The American Spectator : Obama's Palestinian Extravagance

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Obama's Palestinian Extravagance

By Jed Babbin on 9.19.11 @ 6:10AM

Barry's chickens are coming home to roost.

About a year ago, President Obama told the UN General Assembly that a Palestinian state could be established within a year. It was, like so many of Obama's acts, an extravagant prediction which befitted a campaign, not a government. And it was only four months ago that Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas signed a unity agreement with the terrorist Hamas group that rules the Gaza Strip.

Though the Obama administration has spent the last few weeks pulling frantically at every diplomatic string it could reach to stop him, Abbas will on Friday present an application for the UN to recognize the Palestinian Authority it as a nation-state. His proposed nation would be created on the pre-1967 War borders of Israel, leaving its capital, Jerusalem, outside its borders.

Abbas's move comes at a propitious time for Israel's enemies. Turkey is nearly at war with Israel, the Durban III conference on racism (aimed, again, at condemning Israel) will kick off later this month, and the Israeli ambassador to Egypt was the object of a successful Egyptian rescue mission when protesters tore down a wall of the Cairo embassy.

The unwisdom we were taught in the 1960s and 1970s was that the Arabs couldn't cooperate long enough to pull off a three-car funeral in the desert. And the idea that they would cooperate with the Turks or the Persians was laughable.

But, even then, it was clear that the Palestinians -- kept by the Arabs in permanent refugee status -- served the dual purpose of terrorist surrogates to attack Israel and as a lever against Israel with European and Asian nations interested only in access to Middle Eastern oil. The principal tactic alongside the latter was the ever-present propaganda that if Israel made peace with the Palestinians -- trading land for peace, allowing "refugees" the so-called "right of return" to reclaim land in Israel -- no other obstacle would prevent peace from breaking out all over the Middle East.

In Cairo two Junes ago, President Obama put America on record as agreeing with the idea that an Israeli-Palestinian peace was the predicate for resolving all the other Middle Eastern problems. By accepting that position, Obama enabled the disparate Islamic despotisms to pursue parallel courses toward the same goal: weakening Israel's legitimacy and its ability to defend itself. As I wrote at the time, that speech will cost lives. Now, as the president's former spiritual advisor might say, Obama's chickens are coming home to roost.

Turkey's steady devolution from secular democracy to Islamic radicalism began with Recip Tayyip Erdogan's ascension to the prime ministership in March 2003. Since then he has, with increasing speed, changed Turkey from Ataturk's secular democracy into an increasingly radical Islamic state. The Turkish constitution made the nation's military responsible for preserving its secularity which it did, several times since, by taking over the government. Erdogan removed military leaders disloyal to him, and the military's constitutional duty to guard the nation's democracy from religious radicalism is now just a memory.

Erdogan has used the May 2010 Mavi Marmara incident to build anti-Israeli fervor. Seeking to enforce its legal arms blockade against the Palestinian terrorists who rule the Gaza Strip, Israeli commandos botched the raid on the ship and nine of the people on the ship -- including eight Turkish activists -- were killed. Erdogan has demanded an Israeli apology and threatened to send Turkish navy ships to escort future ships past the blockade.

Erdogan is using Israel as a foil for his problems at home. Turkey's economy is faltering. The Israeli scholar Guy Bechor wrote recently that unemployment in Turkey has hit 13 percent and its central bank has borrowed recklessly, creating a credit bubble. When that bubble bursts, Erdogan's position will be tenuous. If the pressure builds sufficiently, Erdogan could be desperate enough to start a war with Israel.

And now Erdogan is engaged in diplomatic saber rattling over the coming Security Council debate on the Palestinian state application. At an Arab League meeting in Cairo this week, Erdogan said "Recognizing the Palestinian state is not an option, it is an obligation. It is time for the flag of Palestine to be hoisted at the United Nations." Norway, the most anti-Semitic nation in Europe, agrees.

Under Article IV of the UN charter, membership is open to all peace-loving states. All they have to do is get a resolution from the Security Council and present it to the General Assembly for a vote. (Never mind that the Palestinians, allied to Hamas, obviously aren't peace-loving. From its beginning, the UN's membership included the Soviet Union and now includes Iran, Syria, Saudi Arabia, North Korea, and a huge assortment of lesser despots, dictators, rogues, and terrorists.)

Obama is reportedly to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu before the UN session. Their relationship is tense, to say the least. Obama will pressure Netanyahu to make concessions before the UN vote, which Israel cannot do. The Obama administration has said that the U.S. would veto the Security Council resolution, which it must. But our diplomatic flailing continues.

The world's most popular politician -- Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton -- told the New York Times, "We're facing an Arab awakening that nobody could have imagined and few predicted just a few years ago. And it's sweeping aside a lot of the old preconceptions." The principal preconception being swept aside is that the United States has any influence over what happens in the Middle East.

By accepting the Arab position on Israeli-Palestinian peace as predicate for all other Middle Eastern concerns, Obama gave up any ability he had to influence them on that subject. Whatever vestigial influence Obama had was surrendered by Obama's claims of credit for the "Arab spring" that left Egypt in the hands of Islamic radicals after we eagerly abandoned Mubarak. Obama's action in Libya and inaction on Syria made clear his disdain for U.S. interests in the region, and thus he has abandoned much of them.

Obama's hostility to Netanyahu and Israel has achieved the opposite of the result he wanted. Israel realizes it is alone, and will ignore any effort by Obama to restrain its response to Turkish, Arab, or Palestinian aggression. Giving up leverage on Israel concomitantly lessens Obama's influence over its neighbors.

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About the Author

Jed Babbin served as a Deputy Undersecretary of Defense under George H.W. Bush. He is the author of several bestselling books including Inside the Asylum and In the Words of Our Enemies.

Letter to the Editor View all comments (79) | Leave a comment

martin j smith| 9.19.11 @ 7:35AM

Obama's ideas on foreign policy and national security were known before he was elected. I knew he had strong anti-semitic connections. I knew he had strong Radical ties including domestic and foreign terrorist groups. His preacher for 20 years. Louis Farrakhan, those of the weather underground and so on. Beyond that Obama has made moves that were dangerous to Israel and he threw so to speak many of our allies under the bus. He says he is sorry for US constantly and basically I believe has pruposely undermined our national security and our economy. So am I surprised. ? NO

For me its not just the economy, it is foreign affairs and so an one factor I use to determine who I will support is foreign policy. Rick Perry came out with a pro Israel op ed in the WSJ--I need these candidates to more of this and more.
To morally at least support real Freedom and
Democracy movements world wide. This does not mean sending troops. It means making supportive speeches but in s0me cases it might mean military intervention. But our national security interests must be defined to convince
voters of their support. It would mean vetoing UN resolutions and it should mean threats to with hold financial support for the UN. With Obama I do not hold my breadth.

Mike Hawk| 9.19.11 @ 8:03AM

His "Minister" was Jeremiah Wright, the hate mongering Black Liberation crazy, not Calypso Louie Farrakhan of the Nation of Islam. They are all buddies though.

Bruce| 9.19.11 @ 8:17AM

Notice the period after "preacher for 20 years." This makes the reference to Farrakhan a new sentence and new topic.

Mike Hawk| 9.19.11 @ 2:25PM

Not necessarily obvious, that's why I clarified it.

Jack in Wi.| 9.19.11 @ 9:10AM

Mr Babbin: The Palistinians have no partner for peace. Israeli's like Netanyahu, Liebermann and Barak want to just steal, kill, and harasss until the Palistinians give up and go away. Such a policy hasn't worked for 63 years, why should it work now?

Is this what 3000 years of Jewish history and culture comes down to, a walled ghetto, with 600 atomtic weapons lording it over it's neighbors and rightfully dispised by the whole world?

I see a different and older Jewish vision. In that vision Jews live in peace with their neighbors and try to be good productive people. Israel has depended on vast subsidies from the rest of the world, for it's whole existence. Now it is asking the whole western world to back it in forever subjugating 5 million people. A peace could have been had decades ago, if the Israeli's would accept a modified Green Line border.

The Saudi's and the whole Arab League offered the Israeli's full diplomatic relations, trade relations, and peace 2002. That of course would have required Israel to get behind a modified Green Line and get out of the Golan Heights. It would also mean that the Israeli's would of had to learn how to treat their neighbors with respect and tolerance.

Now Mr. Obama hsa been close to the Jewish branch of the chicago Machine his whole political career. They have nurtured him ever since he was an obscure lecturer of of law. Most of his key aides have been Jewish. The Jews that back Obama, a vast majority, want some kind of peace in the Middle East. They can see the worldwide spread of anti-semiticism caused by Israeli actions. Obama will do anything the Lobby tells him to. He always has. It is time for peace now. The results will not be any better later.

Drunken Sailor| 9.19.11 @ 9:44AM

Jack,
Somehow I just knew you would turn this article into a criticism of Israel. You never fail.

Southern_Comment| 9.19.11 @ 10:01AM

Can you please limit your tripe to 30 words or less? Thanks just hoping it keeps more dung out of the world with less words in your posts.

shoebox57| 9.19.11 @ 12:12PM

Your comments prove just how a part peoples perception of the issue remain. There never was a palestinian people or country. I like the plan which calls for the absorbtion "palestinians" into Jordan and Egypt, by giving the land to back to the countries that lost it in the earlier wars. Creation of a greater Israel and the absorption back into Jordan and Egypt would require both to take care of their people.

Con Chef (NB)| 9.19.11 @ 12:33PM

Jack the Muzzie loving Nazi, you never fail to amaze. But then again, why should I be amazed that someone who's so obviously an anti Semite (as can be gleaned from many of your posts on this site) would support the people who want a state of their own, but only as a means to end ANOTHER state's existence & eradicate its population.

Wanna know what's gonna happen to the Jordanian rejects known as Palestinians? They're NOT gonna get their state because Obama won't do it. He's too politically liable on TONS of fronts right now. So your poor Palestinian pukes will continue to launch rockets at kindergartens, send suicide bombers into pizza shops & thugs into homes to ax murder ENTIRE families, right down to the infants, in their sleep. And after this goes on for another year, Israel will FINALLY respond & THIS TIME, they should GLASS that entire region. VAPORIZE ALL the Hamas/Hezbollah loving pukes who have block parties when another one of their sons blows themselves up. Those same pukes who danced in the streets after 9-11. After they coat the entire Gaza Strip & West Bank with white phosphorus & naplam, then they can end their policy of "nuclear ambiguity" & DARE anyone else to mess with them.

NO "Two state solution" is possible when the state that's looking to be created wants to destroy the other state. And that's exactly what the Jordanian rejects/"Palestinians" want.

Here's an idea, Jack. Show us you've got some balls & join a "peace flotilla." Maybe we can see you get a wood shampoo by the IDF when they board your boat. Unless of course your fellow "peace protestors" produce knives & clubs like they did last time. Then you pukes will just get shot. And rightfully so.

Jack in Wi.| 9.19.11 @ 2:03PM

A call for peace, justice, and brotherhood gets the ususual response from the mad dogs that inhabit this site. The Book of Leviticus tells Jews. To treat the aliens among you as they do yourselves. It also tells them to. It also tells them to. Love your neighbor as yourselves.

God gave the Ten cmmndmants, first to the the Jews and through them to the rest of the world. Can any of you say that the Israeli's have followed these commandments?
Thou shalt not kill.
Thou shalt not steal.
Thou shalt not bear false withness,
Thou shalt not covet thy neighbors property.
It is time to get with God's program. Then maybe you wouldn't be so hated by the world.

Con Chef (NB)| 9.19.11 @ 2:07PM

Yeah, douchebag. We're fleecing the whole world. You'd think that since we've been at it for so long, we would've killed off people like you & used your blood to make our Purim cookies. Tell the practicioners of the Religion of Pieces to follow G*d's law. Because He makes no law against defending one's self.

But please, DO cherry pick some more Bible passages.

Al Adab| 9.19.11 @ 2:22PM

Apparently Jack in WI does not know, or perhaps does not care, that there are Arab members of the Israeli Knesset and that all citizens of Israel have the same rights. What he fails to understand is that Jordan was the "palestinian" state and that the territory lost in the '67 war is lost.

Now, as you may guess, I am no fan of Israel. Nonetheless, that country has the right to its nationhood just as others. It is the sad lot of those resident in the captured parts of Jordan that their leadership is more interested in making war than in taking opportunity. When Gaza for example was granted autonomy it could have become the Hong Kong or Monaco of the eastern med. a financial or trade center. Instead they waged war against their neighbor to the detriment of all. Others could profit by that muissed opportunity.

Mike Hawk| 9.19.11 @ 2:29PM

Israeli Arabs enjoy freedom, opportunity and affluence the rest of the Arab world does not know and they are the envy of those non-Israeli Arabs as well.

Drunken Sailor| 9.19.11 @ 2:32PM

A voice of reason. Must be the Scotch.

Al Adab| 9.19.11 @ 3:45PM

Thank you DS. Nothing like a wee dram to get the brain cells alight. Perhaps that is the problem of Islamic abstinance. Glad our side simply understands such pleasures in (forgive the word) moderation.

Jack in Wi.| 9.19.11 @ 4:16PM

Israeli Arabs are treated like we used to treat our black citizens like second class citizens with very limited rights. The Arabs in the West bank and Gaza are treated like roaches to be exterminated.

The Jews of South Africa andthe USA were the most outspoken against segregation and apartheid. It is time to practice what you preach. Full integration and equal rights for all in Israel-Palistine. It is time to end the Zionist experiment. The world has carried Israel on it's back long enough with huge subsidies. End the racism. End the hate. Integrate the Israeli state.

Al Adab| 9.19.11 @ 5:01PM

Jack:
The residents of Gaza and "west bank" are not Israeli citizens. There is no place known as Israel-Palestine.

Your prejudice blinds you to solutions.

The Israel is at fault mantra sounds all too much like "Bush did it". Whatever else your political inclinations, this myopia hurts your cause.

Have a good evening.

Stormzeye| 9.19.11 @ 10:29PM

Israel has more right to the West Bank and Jerusalem than we do of Texas, California and all the land in between.

ShortNSweet| 9.21.11 @ 3:55PM

AMEN!!! Stormzeye!

Occam's Tool| 9.19.11 @ 11:39PM

Al, for a Non-Fan of Israel you certainly are a fan of truth.

Occam's Tool| 9.19.11 @ 11:41PM

Right. Second class citizens with more civil liberties than in the whole Arab world.

ShortNSweet| 9.21.11 @ 3:52PM

Israelis don't treat Palestines like second class citizens!!!!! When I was traveling around Israel, Palestinians come and go as they please to any piece of land that they choose. It is Israelis who can't go into Bethlehem, Jericho, or onto the Temple Mount. Palestinians were cold, and scary people. Israelis were warm and welcoming to us. We could only go to two places in Bethlehem, and we were told to stay together and to only buy at this one store. If we didn't stay in a group, our safety could not be guaranteed! When we were in Bethlehem, a string of limos with blacked out windows came flying out of a side street, with 5 or 6 machine gun wielding men in front of and behind it! This is those nice beaten down second class citizens of Palestine! You're an idiot!
I suggest you pack up your stuff and go make your home in Bethlehem! Oh! They will check you with a machine gun strapped across their chest, Just In Case You Are Like Them!
Sounds like you would fit right in! Since you are so familiar with the 10 commandments and are so ready to live by them, like those lovely people in Palestine!

Margie| 9.19.11 @ 3:47PM

Jack the hypocrite knows that NO ONE is able (apart from Christ), to keep the Ten Commandments~ including himself.

Say, Jack~ have you ever lied? Seems to me you bear false witness here every day.

Better get with God's program, quick!

"For God so loved the world that he gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.
For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.
He who believes in Him is not condemned; he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the Name of the only Son of God.
And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
For every one who does evil hates the light, and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.
But he who does what is true comes to the light, that it may be clearly seen that his deeds have been wrought in God." Jn. 3:16-21.

Jack in Wi.| 9.19.11 @ 4:25PM

Margie: The Jews don't believe in Jesus. Are they all condemned? There are no more Jews and Gentiles. We are all one in Jesus Christ. The mission of the Jews was to bring forth the Messiah of Mankind. That mission was completed 2000 years ago. Their mission today is to follow Jesus and His teachings and to love their neighbor as themselves. It is time to get with God's program. You people might be a lot happier. when Jesus said Love your neighbor as yourselves. He was repeating the Book of Leviticus.

Margie| 9.19.11 @ 4:31PM

If you can read, then you know what the Bible (God's own Words) say.

I'm quite content believing in every Word of God. I don't hate the Jews, as you do. I love them, as Jesus command me to~ you do not.

Margie| 9.19.11 @ 4:42PM

Pardon the typos.
Furthermore, Jack~ you go against His Word when you say, "That mission was accomplished."
Are you insinuating that all Jewish people are now to be considered refuse?
Actually, there's no real need for you to answer that, as we already know where you stand.

You are no Christian, Jack. Because if you were, you would know that the Jews are being grafted back into that olive tree~ by the Grace of God.

If it weren't part of God's plan for them to rebel, we wouldn't have any hope of Salvation through Christ, and as it is written, the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable. Rom. 11L29.

"That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast only through faith. So do not become proud, but stand in awe.
For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will He spare you.
Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God's kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness; otherwise you too will be cut off.
And even the others, if they do not persist in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again." Rom. 11:20-23.

You need to read Romans 11, Jack.

Al Adab| 9.19.11 @ 5:04PM

Good evening Margie. Sorry about the confusion the other day.

Margie| 9.19.11 @ 11:50PM

Evening, Al Abab.
No need to apologize, all is well.

Lizard King| 9.19.11 @ 7:23PM

Just a gentle reminder, most humans, including many Christians are quite comfortable with the reality that the literal "Word of God" is known only to...God.

Margie| 9.19.11 @ 11:54PM

I'm not most humans, and I guess I'm not most Christians either.

"In the same hour Jesus rejoiced in the
Spirit, and said, I praise You, Father, Lord
of Heaven and of earth, that You hid these
things from the sophisticated and learned
and revealed them to babes; yes, Father,
because so it was pleasing before You.
22 All things were given over to Me by
My Father, and no one knows who the Son
is if not the Father; and who is the Father,
if not the Son, and he to whom the Son
may desire to reveal Him." Lk. 10:21 & 22.

Kishego| 9.19.11 @ 3:57PM

I believe it's "Thou shalt not murder", not "Thou shalt not kill". There is a difference.

Jack in Wi.| 9.19.11 @ 4:27PM

There is vast evidence as well that Israel has murdered many people. I don't care how you try to translate it. Remember the USS Liberty for just one of many instances.

Occam's Tool| 9.19.11 @ 11:42PM

Please let me know the Arab state where Jews exist in full harmony and equal status with Muslims. I'll wait, Jackboot.

Occam's Tool| 9.19.11 @ 11:45PM

So, is it the Jews or Israel or both that you hate, Jack?

It is to have my children avoid douchebags like you that I live where I live.

Buck Ofama| 9.20.11 @ 1:43AM

Coveting is good for the economy. Your neighbor gets a dildo that plays "O, Come All Ye Faithful"... you want one too!

All this bullshit can be summed up in one commandment: "Thou shalt keep thy religion to thyself."

( - George Carlin)

Occam's Tool| 9.19.11 @ 11:36PM

Obama has never been close to Jews, Jack.

From 1948-1967, the Israelis were at the Green Line. Why no peace then?

The Egyptians are about to breach Camp David within the next 12 months, as well.

You are an ignoramus, Sir.

Occam's Tool| 9.19.11 @ 11:43PM

Well, the walled ghetto is doing better than the gas chambers assholes like you helped put us in, Jack.

ShortNSweet| 9.21.11 @ 3:36PM

Mr. Jack in WI...your credibility has just been seen for what it is...you have none! You have obviously never been to Israel, and are speaking the words of your neighbor, or maybe your mother, because if you had ever been in Israel, you could have seen for yourself that what you said here is so opposite of reality. You do not know what you are talking about, so I would say it's your turn to sit down. Your showing your stupidity!
Now, besides the fact that you are completely wrong, You just jumped on the side of the "whosoever" that curses "God's" people, and therefore you are not only WRONG, but by your own words, you are cursed!
I feel sorry for the likes of you.

Timothy L. Pennell| 9.19.11 @ 6:44PM

Why wouldn't HAMAS' Deliverer look the other way, as the people who strap explosives to THEIR OWN KIDS, get a State of their own, courtesy of the UN?
He's done an end around Congress, using his EPA and the NLRB, to establish, by proxy, his Cap and Trade Legislation and his CARD CHECK, for his Union Thug Buddies. He's enacted a back door Amnesty Program, for Illegals, simply be refusing to Deport them.
After the New York Election the other night, he has to know that the Jews, will never support him, so what has he got to lose by sitting on his hands, while the Jew Hating UN, does his dirty work, for him?
He has been sent by Allah, to deliver the Muslims to the Promised Land.
Just go to HAMS' web site, if you don't believe me.

DaveS| 9.19.11 @ 7:43AM

Hillary's statement is patently absurd. BHO has facilitated the crisis - not only that, he has stoked it. Don't be fooled by the supposed unease by the Administration.

Maddox| 9.19.11 @ 8:54AM

Every time Obama speaks publicly, he does the opposite privately. I also believe he is getting just what he wanted. His loyalty does not lie with Israel or America.

Skippy| 9.19.11 @ 4:42PM

Prince Bambo reminds me of Arafat.
He says the right sounding things to his Western audience, then the opposite when addressing his Arab brethren.
End the Palestinian nightmare today.
Escort them across the various borders, sterilize the places they squatted and build amusement parks and synagogues there instead.
If the neighboring filthy Arabs object, fry 'em.
Peace will only come to the ME when one side has been totally crushed by the other.

RJ| 9.19.11 @ 8:04AM

Obama is a Neo-Marxist, Jew hating, quasi-muslim, and a malignant narcissist who intends to bring down the "American Imperialist" economy while seeing Israel put in it's place, sooner rather than later.

To this end, he has been more than sucessful and is trending toward even more victories over the ignorant who keep saying he is "inexperienced" as President.

The wise Jew would prepare for war, right now!

RJ| 9.19.11 @ 8:09AM

Re: Hillary Clinton.

This is the woman who stayed with Bill Clinton. This is the Yale "feminist" who was a liberal, then a "progressive" who wrote about Alinsky. This is the person who accepted Obama-Mao's invite to be Sec. of State, then put on the pounds while nodding her head in agreement behind Obama-Mao's words.

She is both ignorant and stupid. Take Bill Clinton aside and ask him...

Pecos Pete| 9.19.11 @ 8:36AM

We have foreign policy driven by a community organizer. King O is clueless. And, we will suffer his actions for years to come.

The world is more unstable today than before his election. The Arab Spring is nothing but community organizing on a world basis.

David W| 9.19.11 @ 9:03AM

Obama is either too stupid to be President or too evil. Based upon the last 2+ years, I'd probably go with evil.

loulou| 9.19.11 @ 10:11AM

Silly, Obama is stupid AND evil.

Paul Kotik| 9.19.11 @ 10:21AM

Wait, what about crazy? Maybe in addition to being stupid and evil, the man's mentally ill. He does seem quite at remove from reality, and now we're hearing about "clinical depression".

The ingredients in the Obama pudding are Stupid, Evil and Crazy. The question is one of proportions, isn't it?

Anita| 9.19.11 @ 12:46PM

Obama certainly is not stupid. He is accomplishing exactly what he set out to do. The destruction of the USA and Israel. He is not inept. He is in fact brilliant. He has made us believe otherwise and delights when another blow is struck against us and Israel.
I SIDE WITH ISRAEL. Go to International Fellowship of Christians and Jews and get their flag pin representing the US and Israel. Free.

Occam's Tool| 9.19.11 @ 11:36PM

Thank you, Anita. G-d Bless You.

Who Knows?| 9.19.11 @ 9:24AM

As above, so below. As below, so above.

The people who rise to leadership positions usually mostly represent their followers.

I like to remember that something like 90 % of Egyptian women have had their genitals mutilated.

If demographics is destiny, then past IRREVERSIBLE actions and early childhood programming by the Islamic “leaders” on their “sheep” portends a future of more of the same old same old.

Can it really be over fifty years since probably the only Jew in my high school became famous for declaring that he was going to move to Israel after graduating?

Human nature is so inhuman, and extremely so, for the poor devils who choose to be born into an Islamic culture—which must ITSELF reform from barbarity to civility.

Live and let live is NOT Islam’s creed!

John786| 9.19.11 @ 9:44AM

A Palestinian sate is also the official policy of the isreali government since the Oslo accords. It has been official US and European policy at least since if not earlier. The boundaries of the state are well known - 67 Borders with east jerusalem- AL QUDS- at the capital, The Palestinians have waited long enough. The US veto makes no sense and is not in Isreali or US interest. And is against stated policy. and against political gravity. You have to be a Christian zionist ti nit see it. But they as we all know are beyond redemption. Why fight gravity.

Al Adab| 9.19.11 @ 2:34PM

Hello John:
Interestingly you put your finger on the central issue, the status of Al-Quds. A return to the pre 67 borders will never happen as those parts of Jordan which were lost are lost. It is to the sorrow of all who live in that area that their leaders are more interested in waging war than in building a society. Arab citizens of Israel have representation in the Knesset.

Of course you realize from our previous conversation that I am no fan of Israel. However, that nation has a right to exist and amalgamation of certain non-strategic Arab areas and their populations back to Jordan or Syria may be possible but not without gurantees of non-agression.

martin j smith| 9.19.11 @ 10:09AM

My advice--once you see a troll do not even bother with them. They are not there to engage but to disrupt. It is quite obvious who they are.

loulou| 9.19.11 @ 10:12AM

I agree, martin j smith.
The trolls need responses to survive.

Paul Kotik| 9.19.11 @ 10:27AM

Barack Obama has never been permitted by his environment to meet reality, and apparently lacked the curiosity to discover it on his own. This is a measure of his dullness, of his crushingly mediocre intellect.

Persistence in conduct which, with increasing and now undeniable clarity brings great harm to a great many is a measure of his intertwined evil and madness. He his plainly a sociopath, utterly without empathy. There are, for Barack Obama, no others, only himself.

Man, when that guy's gone in January 2013 we're going to need something like those Truth and Reconciliation Committees you see ex-commie countries. I for one want to know who facilitated Obama's destructive orgy. I for one will not easily forgive them.

Melvin| 9.19.11 @ 11:29AM

If the Palestinians want a homeland then let them go home to Jordan. Historically Palestinians came from Jordan.

Kingofthenet| 9.19.11 @ 6:57PM

But Jew's from Russia stay in Israel, amirite?

no hussein 2012| 9.19.11 @ 11:41AM

if it is anti-Jew the hussein goes oowww,oowwww,oowwww.

OLDRAY| 9.19.11 @ 11:42AM

Israel should take a more pro=active po[icy. First get rid of the idiot Defgense Minister Barak, Secomd ,Supply the Kurds in Iraq and Turkey with weapons and diplomatic support. third ,remind the Egyptian military (on the quiet)that Israel has the ability to blow open the Nile Dams and flush Egypt into the Med.fouth, remind the West Bank Palastinians that their recent high standard of living can be ended in a minute if Israel cuts off the services to them. Israel should at once build another Armored Division for the Southern Front plus up grading it's land and naval forces in general. Peace thru strength. This goes for our USA as well.

cicero| 9.19.11 @ 11:46AM

In the past 20 years, we have had 3 presidents: 2 Democrats and one Republican. All have been somewhat liberal, with the 2 Democrats being more properly labelled Progressive.
The Republican made mistakes, most of which can be easily remedied. The 2 democrates have taken action and pushed programs, both through legislation and by their personal actions that have torn at the very fabric of this culture and civilization. The personal actions have been excused and/or covered up by those who were supposed to be the guardians of this society - the courts and the press. The legislative actions have pushed us to irrerievable debt and bankruptcy, to say nothing of total helplessness and dependency of an ever growing underclass.
Recovery will not be easy.

ABNCP| 9.19.11 @ 1:01PM

Obama is doing the most damage to this country and to Western Democratic ideals that he is able to do in the time he has remaining in office. This is all part of the Soros cabal's plan when they selected him to become President of the United States. Of course the intent was for him to be in office for eight years. That will not happen because of the rank incompetance of Obama and his administration. However, he will continue to try mask his vengence against this country and all Western Democracy with his phony smiles and slick verbiage while giving his best efforts to destroy as much of it as he can.

tsd| 9.19.11 @ 2:07PM

When you support any position in the middle east, first you need to understand a position today is going to turn against you tomorrow. Every position in the middle east starts out as a revolution for the majority and shortly turns against the majority into tyranny by the few....they have been playing this game for thousands of years and seem hell bent on continuing the constant cycle. Anyone foolish enough to think they figured it out will soon be just foolish. Why does the Arab world not make room for them in the Arab world?? Could it be because the Arab world just wants to use them to get rid of Israel?? If Israel goes they will just drop back and find a Arab clan they hate and fight with them. Hilary, Barack and all the fools who try to solve this... you can not solve this as they do not want a solution, just a leg up for the next fight.

Questionman| 9.19.11 @ 2:39PM

Dave! Such a mislead fool. As much as Americans do not like Obama, he is down right poplular when compared to congressional republicans. There is less proof that All Americans hate him, but more proof that right-wing racist, bigots and extremists hate him and acts like they speak for the whole country.How about the eight years of George W. Bush, which were the worst years in recent memory. Unfunded wars, tax breaks for millionair es (and no they are not job creators, look at the recent job reports, no one is hiring). And open access to Washington . I can understand people being frustrated but lets get real, Bush has done irreversib le damage to America than Obama has.

Drunken Sailor| 9.19.11 @ 3:28PM

Bush's fault still???? Who are you, Bill Keller?
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09.....ef=opinion

Hell, Far left libs are threatening to run against him.
http://www.washingtontimes.com.....-primaries
But you keep living in fantasy land. It's obvious that is all you can handle. Your man is a total failure. And I say that about both his black and white half.

Drunken Sailor| 9.19.11 @ 3:28PM

And even the Chicago daily rag is suggesting he not run for re-election.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/.....512.column

Retro Zen| 9.19.11 @ 4:08PM

Mr. Babbin,
There are numerous distortions and untruths in your article, especially about Turkey and its leader, Mr. Erdogan. I know that you wish to prove your points, but please stick to our shared reality, not some alternative world.

Mark Jeffery Koch| 9.19.11 @ 4:38PM

Israel never did what it could do to make peace with its neighbors - the people of the Middle East. Instead, Israel made peace with dictators who oppress their people and Israel’s leaders were happy having good relationships with the tyrants of Egypt and Tunesia. Israel could never understand why Nelson Mandela wanted nothing to do with it after apartheid ended. It failed to understand that its close military cooperation with the apartheid regime would be something South African blacks would not soon forget.

A peace between Israel and the Palestinians with two states living side by side in peace would do much to end the deep hatred that millions of people feel toward Israel. Will they start loving Israel tomorrow? No, but when millions of Arabs don’t see on TV Israeli tanks and Israeli planes firing into Palestinian towns, there will come a time when the hatred turns to apathy.

If Israel had a visionary leader there would be two states living side by side in peace and Israel’s best emissaries to the Arab world would be the Palestinians. Instead, the right wing absurdly clings to the belief that the Palestinians are all going to move to Jordan or disappear. They do not realize they are taking Israel down a dangerous road that leads over a cliff. All Palestinians are not Hamas or Islamic Jihad, and opinion polls continue to show that a majority of people on both sides favor a two-state solution. Israel will sadly soon have the choice of a one-state solution or apartheid if Israel’s government continues to create conditions on the ground that make a two-state solution impossible.

We Jews who love Israel can see a vision of a better life for Israel and its Arab neighbors. The crime of the millennia was the murder of six million Jews, of which one million were children. Today, who is Israel’s second-best friend after America? Germany. If that can happen, then we should never, ever lose hope for a true and lasting peace for Israel and the Palestinians.

John786| 9.19.11 @ 6:48PM

Haji al Adab,
Doesn't it not surprise you that isrealis want a Jewish state but continue to occupy vast swathes of palestinians. As I have stated earlier the Zionist project is ultimtely doomed. The sums don't add. Up. The occupation makes the math even worse. Annexation of parts of the west bank has doomed the Zionist project. But there is still time to may be prolong the dream.- recognise the aspiration for Palestinian statehood. This is officially their stated policy. A bit unfair to blame brother Obama for encouraging statehood. Having been to the heart of the Zionist state- waited days at crossings- their tortured logic never ceased to amaze me. They're confused. America could really help. Don't apply the veto. Unfortunately the religious nuts have too much influence to allow that to happen. I never so it clearly before but now I see that palestine will be free within even my (short) lifetime Inshallah.

Nite| 9.19.11 @ 9:00PM

The Palestinians have a homeland and it is Jordan, which was previously named Palestine. They should not need land from the small country of Israel.

Kingofthenet| 9.19.11 @ 6:54PM

This 'lets talk' last minute ploy by Israel is to look reasonable, even so I would take them up on it if I were the Palestinians, you know the USA is going to stop you, better you look like a Statesman, and say something like, I will negotiate in good faith with Israel for a year, if that doesn't work, we HAVE to go to the UN, next year.

Kingofthenet| 9.19.11 @ 7:23PM

I think the Palestinians should go for 'observer' status this year since it can't be blocked by the USA, than make it clear to the world media, you are going to do INTENSE good faith negotiations with Israel STARTING with the 1967 borders, and if that doesn't work NEXT year going for full UN statehood.

Occam's Tool| 9.19.11 @ 11:38PM

KOTN,

how long do you think Islamists would tolerate you in their Sharia State?

Kingofthenet| 9.20.11 @ 2:13AM

I don't have to LOVE or even LIKE someone to be fair to them...Do You?

Lizard King| 9.19.11 @ 7:42PM

Reality check. The victors ALWAYS dictate the terms of any peace. This will change coincident with the USA cedeing Texas and the American southwest back to La Raza. Of course new wars can always be waged, encouraged by the likes of Obama and his anti-Zionist pals. Then as ALWAYS, the victor is dictator. Diplomacy is generally futile among MORTAL ENEMIES, no.

POST American| 9.20.11 @ 1:41AM

"WE are creating a new ULSTER
in the Middle East."
-British Foreign Office Official
1922

"We are using MASSIVE third world
(largely muslim) immigration to DESTROY
British culture, beyond repair, once and
for all ---FOREVER."
-Fmr PM TONY BLAIR
(w Home Sec. JACK STRAW)
Daily Mail interview

----'Order Out of Chaos'

---------'Controlled', and scripted, dialectic

------------Social Darwinism

---------------The Destruction of ALLLL that was
in the service of the 'Great Work' (ie USURY,
elite consildation, centralization --and EUGENICS).

SO-----------------Keep a goin' kiddies!

-------------Everything's just DANDY!----------------

--JUST ---------------------Keep a goin'!

Jose| 9.21.11 @ 6:33AM

Notice the period after "preacher for 20 years." This makes the reference to Farrakhan a new sentence and new topic.
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Jose| 9.21.11 @ 6:42AM

And even the Chicago daily rag is suggesting he not run for re-election.
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Jose| 9.21.11 @ 6:43AM

I never so it clearly before but now I see that palestine will be free within even my (short) lifetime Inshallah.
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