Bush: U.S. Supports Israeli Defense

AP - Las Vegas Sun ^ | March 30 2002

[IoCaster]

I was merely pointing out that, in my opinion, the writer was misrepresenting the point that the President was trying to make. Whatever happens to Arafat, at some point, Israel will still have to negotiate some kind of peace with it's neighbors. I could be wrong, but that's the way I interpreted the remark.

[DoughtyOne]

If you asked me to stop beating my wife, wouldn't that be a strong position?

That's exactly what we're doing when we urge Israel to pursue peace. What antagonistic action has Israel pre-emptively made that makes you think they need to be told to pursue it? The implication is that they haven't been. Since when? They've held off on retaliation to the point that it's infuriating even to a non-Israeli.

[DoughtyOne]

Stumpy, if that's what you think Bush was saying I disagree. I'm basing my comments on other press releases that continually ask Israel to show restraint, as if they were the instigators of violence.

[DoughtyOne]

See my number 22. I think it may clarify my comments.

[IoCaster]

My initial reply (#6) was that the reporter was misrepresenting what Bush said. When he states that Isreal should, "make sure there is a path to peace as she secures her homeland", it's clear to me that he is talking about the end game. He was not insisting that "Israel must work to reduce the violence" while they are in the process of securing their homeland. This was another clear case of a reporter trying to spin a clear statement into their own interpretation of it.

[sheik yerbouty]

The real deal will come with the New Moon in two weeks.

[Elkiejg]

I listened carefully to President Bush's comments and while I support him in every way (except for CFR, illegal aliens, etc.) what I would have liked to hear him say was: "Israel, collect Arafat and put Zinni, Arafat and Sharon in a room and don't let them out until they come to an agreement. And for the rest of the Arab world - all financial and business aid with your country by the USA STOPS immediately until you stop financing terrorists." Then maybe something would start to happen. It's past time to play hardball with these fanatics.

[DoughtyOne]

I could live with that. But recent developments don't give me much hope that the gun wouldn't be at Sharon's head. And I'd bet Arafat would be holding it while the US, the UN and the EU would be sitting there in awe of the fair negotiations. I'm really disgusted at the almost unanimous sellout of Israel. That UN resolution last night that demanded Israel pull all it's forces out of the west bank was downright laughable. Do any of those demanding things of Israel take their heads out long enough to catch even five minutes of news per month?

[djr]

I wonder how anyone can still pretend that Arabs somehow want a "negotiated peace." This apologetic even-handed attitude in the West merely opens the door wider for a decadent, jealous malicious Arab society to further its wicked ways. We are so filled with the idiocy of multiculturalism that it becomes difficult for a lot of fools to place the blame where it fully belongs even though it's obvious that good people don't deliberately blow up innocent children nor support those that do. Of course, there are the good old-fashioned Jew-haters. But none dare call them that I suppose.

I think in George Bush's case, he really is feeling broader pressures from the rest of the world, a mostly contemptible lot unfortunately.

This conflict will not be resolved by some silly negotiations and all sides coming together. If that were so, it would have been solved 50 years ago. The Palestinians know damn well that if they wanted their (so-called) land back it would happen instantly if they sincerely waged a campaign for peace. Anyone that doubts this is a total stinking fool and ought to know it.

And another thing - the Arabs cannot mount a credible military presence against any number of western countries - even one.

This is just my opinion, but I really believe the Israelis should drive the Palestinians out of a sufficiently size no-man's buffer zone that must include East Jerusalem. The issue is survival and Israeli Jews do not owe it to anyone to let themselves be slaughtered like lambs let alone have their holy sites desecrated. If the Arabs still want to play brinksmanship, Israel will still have some choice targets - such as a few places in Saudi Arabia.

[rwfromkansas]

He has said that from day one, but has never actually forced Israel to do so. He just says that for show and diplomatic reasons.

[rwfromkansas]

I guess in your method of foreign affairs, shoot and lose some men from your own country before trying to push the other side in a non-military manner. That makes a lot of sense, idiot.

[DoughtyOne]

Thanks for the comments. I think a hard line policy is long overdue. You're right on target when you address the equivocating that is taking place. There isn't any comparison with regard to who the agressor is at the present time. Pussy-footing around the truth isn't going to lead to corrective actions on Arafat's part. Throwing the guy a bone in every press release simply neutralizes any condemnation. It would be FAR BETTER to remain silent than throw that guy any bone at all.

[uncbob]

Israel is an independant nation who should deal with its problems,

Well not really. Israel is largely dependent on the USA for weapontry and $$$$. If fact she is almost a USA welfare state

[dalebert]

I think the statements Bush made were for international consumption. They had to be tempered.

[Texasforever]

The onus is on Sharon. If he does not take Arafat out then blame him. He has the guns and the men to do it. You really don't think for a moment that Isreal would lose our support if he did do you?

[DoughtyOne]

Israel has one half fast ally in the world. So far we've told them they better not do Arafat. Do you think Israel is free to ignore that demand? After watching Colin Powell and President Bush for the last six months, I'm not betting on anything with confidence. Neither is Israel. Otherwise we'd be reading eulogies for Arasplat.

[a_witness]

Israel is working long hard hours, in the IDF in particular, to reduce violence. That is the purpose of the War on Terrorism.

[Texasforever]

So far we've told them they better not do Arafat. Do you think Israel is free to ignore that demand?

Yeah, Israel takes out Arafat and we bomb Jerusalem. Give me a break. Sharon has the ball in his court, he has had it there for 4 months.

[DoughtyOne]

I appreciate your point of view. I never said Bush would attack Jerusalem, but if you think sanctions would not be imposed I'm afraid you haven't been paying attention. The United States has just signed two UN resolutions that were very detrimental to Israel.

The US cannot bear to offend the UN or the EU. Evidently they now hold sway over us. I know that there is a faction on this forum that thinks Bush always has a coy backroom reason to do things that makes everything he does in public okay. I do not buy into that theory.

Thanks for your comments. On this one we'll have to agree to disagree. Take care.

[america-rules]

"Taking out the Palestinian terrorists IS working to end the violence. Once they've been destroyed, there will be less violence. "

You mean the women and kids who blow people up right?