Lawmakers rip Bush's 'double standard' on terror (Barf Alert)

CNN ^ | October 17, 2001 Posted: 10:54 PM EDT (0254 GMT) | By Elise Labott

[Sparticle]

WASHINGTON (CNN) --Members of the House International Relations Committee Wednesday criticized the Bush administration in unusually harsh language for opposing Israeli targeted killings while it hunts down suspected terrorist mastermind Osama bin Laden "dead or alive."

Rep. Gary Ackerman, D-New York, the ranking Democrat on the Subcommittee on the Middle East and Asia, said it was inconsistent for the United States to denounce Israel when "they go after the miserable SOBs [who launch terrorist attacks against Israel] ... and they have every bit as much evidence as we have" for the September 11 terrorist attacks.

[Sparticle]

We've got the Crips and the Bloods over there, and these guys think it's just fine. Some sound foreign policy. Hah!

[dirtboy]

Hardly a barf on this one. They are right to criticize Bush here. It IS a double standard. And the Israeli method is IMO far more effective and humane to bystanders - kill the perp with a small car bomb or a bullet. The Israelis can do this because they can go into Gaza undercover and get these creeps. We can't just saunter into Afghanistan, so we have to bomb the crap out of the Taliban instead.

[america-rules]

This is the Jewish Democrats voicing their unbiased opinion?

[Roebucks]

I don't get your barf alert. I agree wholeheartedly with the criticism.

[hawaiian]

I don't get your barf alert. I agree wholeheartedly with the criticism.

Amen. This is absolutely the stupidest thing this administration has done, post 9/11. What does it benefit them to condemn Israel for doing the same thing they're doing? Makes zero sense.

[The Vast Right Wing]

I agree 100% with the criticism. We are being hypocritical by pressuring the Israeli's not to act when we would and will act if put in similar circumstances.

[truthandlife]

Spart I am big Bush supporter but this is the first time in a long time that I agree with this Democrat. We have a double standard. As Israeli citizens and gov't officials are being killed and know who did it, we are telling Israel to restrain from doing anything.

[Hidy]

Everyone please note that it is LIBERAL Democrats who are standing up for Israel here.

Conversely, it is the very conservative Bush administration that is criticizing Israel for doing the exact same thing it is doing itself.

Now, tell me again how conservatives are always in the right.

[Rogmonster]

What part of the Israelis killing murderous terrorist idiots are you objecting to?

[tomahawk]

Most conservatives are critical of the State Department's pro-Arab stance on this issue.

[AmericaUnited]

God Bless President Bush but on this issue he (or more correctly the traitors in our State Department) are 100% wrong!

[Sunburnt in Seattle]

I am glad to see most agreeing with Bush's critics on this issue. The problem with compassionate conservatism is that folks implementing it tend to forget it's not conservative compassion, but compassionate conservatism. I have to agree that the Israelis carried the hit out very humanely--the terrorist got off easy not ever realizing what hit him, and there was no collateral damage.

[lavaroise]

I don't know what gets in Bush's head that a Palestinian state is good for America. It is not, because a Palestinian state is more inclined at targeting the US than Israel. What would we do if Arafat sent his ba$tards on our shores while we are telling Israel to stay put? Would we stay put? Go there and do the job for ourselves? It does not make any sense. A Palestinian state is not merely a grave for Israel, it is a black eye for US security. In this age of weapons of mass destruction, a tiny Palestine could do huge damage to the US.

[chatham]

Just another aspect from the dual allegiance Senators and congressman of the jewish heritage. Now is not the time for moaning and groaning and criticism of the bush Admin. while the wolves are at the door of America. Perhaps they should go to Israel and join their efforts but don't detract from the United States during the time of war...If I got my news right Congress cut and ran to safety today in the face of adversity .

AT THE SAME TIME THEY TELL US TO CONTINUE OUR LIVES, WITHOUT CHANGE ,TO SHOW THE ENEMY WE ARE NOT AFRAID.

[VA Advogado]

This is the Jewish Democrats voicing their unbiased opinion?

Hey it may be the amen-corner, but you can' disagree with them when they're right. And they are. I have a big problem with the headline creator. Its a State Department issue, not a personal Bush policy. His only failing is to not collar the pro-muslim state department.

[VA Advogado]

The Bush administration criticized the shooting, saying it opposes Israeli's practice of targeted killings of Palestinians it believes to be responsible for terrorist attacks.

Is there a more effective way to do it but to target those responsible?

[truthandlife]

This is the first time I have ever wanted to do this but if you want to commend these Congressmen on their criticism of the administration on this issue, you can write them:

tom_lantos@mail.house.gov

gary_ackerman@mail.house.gov

elliot_engel@mail.house.gov

[PianoMan]

These guys are ripping the State Dept., not Bush. The title of this article is B.S.!

[VA Advogado]

While I agree with them, I just can't bring myself to touch those names. . not even click on 'em. I would feel so dirty.