke the Arabs in the middle east so Bush can gain support for his war on Saddam Hussein. sending Colin Powell over there *might* be one way of doing that. that's just a guess. the US can't sit back and do nothing because it makes them look like they are favoring Israel, which they do anyway, but that's politics for ya.

 

[swayinOtis]

<< Having said that I think Sharon's a Nazi >>



I guess you can't appreciate the irony of such a statement.

 

[busmaster11]

<<

<< Having said that I think Sharon's a Nazi >>



I guess you can't appreciate the irony of such a statement. >>



Nazi in a general term you dork...

 

[Corn]

Personally I'm satisfied with the Bush response--as I was becoming irritated at his prior inaction (some would call it coddling to a powerful political lobby).

I'm far from being a "terrorist supporter", but the Israel incursion into Palestinian territory was doomed to fail from the start. Public opinion was starting to sway in Israel's favor because of their show of restraint--now this act of revenge has once again sullied their reputation.

Those calling this action "necessary to their security" are only kidding themselves. If they were truly interested in "security", they could just as easily seal off their borders and not allow any Palestinians into Israel. Problem solved to a very high degree.




<< Bush is not principled. He doesn't know enough to have principles. >>



Braack!!! Bush is a moron.... Braack!!! Bush is a moron. [/parrot patrol mode]

I suppose it takes one to know one, eh Bali? Typical.

 

[BaliBabyDoc]

Let me get it out of the way . . . excellent viewpoint, Corn.

As for the rest of your post . . .

<< Bush is not principled. He doesn't know enough to have principles. >>



Braack!!! Bush is a moron.... Braack!!! Bush is a moron. [/parrot patrol mode]

I suppose it takes one to know one, eh Bali? Typical.

I imagine you know two; include yourself of course. Tell me if this qualifies for ignorant if not myopic status . . . moron is your limited vocabulary not mine.

1) Rabin/Peres and Arafat sign historic agreement in Oslo to support a Palestinian state, Israeli security, and end occupation.
2) Rabin buys a bullet for his effort.
3) Barak continues but Arafat balks at a damn good deal.
4) Suicide bombings and military incursions increase.
5) Bush takes office with the mantra . . . damn the nation building and let them sort it out while we sit out.
6) Suicide bombings and military incursions spiral out of control.
7) Bush sends Cheney to pave the way for gonna-kick-Saddam's-arse Week.
8) Arabs say hold up there's still the Palestinian question.
9) Bush says let's build a nation and I'm sending my Secretary of State to help sort this out.

Nevermind . . . bird brain you've got it right . . . Bush is a moron. Thanks for the tip.

 

[Corn]

<< Tell me if this qualifies for ignorant if not myopic status . . . moron is your limited vocabulary not mine. >>



I'll answer this later.



<< 1) Rabin/Peres and Arafat sign historic agreement in Oslo to support a Palestinian state, Israeli security, and end occupation.
2) Rabin buys a bullet for his effort.
3) Barak continues but Arafat balks at a damn good deal.
4) Suicide bombings and military incursions increase.
5) Bush takes office with the mantra . . . damn the nation building and let them sort it out while we sit out.
6) Suicide bombings and military incursions spiral out of control.
7) Bush sends Cheney to pave the way for gonna-kick-Saddam's-arse Week.
8) Arabs say hold up there's still the Palestinian question.
9) Bush says let's build a nation and I'm sending my Secretary of State to help sort this out.

Nevermind . . . bird brain you've got it right . . . Bush is a moron. Thanks for the tip. >>



Of course you're an excellent study of those whom are ignorant, your expertise on the subject is as vast as the horizon.....is it not? Especially with regard to the decisions of foreign policy as well as other delicate political matters. I'm sure you've amassed endless quantities of experience through your significant years on this earth that, well, perhaps Bush would be better served to offer you into his employ.

While I'm flattered you thought a previous point of mine to be "excellent", I just can't say the same about your conclusion of that quoted list. Perhaps I believe number 9 on your list to be an impressive display of Bush's principles and intelligence.

I agree with the notion that the "nation building" policies of the past helped generate some of the "root causes" that the Niks are desperately searching for, as well as being a significant distraction from those that would, and had the means to, cause us great harm.

However; the writing's on the wall. Bush has made several policy decisions that has angered those on "the right". I say, bully for him, that's exactly why I gave him my vote. This decision to finally involve ourselves and throw our weight around is simply the right thing to do, and not just for the Palestinians, but for our security as well. In case you've forgotten, Israel isn't the only country that's had to deal with terrorism against its civilian population.

Yeah, we need friends, and yeah, some are pretty unsavory. The world is a dirty place, hell it's made of dirt, eh? As a matter of fact, grind us down to our very core and we are but pencil lead, staining the pure white parchment of our universe.....but alas, I suppose I'd rather be friends with the dirty guys than their enemy, at least if it's just for today. Perhaps in time we'll develop some fairy dust to sprinkle on the bad guys to make them good, or at least keep them from turning on us. The big picture of reality today says that if you're gonna do some cleaning, you're bound to get a little dirty in the process.

I'm certainly not going to fault Bush for doing what's right.....and I find it quite satisfying to watch this partisan behavior in full bloom. Obviously this turn of events has you worried, it must be spring. Two days ago I voiced my dissatisfaction in another thread in regard to our "hands off" policy during this whole "affair". I'm not above criticizing Bush when it's warranted, but your continuing and tiresome editorial assault against Bush's intellectual prowess is evidence enough of your own callous nature. I'm disappointed that the suffering and death of innocent Israeli and Palestinian civilians are of less import than your sorry attempts to air your superiority to our President.

To answer your first question: Both, but then again, I'm sure you've got bigger fish to fry than to worry about a topic as insignificant as my limited vocabulary: You've got a President to insult and time's a wastin'.

 

[BaliBabyDoc]

I imagine you know two; include yourself of course. Tell me if this qualifies for ignorant if not myopic status . . . moron is your limited vocabulary not mine.

I apologize for the error in syntax. The statement was referring to the list not the commentary.

I only levy justly deserved insults. "Guiding principles" are meaningless if they don't actually guide your decision-making. Maybe Bush doesn't have any just a typical politician, maybe he's a waffler, maybe he's intelligent and moving to accomodate changing conditions. The truth probably lies somewhere amongst all of those options. But his track record appears to be to stick with what he knows and repeat.

Every time he does something consistent with being an idiot . . . wave at a blind man; he will be treated accordingly.

Every time he acts like a typical politician . . . enact tariffs against an industry concentrated in battleground states; while ignoring entreaties from southern states for the textile industry which has been decimated by foreign competition; he will be treated accordingly.

Every time he acts as straight up hypocrite . . . war against terrorists and those that provide resources or safe haven to terrorists - while shaking Musharraf's hand and sending our tax money to buy him weapons; he will be treated accordingly. Not to mention saying America will do whatever it takes to win the war against terrorist but chastising Israel for their efforts to do the same.

 

[Willoughbyva]

I really don't know enough about the middle east to comment, but I think it is to make some kind of statement. I dislike both parties over there, or at least the actions that both parties have taken in the past. Everyone seems gung ho to kill. On both sides.

Sending Powel will make it look like something is being done by the administration. I think Isreal and Palistine both play politics with peoples lives. I am glad I don't have to be anywhere near that region.

Maybe Powell will surprise everybody and allow the political leaders on both side to save some kind of face or something. Maybe it will lead to some type of deal or pact or something that will stop all the bloodshed.

As I think about this I wonder about how many other countries/regions in the world are under constant fighting and killing of life. I don't have the greatest life in the world, but i am glad that I live where I live. And I hpe to continue enjoying what peace I have.

Will

 

[b0mbrman]

<< it'll give them another american to take a shot at
remember murphy's laws of combat:
try to look unimportant. they might be low on ammo >>


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