http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2009/06/05/the_settlement_canard_96840.html
June 5, 2009
"Obama the Humble"
By Charles Krauthammer
WASHINGTON -- Obama the Humble declares there will be no more "dictating" to other countries. We should "forge partnerships as opposed to simply dictating solutions," he told the G-20 summit. In Middle East negotiations, he told al-Arabiya, America will henceforth "start by listening, because all too often the United States starts by dictating."
An admirable sentiment. It applies to everyone -- Iran, Russia, Cuba, Syria, even Venezuela. Except Israel. Israel is ordered to freeze all settlement activity. As Secretary of State Clinton imperiously explained the diktat: "a stop to settlements -- not some settlements, not outposts, not natural-growth exceptions."
What's the issue? No "natural growth" means strangling to death the thriving towns close to the 1949 armistice line, many of them suburbs of Jerusalem, that every negotiation over the past decade has envisioned Israel retaining. It means no increase in population. Which means no babies. Or if you have babies, no housing for them -- not even WITHIN the existing town boundaries. Which means for every child born, someone has to move out. No community can survive like that. The obvious objective is to undermine and destroy these towns -- even before negotiations.
To what end? Over the last decade, the U.S. government has understood that any final peace treaty would involve Israel retaining some of the close-in settlements -- and compensating the Palestinians accordingly with land from within Israel itself.
That was envisioned in the Clinton plan in the Camp David negotiations in 2000, and again at Taba in 2001. After all, why turn towns to rubble when, instead, Arabs and Jews can stay in their homes if the 1949 armistice line is shifted slightly into the Palestinian side to capture the major close-in Jewish settlements, and then shifted into Israeli territory to capture Israeli land to give to the Palestinians?
This idea is not only logical, not only accepted by both Democratic and Republican administrations for the last decade, but was agreed to in writing in the letters of understanding exchanged between Israel and the United States in 2004 -- and subsequently overwhelmingly endorsed by a concurrent resolution of Congress.
Yet the Obama State Department has repeatedly refused to endorse these agreements or even say it will honor them. This from a president who piously insists that all parties to the conflict honor previous obligations.
The entire "natural growth" issue is a concoction. It's farcical to suggest that the peace process is moribund because a teacher in the Jewish Quarter of Jerusalem is making an addition to her house to accommodate new grandchildren -- when Gaza is run by Hamas terrorists dedicated to permanent war with Israel and when Mahmoud Abbas, having turned down every one of Ehud Olmert's peace offers, brazenly declares that he is in a waiting mode -- waiting for Hamas to become moderate and for Israel to cave -- before he'll do anything to advance peace.
In his much-heralded "Muslim world" address in Cairo Thursday, Obama declared that the Palestinian people's "situation" is "intolerable." Indeed it is, the result of 60 years of Palestinian leadership that gave its people corruption, tyranny, religious intolerance and forced militarization; leadership that for three generations -- Haj Amin al-Husseini in 1947, Yasser Arafat in 2000, Abbas in December 2008 -- rejected every offer of independence and dignity, choosing destitution and despair rather than accept any settlement not accompanied by the extinction of Israel.
In the 16 years since the Oslo accords turned the West Bank and Gaza over to the Palestinians, their leaders -- Fatah and Hamas alike -- built no schools, no roads, no courthouses, no hospitals, no institutions that would relieve their people's suffering. Instead they poured everything into an infrastructure of war and terror, all the while depositing billions (from gullible Western donors) into their Swiss bank accounts.
Obama says he came to Cairo to tell the truth. But he uttered not a word of that. Instead, among all the bromides and lofty sentiments, he issued but one concrete declaration of new American policy: "The United States does not accept the legitimacy of continued Israeli settlements," thus reinforcing the myth that Palestinian misery and statelessness are the fault of Israel and the settlements.
Blaming Israel and picking a fight over "natural growth" may curry favor with the Muslim "street." But it will only induce the Arab states to do like Abbas: sit and wait for America to deliver Israel on a platter. Which makes the Obama strategy not just dishonorable but self-defeating.
God help us!
I read it, now where is my gold star? :) :)
Whoops.....Sorry, no gold star.... but you do get the satisfaction of reading a great article from Sir Charles of which I know you enjoyed and agreed with. Great articles are hard to come by for us conservatives, especially the way the far-left media is kissing Obama's butt. Again, I'm glad you enjoyed the article but,.... sorry about the gold star. Maybe next time. :) :)
You oughta receive the gold star for posting such good ones.
It good to know that some have not changed or turned liberal.
Just keep in mind that a lot of people in this country are not conservative or liberal, just as we don't believe in totalitarianism or anarchism.
There are a lot of us that are just square pegs that refuse to be pounded through round holes.
Gee, I wonder what the immigration laws for Isreal are???
It's very complicated, why?
Because I for one do not want to be counted among those who have cursed Isreal. The America that I grew up in, learned to love, that stood for Freedom, is gone. If I am going to fight in defense of a country, I would like that country to share at least some of the same ideals that I hold dear.
QuoteThe America that I grew up in, learned to love, that stood for Freedom, is gone.
That's a crock dude.
Quote from: pamsback on June 10, 2009, 05:57:43 AM
QuoteThe America that I grew up in, learned to love, that stood for Freedom, is gone.
That's a crock dude.
I agree, Pam...The America that we all know and love is still here...Maybe a little bruised and a tad worse for wear...But the Flag, the one that has flown above all of our troops as it was carried throughout both war and peaceful times, is still there. It still flies and will continue to fly, as long as there are teachers who stand in front of their classes and impress upon their students how lucky they are that, through accident of birth, they are HERE. Yes, we've got some problems...NO, they're not insurmountable. Yes, we have a scary leader who I would rather see voted out...But, that's the glory of this greatest of human experiments that we're all living...We will have the chance, at the end of O's term, to vote him out. Contrary to the media's assessment of O, NO...O's not God. He is quite capable of being gone at the end of his term, if we all get together and vote him out. Things are looking up! I refuse to say my country is gone...And, anyone that has given up on Her has the same ability as any other nay-sayer to leave...We don't need any more negativity here. We need people who are determined to raise our country up off of its knees and back to standing straight and proud. Yes, I've been plenty negative since the last election...But I will NEVER say my country is on its last leg...And I will spend the rest of my teaching career impressing upon my students how lucky they are to live here!
Quote from: Catwoman on June 10, 2009, 08:27:53 AM
Quote from: pamsback on June 10, 2009, 05:57:43 AM
QuoteThe America that I grew up in, learned to love, that stood for Freedom, is gone.
That's a crock dude.
I agree, Pam...The America that we all know and love is still here...Maybe a little bruised and a tad worse for wear...But the Flag, the one that has flown above all of our troops as it was carried throughout both war and peaceful times, is still there. It still flies and will continue to fly, as long as there are teachers who stand in front of their classes and impress upon their students how lucky they are that, through accident of birth, they are HERE. Yes, we've got some problems...NO, they're not insurmountable. Yes, we have a scary leader who I would rather see voted out...But, that's the glory of this greatest of human experiments that we're all living...We will have the chance, at the end of O's term, to vote him out. Contrary to the media's assessment of O, NO...O's not God. He is quite capable of being gone at the end of his term, if we all get together and vote hiim out. Things are looking up! I refuse to say my country is gone...And, anyone that has given up on Her has the same ability as any other nay-sayer to leave...We don't need any more negativity here. We need people who are determined to raise our country up off of its knees and back to standing straight and proud. Yes, I've been plenty negative since the last election...But I will NEVER say my country is on its last leg...And I will spend the rest of my teaching career impressing upon my students how lucky they are to live here!
where's the little clappin dude at....................(rummagin around)..........well if there was a little clappin dude I'd post him!
I have asked for the little clappin' dude but so far Teresa hasn't given us one. It has to be simple for me to be able to use it.
Here you go Wilma.
(http://www.clipartof.com/images/emoticons/xsmall2/1233_hand_clapping.gif)
Thank you and the little clappin' dude is for Catwoman's post. Now, how do I keep him for future use?
Quote from: Catwoman on June 10, 2009, 08:27:53 AM
The America that we all know and love is still here...
Really, because the America I grew up in wouldn't have elected a president that is bent on turning this once great nation into a socialist country. The America that I love wouldn't have stood by and allowed gov't to take over private businesses and then give a controlling share of those business to union organizations. The America that I swore to defend wouldn't allow their childrens future to be stolen in the "hope" of stimulating the economy. The America that I believed in would not want leaders to call for the silencing of opposing view points. The America that I had come to trust would not have called people who believed in the Constitution racist, redneck, "teabaggers". The America that I was proud of believed in rewarding those that worked hard and earned a living, it did NOT take from those that had and give it to those who had not just so things would be fair. It believed that all men were created equal and it was what they did from that point was up to them.
It is about so much more than the current administration. It is about the mindset of the majority of americans.
See Pam's earlier post...She's still correct.
Quotethe America I grew up in wouldn't have elected a president that is bent on turning this once great nation into a socialist country.
they didn't they elected the guy they thought was the best one for the job considerin what they had to choose from.
QuoteThe America that I love wouldn't have stood by and allowed gov't to take over private businesses and then give a controlling share of those business to union organizations. The America that I swore to defend wouldn't allow their childrens future to be stolen in the "hope" of stimulating the economy.
Most of the Americans I know never would've let their business or their budget get in such a screwed up state to start with.
QuoteThe America that I believed in would not want leaders to call for the silencing of opposing view points
That's bull, if I had the time and the inclination I could quote you chapter and verse of dissenting views the people have wanted the government to quash.
QuoteThe America that I was proud of believed in rewarding those that worked hard and earned a living, it did NOT take from those that had and give it to those who had not just so things would be fair. It believed that all men were created equal and it was what they did from that point was up to them.
The America I grew up in would've made sure the people were fed and had what they needed withOUT the government steppin in to do it.
QuoteThe America that I had come to trust would not have called people who believed in the Constitution racist, redneck, "teabaggers".
AMERICA didn't, a goofy little wanna be big-shot actress/comedian did.
Pam, that is what I am talking about. The obamanites elected a canidate that ran on a socialist and marxist platform. The folks that voted for him wanted something for nothing.
As for Americans letting their budgets get screwed up, that is on them. It does not give the gov't the right to step in and take over.
Actually, pam you are right about dissenting views. At one point we had a form of the Fairness Doctrine, and we got rid of it, for good reason. Something about that Freedom of Speech thing.
As for people being fed and having what they need, we already have programs for that. However, when gov't steps in to help pay for houses that people shouldn't have in the first place, and uses taxpayer money to do it, that is theft. And no, it was not the banks fault that folks got into these houses in the first place, it was the gov't telling the banks to make the high risk loans.
Silly me, but I don't consider the Department of Homeland Security "a goofy little wanna be big-shot actress/comedian". I guess, I should have clarified my statement in my previous post by adding the word terrorist to the list.
QuoteThe folks that voted for him wanted something for nothing.
Some did I'm sure, same as when they vote EVERY time. From listening to people tho it's pretty clear a LOT of them were just pukin sick of SSDD and wanted somthing DIFFERENT, ANYthing different.
QuoteAs for Americans letting their budgets get screwed up, that is on them. It does not give the gov't the right to step in and take over.
Guess I didn't make myself clear........Average Americans had nothin to do with that mess....most of it was GOVERNMENT stupidity that ALLOWED greedy unscrupulous schmucks to manipulate the system untill they screwed blued and tattooed us. So I figure they are just dealin with THEIR own mess. BUT screwin us worse in the process.
QuoteAt one point we had a form of the Fairness Doctrine, and we got rid of it, for good reason. Something about that Freedom of Speech thing.
Duh.. only now thanks to mr nutcase white supremacy guy shootin up the museum today, it's all back on the table bigtime.
QuoteAs for people being fed and having what they need, we already have programs for that.
You missed my point again....if we took care of people the way WE are supposed to there would BE no programs at all or any NEED for them.
Quote"a goofy little wanna be big-shot actress/comedian".
thought you were talkin about that garofolo chick. You know I get called a redneck all the time. In fact one of my daughter in laws told me one time when she met me she thought I was the biggest redneck she had ever met. I said "Why THANK you LOL. as for that "teabaggin thing, I'm not ashamed to admit I don't have a clue what that meant when they said it has some kind of sexual connection. It's just another word to me.
America ain't dead. She's a lttle worse for wear but She is also a tough ol bitch and She's GONNA get back up and She's gonna be SUpremely pissed when She does.
Cool Ice Road Truckers is on...I missed it Sunday night. TTyall Later!