DiscussWorldIssues - Socio-Economic Religion and Political Uncensored Debate - View Single Post - Reid throws Obama under bus over speech on Isreal's border.

**nickayary** · 05-26-2011, 12:15 AM

Bibi called Boehner and said he wanted to make a speech to both houses of Congress. Boehner said, "yes, Sir, I'll set it up right away," which gives you some idea of the role of the Israel government in US domestic policy. . . .

The way Congress hoop-hollered Netanyahu the other day during the joint session speech was very troubling and embarrassing IMO.

First, it made the US appear as Israel's total lapdog and puppet and specifically of Netanyahu. It was completely unbecoming, reckless and unflattering for the US to signal that to Israel and the rest of the world.

Second, it harmed the US's ability to play any fair and effective role in solving the Palestinian issue. They saw that grovelling spectacle and so did all other Muslims and/or Arabs (a few are Christian) and it signalled that the US will side with anything Israel requests over them.

Third, it was shameless pandering for short term personal kudos with the Jewish, Evangelical and some other religious based voters, influence and funding at the expense of a serious longtime foreign relations problem. It's one that's also consistently caused the US problems with being too biased towards Israel and not just with terrorism. The US needs friends in the Muslim world too--there's over a billion of them and in places of key strategic influence. How much oil does Israel produce? Or gas? Or other natural resources?

Fourth, it made the US look weak and pathetic and even almost delegating its sovereignty and direction to a foreign leader for his nation's--not the US's--uses and interests. Take a look at how the British reacted to Obama's speech in London yesterday before:

Obama: He came, he spoke, he conquered Westminster

The smooth rhetoric of the US President's address to Parliament won him a standing ovation. But the speech also made two important points

In a spirit of unyielding optimism neatly combined with a message of hard-headed pragmatism, Barack Obama has insisted that the time for American and European leadership "is now" in spite of the rise of new global superpowers. He was the first United States president to address MPs and peers in Westminster Hall and received a standing ovation before he began his speech, which covered issues such as foreign policy, economic development and international security.

The theatre of a state visit from Mr Obama is unavoidably mesmerising. Even the long wait in Westminster Hall for his arrival had a compelling quality, as Tony Blair spoke animatedly with Gordon Brown, David Cameron exchanged what seemed like a joke or two with Nick Clegg and opposite them sat the film star Tom Hanks. The delay in the presidential arrival led to an even greater sense of anticipation. Abroad at least, Mr Obama still casts spells as he did before the hard grind of power took hold.

. . .
Obama: He came, he spoke, he conquered Westminster - UK Politics, UK - The Independent

Once again, the US got a great boost from the POTUS there. Obama is proving to be a very effective leader for the US in foreign policy insofar as message delivery, popularity, rationale, effect, etc. He even got an honour no other POTUS ever received beforehand--a 'joint session of Parliament' speech in Westminster Hall--and he hit the ball out of the park with it.

Yet, if you watch the video of that speech, the British gave him the standing ovation at the end. They NEVER hoop-hollered him during his speech or otherwise acted as if the UK was his 'little bitch,' if you will. The UK is a powerful country in its own right with its own character, history, etc. To the British, they are allies and Obama is supposed to be the leader of an ally, not a proxy PM or leader to whom they grovel.

In no way whatsoever is what I'm saying anywhere meant to say that the Palestinians and their allies and supporters don't have to compromise or clean up much of their act. They absolutely do and form just as much of the problem. There's plenty of overreaching and wrongdoing by all sides here IMO. But it needs to get solved and not being part of the problem helps do that.

05-26-2011, 12:15 AM	#36
nickayary Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 396 Senior Member	Bibi called Boehner and said he wanted to make a speech to both houses of Congress. Boehner said, "yes, Sir, I'll set it up right away," which gives you some idea of the role of the Israel government in US domestic policy. . . . The way Congress hoop-hollered Netanyahu the other day during the joint session speech was very troubling and embarrassing IMO. First, it made the US appear as Israel's total lapdog and puppet and specifically of Netanyahu. It was completely unbecoming, reckless and unflattering for the US to signal that to Israel and the rest of the world. Second, it harmed the US's ability to play any fair and effective role in solving the Palestinian issue. They saw that grovelling spectacle and so did all other Muslims and/or Arabs (a few are Christian) and it signalled that the US will side with anything Israel requests over them. Third, it was shameless pandering for short term personal kudos with the Jewish, Evangelical and some other religious based voters, influence and funding at the expense of a serious longtime foreign relations problem. It's one that's also consistently caused the US problems with being too biased towards Israel and not just with terrorism. The US needs friends in the Muslim world too--there's over a billion of them and in places of key strategic influence. How much oil does Israel produce? Or gas? Or other natural resources? Fourth, it made the US look weak and pathetic and even almost delegating its sovereignty and direction to a foreign leader for his nation's--not the US's--uses and interests. Take a look at how the British reacted to Obama's speech in London yesterday before: Obama: He came, he spoke, he conquered Westminster The smooth rhetoric of the US President's address to Parliament won him a standing ovation. But the speech also made two important points In a spirit of unyielding optimism neatly combined with a message of hard-headed pragmatism, Barack Obama has insisted that the time for American and European leadership "is now" in spite of the rise of new global superpowers. He was the first United States president to address MPs and peers in Westminster Hall and received a standing ovation before he began his speech, which covered issues such as foreign policy, economic development and international security. The theatre of a state visit from Mr Obama is unavoidably mesmerising. Even the long wait in Westminster Hall for his arrival had a compelling quality, as Tony Blair spoke animatedly with Gordon Brown, David Cameron exchanged what seemed like a joke or two with Nick Clegg and opposite them sat the film star Tom Hanks. The delay in the presidential arrival led to an even greater sense of anticipation. Abroad at least, Mr Obama still casts spells as he did before the hard grind of power took hold. . . . Obama: He came, he spoke, he conquered Westminster - UK Politics, UK - The Independent Once again, the US got a great boost from the POTUS there. Obama is proving to be a very effective leader for the US in foreign policy insofar as message delivery, popularity, rationale, effect, etc. He even got an honour no other POTUS ever received beforehand--a 'joint session of Parliament' speech in Westminster Hall--and he hit the ball out of the park with it. Yet, if you watch the video of that speech, the British gave him the standing ovation at the end. They NEVER hoop-hollered him during his speech or otherwise acted as if the UK was his 'little bitch,' if you will. The UK is a powerful country in its own right with its own character, history, etc. To the British, they are allies and Obama is supposed to be the leader of an ally, not a proxy PM or leader to whom they grovel. In no way whatsoever is what I'm saying anywhere meant to say that the Palestinians and their allies and supporters don't have to compromise or clean up much of their act. They absolutely do and form just as much of the problem. There's plenty of overreaching and wrongdoing by all sides here IMO. But it needs to get solved and not being part of the problem helps do that.
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