The American Spectator : Obama and Israel: The Silence of 'Friends'

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Obama and Israel: The Silence of 'Friends'

By Robert M. Goldberg on 2.22.12 @ 6:05AM

Pay attention to what he does, not what he now claims.

Oscar Wilde noted "true friends stab you in the front." Which explains why President Obama-- the self-proclaimed "best friend Israel ever had" -- has decided to cut funding for the Jewish state's missile defense system at the same time he wants to restore funding to UNESCO. (Israel's best friends will remember that the President was forced to cut support to the traditional anti-Israel agency by federal law because the organization recognized the Palestinian Authority as a state.)

If that wasn't enough evidence of the President's "unshakeable bond" with Israel, these policy decisions come exactly at the same time Israel is engaged in a cold, covert war against Iran and making preparations for a possible strike against Iranian nuclear facilities. As the song goes, "That's what friend are for."

The president really believes -- as a friend -- that Israel should do nothing with regard to Iran except boost its ability to defend against a nuclear attack and focus on reaching a peace treaty with the Palestinian authority. President Obama still believes that the key to neutralizing Iran and its alliance with Hamas and Hezbollah is for Israel to cut itself down to the size and shape of the Palestinians' liking.

What is Israel to make of the fact that as the Syrian regime continues to murder people with the help of Iranian technicians and military equipment, senior officials in the administration have said almost nothing about the killing? Instead, the administration is focusing all of its diplomatic and military acumen on discouraging Israel from doing anything to figure out ways to reduce the number of people that could be slaughtered by Iranian aggression.

It is a hallmark of the administration's "friendship" with Israel that is knows slightly more about Israel's strategy and thinking on Iran than it does about when North Korean dictators die. Israel has not decided to launch a full-scale aerial assault on Iran nuclear sites. An attack could and would take multiple forms. It will engage in asymmetrical activities that no one outside of a small circle of individuals knows about. It could be more like the raid on Entebbe than the bombing of the nuclear reactors in Syria and Iraq. Or it could be both. In any scenario no one outside of Israel and its covert agents in Iran, Syria, and elsewhere will know how or when it will happen. If at all.

There is one element of the effort to go after Iran that is certain: No one in Israel's chain of command believes the Obama administration will support pre-emptive military operations, whether they be against Hamas, Hezbollah, or Iran.

It's not just the White House being clueless about the situation. If Iran will assist Assad in killing Syrian civilians by the tens of thousands, what would it do to damage and destroy Israel if it had the chance? Rather, it is the fact that the President truly believes demanding more from Israel and little from the Palestinians is the key to lasting peace. Which is why when touting his administration's military aid to Israel, it is always about defensive systems. And it's why he can square cutting funding for such programs with restoring funding to UNESCO as well as a multi-billion-grant program to support the "Arab Spring."

Recently the White House released a 7-minute video touting that "unbreakable bond." Apart from the fact that it full of misinformation and inaccuracies (e.g., its brazen claim that the U.S. strongly supported Israel when it was maligned by the UN's Goldstone Report; or the shameless way it takes Netanyahu's comments after a meeting with Obama out of context), two things stand out: It exalts as special the usual rhetoric about Israel's right to exist. And even then, as the American Thinker pointed out: It is only 7 minutes long. That's because it overlooks all the attacks on Israel's efforts to protect its borders and augment its pre-emptive options. If they were included, it wouldn't just be a video -- it would be a mini-series.

Most telling, especially at a time when Israel clearly is preparing to step up its ongoing assault on Iranian assets, is what Obama has not said and done. As Martin Luther King put it: "In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends."

About the Author

Robert M. Goldberg is vice president of the Center for Medicine in the Public Interest and founder of Hands Off My H ealth, a grass roots health care empowerment network. His is new book, Tabloid Medicine: How the Internet is Being Used To Hijack Medical Science For Fear and Profit, was published last month by Kaplan.

Letter to the Editor View all comments (86) | Leave a comment

John - TMF| 2.22.12 @ 6:09AM

Dear Editor,

Haven't read the article yet but there is a glaring copy error in the headline.

Please re-read without complete deference to the spell check function.

r/John - TMF

Pecos Pete| 2.22.12 @ 6:54AM

John: Hmmmmm. Maybe the spelling in the headline is intentional?

Von Mises Jr.| 2.22.12 @ 9:13AM

Ted Kennedy got it confused when he blurted "Osama Obama" as Barry was gaining prominence. As Alice would say "Curiouser and Curiouser."

loulou| 2.22.12 @ 11:19AM

It's what is known as a freudian slip.
Osama is a Muslim after all.

Jack in Wi.| 2.22.12 @ 7:44AM

Obama has been in the pocket of the Israeli Lobby his whole political career. He was sponsered in politics by the Jewish branch of the Chicago Machine. He has always groveled to Israel when the chips are down. His problem is that the vast majority of Americans and almost all Democrats want nothing to do with another war. He won as the peace candidate, last time and will easily win against against some chicken hawks like Santorum, Romney, and Gingrich.

The country is broke and the active members of the military who give money to a political candidate give it to Ron Paul, by a huge majority. No American wants to die for israel. No Israeli wants to die for Israel either. Israel could not stand 100 dead soldiers in Lebanon and having one prisoner of war.

Mr. Goldberg: Calling for preemtive and preventive war is a war crime that got a lot of Gemans hung after WW2. There is no justification for war with either Syria or Iran. Syria is involved in an internal civil war. We didn't want outside interference in our own civil war. Iran has done nothing that would warrent such an attack. It has no nuclear weapons program. This has been confirmed by all out national intelligence agencies on numerous occasions.

The former head of the Mossad, Halevei, has called an attack on Iran the stupidest idea ever. So has Dagan another former head of the Mossad. Diskin the former head of the Shin Bet has said similar things. There is a huge debate going on in Israel right now. Why the hell should Americans die so that Israel can lord it over it's neighbors?

David W| 2.22.12 @ 9:06AM

Man, where to begin. Since when has Obama groveled to Jews and Israel (you can't count when he tries to get votes, since he grovels to just about every demographic except white middle class America). No sane person wants war, however war sometimes is thrust upon us either through direct attack or through pure evil that someone has to respond to.

Calling for preemtive and preventive war did not get a lot of Gemans hung after WW2. What got them hung were the death camps, the brutal treatment of civilians, the actual invasion of neighboring countries. Gee, perhaps if you read history you might realize that WWII was not a preemptive strike but was a war of aggression from a government that was as evil as one can get (unless you include Stalin's, or Mao's, or Obama's.... oops). I guess you believe that we should have just let Hitler take over all of Europe so that he could have his master race.

As for Iran - it is responsible for the deaths of hundreds of US troops (they provide weapons, explosives, and training to the insurgents in Iraq and Afghanistan). Of course, that's our fault isn't it, since we shouldn't be there? Iran has called for the destruction of Israel as well as the US and provides weapons to Hezabollah (which shoots rockets into Israel - but not a big deal right?). Iran admits it is enriching uranium (if you believe it is only for peaceful purposes you really need to quit reading all of those leftist blogs). It is developing missiles that will reach Israel and Eastern Europe. Why does it need missiles that will reach that far? Is it just an exercise in engineering?

How is Israel "lording it" over its neighbors? I guess in your anti-Semitic and anti-Israel world being the only successful democracy in the middle east means they "lord it" over those countries that hang homosexuals, treat women like chattel, and believe that anyone who doesn't drop to their knees at the mention of mohammed/allah is an infidel worth killing.

Jack in Wi.| 2.22.12 @ 10:30AM

Preemtive and preventive wars are international war crimes. Planning for them and participating in them got Generals like Jodel, Goring, and Keital sentenced to death after WW2. Many others went to prison. Of course such wars have always been against Christian Just War Doctrine.

Israel lords it over it's neighbors. It bombs and terrorizes them at will. It has passed up numerous offers of peace from it's neighbors. Syria has offered to make peace for many years based on Israel giving back the golan heights, which has never been accepted as part of Israel, by the international community. The whole Arab league offered Israel a total peace with full diplomatic and trading rights in 2002, based on the 1967. borders. The Israeli's continue to kill and steal from the Palistinians based on the fairy tale that God gave them this property in perpetuity. I suggest that you read the fine book ' Zionism The Real Enemy Of the Jews ' by Alan Hart. He covered Israel and the Middle East for 50 years and has met all the players on both sides. He documents the many times Israel could of had peace with it's neighbors but has refused to negotiate in good faith.

Israel is a democracy like the American South before the civil rights revolution or Apartheid South Africa. No one spoke out more forcefully for full equal rights in those countries then the Jews who lived there. Israel needs to be integrated and civilized. If it is good enough for Alabama it is good enough for Israel. End the terror end the hate integate the israeli state.

Stammon| 2.22.12 @ 11:17AM

Please tell us why Christians, Jews and any other non-muslim peoples are fleeing Muslim lands? Please tell us why the Arabs living in Israel actually live in and participate in Israel's democracy? Please tell us why the only state where you can live as a homosexual in the Middle East is Israel? Please tell us what will happen to the Jews and Christians of Israel if Israel is "integrated and civilized" into it's Muslim neighbors.

Jack in Wi.| 2.22.12 @ 1:16PM

Israel is an criminal apartheid state where the Arab citizens of Israel proper are treated like we used to treat our black citizens, second class. The Arabs under Israeli control in the territories and the concentration camp in Gaza are treated like vermin to be expelled or exterminated. Shame on the Israeli's. Their policies are very similar to Hitler's pre war policies, with the Jews. We all know how that turned out.

In regards to Muslim treatment of Jews and Christians in the countries where they were the majority. They hve always been treated as second class to Muslims, but there were a hell of a lot more of them until Israel came into existence. Palistine was 30% Christian, Syria had a large Jewish and Christian community. So did Iraq, Egypt, Lebanon, and Iran. By the way the Jewish community in Iran is the largest in th Muslim world. 25000 Jews live their in peace and general prosperity. There are 40 active synagogues and several Jewish day schools. They could have left for Israel or anywhere else at any time but refuse to do so.

Occam's Tool| 2.22.12 @ 2:39PM

Uh huh. That's why Palestinian population and economic growth are climbing in the Israeli controlled areas, and plummeting in Gaza. That's why Israeli Arabs DO NOT want to become part of a Palestinian state.

Jack, you are an ignorant cheesehead. And a moral maggot.

John786| 2.22.12 @ 7:05PM

Is that recognition of Palestinian state or a Freudian slip.

Kingofthenet| 2.22.12 @ 10:47PM

Couldn't be that Gaza is treated like a PRISON?

Oldefarte| 2.22.12 @ 11:28AM

Alabama has absolutely nothing to do with Israel, DA!!!!!!!!!

Oldefarte| 2.22.12 @ 11:29AM

PS: Worry about your supposedly own state of Wisconsin, and how the labor unionists thugs are butchering your own governor instead!!!!!

Jon b| 2.23.12 @ 2:54PM

Obama has given billions to Israel, along with advanced weapons including bunker busters. Goldberg deliberately misleads here because EVERYONE who's serious about this issue knows that America need cooperation with Muslim countries/Governments if we want to slow or end terrorist attacks. There are always radicals, and if we cast off the Arab Nations as if they're as radical as al Qaeda/Taliban, then we do ourselves a disservice more than anyone else.

Oldefarte| 2.22.12 @ 11:27AM

What Hitleristic bullexcrement. It simply doesn't warrant a rebuttal!!!!!!

Occam's Tool| 2.22.12 @ 12:33PM

Obama is NOT in the pocket of AIPAC, Jack. I belong to AIPAC, and silence about Obama ("can't say anything nice, don't say it") is the operative word there.

Iran has done plenty to the US that would warrant an attack. The problem in naming it is where to stop, not where to begin. The Shah was a good guy.

Jack in Wi.| 2.22.12 @ 1:26PM

Obama has gone to grovel at AIPAC meeting many times. He bends over to kiss the rear ends of Foxman and Netanyahu any time they want him to and no matter how bad they stink. His main foreign policy people are all rabid zionists. The fact is they are also politicians. An attack on Iran would destroy any chance Obama has for reelection. No body wants this war except Israeli shills like Occam here. He never met a war for Israel, he didn't want to fight to the last drop of the goyim's blood. Heaven forbid he shed his own sacred blood for dear old Israel.

Occam's Tool| 2.22.12 @ 2:41PM

Blood libel. Love it. Actually, an attack on Iran that would be successful would ensure Obama's re-election, but he can't see it.

And any war that did NOT include rebuilding Iran would be a successful one. Keep in mind that Jack loves the Iranians, and believes that they were right to capture our embassy. Jack is a treasonous scumbag.

Jack in Wi.| 2.22.12 @ 4:46PM

I went to college with Iranians and my kids went to school and played with them. I told you many times before that we lived in a heavily Jewish neighborhood and the kids Muslim, Jew, and Christian all played together and even went to the prom together. A large Jewish community still exists in Iran and has been there for 3000 years. All your calls for nuclear genocide are disgracful, Occam. You are nothing but a filthy and stupid racist. Iranians are certainly no worse then most Jews and far better and saner then a lunatic like you.

james| 2.22.12 @ 5:43PM

your an idiot

Lawrence Boccardi| 2.22.12 @ 6:48AM

Regardless of the slip, I cannot believe there is one self-respecting Jew, in the USA or Israel, that still supports this POS.

KennesawJack| 2.22.12 @ 1:58PM

You are so wrong on that. One of my close friends is Jewish and he still thinks Obamarx hung the moon as to most of his associates. Granted, they're all attorneys but, still, how can they justify it?

Quartermaster| 2.22.12 @ 4:12PM

I think the phrase "I can not believe" is a figure of speech in this case. Jews in this country have repeatedly supported things that were not in the interest of their coreligionists in other countries. The problem goes back a long time.

Mike Hawk| 2.22.12 @ 6:59AM

Obama/ Osama, what's the difference. Both hate Isreal and Jews and both hate this country. Osama past tense of course.

Brian Mc| 2.22.12 @ 7:08AM

...and the leader of the free world bowed, humbly.

Appleby| 2.22.12 @ 7:09AM

These are the End Times and we all know what's coming; at least, those who went to church before this "Jesus is my Boyfriend" theology came into vogue. Israel knows more about this than most countries because they have lived through it before. They don't have to pay attention to the kids in the back row shouting warnings to John Wayne as the bad guys line up around the corner of the street. They've seen this movie a hundred times before.

C Smith| 2.22.12 @ 10:38AM

Zec 12:1 The burden of the word of the LORD for Israel, saith the LORD, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him.
Zec 12:2 Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem.
Zec 12:3 And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it.

OLDRAY| 2.22.12 @ 7:44AM

Obama hates Israel . here is a syumbol of Western Civilization right in the midst of 7th Century Islam (where his rotten heart truly lives). In Israel Christians , Jews and Muslims can live in peace unlike in the surrounding Islamic lands.There are Muslims in the Knesset Moslem Doctors and Nurses in Israel's finest hospitals. There are Moslem Beduin in the IDF, There are Druze in the IDF of high rank, The Bahai have their World headquarters (a beauty) in Israel,. Israel's Hebrew University has hundreds of Arab students.None of these things can be found in the surrounding Islamic lands. Yet Obama dearly loves them and visibly hates the Jews of Israel and anyone who can't see this is a moron or a hater.

Larry Engel, Snark| 2.22.12 @ 9:13AM

Was David really that good of a shot, or was
Somebody guiding that stone that hit the giant
right between the eyes?

John786| 2.22.12 @ 9:26AM

Friends should speak truth to each other. Isreal your nationalist ideology of creating a Jewish homeland in the midst of six million Palestinians & another eight million refugees is no longer tenable in the 21st century. A state based on ethnic cleansing & dispossession in the 21st century is not tenable. Make peace with the Arabs based on the well known parameters & just solution for the refugees. Leave Iran alone. destroying The centre of the Shia homeland will bring no positive dividend. Leave it be & concentrate on the Palestinian question. I'm not holding by breath.

Bruce| 2.22.12 @ 9:46AM

"A state based on ethnic cleansing"???? Where the heck does that come from? The fact that they live in harmony with those who live within their territory and are trying to prevent being annihilated by those outside their territory?

John786| 2.22.12 @ 9:59AM

Where have you been for the last sixty+ years. Do you have a television - radio- Internet - carrier pigeons ? Israeli settlements / settlers continue to expand in the west bank. All bedun in the Negev have been marked for removal. This state is addicted to Palestinian land - I recommend you google Zionism, Theodora herzel. Never mind the cultural destruction in the holy land.

Stammon| 2.22.12 @ 11:19AM

This will do for you too;
Please tell us why Christians, Jews and any other non-muslim peoples are fleeing Muslim lands? Please tell us why the Arabs living in Israel actually live in and participate in Israel's democracy? Please tell us why the only state where you can live as a homosexual in the Middle East is Israel? Please tell us what will happen to the Jews and Christians of Israel if Israel is "integrated and civilized" into it's Muslim neighbors.

loulou| 2.22.12 @ 11:23AM

The fact is what you call the West Bank is actually Judea and Samaria. Jewish land. Some call it "disputed territory." It is not Palestinian land, you dull-normal clod. Read history, not propaganda that confirms your Jew hatred.

At any rate it is for Israel to develop as it sees fit.

John786| 2.22.12 @ 12:17PM

I can see why the Palestinians are trouble with views like these. Israel's so called friends always find it convenient to muddy the waters. Misdirect people like a good magician. It won't work. Israel should work on solving the Palestinian issue. Or it will find solutions imposed on it. It needs to go with the flow and recognise the inalienable rights of the palestinians and not go down the 'invented people' nonsense encouraged by fanatics & rapturers.

Quartermaster| 2.22.12 @ 4:19PM

In 1967 Syria, Egypt and Jordan attacked Israel. In 6 days Israel took the Sinai, the Golan and so called "west bank" from Armies that outnumbered hers by a lot. The Arabs lost their gambit. *THEY LOST* and now they whine about illegally occupied land. They lost it because they were stupid, and they lost because what they were trying to do was unjust, and God didn't allow them to win. Israel has every right to annex the land permanently, as they did the Golan.

The Arabs lost. They can get over it or keep getting their faces rubbed in their defeats. Ezekial chapters 38 and 39 are yet to come, and Israel's enemies will attack again and over 80% of the attacking armies will die in the process. God himself will not allow Israel to be crushed.

Obama the Muslim is placing himself on the wrong side of this one.

William R| 2.22.12 @ 7:10PM

You've got it backwards. Israel attacked Egypt in the six day war. Israel was such an aggressor that it attacked an unarmed United States Navel vessel the USS Liberty killing 34 and wounding 171. In other words, Israel committed an act of war against the United States.

Stammon| 2.22.12 @ 7:37PM

Israel reiterated declarations made in 1957 that any closure of the Straits would be considered an act of war, or a justification for war.[24][25] Nasser declared the Straits closed to Israeli shipping on May. 22–23. On 27 May he stated "Our basic objective will be the destruction of Israel. The Arab people want to fight." [26] On May 30, Jordan and Egypt signed a defense pact. The following day, at Jordan's invitation, the Iraqi army began deploying troops and armored units in Jordan.[27] They were later reinforced by an Egyptian contingent. On June 1, Israel formed a National Unity Government by widening its cabinet, and on June 4 the decision was made to go to war. The next morning, Israel launched Operation Focus, a large-scale surprise air strike that was the opening of the Six-Day War.

Stand in my driveway and threaten to kill me and you will get run over.

Occam's Tool| 2.22.12 @ 12:36PM

John786: All of your countries your people live on are dictatorships led by brutes and vermin. NO THANKS.

By the way, my daughter will never wear the burkha---I don't care how many hundreds of millions must die in your lands to prevent it.

Occam's Tool| 2.22.12 @ 12:39PM

And, as for the millions dying---see what happens if Iran ever uses its weapons---the death toll will NOT stop with Iran and Israel, dumbass.

Occam's Tool| 2.22.12 @ 12:39PM

And, as for the millions dying---see what happens if Iran ever uses its weapons---the death toll will NOT stop with Iran and Israel, dumbass.

Pound Sand 786 Times And . . .| 2.22.12 @ 12:59PM

. . . if the sand is really, really, loose-packed, there may be a hole 685 inches in depth, if the infidel pounding is one of the infidels considered 'well-hung', and if no more than 78.6% of the women giggle at it.

Google ' child-raping reprobate charlatan religious 'leader' ' and google ' baal '.

Wrap Head 786 Times And . . . | 2.22.12 @ 2:21PM

. . . if the rags used to wrap the head, discarded by women after that magical time each month, are wrapped too tightly, the infidel too tightly wrapped is the laughingstock of women the world over, whether their maleness is visible without benefit of magnification of the microscopic, or not.

Google ' infidel ' and what one can discover is an infidel is ' a heathen who rejects a particular principle, especially with respect to Judeo-Christianity '

If raghead sand pounding infidels googled ' indoor plumbing ' they may discover a magical benefit unknown to them.

Occam's Tool| 2.22.12 @ 12:35PM

John: it's Israel, you illiterate goof. Take your Nazi bastard crap and shove it up your flea ridden asshole. Palestine is an invented land for an invented people.

John786| 2.22.12 @ 12:48PM

Mr occam. Which one are you: fanatic or an end time rapturer. you're being a good little magician today. Well done. Anger management. You may benefit.

Occam's Tool| 2.22.12 @ 2:43PM

No, son---I'm saying that you will be eliminated from the face of the planet, as Japan almost was, if you piss of the US of A. No end times or rapture---life will go on---but the people who support you will be trinitite. You are a Nazi scumbag.

John786| 2.22.12 @ 6:27PM

I don't know if I should laugh or cry. You are obviously a very damaged person. May be a break from politics for a while. Stop watching the news definitely stop blogging on ( far right) websites. Comedy is good. keep away from the bottle. Destiny is on the side of the Palestinians. I feel sorry for you.

Say Allah Akbar 786 Times &...| 2.22.12 @ 7:18PM

. . . you are still a sand pounding infidel raghead like John786, worshipping baal, wishing he had his own 9 year old for a wife or a husband, whichever, and whining about all the grown women around him laughing at him because his maleness is practically invisible.

Google ' muslim women really wear veils to hide their laughter at muslim males who worship baal because they want 9 year old wives or husbands - whichever - due to their scientifically proven world's tiniest penises '

John786| 2.22.12 @ 8:15PM

You is weird. Psychodelic. I mean do you spin around for an hour before typing. Sick. Google 786. Salvation could be yours.

See 786 Women Laughing & . . .| 2.22.12 @ 9:57PM

. . . you will know exactly how many women have seen John786 naked.

786 is the new 666.

Google ' baal '

Appleby| 2.22.12 @ 1:49PM

There was no "Palestine" until the British and French created it, and the people who lived there were citizens of Transjordan. There were no "six million Palestinians"; there were none at all, in fact. The ones who are living in the camps have been refused entry to all the Arab countries around them including Jordan, which was their original homeland. Israel does not practice "ethnic cleansing." The mythical state of "Palestine" however, does. Right out in broad daylight in front of God and the congregation. Don't you watch TV?

Quartermaster| 2.22.12 @ 4:23PM

Actually, Palestine was a creation of Hadrian after the revolt of AD 135. It was named after the Philistines after Hadrian put down the revolt and removed Jews from the land and forbade their entrance into what was Jerusalem. The Brits and Arabs simply readopted the name from the Romans.

John786| 2.22.12 @ 7:01PM

There are two universes. One in which Zionist & their supporters live. And the other where the rest of us live. I feel sorry for the day you wake from the dream.

Ken (Old Texican)| 2.22.12 @ 3:02PM

Mohammed 786,
Screw you and your fellow murderers.
www.americaalonesaidno.com

John786| 2.22.12 @ 6:49PM

Ken. Ken. Kenny sir. Where have you been. I thought you'd been raptured. Ah maybe next week. I do pray that you get raptured. We will miss you. Ken if the Palestinian are an invented people why does Netanyahu support a state for them. Christ (pbuh) was a Palestinian and a Muslim. Your worst nightmare come true. Don't boil over.

See 786 Diseased Pigs And. . .| 2.23.12 @ 11:03AM

you will have an idea how full of diseased pig dung the raghead sand pounding infidel John 786 is.

Google ' diseased pig dung ' and ' John786 ' and ' baal '

Bob Grant| 2.22.12 @ 9:29AM

Victor Davis Hanson has a nice piece in National Review about the politics of becoming a member of The Club - countries who have acquired, or are suspected as having nuclear weapons.

He really puts it in perspective and provides new insights on the matter. A must read on the subject, IMHO.

Bob K.| 2.22.12 @ 9:51AM

Hanson's article is spot on in explaining Nuclear Chess.

Peppermint Tea| 2.22.12 @ 9:41AM

This article said nothing about OSAMA. Is he alive and well? Is he working from the grave to inspire our president? Does he hate Israel any less?

Quartermaster| 2.22.12 @ 4:24PM

Osama isn't concerned with anything happening here these days. Hell's flames have a way of redirecting your concerns.

Hobbes| 2.22.12 @ 9:55AM

Why keep borrowing untold billions from Communist China, putting America’s children eternally in debt, to pursue a policy in the Arab world that has made this once-admired nation thoroughly detested across the Arab world?

Fed up| 2.22.12 @ 4:05PM

Who cares what in the hell the Arabs/Muslims think of us...They are bringing us a worldwide nuclear hallocaust and you're are worried about their feelings?

tsd| 2.22.12 @ 10:05AM

The long term strategy of Iran is to build a strong Arab base in the middle east with Hezbollah, Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood as it's puppets. By creating a united brotherhood under it's control to one by one take over the middle east and create a dominate Radical Muslim rule. Control the oil reserves and in-turn create a military capable of running the Jews into the ground... on it's way to much grander plans. As they acquire nuclear weapons they will become more bold and be willing to invade at will. Think what you like, but this is the goal and they have shown this is the direction they are moving.... today we have Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, Egypt and Libya in play with Iran and it's supporters firmly in-place in the hopes of controlling they're outcomes. We can sit back and wait for hell on earth later, or do something now and get on with it before we have to deal with things nuclear!!

PolishKnight| 2.22.12 @ 11:26AM

I had friends who asked to borrow money from me and then didn't pay me back. I guess Israel is our true "friend" by demanding we simply give it to them...

Quartermaster| 2.22.12 @ 4:26PM

Many of us have trouble with Israel because her friendship is not consistent. The Liberty attack, and the repeated times we have caught them trying to sell our military tech to China doesn't do much to engender trust of Israel in us.

Oldefarte| 2.22.12 @ 11:32AM

The Obama Administration is not '''''friend'''''' of Israel, and never will be. Santorum's insinuations concerning the president's supposed Christianity has something to do with same no doubt!!!!!!!

OLDRAY| 2.22.12 @ 11:49AM

Re LOU LOU comments which are correct, Go to your (any) Public Library reading room . Pick up any encyclopedia prinyed before 1967 (Americana, Britanica ), You will find NO referenses to the territories called the west bank . They will be called JUDEA & SAMARIA. All references to Palestinian institutions are Jewish companies, hospitals and orchestras. The Palestine Brigade that we fought along side in Italy (a British unit) was all Jews fro what is now Israel, The arabs fought in the German Forces ,(see pictures of the Mufti of Jerusalem alopng side Hitler), NEVER in world history was their an Arab state in the area of Israel FCor crying out loud read HISTORY before calling this Arab or Palestine territory

Sean| 2.22.12 @ 12:16PM

There is no such thing as "palestinians". Period!

Way back on March 31, 1977, the Dutch newspaper Trouw published an interview with Palestine Liberation Organization executive committee member Zahir Muhsein. Here’s what he said:

The Palestinian people does not exist. The creation of a Palestinian state is only a means for continuing our struggle against the state of Israel for our Arab unity. In reality today there is no difference between Jordanians, Palestinians, Syrians and Lebanese. Only for political and tactical reasons do we speak today about the existence of a Palestinian people, since Arab national interests demand that we posit the existence of a distinct “Palestinian people” to oppose Zionism.
For tactical reasons, Jordan, which is a sovereign state with defined borders, cannot raise claims to Haifa and Jaffa, while as a Palestinian, I can undoubtedly demand Haifa, Jaffa, Beer-Sheva and Jerusalem. However, the moment we reclaim our right to all of Palestine, we will not wait even a minute to unite Palestine and Jordan."

Occam's Tool| 2.22.12 @ 12:38PM

Sean: I take it you are not the Sean who supports Ron Paul? If so, can you identify yourself better so that I won't pass your interesting comments by?

danshanteal| 2.22.12 @ 1:49PM

THE STARS ARE ALIGNED AGAINST THE JEWS. I MEAN HILLARY, RICE AND THE NSC LADY.

David| 2.22.12 @ 1:50PM

Jack, you are truly a moron. You don't know jackshit, Jack.

Ken (Old Texican)| 2.22.12 @ 3:10PM

David,
Jack a long time ago became a "scroll button exercise."

Ignore the dumbass.

the halfrican| 2.22.12 @ 3:10PM

The Jewish faith will vote for obama with great passion this November, as will the Catholic's so we are all screwed .

possibly less than halfrican| 2.22.12 @ 5:04PM

I liked the last post I read from you much, much, better; the one offering an inspirational solution to end abortion.

I hope much, much less than half your posts are as discouraging as this one.

Nite| 2.22.12 @ 3:41PM

Obama is a lying sleeze and not to be trusted EVER!

Fed up| 2.22.12 @ 4:09PM

Of course I want Israel to be successful in blowing Iran's nuclear future to smithereens....But another even bigger concern for the US is that an Israeli attack will somehow keep Obama in the presidency...voters are leery of replacing a sitting president when there is a war going on...Another four years of Obama would would be a disaster for everyone!

Quartermaster| 2.22.12 @ 4:29PM

No matter whether it is us or Israel that tries to take out Iran's nuke program, there is going to be another major war in the Levant. We are at the point where it will take nukes to take out their nuke program, or a full scale invasion. The Obummer maladminstration doesn't have the stones for the former, and we don't have the Army for the latter.

james| 2.22.12 @ 5:54PM

one way for obama to show the world he's not anti jewish is for israel to bomb iran there by forcing obama to go one way or the other so the world will truly know where he stands, and frankly i hope its soon, we cannot wait untill the world has another hitler on its hands

Howard| 2.22.12 @ 7:12PM

Barack Hussein Obama has no ties, emotional or biological, to Western civilization or to the Judeo-Christian basis of our society. He 'belongs' to Western thought the same way Marx, Engels and Lenin 'belonged' to Western thought.
A perversion of our political process and a dying political opposition put Obama into office. Now we are seeing the consequences.

Kingofthenet| 2.22.12 @ 10:49PM

Israel is a cancer in the Middle East and needs to be 'cut out' before it metastasizes.

jillosophy| 2.23.12 @ 11:10AM

WHITE HOUSE INSIDER: President Obama Says F**k Israel

http://theulstermanreport.com/.....fk-israel/
Excerpt: Insider: The Israel situation – Iran…the nukes…

There was a meetup with some Saudis on that issue – don’t know the specifics of that…just that it happened. Anyways…the administration’s people come back to Obama with the update. No…they don’t come back to Obama but it goes to State – gets passed on…makes its way to -name deleted-. Now -deleted- would be the one to inform the president – or Jarrett. Maybe Jarrett first who would determine if the president should be included or not.

UM: -Deleted- who?

Insider: -Name Deleted-. NSA. Good guy working in a bad situation up there. Been there ’bout a year. Goes back…we go back.

UM: You and -Name Deleted-?

Insider: That’s right. A bit. Been a few years…

Anyways…so it gets back to -Name Deleted- , right? The Saudi meeting – whatever was discussed – information…whatever. And -Name Deleted- sends a memo to the president. Like an update I suppose. That part ain’t important. Whatever the communication was.

So it’s several days…maybe a week later. After the fact. After the memo was sent – and the president…he ain’t been around, right? Been on the road. Campaigning. Whatever. So he’s havin’ his morning briefing. Jarrett controls that agenda. She includes the -Name Deleted- thing. Now you need to understand here…the situation in the Middle East is very volatile at this point. Gettin’ worse every damn day. Horrible over there. State knows it. NSA – CIA – Pentagon…they are all on edge with this thing. But not so much the president. His focus is on November, 2012. It’s on the applause of the crowds. It’s on looking cool again, right? What I told you before about that – looking cool?

So the Saudi info is put out there – tied in with the Middle East thing – the Israeli situation.

Now here’s the president’s reaction. Here’s what he says – verbatim.

“F—ing Israel. I don’t care anymore. They won’t listen – so f-ck them.”

jillosophy| 2.23.12 @ 11:15AM

obama & his advisor, the iranian-born valerie jarrett, are doing everything they can to bolster radical islam all throughout the Middle East and the countries surrounding the Mediterranean. We now have special ops troops in 4 different countries in North Africa because of the tribal wars between Christians and muslims - and just guess whose side we're on? If you guessed the Christians, you are wrong. obama wants israel to attack iran, then hell will break loose (literally with the Mahdi on the way) and he will declare Marshall Law. Whoo-hoo! I'm King of the World!!!

Jon b| 2.23.12 @ 2:57PM

Furthermore, Israel flips off US Presidents at their whim, even Bush. They're only our "friends" as long as we provide BILLIONS in welfare and weapons every year, and we are. Remember when Israel sold advanced US weapons to China for years against their agreement with us? Remember when Israel deliberately attacked the USS Liberty killing 34 US sailors and injuring 172 more? www.gtr5.com How many here are aware of the fact the Israel spies more on America than anyone else? These are not necessarily very good friends, but more accurately they are a Judas to us if we cut them off.

porno| 2.23.12 @ 7:11PM

The loopholes are the big problem. While many exemptions have the best intentions behind them, a system like ours encourages companies to essentially buy preferentially treatment from Congress.