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Obama: Israel is 'A Constant Sore'

Mon, May 12, 2008 at 5:20:28 pm PDT

In an interview with Jeffrey Goldberg for The Atlantic, Barack Obama presents himself as the best friend Israel ever had.

Then he proceeds to call Israel a “constant sore” that “infects all of our foreign policy:” Obama on Zionism and Hamas.

JG: Do you think that Israel is a drag on America’s reputation overseas?

BO: No, no, no. But what I think is that this constant wound, that this constant sore, does infect all of our foreign policy.

(Hat tip: Protein Wisdom.)

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1046 comments

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1 goddessoftheclassroom  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:21:22pm

Why am I shocked?

2 Sharmuta  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:21:52pm

The modern democrat party is a constant sore on the American body politic.

3 A Kiwi Infidel  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:21:54pm

Well, no prises for guessing where your sympathies lies.

You are a constant sore as well BHO

4 experiencedtraveller  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:21:57pm

This guy can't wait to dine with dictators.

5 wrenchwench  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:23:19pm

He's gonna need a lot of waffles to avoid questions on that one.

6 kiwiviv  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:23:26pm

God help us if this man ever becomes POTUS

7 mrdriven  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:23:35pm

he was muslim by birth and then changed....

guess his views did not change....maybe his religion really did not either...

8 WrathofG-d  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:23:38pm
9 Sharmuta  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:24:08pm

re: #6 kiwiviv

God help us if this man ever becomes POTUS

God help Israel if this man becomes POTUS!

10 lawhawk  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:24:30pm

If only someone would use that quote in an ad campaign in the NYC metro area. Those who are already on the fence regarding Obama and his commitment to the only steadfast ally the US has in the region are not going to like Obama's anti-Israel tripe.

11 mikeymom[deleted]  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:24:56pm
12 Noam Sayin'  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:25:14pm

Let's put him in charge of the country.

13 WrathofG-d  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:25:15pm

re: #9 Sharmuta

H'S doesn't need BHO.

14 ironbill  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:26:09pm

Every unscripted moment pulls the curtain back a little more on this guy.

He's a threat to this nation's existence and to that of our allies.

He'll make Carter look like Lincoln

15 amphibian  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:26:28pm

Ah, just after I comment on the link to ask Charles to spawn off a thread for this, I refresh and here it is. That's service, I tellsya!

Hokay. So now Ears has admitted, in public and on the record, that he expects to bring peace in our time by tossing the Jews to the jihadniks.

When Rev. Hate-Whitey first surfaced, Ears threw Granny under the bus and he was fine. When Rev. H-W popped up again, like a slightly more entertaining jack-in-the-box, Ears threw the good reverend himself under the bus and he was still fine. Now whom will Ears blame? Looks like he's the only one left!

16 Ojoe  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:27:22pm

I will bless those that bless.

I will curse those that curse;

I really hope for our sake that Obama does not get elected.

17 Alouette  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:27:31pm
I want to solve the problem, and so my job in being a friend to Israel is partly to hold up a mirror and tell the truth and say if Israel is building settlements without any regard to the effects that this has on the peace process

Gah.

18 kiwiviv  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:27:38pm

re: #11 mikeymom

Y'know - I always get so mad at the left/progressives who wish ill on others. I would hope that we would not stoop to such wishes in LGF. Hopefully we are above such talk - we can debate and argue without being hateful and crude.

19 WrathofG-d  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:27:58pm

The Whole Quote Care Of; Israel Matzav:

BO: No, no, no. But what I think is that this constant wound, that this constant sore, does infect all of our foreign policy. The lack of a resolution to this problem provides an excuse for anti-American militant jihadists to engage in inexcusable actions, and so we have a national-security interest in solving this, and I also believe that Israel has a security interest in solving this because I believe that the status quo is unsustainable. I am absolutely convinced of that, and some of the tensions that might arise between me and some of the more hawkish elements in the Jewish community in the United States might stem from the fact that I’m not going to blindly adhere to whatever the most hawkish position is just because that’s the safest ground politically.

I want to solve the problem, and so my job in being a friend to Israel is partly to hold up a mirror and tell the truth and say if Israel is building settlements without any regard to the effects that this has on the peace process, then we’re going to be stuck in the same status quo that we’ve been stuck in for decades now, and that won’t lift that existential dread that David Grossman described in your article.

The notion that a vibrant, successful society with incredible economic growth and incredible cultural vitality is still plagued by this notion that this could all end at any moment -- you know, I don’t know what that feels like, but I can use my imagination to understand it. I would not want to raise my children in those circumstances. I want to make sure that the people of Israel, when they kiss their kids and put them on that bus, feel at least no more existential dread than any parent does whenever their kids leave their sight. So that then becomes the question: is settlement policy conducive to relieving that over the long term, or is it just making the situation worse? That’s the question that has to be asked.

20 BulgarWheat  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:28:21pm

re: #14 ironbill

Shit! That's why Carter is so interesting in getting this cur into the office. It'll take the STANK off of his failed term.

Dang, that's cold!

21 ackomanyuki  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:28:42pm

Will someone please give this Commie Canker a dose of penicillin.

22 jcm  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:28:54pm

Wonder if he got the idea from Wrights Wrants on the Tuskegee Experiments.

23 mikeymom  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:28:54pm

re: #18 kiwiviv

as my mentor mandy would say--go piss up a rope!

24 ironbill  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:29:12pm

Hillary: Listen to me!

You're running out of cards.

Play this one

25 kiwiviv  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:29:20pm

Thank you Charles for deleting #11 - we don't need that stuff in here.

26 MandyManners  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:29:35pm

Glad I stayed for a minute.

OBAMA, *YOU* ARE THE ONE WHO IS A SORE AND *YOU* ARE THE ONE WHO WILL FUCK UP THIS NATION'S FOREIGN POLICY IF YOU ARE ELECTED PRESIDENT.

27 Milk Toast Intolerant  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:29:36pm

He threw his grandma under the bus.
He threw his spiritual mentor of 20 years under the bus.
If elected President, Obama will throw Israel under the bus.

Take that to the bank.

28 loppyd  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:30:08pm

Sorry.

Friends don't call friends sores.

29 BulgarWheat  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:30:47pm

re: #26 MandyManners

Mandy, Obama hasn't been on this blog since Nodrog left. Everyone understands that.

30 kiwiviv  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:30:47pm

re: #23 mikeymom

as my mentor mandy would say--go piss up a rope!

Do you REALLY want to talk like that? It seem like Charles didn;t like the comment either. The Grand Lizard is watching you.

31 Ojoe  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:30:59pm
provides an excuse for anti-American militant jihadists to engage in inexcusable actions,

A contradiction

32 EC Marm  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:31:25pm

re: #18 kiwiviv
Please. If the comment is offensive, just "Reply" to it. Don't include it by hitting "Quote."

33 Intrepid  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:31:26pm

Dang - GOTC, maybe you can answer this one.

Which Shakespeare play was it in which one of the characters mentioned "...should have cauterized that festering sore.."? Was it Marc Antony's funeral speech?

Anyway, that's what Barack Obama would attempt to do to Israel - cauterize it. Burn it out. Or in other words, wipe it off the map. Drive it into the sea.

He cannot, must not be elected President.

34 Charles  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:31:52pm

The context of the quote doesn't even matter. For him to use the terminology of disease to describe Israel is way beyond the pale, and very reminiscent of classic antisemitism.

35 ackomanyuki  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:32:43pm

Wednesday is fly your Israeli flag day.

36 JammieWearingFool  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:33:04pm

There's a reason he comes Hamas-approved.

37 song_and_dance_man[deleted]  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:33:56pm
38 Ojoe  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:34:03pm

re: #34 Charles

Charles can you delete part of a post? I agree with what No. 18 KIWIVIV says, but as it does repeat the deletion, maybe you can blank out the nsaty part and let the rest of his/her comment stand?

39 Milk Toast Intolerant  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:34:52pm

Terrorists agree: 5 out of 5 Hamas members endorse Barack Hussein Obama.

40 Ojoe  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:35:00pm

re: #37 song_and_dance_man

Not enough people realize this.

41 kiwiviv  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:35:26pm

re: #32 EC Marm

sure - I was just offended and pushed the wrong button

42 BulgarWheat  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:35:40pm

re: #37 song_and_dance_man

As it is written,
so let it be done.........

Folks be messin' with some real bad mojo. The ultimate big stick will be employed.

43 loppyd  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:35:59pm

re: #36 JammieWearingFool

There's a reason he comes Hamas-approved.

Have you lost your bearings, Jammie?

LOL

44 WrathofG-d  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:36:15pm

re: #37 song_and_dance_man

The day is coming when the world will look on Israel as the cancer of the world and consider it what ails them. They will think removing this cancer will bring world peace. They are sadly mistaken.

Israel is the Jew among the nations. (maybe its what they get for forgetting they are a Jewish nation)

45 Killian Bundy  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:36:18pm

The bus is going to need a new suspension soon.

/Israel is a pretty big speed bump

46 WestPack  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:36:51pm

And what would be the MSM reaction to this statement from McCain or for that matter HRC?

This very brilliant but equally self absorbed man is in no condition to be POTUS.

I'm looking forward for our nation to get through all this, and you know I think we will.

47 BulgarWheat  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:36:59pm

re: #45 Killian Bundy

Heh! Rotating Title/Bumper Sticker material

48 Ojoe  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:37:56pm

re: #46 WestPack

I can't wait for this election to be over. Every 4 years I want to join the Trappists.

49 Kragar (proud to be kafir)  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:38:18pm

The more BHO talks, the worse he sounds

50 ted  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:38:35pm

MSM will begin reporting this in 5...4...3...2.............

51 ciaospirit  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:38:42pm

re: #27 Milk Toast Intolerant

He threw his grandma under the bus.
He threw his spiritual mentor of 20 years under the bus.
If elected President, Obama will throw Israel under the bus.

Take that to the bank.

His spiritual mentor threw himself under the bus to save Obama's ass.

52 lawhawk  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:38:59pm

re: #19 WrathofG-d

The whole quote only makes this a nanometer better - but the use of the specific language of calling Israel's situation a constant wound/sore, suggests that he has no interest in being an honest broker between Israel and the Palestinians.

After all, the ensuing paragraph relates what Israel must do in the form of further concessions. Not one word about Palestinian terrorism or their failure to fulfill their obligations under Oslo. Not one word. It's all about what Israel must do - ridding settlements (let's just forget that this was all supposedly dealt with at Camp David in 2000, and Arafat walked out on Bill Clinton and Ehud Barak without even the common courtesy of a counterproposal - the Palestinians had no interests in peace).

It's a pervasive problem with Obama's campaign, and there's no way he can simply excuse this failing on his underlings - like the dozen or so other times he's blamed his workers for his own policy positions.

He's responsible for those words, and I hope they come back to bite him in a big way.

53 WhiteRasta  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:39:01pm

re: #37 song_and_dance_man

...."What they fail to realize is Israel is protected by the hand of God and anyone who attempts to destroy her will find they themselves destroyed..."

Interesting point.

History has proven that every civilization that has raised their hand against Israel, has fallen.

Every one of them.

54 BulgarWheat  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:39:50pm

re: #51 ciaospirit

Can't you just toss yourself under the bus already! This isn't helping Michelle's children!

/

55 Intrepid  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:40:23pm

Where is the outcry from American Rabbis, I wonder?

56 mikeymom  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:40:24pm

re: #48 Ojoe

thats the second time you've mentioned the trappists--they fascinate me too! and sorry charles for my rematk--i'm just soo infuriated by this man-and ascared odf what he will do to my beloved USA

57 amphibian  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:40:57pm

re: #48 Ojoe

I can't wait for this election to be over. Every 4 years I want to join the Trappists.

They do make good beer.

58 Occasional Reader  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:41:18pm

Ummm, hold up.

He appears to be referring to the "conflict" or whatever you want to call it as a "sore", not Israel itself.

59 Kosh's Shadow  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:41:35pm

re: #9 Sharmuta

God help Israel if this man becomes POTUS!

G-d will.

60 Ojoe  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:42:25pm

re: #56 mikeymom

It is a severe monastic order. Silence, and work, and praying, and getting up at 2 am, things like that.

61 ironbill  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:43:10pm

I'm not Jewish but I have to make this observation.

I am friendly with a couple who are both lib and Jewish, and have discussed politics with them on occasion.

I always want to tell them bluntly, "why are you cutting your own throat?"

Can some of my fellow lizards who are Jewish explain to me what it is that would make a Jew want to hang themselves by supporting these kind of politicians?

It looks to me like suicide with a paid middle-man.

62 song_and_dance_man[deleted]  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:43:36pm
63 lawhawk  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:43:49pm

Further thoughts - this all comes as Israel celebrates its 60th anniversary, and Obama's busy trying to find ways to stifle Israel's growth in territory captured not from Palestinians but from Jordan.

The Palestinians have had ample opportunity to do something with Gaza. Israel hasn't occupied it since 2005's disengagement, and all Hamas and the Palestinians have done is start and sustain a rocket war with no end in sight. They have no intention of peace.

Obama and other Palestinian sympathizers complain about Israel's settlements, but where are the complaints about the thousands of kassams fired at Israel, many with deadly consequences. Nothing about that - nothing about standing with the victims of a longstanding war against their existence.

Palestinians could have chosen to integrate in Jordan, but instead nearly caused a civil war. Palestinians did cause a civil war in Lebanon. And they had a civil war between their own factions that still continues to this day with occasional flareups. They are not a group with whom you can seek peace - they have no interest in it unless Israel is in pieces.

64 galloping granny  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:43:49pm

re: #53 WhiteRasta

...."What they fail to realize is Israel is protected by the hand of God and anyone who attempts to destroy her will find they themselves destroyed..."

Interesting point.

History has proven that every civilization that has raised their hand against Israel, has fallen.

Every one of them.

Including the British Empire.

65 kenprice  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:43:54pm

Every time this guy opens his mouth, he manages to put his foot in it. All I can say is "keep talking". If he says enough, we may see a 57 state sweep for McCain in November.

66 mikeymom  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:44:01pm

re: #60 Ojoe

yes i know--read a bit about them--bless them--shall we reserve a cell next to each other if obama is elected? can i get a hot tub in my romm ya think?

67 Charles  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:44:16pm

re: #58 Occasional Reader

Ummm, hold up.

He appears to be referring to the "conflict" or whatever you want to call it as a "sore", not Israel itself.

Well, you can interpret it that way, when he starts to ramble and go on about settlements. But the direct question was, "Do you think that Israel is a drag on America’s reputation overseas?"

As lawhawk points out, the full context really doesn't improve it much. And I think it's very telling that he answers such a direct question like that.

68 WhiteRasta  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:44:21pm

re: #59 Kosh's Shadow

Could he be any worse than Jimmah Cattah?

Dear G-d, don't let us find out.......

69 kiwiviv  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:44:34pm

re: #61 ironbill

Some of them are Israel-haters just like many on the left in this country are USA-haters

70 Dublin(CA)Dude  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:44:57pm

What will it take to convince Jewish voters to abandon the Democrat party? Why do so many of them seem to refuse to hear what the Democrats are saying about Israel and terrorist? I'm a staunch supporter of Israel, can any Jewish lizard explain why the American Jewish vote continues to be overwhelmingly Democratic.

71 snowcrash  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:45:10pm

Tomorrow Obama will want to re-phrase (change) his answer and the MSM will once again give him a pass. It really is just to much to tolerate.

72 Kosh's Shadow  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:45:18pm

I've sent the link to the article, and the relevant quote, to two Chabad rabbis.
I know one already doesn't like Obama, and will forward this on.
The other sounded like he didn't know how bad Obama is, so I'm hoping this opens his eyes.

At this point, I think I might order some McCain pins. That will piss off the moonbats at work, but this article has convinced me McCain MUST win this November.

73 Naso Tang  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:45:26pm

Clearly, Obama does not know the difference between a sore and the infection that causes it.

74 amphibian  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:45:32pm

re: #58 Occasional Reader

Ummm, hold up.

He appears to be referring to the "conflict" or whatever you want to call it as a "sore", not Israel itself.

Quite correct. And then he implies that staying on Israel's side is deforming our foreign policy, and that the solution to this problem would be, ideally, for Israel to stop existing. I read the context before posting, and the context does not make things sound any better.

75 jcm  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:45:39pm

re: #61 ironbill

I'm not Jewish but I have to make this observation.

I am friendly with a couple who are both lib and Jewish, and have discussed politics with them on occasion.

I always want to tell them bluntly, "why are you cutting your own throat?"

Can some of my fellow lizards who are Jewish explain to me what it is that would make a Jew want to hang themselves by supporting these kind of politicians?

It looks to me like suicide with a paid middle-man.

The Prius I saw the other day with the Obama sticker in Hebrew.

76 eschew_obfuscation  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:45:47pm
The lack of a resolution to this problem provides an excuse for anti-American militant jihadists to engage in inexcusable actions, and so we have a national-security interest in solving this, and I also believe that Israel has a security interest in solving this because I believe that the status quo is unsustainable.

It seems to me that the status quo has been sustained for 60 years......I wonder what part is "unsustainable"?

77 Killian Bundy  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:45:57pm

Why Jews Vote the Way They Do

If I am asked one question by my readers far more frequently than any other, it’s why do so many American Jews insist on aligning themselves with the far left. Believe me, being Jewish myself, it’s the question I most frequently ask myself.

It’s certainly not because Jews are stupid, evil, unpatriotic or dependent on government handouts for their survival, four reasons that certainly explain why millions of my fellow Americans will eagerly line up to vote for any political crackpot so long as he or she is running as a Democrat.

/Obama is so obviously dangerous to Israel, maybe this pattern will finally change

78 M. Bensson-Levi  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:46:09pm

Howdy All,

Oboe references people being "uprooted" and "returning to a land", and I'm sure that he's laying the groundwork for endorsing the "pali" "right of return".

Anyone think that I'm being too much of a cynic here?

79 buzzsawmonkey[deleted]  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:46:18pm
80 Occasional Reader  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:46:19pm

re: #34 Charles

The context of the quote doesn't even matter.

Of course it does.

For him to use the terminology of disease to describe Israel

Well, that's the whole question, and that's exactly WHY the context matters: Was he using that language to describe Israel, or to describe the Pali-Israeli conflict? My reading is, the latter.

81 buzzsawmonkey[deleted]  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:47:11pm
82 gop_patriot  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:47:16pm

re: #63 lawhawk

Excellent comment. +1, and favorited. I was going to quote a part, and say "well said", but the entire thing was so good that I couldn't figure out which part was best.

83 serge GoFan  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:47:37pm

President Obama will be constant sore for America for generations.

84 Killgore Trout  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:47:44pm

re: #58 Occasional Reader

I tend to agree with you on that. Especially within the context of the whole interview I don't think he's calling Israel a sore.....
I think that the idea of a secure Jewish state is a fundamentally just idea, and a necessary idea, given not only world history but the active existence of anti-Semitism, the potential vulnerability that the Jewish people could still experience. I know that that there are those who would argue that in some ways America has become a safe refuge for the Jewish people, but if you’ve gone through the Holocaust, then that does not offer the same sense of confidence and security as the idea that the Jewish people can take care of themselves no matter what happens. That makes it a fundamentally just idea.

He does criticize the settlements but many Israelis do that too. I don't trust his pro-Israel credentials but I don't think this is that bad.

85 BulgarWheat  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:48:27pm

re: #83 serge GoFan

The boil on our collective arse that will not go away.

/geez, I hate those things

86 WhiteRasta  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:48:38pm

re: #64 galloping granny

..."Including the British Empire..."

I rest my case....Them too.

Look at the place formerly known as Great Britain is today..

87 Intrepid  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:48:44pm

re: #58 Occasional Reader

Ummm, hold up.

He appears to be referring to the "conflict" or whatever you want to call it as a "sore", not Israel itself.

Seems to me he's saying that the lack of resolution of the conflict is the sore, but the reason it exists is because of Israel's actions in building settlements. Nothing at all is said about the possibility that perhaps some of the problem is caused by the Palestinians' constant violence against innocent Israeli citizens. Like those children on the bus Obama talks about. He would point the finger of blame at the parents of the children, and not the ones who blow up the bus.

At least, that's what it looks like to me.

88 Charles  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:48:52pm

re: #80 Occasional Reader

Well, that's the whole question, and that's exactly WHY the context matters: Was he using that language to describe Israel, or to describe the Pali-Israeli conflict? My reading is, the latter.

I have to disagree. Even if you want to give him the benefit of the doubt here, using that kind of terminology goes way beyond a clumsy misstatement.

89 Ojoe  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:49:32pm

re: #66 mikeymom

No Hot tubs...

Another lifetime for me, I'm married

90 Alouette  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:49:40pm

re: #75 jcm

The Prius I saw the other day with the Obama sticker in Hebrew.

Here's another Obama sticker in Hebrew.

91 buzzsawmonkey[deleted]  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:49:41pm
92 WrathofG-d  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:49:47pm

re: #52 lawhawk

It was not my intention to clarify or justify Barak's quotes by posting their entirety. I simply wished to give the readers of LGF the entire context. Personally, I agree with you, when you read the entire thing it doesn't make the "soundbite" that much better.

As you pointed out, BO concentrates 100% on what Israel must do, and blames housebuilding instead of Murder. He completely ignores the past attempts at resolving the conflict in the exact manner he now suggests, and assures us that somehow this time HE will be able to make it happen. (just like every other failed POTUS)

I also find it interesting that he distinguishes himself from "the hawkish Jewish community" as if Israel has been "hawkish" as a standard since 1948. This dovetails into the paragraph above, where you see BO ignoring the facts, and working off the failed playbook of "if only I were in charge, then we could just negotiate 'land for peace', we will just ignore Oslo, and Gaza." Beware those who thing Olmert is "hawkish".

He also falls into the common "the status quo is unsustainable" so-the-only-choice-we-have-is-to surrender-to-the-terrorists trap. This again shows that he isn't paying attention, and will repeat the problems/failures of Bush, Clinton, and Bush, and ignore the results of trying this (Gaza, and Oslo). Then he calls the entire Jewish community "War Mongers" (in other words, end of 1st P)

Worst overall is this however:

So that then becomes the question: is settlement policy conducive to relieving that over the long term, or is it just making the situation worse? That’s the question that has to be asked.

No Barak, that is NOT the question to be asked as it was answered with Oslo and with Gaza! We have learned that the response to "occupation" is only a symptom...not the disease. The disease is the Phased Plan and the rejection of Israel's right to exist (see the Zombie Thread)

The dems talk about reviving Bush's policies?: that is exactly what BO wants to do.

93 Alouette  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:50:36pm

re: #84 Killgore Trout

He does criticize the settlements but many Israelis do that too. I don't trust his pro-Israel credentials but I don't think this is that bad.

The problem is not the settlements, the problem is that the Arabs consider all of Israel a settlement.

But you knew that.

94 ackomanyuki  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:50:59pm

Israel is going to have to pull the trigger on Syria/Hezbollah/Iran late this year after the US conventions and their getting a new prime minister with some mehashim. There is no way they can risk a major war with Obama at their back. Hussein will never resupply Israel with munitions when they need them. I expect there will be a lot of American ships visiting Haifa this summer to bring in spares before the che'nge becomes a reality.

95 Shay4l  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:51:13pm

I can't wait to hear his explanation of what he really meant to say, like his Rev Wright speech.

It'll be even BETTER than the Gettysburg Address this time!

96 Ojoe  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:51:39pm

re: #88 Charles

A person with real kindness in his heart for all people would not have used those words at all, IMHO.

97 buzzsawmonkey[deleted]  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:51:49pm
98 WrathofG-d  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:52:17pm

re: #61 ironbill

Welcome to LGF: here is a primer. Reformists (ie "Reform Jews") are not Jews. They do not believe anything Jewish, don't follow Jewish ritual, and worship Liberalism over Judaism. If Judaism says X is wrong, but liberalism says X is ok...they will swear its ok. They are Jews in name only.

Pretty much same goes for most Conservative Jews. To them Judaism is nothing more than a G-dless Club to Save The World. They do some ritual but don't believe it. Like Reformists, if Judaism says X is wrong but Liberalism says X is good, they will believe it is good.

99 mikeymom  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:52:26pm

re: #89 Ojoe

so am i --40 yrs--it can be platonic, cant it? after all, we'll be in the robes--dont the trappists also make some great grape jelly?

100 loppyd  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:52:29pm

re: #95 Shay4l

I can't wait to hear his explanation of what he really meant to say, like his Rev Wright speech.

It'll be even BETTER than the Gettysburg Address this time!

That is assuming he will be questioned at all....

101 Killian Bundy  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:52:38pm

Like I've said before, I sense that all of Israel's enemies are just rearming and biding their time until after Obama is inaugurated. Then, they'll launch a coordinated "river to the sea" attack on Israel in attempt to wipe her out.

/because they know President Obama won't lift a finger to intervene or otherwise materially support Israel's defense

102 jcm  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:52:51pm

re: #91 buzzsawmonkey

It will be interesting to watch Barack eat his waffle on this one.

You man the waffle sole on the shoe that is on his foot that is his mouth.

103 Ojoe  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:53:19pm

re: #99 mikeymom

Well they'll never let me in

104 gop_patriot  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:53:22pm

re: #67 Charles

And I think it's very telling that he answers such a direct question like that.

I cannot imagine if I were the possible future President of the United States, being asked a question about Israel- and having as my first response a description of something so gross and disgusting as a wound or sore.

Can you imagine the outrage if he had called someplace like Iran a "sore" in an interview about the Middle East? It's just irresponsible and shows a complete lack of good judgment.

105 ciaospirit  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:53:41pm

re: #58 Occasional Reader

Ummm, hold up.

He appears to be referring to the "conflict" or whatever you want to call it as a "sore", not Israel itself.

Almost the entire world except for the U.S. thinks Israel is the conflict. Obama goes on to say:

The lack of a resolution to this problem provides an excuse for anti-American militant jihadists to engage in inexcusable actions,

Notice how he tries to sell the idea that the "conflict" is what "provides an excuse" for jihadists. He pretends to believe that the excuses will go away once the "conflict" is resolved. Very dangerous, this man is.

106 buzzsawmonkey[deleted]  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:53:46pm
107 gitarfan  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:53:47pm

He'll say he misspoke and blame a staffer for giving him the answer sheet for the Muslim American Society.

108 Cognito  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:54:24pm

I don't like Obama's ideas any more than the next guy. But even a cursory read of the interview shows that he's not calling Israel a constant sore. That's just dishonest, I think.


BO: What I will say is what I’ve said previously. Settlements at this juncture are not helpful. Look, my interest is in solving this problem not only for Israel but for the United States.
JG: Do you think that Israel is a drag on America’s reputation overseas?
BO: No, no, no. But what I think is that this constant wound, that this constant sore, does infect all of our foreign policy. The lack of a resolution to this problem provides an excuse for anti-American militant jihadists to engage in inexcusable actions, and so we have a national-security interest in solving this, and I also believe that Israel has a security interest in solving this because I believe that the status quo is unsustainable.

Clearly he's talking about strife regarding settlements. That's why Israel has -- he thinks, anyway -- a 'security interest in solving this.'

Barack Obama is wrong on so, so many points, in such spectacular fashion, that there's no need to put bad words in his mouth. He's doing a fine job of it himself.

109 buzzsawmonkey[deleted]  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:54:32pm
110 Spoiled Rotten  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:54:42pm

I've said all along. Obama will win the nomination but he can't beat McCain. No worries.

111 Charles  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:54:43pm

re: #105 ciaospirit

Notice how he tries to sell the idea that the "conflict" is what "provides an excuse" for jihadists. He pretends to believe that the excuses will go away once the "conflict" is resolved. Very dangerous, this man is.

And that is exactly the same talking point the jihadis use, by the way.

112 jcm  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:55:03pm

Israel is a sore to the 57 States....

113 Occasional Reader  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:55:25pm

re: #88 Charles

Note that Goldberg does not pounce on the quote. Goldberg is on the liberal side of things, but hardly someone who would sit passively by while an interview subject called Israel - itself - a "sore" or "infection.

114 rawmuse  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:55:47pm

Here is a relevant question:
What importance does the average American voter place on Israel?
I would be surprised if 70 percent could find it on a map.
We at LGF may be in a bubble.

115 Dr. Shalit  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:56:38pm

Yo OBAMA -

Fear the Fraternity of Freddie's Fashion Mart. We have VERY LONG MEMORIES. That is all.

-S-

116 song_and_dance_man[deleted]  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:56:43pm
117 Charles  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:56:43pm

re: #108 Cognito

No, it's not dishonest. Anyone who wants to read the full statement can click the link that's right there in the post.

I do not believe any of these excuses matter. And the full context, as several people have pointed out (and I agree) does not improve the 'infected sore' statement one bit.

118 M. Bensson-Levi  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:56:49pm

re: #61 ironbill

I'm not Jewish but I have to make this observation.

I am friendly with a couple who are both lib and Jewish, and have discussed politics with them on occasion.

I always want to tell them bluntly, "why are you cutting your own throat?"

Can some of my fellow lizards who are Jewish explain to me what it is that would make a Jew want to hang themselves by supporting these kind of politicians?

It looks to me like suicide with a paid middle-man.

There are all sorts of explanations, but in the end, they are all quite unreasonable, and insane. It's beyond understanding.

It's like the Jewish American's strong anti- gun position. There is no people in the history of the world who should more appreciate the need to be armed against violence than the Jew, yet American Jews are, for the most part, vehemently anti gun. This is absolutely beyond the ability of the rational mind to comprehend. Stunning stupidity!

119 nacazo  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:57:03pm

re: #86 WhiteRasta

..."Including the British Empire..."

I rest my case....Them too.

Look at the place formerly known as Great Britain is today..

Oh, oh... If the obamessiah is elected, we're next...

120 EC Marm  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:57:04pm

I have read quite a bit of Barry's writing. There is a certain slipperiness in all of it. Intentional vagueness, questions as to who is saying and thinking what, overly long sentences, make for an exceptionally slow read when trying to read for comprehension.

121 Alouette  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:57:08pm

re: #108 Cognito

Clearly he's talking about strife regarding settlements. That's why Israel has -- he thinks, anyway -- a 'security interest in solving this.'

If he thinks "the settlements" are the cause of the problem, he AND YOU fail to understand that the problem existed BEFORE there were "settlements."

122 Occasional Reader  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:57:14pm

By the way, I *do* agree completely with Wrath's analysis... Barry is saying that all the work (i.e., piecemeal surrender) has to be done by Israel, and repeating the ridiculous canard that the "settlements" are the core problem.

But there's quite a rhetorical space between this (which is all too common, alas), and calling Israel a disease.

123 Killgore Trout  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:57:33pm

re: #92 WrathofG-d

As you pointed out, BO concentrates 100% on what Israel must do, and blames housebuilding instead of Murder.


Agreed. that's the real problem with his view of Israel. Has he ever condemned Palestinian terrorism? Like most leftists fools he believes that Israel can somehow negotiate peace with the Palestinians. The Palestinians are not expected to meet any of their obligations. It makes negotiations worthless. Bush is doing the same thing now.

124 M. Bensson-Levi  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:58:09pm

re: #81 buzzsawmonkey

Ditto...to the nth.

125 Intrepid  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:59:06pm

re: #98 WrathofG-d

That sounds like my friend's husband's family - their meals are kosher in their home, but when they go out to eat, it's to the $6.99 all-you-can-eat Shrimp buffet.

Is that the same?

126 galloping granny  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:59:35pm

re: #101 Killian Bundy

Like I've said before, I sense that all of Israel's enemies are just rearming and biding their time until after Obama is inaugurated. Then, they'll launch a coordinated "river to the sea" attack on Israel in attempt to wipe her out.

/because they know President Obama won't lift a finger to intervene or otherwise materially support Israel's defense

Yup. And I believe that I read not long ago that we are selling the Saudis the planes to do it with.

127 opinionated  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:59:53pm

He wasn't there when he said it.

And if he was there he didn't hear it.

And if he heard it, he thought it meant something else.

And at least he didn't say God Damn Israel.

And what we need is to change....the subject.

128 brainwizard73  Mon, May 12, 2008 5:59:57pm

Coming soon to a white house medicine cabinet near you...

It's Obamaointment!
(woman's voice): Apply directly to the buttocks.

It soothes, it cleanses, it makes sores go away!
It's Obamaointment!
(woman's voice): Apply directly to the buttocks.

We have combined the best parts of raving anti-semitism, racism, class envy and good old fashioned genocide and can now give you what you need to deal with sores...
(woman's voice): Apply directly to the buttocks.

After you use Obamaointment you'll never need another remedy. Ever. Never. So buy Obamaointment today, and starting living sore free next January!

BUT WAIT, THERE IS MORE!

If you order now, you can have your vary own travel size of our famous Jihad-spring. Now you can be as clean as a whistle when you meet your 72 virgins! Call today!

Lawyers' disclaimer: Obamaointment may cause rash, diarrhea, oily discharge and in some rare cases, fainting spells and loss of mental capacity. See your doctor and find out if Obamaointment is right for you!

129 beachkatie  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:00:38pm

re: #48 Ojoe

I can't wait for this election to be over. Every 4 years I want to join the Trappists.


I'm thinking it's the 3rd secret time ! The church never reveal all the Fatima secret..And Russia is raring it's ugly head again....

130 Killgore Trout  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:00:51pm

Can't we just let him eat his waffle?
/

131 loppyd  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:00:58pm

BO: No, no, no. But what I think is that this constant wound, that this constant sore, does infect all of our foreign policy.

I think the use of the word "infect" is just as bad as "sore"...

132 kafir  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:01:15pm

re: #98 WrathofG-d

Uh huh. Sorry we ain't all orthodox here. Some of us conservative jews actually like wanna defend our freedoms, our family, our homeland. And not elect dangerously stupid or naive people into positions of power.

Some of us take Tikkun Olam a little too far. Leave the world a better place. But not kill our selves to do it. Or allow others to kill us. Or ever let them get into a position of power to do this.

For a bright group of people, my co-religionists are remarkably stupid. Consistently voting with and for a party that mostly passively seeks our destruction here in the US and abroad.

Maybe it is easier to believe in words than in observed actions. Maybe it is hard to believe that in this day and age, stupidity, anti-semitism, and other mental malfunctions run rampant.

But they do.

And this is why this jew ain't voting democratic no more. No party of Dhimmi Carter. No party of Al Sharpton. No party of the despicable John Conyers and John Dingle.

Don't paint us with a broad stroke ... I know reform jews whom are hawks, and orthodox jews who are anti-zionist.

133 gagalbert  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:01:23pm

The truly shocking part of this is that a man so clearly and vociferously anti-Jewish will become the presidential nominee of the Democrat party and that supposedly, 60% of people identifying themselves as Jews are saying they will vote for this Jew hating bigot.

I am not often astonished but I am now. I guess I am starting to feel like the Jews in Nazi Germany that in 1939 finally realized their leader meant what he said.

Where do I take my family now? To Israel?

134 Spoiled Rotten  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:01:34pm

Obama won't be Prez....I promise. And it ain't a racial thing...it's a waaaay too liberal thing. Why today I listened to McCain go on and on about Global Warming. Why go way left when you can go a little left?

135 eschew_obfuscation  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:01:37pm

I find it telling that our disagreement on what BHO meant even exists.

Wouldn't a good leader be able to communicate his ideas clearly?

That may not point to the problem being discussed in this thread, but I think it points to another, Bill Clinton-like problem.

136 M. Bensson-Levi  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:02:00pm

re: #92 WrathofG-d

Hear, hear!

137 loppyd  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:02:14pm

re: #130 Killgore Trout

Can't we just let him eat his waffle?
/

Really. He already answered, like eight questions!

138 Charles  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:02:40pm

re: #122 Occasional Reader

By the way, I *do* agree completely with Wrath's analysis... Barry is saying that all the work (i.e., piecemeal surrender) has to be done by Israel, and repeating the ridiculous canard that the "settlements" are the core problem.

But there's quite a rhetorical space between this (which is all too common, alas), and calling Israel a disease.

OK -- so then he's calling the settlements a disease? Regardless of whether you think the 'sore' comment applied to Israel or to the conflict in general, using those words displays a political tone-deafness that is just amazing.

139 bcgirl  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:02:44pm

nothin but AMEN! to say to that,,
re: #16 Ojoe

I will bless those that bless.

I will curse those that curse;

I really hope for our sake that Obama does not get elected.

140 ciaospirit  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:03:08pm

re: #111 Charles

And that is exactly the same talking point the jihadis use, by the way.

It sure is. Over and over again. Including those "moderates" here in the U.S.

141 Geepers  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:03:17pm

Obama says:

I want to solve the problem, and so my job in being a friend to Israel is partly to hold up a mirror and tell the truth

10-4 Barry, in your opinion; Israel is the problem.

142 offendi  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:03:24pm

" Dear Jewish Super Delegate :

Hi! It's me Hills, again. Gosh, I am just so darn confused, as I am sure you are too. First my opponent wasn't a muslim, now he was a muslim, but isn't a Muslim. Hmmmm. Bet that gives you some questions, huh? And the guy who made him a christian was that Wright character, who I personally, just me personally mind you, would think is anti-Israel and semetic. Wow, did you see those videotapes of his sermons? If you haven't, I can send you a box load.

So now my opponent, nice guy, but noooooo experience, you know, calls Israel a " sore". Well if that was me I could understand people getting really, really upset, you know? What with his background and the people he hangs out with. I know what I would do. We need a strong pro-Israel nominee.

Well, just writing to say hi and let you know I am still around. If you know, you change your mind.

Love yah,

Hills

P.S. Bill agrees about the "obliterating" Iran thing. Says that Ahmadinejad fella reminds him of some of those impeachment republicans."

143 Maine's Michael  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:03:36pm
So that then becomes the question: is settlement policy conducive to relieving that over the long term, or is it just making the situation worse? That’s the question that has to be asked.

Well, you freaking dumbass, it should be obvious to you that any policy that removes the genocidal arab weapon camouflaged as a 'nation', - the 'palestinians' - to a greater distance from their intended targets is good one.

The tension between that existential need of the Jews, and the arab's religious mandate to destroy Israel and subjugate the Jews IS the core conflict in the middle east.

As a Muslim, I would have thought you know that, Mr. Barak Fucking Hussein Obama.

144 Intrepid  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:04:09pm

re: #114 rawmuse

Here is a relevant question:
What importance does the average American voter place on Israel?
I would be surprised if 70 percent could find it on a map.
We at LGF may be in a bubble.

rawmuse, most probably still can't find Florida on a map! Or they're in the same intellectual class as that lovely young South Carolina girl who thinks South Africa and Asia are in desperate need of our US American maps.....

145 solomonpanting  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:04:16pm
There was something so powerful and compelling for me, maybe because I was a kid who never entirely felt like he was rooted...
Because it speaks to my history of being uprooted, it speaks to the African-American story of exodus...

But his people were from Kenya and Kansas.

146 Dr. Shalit  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:04:36pm

re: #115 Dr. Shalit

Reply to self -

AND - YES OBAMA - it is MY overseas Cousin Gilad, purportedly STILL ALIVE, being held by "Hamas" - your overseas cousins are herding Goats in Kenya.

-S-

147 buzzsawmonkey[deleted]  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:04:53pm
148 Cognito  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:06:14pm

re: #138 Charles

OK -- so then he's calling the settlements a disease? Regardless of whether you think the 'sore' comment applied to Israel or to the conflict in general, using those words displays a political tone-deafness that is just amazing.

Maybe so. But I think tone-deafness and evil are two disparate things.

It's pretty clear what he meant. The tension over settlements is a drag on international policy. Is Israel? "No, no, no."

Like I said, this dude has plenty of legitimately risible things to say. No need to torque 'em.

149 Blackacre  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:06:39pm

re: #90 Alouette

The first one makes me wretch. The second one (transliterated) says, "F*ck Obama."

150 buzzsawmonkey[deleted]  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:06:42pm
151 song_and_dance_man[deleted]  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:06:57pm
152 DistantThunder  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:07:41pm

Very consistent for as man who considers a baby a punishment....

153 brainwizard73  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:07:46pm

re: #134 Spoiled Rotten

Obama won't be Prez....I promise. And it ain't a racial thing...it's a waaaay too liberal thing. Why today I listened to McCain go on and on about Global Warming. Why go way left when you can go a little left?

I get the Economist from Britian, and you wouldn't believe that while they have decent even coverage of the Presidential race, they are dropping the ball big time on a few issues.

(1) They repeated the "100 years" smear of McCain (dead wrong)
(2) They claim that BO will be bi-partisan in his approach (no proof)
(3) That BO (unlike HRC) will get independants from McCain (on what planet?)

What they miss, as seemingly decent observers, is that BO is so liberal that there CAN'T be that many people in the true "middle" that would buy it. Still BO's camp is crafty, so maybe he pulls it off.

154 Alouette  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:08:11pm

re: #149 Blackacre

The second one (transliterated) says, "F*ck Obama."

I know, I Pshopped it.

155 Dr. Shalit  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:08:11pm

re: #147 buzzsawmonkey

"buzz"

"No Reflection?" - ZOMBIES?

-S-

156 webkruzer  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:08:14pm

Ya know, he is CORRECT.

I don't know what you guys are so pissed about.
The man said what is true.
If it wasn't for Israel, and our support, then a lot of this shit would not happen to our country.

looks like people want to kill the messenger here.
He'll be the next prez... get over it.

I do support Israel and we should do so in the future as well.

157 Occasional Reader  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:08:59pm

re: #138 Charles

so then he's calling the settlements a disease?

Um... no, he doesn't say that, either. Nor did I claim that he said that.

158 galloping granny  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:09:10pm

re: #138 Charles

OK -- so then he's calling the settlements a disease? Regardless of whether you think the 'sore' comment applied to Israel or to the conflict in general, using those words displays a political tone-deafness that is just amazing.

Not really, Charles. Not coming from a man that called his own Grandma, the woman who raised him, a Typical White Person and a racist. Not coming from a man who announced to all and sundry that lower-end American Typical White People are bitter and thus they cling to their guns and religion. Not coming from a man who blames somebody else every single time that he sticks his foot in his mouth.

He IS politically tone-deaf, except when talking to other red diaper babies.

159 buzzsawmonkey[deleted]  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:09:13pm
160 Maine's Michael  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:09:19pm

re: #118 M. Bensson-Levi

There are all sorts of explanations, but in the end, they are all quite unreasonable, and insane. It's beyond understanding.

It's like the Jewish American's strong anti- gun position. There is no people in the history of the world who should more appreciate the need to be armed against violence than the Jew, yet American Jews are, for the most part, vehemently anti gun. This is absolutely beyond the ability of the rational mind to comprehend. Stunning stupidity!

Yes, that is the cpre difference between the diaspora Jew and the Israeli.

In large part, this envy of the brazen ballsiness of the Israeli Jew results in feelings of deficiency in the meek but wealthy diaspora American Jew, which facilitates the detachment many diaspora Jews, at least in the US, feel towards Israel.

Interestingly, first generation Jews, of European and Mid Eastern origin (with the exception of the pansy British Jews) do not share this 2nd and 3rd generation American Jewish trait.

Wealth and success makes you soft, I guess.

Just my opinion.

161 Geepers  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:09:52pm

ackomanyuki (#94),

Israel is going to have to pull the trigger on Syria/Hezbollah/Iran late this year after the US conventions and their getting a new prime minister with some mehashim. There is no way they can risk a major war with Obama at their back. Hussein will never resupply Israel with munitions when they need them. I expect there will be a lot of American ships visiting Haifa this summer to bring in spares before the che'nge becomes a reality.

Nice.

162 stevieray  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:10:09pm

Of course he believes Israel has to do all the work. Pretty much the entire DC establishment thinks that way. That is the disadvantage, the burden, of being the sane and rational entity in this Arab/Muslim psychodrama. Nobody expects the Arabs to ever evolve into a genuine, mature culture capable of behaving like a civilized community. They are treated as permanently stunted brats that must be appeased, tricked, and bribed into behaving like fully formed humans.

When you think about it, its really rather insulting and pathetic.

163 song_and_dance_man[deleted]  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:10:24pm
164 loppyd  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:10:27pm

re: #156 webkruzer

I do support Israel and we should do so in the future as well.

Sure you do.

165 opinionated  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:10:59pm

Read the interview. He doesn't understand the Jewish relationship to Israel.

He makes the fundamental mistake where phony supporters of Israel always give away their misunderstanding.

To Jews Israel is not about the Holocaust (only or even mainly).

Israel is about history and nationhood and the cradle of the original home and it's about Judaism.

166 song_and_dance_man[deleted]  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:11:20pm
167 Killian Bundy  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:11:30pm

re: #148 Cognito

Connect the dots, there's lots of them out there.

/Lord Obama is not a friend of Israel

168 buzzsawmonkey[deleted]  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:11:32pm
169 Yankee Division Son  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:12:01pm

As a public speaker, President Bush using a teleprompter is a nightmare. Off the cuff he's pretty good.

Barack Obama is the opposite. With a teleprompter he's a gifted speaker. Without one, he's a nightmare.

So when is a politician likely to be telling you what he really thinks? When he's reading a speech off a teleprompter?

/just thinking out loud...

170 eschew_obfuscation  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:12:06pm

re: #156 webkruzer

Ya know, he is CORRECT.

I don't know what you guys are so pissed about.
The man said what is true.
If it wasn't for Israel, and our support, then a lot of this shit would not happen to our country.

looks like people want to kill the messenger here.
He'll be the next prez... get over it.

I do support Israel and we should do so in the future as well.

Israel is just the latest excuse to hate Jews and attack the west. Both started long before 1948.

Quit sucking down the coolaid.

171 lawhawk  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:12:09pm

I can understand OR's position that the sore/wound does not relate back to Israel, but to the situation, but this is a matter of being imprecise grammatically.

Even if we break down the exchange, the imprecise nature lends itself to considering that Israel is the sore/wound Obama speaks of. What is the object referred to by Obama. The question JG asks is whether Obama is a drag on America's reputation. Obama responds by saying "this constant wound."

BO: What I will say is what I’ve said previously. Settlements at this juncture are not helpful. Look, my interest is in solving this problem not only for Israel but for the United States.
JG: Do you think that Israel is a drag on America’s reputation overseas?
BO: No, no, no. But what I think is that this constant wound, that this constant sore, does infect all of our foreign policy. The lack of a resolution to this problem provides an excuse for anti-American militant jihadists to engage in inexcusable actions, and so we have a national-security interest in solving this, and I also believe that Israel has a security interest in solving this because I believe that the status quo is unsustainable.

This gets reinforced with successive paragraphs talking not about Palestinian terrorism, incitement, and terrorists anointed as heroes and martyrs for children to follow in their footsteps, but rather settlements, which we've repeatedly seen built and then turned over to 1) Egypt following Camp David; and 2) Gaza's disengagement.

The object of that statement is in direct response to JG's question, and it could easily be (and has been) interpreted as referring to Israel and it's place alongside the US.

Had Obama stopped with No. No. No, Dayenu (it would have been enough) and it would have been the right answer. By tacking on to that response with Palestinian sympathy and odious language, he's going to have to play serious damage control.

To reinforce an earlier point in this post - settlements have never been a barrier to peace. It didn't stop the Camp David Accords - Israel withdrew from Sinai and settlements built there. They withdrew from Gaza and the settlements there.

I figure Israel would again withdraw from areas of the West Bank if there was indeed a partner in peace to turn those territories over to. After all, it's not settlements, but housing. Palestinians could use housing after all. But it's not settlements, but symbolism that is in question here, and Obama continues to use the rhetoric of the Palestinian sympathizer when no such sympathy should be shown.

172 Charles  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:12:17pm

Maybe I'm old-fashioned, but I think when you're asked a direct question about Israel being a "drag on America's reputation," and you immediately answer with, "No, but it's a sore that infects all our foreign policy," you just might be answering that direct question. Despite all the weasel words that follow.

173 soccerdad  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:12:30pm

Believe me -- I'm NO Obama supporter, but before you get all spun up over this one quote, read the interview, the whole thing. He's pretty clear in other places that he's a big supporter of Israel. here's one OTHER quote --

You will not see, under my presidency, any slackening in commitment to Israel’s security.

BHO will probably slither his way out of the comment Charles highlighted, not without a bit of a firestorm probably, but read the whole thing. BHO SAYS all the right things about supporting Israel. I know, I know, but you'll say "but this shows how he REALLY feels". Maybe. Just pointing out that he says an awful lot of supportive things and I'm glad I spent 5-10 minutes reading the interview.

(still ain't voting for the snake)

174 DownRightMeanAmerican  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:12:42pm

re: #156 webkruzer

Mythical “Palestine” wasn’t invented until 1967.

Read the Qur’an and the Al Qaeda training manual, that should set you straight.

Islam is set to dominate all us infidels, its just not the Jews they hate.

175 bcgirl  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:13:30pm

sobammma what do you say to the fact that for close to 2000 years, while the Jews were dispersed fromthe HOME land, the land that is Israel now, was nothing but a dusty desert that no one, least of all the pali's, wanted to live in, the ARAB nations, were no all gung ho to set up a "palistinen state" but the day, and we all know that it is a fact that THE DAY the Isralie state was "created" (as fortold in the Bible no less) the Arab nations conspired to destroy Israel, even attacking the brand new state when it was less than 48 hours old( (if you can find a history book that still teaches it,, look up the--- 6 days war---

no no no barak,, Israel is not the problem,, you and your muslim compatriates, who think that you will usher in the new calaphite and the return of the 12th imman, you are the problem,(obamessiah, do you really believe that JESUS will come back and convert everyone to islam and therefore bring peace to earth?)

come on America, we must not allow this man to become President, his kind of change is one kind we surly do not need

176 soccerdad  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:13:37pm

re: #156 webkruzer

Ya know, he is CORRECT.

I don't know what you guys are so pissed about.
The man said what is true.
If it wasn't for Israel, and our support, then a lot of this shit would not happen to our country.

looks like people want to kill the messenger here.
He'll be the next prez... get over it.

I do support Israel and we should do so in the future as well.


Your last line is a bunch of Bullshit.

177 stuiec  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:13:49pm

Simple thought experiment.

How many Jewish settlements remain in Gaza?

And has the withdrawal of those "constant sores" made Gaza a happy, peaceful place?

By the way, why is a Jewish settlement a "sore"? I'm reminded of Raisin in the Sun, the play about a Black family planning to move into a nice house in an area where their neighbors would all be white... and how the white folks sent someone to bribe them not to move in. Is that the kind of "wound" or "sore" that Obama means when he refers to Jews living among Arabs? Is he hearkening back to Jimmy Carter's famous declaration that he didn't ever wish to disturb the "ethnic purity" of various European-American neighborhoods in the USA?

I think that Israel should simply point out that it is in fact the culmination of the Arab dream to bundle all of the Middle East's Jews into the ghetto -- it just happens to be a larger ghetto than the ones they used to keep their Jews in. I think it would be comforting to the Arabs to think of Israel that way -- they don't need to admit to themselves the truth that a sovereign Jewish homeland has accomplished in the same region and under the same (or worse) conditions what their own societies have failed to accomplish in terms of economic self-sufficiency, human rights and quality of life.

178 Cognito  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:13:51pm

re: #167 Killian Bundy

Connect the dots, there's lots of them out there.

/Lord Obama is not a friend of Israel

I didn't say he is.

I'm just saying we -- people who oppose him -- should be correct in criticisms of him. After all, he offers a breathtaking choice of legitimate barbs.

179 Maine's Michael  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:14:19pm

re: #153 brainwizard73

I gave up on the economist years ago. Subbscribed for years before intifada 1.

Good analysis, generally, on technology and science and the financial implications, and good book reviews.

Stunk to the heavens on the Mid East.

Entirely bought in to the homoerotic fascination of old time britishers with Arabs.

In the end, life's too short to read the Economist.

180 Occasional Reader  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:14:22pm

re: #156 webkruzer

If it wasn't for Israel, and our support, then a lot of this shit would not happen to our country

Right, if only we'd throw the Jews to wolves, then everybody would love and respect us.

Asshat.

181 Blackacre  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:14:36pm

re: #98 WrathofG-d

The kindest thing that I can say is that you are way out of bounds. I will leave it at that.

182 eschew_obfuscation  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:14:52pm

re: #172 Charles

Maybe I'm old-fashioned, but I think when you're asked a direct question about Israel being a "drag on America's reputation," and you immediately answer with, "No, but it's a sore that infects all our foreign policy," you just might be answering that direct question. Despite all the weasel words that follow.

"Clintonitis"......

Depends on what the meaning of "is" is.

183 katemaclaren  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:14:55pm

I'm always surprised by my neighbors' signs "Obama"--(was once Kucinich). They visit Israel all the time--their son is there now. Their daughter (who was my student) was there for a year. They have peace signs on their Prius. I do NOT discuss politics with them because I really like them--a lot. So. This brings me to my question: what about the Jews in Germany. Did they support Hitler in the beginning? I'm curious about this parallel--and the fighting spirit of Israel compared to the--well--pussy-footing shall I call it--around Barack Obama.

There is a movie out now, The Counterfeiters, which I haven't seen yet--but intend to--about collaboration and consequences.

184 brainwizard73  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:15:00pm

re: #156 webkruzer

Support pushing Israel into the sea?

185 x-ray  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:15:20pm

re: #156 webkruzer


I do support Israel and we should do so in the future as well.

With that kind of support Israel won't last.

Just as Europe would be speaking German if we would have given them that kind of support in WWII.

Back handed platitudes piss me off it, was what Obama did and you repeated.

186 really grumpy big dog Johnson  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:15:33pm

This guy is a nightmare. I'd call him a Manchurian candidate, except that he's more like the ultimate moby. A candidate who tells everyone exactly what he is through his actions and associations, but nobody cares because we need change and he's a good guy.

Honestly, he really needs not to be elected president. It won't be good for his career, which could be very short. And if Israel is thrown under the bus in the meantime, are we to shrug our shoulders and say "oh well"? Unbelievable.

187 Charles  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:15:34pm

re: #156 webkruzer

Ya know, he is CORRECT.

I don't know what you guys are so pissed about.
The man said what is true.
If it wasn't for Israel, and our support, then a lot of this shit would not happen to our country.

looks like people want to kill the messenger here.
He'll be the next prez... get over it.

I do support Israel and we should do so in the future as well.

You suck. And now you're banned, too.

188 Blackacre  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:15:35pm

re: #154 Alouette

I know, I Pshopped it.

Sweet.

189 Killian Bundy  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:15:47pm

re: #173 soccerdad

he's a big supporter of Israel

So he says.

/and yet he hangs with, and is endorsed by, all the world's antisemitic heavy hitters

190 Opinionated  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:15:58pm

re: #156 webkruzer

If it's about Israel why is the "shit" happening in the Philippines?

Why are trains bombed in Spain? In London?

Why are Danish cartoonist threatened?

Why do Dutch people get their throat cut in the street?

Why is there a civil war in Lebanon?

Cam we blame your ignorance and bigotry on Israel too.

191 buzzsawmonkey[deleted]  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:16:04pm
192 Cognito  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:16:08pm

re: #172 Charles

Maybe I'm old-fashioned, but I think when you're asked a direct question about Israel being a "drag on America's reputation," and you immediately answer with, "No, but it's a sore that infects all our foreign policy," you just might be answering that direct question. Despite all the weasel words that follow.

Again, man. You're putting things in quotes that he didn't say. He simply didn't say, "No, but it's a sore that infects all our foreign policy." Full stop. It's not a matter of old-fashionedness.

193 brainwizard73  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:16:09pm

re: #177 stuiec

It is 1968 in Obama's mind. It will be forever. True, he was a kid, but the politics/sociology of that time are his frame of reference.

194 Alouette  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:16:40pm

re: #173 soccerdad

You will not see, under my presidency, any slackening in commitment to Israel’s security.

So he's promising to carry on the policy of arm-wrenching that's already in place with the current administration. Ain't that just peachy!

195 Intrepid  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:16:52pm

re: #156 webkruzer

TO: webkruzer
FROM: Israel

Thank you for your expression of "support". However, we have all of that kind of "support" we can handle right now, what with all the surrounding ME states wanting to push us into the sea.

Shalom,

Israel

196 kirche  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:17:02pm

i hated him alot less when he was pretending to be a friend of israel.

i'm telling you, if he somehow finagles' his way into the presidency, it won't be long until he denounces his faux-christian faith and redidicates himself as a loyal muslim.

then the real fun starts...

197 solomonpanting  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:17:11pm

re: #150 buzzsawmonkey

He only needs one more K to really get in the groove.

Too bad he split from Wright. He could have borrowed one from him.

198 Charles  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:17:25pm

re: #192 Cognito

Again, man. You're putting things in quotes that he didn't say. He simply didn't say, "No, but it's a sore that infects all our foreign policy." Full stop. It's not a matter of old-fashionedness.

Oh, excuse me. He answered, "No, no, no. But what I think is that this constant wound, that this constant sore, does infect all of our foreign policy."

That's much better.

199 Sharmuta  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:17:27pm

re: #156 webkruzer

If it wasn't for Israel, and our support, then a lot of this shit would not happen to our country.

Guess again, paulian.

200 Dr. Shalit  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:17:31pm

re: #118 M. Bensson-Levi

MBL -

Not me - even in my days as a politically active "Lib-Dem," I was for "Gun Rights" and lost votes and endorsements accordingly. To my fellow Jews with US citizenship, I posit that the Talmud as the US Constitution IS NOT A SUICIDE PACT - That is all.

-S-

201 buzzsawmonkey[deleted]  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:17:32pm
202 snowcrash  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:17:42pm

Samantha Power was the first red flag.

203 mean Gene  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:17:43pm

re: #8 WrathofG-d

How Barak Obama Learned To Love Israel.
/and insiders' view.

Money quote:
"Hey, I'm sorry I haven't said more about Palestine right now, but we are in a tough primary race. I'm hoping when things calm down I can be more up front." He referred to my [Ali Abunimah's] activism, including columns I was contributing to the The Chicago Tribune critical of Israeli and US policy, "Keep up the good work!"

204 Occasional Reader  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:17:52pm

I also don't think Obama is breathtakingly stupid enough to call Israel a "sore" or "disease" in an on-the-record interview, whether he believes it or not.

205 Alouette  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:18:05pm

re: #177 stuiec

the Arab dream to bundle all of the Middle East's Jews into the ghetto

Actually that's not the Arab dream, the Arab dream is to EXTERMINATE all the Jews in the Middle East.

206 abolitionist  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:18:09pm
The lack of a resolution to this problem provides an excuse for anti-American militant jihadists to engage in inexcusable actions, ...

Obama rates a double-plus-good in Gramscian/Orwellian hooplewankey/double-think.

207 lawhawk  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:18:23pm

re: #98 WrathofG-d

I have to strenuously disagree with you on that - as a conservative Jew.

208 brainwizard73  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:18:48pm

re: #195 Intrepid

How about an engraved invite to serve as the American consulate in Gaza City. I hear the office space is a real sh**hole.

No, seriously, it probably is.

209 song_and_dance_man[deleted]  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:19:09pm
210 indythinker  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:19:10pm

Salman Rushdie writes a book criticizing Mohammed and gets a fatwa calling for his death.

Ibn Warraq leaves Islam and gets a fatwa.

Ayaan Hirsi Ali leaves Islam and gets a fatwa.

Barack Obama leaves Islam and gets the worldwide adulation of Muslims.

And now calls Israel a constant sore that infects.

Obama is a quasi-Muslim.

211 kirche  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:19:11pm

re: #156 webkruzer

and you're a fucking asshole.

212 Cognito  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:19:24pm

I'm starting to wonder if I'm a bit nutty, here, because I can't read this any way except as a discussion about strife regarding the settlements:


JG: If you become President, will you denounce settlements publicly?
BO: What I will say is what I’ve said previously. Settlements at this juncture are not helpful. Look, my interest is in solving this problem not only for Israel but for the United States.
JG: Do you think that Israel is a drag on America’s reputation overseas?
BO: No, no, no. But what I think is that this constant wound, that this constant sore, does infect all of our foreign policy. The lack of a resolution to this problem provides an excuse for anti-American militant jihadists to engage in inexcusable actions, and so we have a national-security interest in solving this, and I also believe that Israel has a security interest in solving this because I believe that the status quo is unsustainable.

Am I going crazy, here?

213 Mardukhai  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:19:50pm

Far be it for me to disagree with Charles on anything, especially regarding Omama, excuse me, Obama.

But as a writer, I know when I say or write something that needs rephrasing, and I can see when it happens to others when they speak off the cuff. It's the risk anyone takes when being recorded without looking at a teleprompter.

I tend to feel sorry for people who just plain flub their lines.

So I'll let Barry have this one. If he meant "the middle east conflict," it was a reasonable thing to say.

I prefer to pick on the deliberate lies and contradictions.

Forgive me, Charles.

214 Yankee Division Son  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:19:52pm

re: #204 Occasional Reader

I also don't think Obama is breathtakingly stupid enough to call Israel a "sore" or "disease" in an on-the-record interview, whether he believes it or not.

Don't look now, but he did.

215 WriterMom  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:19:56pm

Sucks to be an antisemite!

216 M. Bensson-Levi  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:20:21pm

Let's call it like it is. No one can sit in the pews at Jerry Wright's church for two decades and not absorb, if not already concur with, Jerry's virulent anti-Zionism, antisemitism, and anti Americanism.

Hell, the Pinball Wizard would have figured out what Wright was all about within a couple of months! Oboe knew, condoned, and by willingly steeping his children in it, endorsed this venomous world view.

At the root, there is nothing good about Obama, and the more he speaks, the more obvious this becomes.

217 galloping granny  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:20:35pm

re: #173 soccerdad

You will not see, under my presidency, any slackening in commitment to Israel’s security.

Any slackening from what exactly? I have not seen any support for Israel from the USA in a solid two years - not since the Lebanon war. If "American support" keeps up at the current level, then Israelis better start buying up every lifeboat they can lay hands on.

218 song_and_dance_man[deleted]  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:20:45pm
219 Geepers  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:20:55pm

Another fake soldier as spokesman for the Leftys?

MoveOn.org sponsored a contest for the best 20-second pro-Barack Obama TV commercial. The winner, according to the Associated Press's article, "MoveOn ad features pro-Obama Republican," was an ad starring Air Force veteran John Weiler. The spot includes Mr. Weiler, whose military service is to be commended, saying "I've been a Republican since before I could actually vote." Not only that: "I'm a lifelong Republican and I'm voting for Barack Obama."

"He served in the Air Force from 1983 to 1989, leaving the service as a master sergeant," according to the AP. Is that not amazing? The Air Force Enlisted Promotions Fact Sheet shows promotion to Master Sergeant (E-7) requires eight years in the service. According to Military.com, "The average service wide active duty time for advancement to the rank of Master Sergeant is 17.06 years."

Any military personnel who can check this joker out?

220 Charles  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:21:04pm

re: #213 Mardukhai

I forgive you. I just disagree. There's too much other information out there about Obama for me to give him a pass on this.

221 brainwizard73  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:21:09pm

re: #211 kirche

kruzing over to NAMBLA...

222 Bulldog1967  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:21:17pm

Seems to me, that Obama's chickensssssss...are coming home.....to rooooooooost!

223 Alouette  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:21:43pm

re: #212 Cognito

I'm starting to wonder if I'm a bit nutty, here, because I can't read this any way except as a discussion about strife regarding the settlements:

Am I going crazy, here?

The strife is not about the settlements.
The strife was going on before the settlements.
The settlements are just an excuse to continue the strife.

224 stuiec  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:21:52pm

re: #172 Charles

Maybe I'm old-fashioned, but I think when you're asked a direct question about Israel being a "drag on America's reputation," and you immediately answer with, "No, but it's a sore that infects all our foreign policy," you just might be answering that direct question. Despite all the weasel words that follow.

My initial reading was that he meant that the "nakba" was the perpetual wound, which of course is the politically correct way of stating that the founding of the State of Israel caused a wound of injustice that festers to this day.

Then he went on about the settlements -- one wonders why settlements (people living in houses) are open sores, but the actual wounds of the maimed and the dead from Palestinian terror attacks don't qualify as a lingering issue to be addressed, even in the context of preventing more of them.

The notion that the way to eliminate the "existential threat to Israeli children" is for Israel to dismantle settlements, as opposed to, oh, maybe having the Palestinians simply stop murdering Israeli civilians, is itself another clue to the nature of Obama's support for Israel's security. He's totally committed to Israel's security -- an unshakeable commitment -- and thus will work tirelessly to force the Israelis to stop making the Palestininans kill them. (Sort of like when I was little and my sister grabbed my wrist and forced me to slap myself, taunting me: "Stop hitting yourself! Stop hitting yourself!")

225 brainwizard73  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:22:36pm

re: #213 Mardukhai

Wait, given Obama's shots at McCain about "losing his bearings" why should he get a pass? Even if he made a simple goof, doesn't his flaying of McCain mean the sharp knives come out?

226 katemaclaren  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:22:39pm

re: #190 Opinionated

Amen.

227 Dr. Shalit  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:23:06pm

re: #177 stuiec

stuiec -

Give the Arab credit - He would never try to buy off the Jewish "Settler" - he would be Taqquiya enough to take his money and honest enough to try and kill him off AFTERWARDS.

-S-

228 BaruchAdam  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:23:40pm

re: #24 ironbill

Hillary: Listen to me!
You're running out of cards.
Play this one

NOW THERE IS SOLID GOOD ADVICE FOR MS. CLINTON.
BRUCE :)

229 Cognito  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:23:49pm

re: #223 Alouette

The strife is not about the settlements.
The strife was going on before the settlements.
The settlements are just an excuse to continue the strife.

Yes, yes, yes. I know all that. I'm not supporting Obama's case, here. I'm saying we're criticizing him for saying something he didn't really say, as far as I can tell.

Let's criticize his ideas about settlements all day long -- because I do believe that's what he's referring to, here.

230 BeckoningChasm  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:24:08pm

From the context of the article, it looks like he means the Israeli-Arab conflict rather than Israel itself, but wow, what a poor choice of words for such a "gifted" orator.

Whether that's what he meant or not, that's how it'll be spun. If it's spun at all; more than likely the MSM will just keep this under wraps.

231 DownRightMeanAmerican  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:24:18pm

re: #172 Charles

Maybe I'm old-fashioned, but I think when you're asked a direct question about Israel being a "drag on America's reputation," and you immediately answer with, "No, but it's a sore that infects all our foreign policy," you just might be answering that direct question. Despite all the weasel words that follow.

Yes you are, it seems to me that weasel words are all that count anymore, I cant believe all the folks that say BHO speaks so well, I guess they never heard President Reagan speak, he did not use weasel words, his speeches really had a meaning, not just a group of buzz words all lumped together.

232 Occasional Reader  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:24:25pm

re: #214 Yankee Division Son

Don't look now, but he did.

We'll just have to agree to disagree. I don't read the interview that way. And I think the Obama campaign will have a laughably easy time knocking this down if it becomes an issue. In fact... they'd probably be happy to focus on the "he didn't call Israel a sore" point, because it lets them slide away from the substantive problems with what he DID say.

My two cents.

233 WriterMom  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:24:47pm

The settlements are the most accute reminder to the Muslims that the once weak dhimmi Jews, who they hate more than they love their children, the formerly landless Jews are settling their historic land. It drives them crazy that a Jew dare build another home in their ancestral land. That's why the settlements are a 'problem', because they make the Jew-haters go out of their minds. This no settlement, no problem bullshit is baloney as evidenced by Gaza. No more settlements, now they use Gaza as a base.

234 Mardukhai  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:24:50pm

re: #210 indythinker

Salman Rushdie writes a book criticizing Mohammed and gets a fatwa calling for his death.

Ibn Warraq leaves Islam and gets a fatwa.

Ayaan Hirsi Ali leaves Islam and gets a fatwa.

Barack Obama leaves Islam and gets the worldwide adulation of Muslims.

That's the important point, not whether he flubbed his lines.

235 galloping granny  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:25:14pm

re: #219 Geepers

Another fake soldier as spokesman for the Leftys?

Any military personnel who can check this joker out?

Geepers, if the guy had claimed to make E7 in that time two decades earlier during Vietnam I might have bought that - hubby made E6 in less than two - but not in the 80's. During that time the services were shrinking hand over fist and there were wholesale base closures.

236 Render  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:25:17pm

re: #98 WrathofG-d

I disagree with you as well, on this.

Are you certain you don't want to be on the same side of the line as I am?

TWO RABBI'S
THREE OPINIONS,
R

237 buzzsawmonkey[deleted]  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:25:52pm
238 Opinionated  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:26:37pm

re: #61 ironbill

You put a burden on the Jews that you don't see is everywhere.

It would seem irrational for a Jew to support Obama but is it any more rational for a Catholic or Protestant? Yet you find Obama's support is ecumenical and crosses most groups.

Jews are not exempted, they can fall for false charismatic charlatans as quick as their non Jewish neighbors.

239 bcgirl  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:26:50pm

yeah, History has shown, or like someone else already said,
so it is written, so it is done!

one of these times, "his-story, says that Israel wil heat her homes for seven years off the destroyed weapons and oil from those who rise against her, wonder if we will see that?
re: #53 WhiteRasta

...."What they fail to realize is Israel is protected by the hand of God and anyone who attempts to destroy her will find they themselves destroyed..."

Interesting point.

History has proven that every civilization that has raised their hand against Israel, has fallen.

Every one of them.

240 Maine's Michael  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:27:38pm

re: #207 lawhawk

I don;t know.

I come form an orthodox background, but am not religious.

When I do go, I prefer orthodox ritual.

Conservative seems 'lazy', or 'easy'. Not as lazy or easy as reform, but certainly on the leisure continuum.

Not really important, if your heart's in the right place, and I know yours is.

But if you plotted dedication to Isarel against a continuum of reform, conservative, orthodox, and ultraorthodox, you would have an exponential upswing when you got to orthodox (leaving the fringe ultraorthodox satmars and neturei out of it).

It's telling, isn't it?

241 BaruchAdam  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:27:43pm

re: #230 BeckoningChasm

From the context of the article, it looks like he means the Israeli-Arab conflict rather than Israel itself, but wow, what a poor choice of words for such a "gifted" orator.

Indeed, it does appear that Obama is referring to the overall conflict. But still i hope he gets creamed for this...

242 solomonpanting  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:27:46pm

re: #110 Spoiled Rotten

I've said all along. Obama will win the nomination but he can't beat McCain. No worries.


It's looking as though that will be the case. Each time he, his wife, or FOB (Friends of Barack) open their mouths, the camel's back gets another straw.

243 kirche  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:28:23pm

how far removed from a "stinking corpse" is a "constant sore", anyway?

once obama switches over to full muslim mode, he'll point back to these comments to demonstrate how in sync he was with ahmadinejad's evil choice of words...

he CHOSE these words for future use, i say.

244 stuiec  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:28:49pm

re: #201 buzzsawmonkey

Double, triple, quadruple updings for making the analogy to "A Raisin in the Sun"--a play based in Chicago about a black family trying to better itself.

Thanks.

Apparently it's easy to understand that a Black family ought to have a right to live anywhere it can afford to, that there's no such thing as "White" land -- not in the USA, not anymore.

But of course, the same people who see that clearly are all too quick to condemn Jews for settling on "Arab" or "Muslim" land. They think nothing of the Palestinian policy, left over from the Jordanian occupation, of applying the death penalty to any Palestinian who sells "Arab" land to a Jew.

And they publish books accusing Israel of apartheid policies. Weird.

245 DesertSage  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:28:54pm

Bob Beckel has become a real asshole.
I used to think he was a decent guy.

246 Dr. Shalit  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:28:58pm

re: #231 DownRightMeanAmerican

"DRMA" -

Could you ever Imagine BHO saying something to the Iranian Mullahs and their STOOGE "I'm In The Mood For Jihad" like "Mr. Gorbachev - TEAR DOWN THIS WALL!" Didn't think so.

-S-

247 really grumpy big dog Johnson  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:29:19pm

re: #212 Cognito

I'm starting to wonder if I'm a bit nutty, here, because I can't read this any way except as a discussion about strife regarding the settlements:

Am I going crazy, here?

Cognito, Islam will attack no matter how you take those words. The area euphemistically called Palestine is a ghetto created by arab nations that didn't want those people and wanted to make life for Israel as uncomfortable as possible. Barack presumes that Israel should abandon all settlements as though that would make any difference in the international war against radical islamist terrorism. It won't.

The true solution is to empty the palis from those unflagged territories, and give it instead to the one country that can prevent them from becoming a perpetual sewer swamp of ethic cleansing and racial and religious hatred.

That sore BO speaks about are his own pus-filled brain cells.

248 BabbaZee  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:29:23pm

Everything no one ever needed to know about Cognito's MO
but was too bored to ask

Start at #178


/Most gleeking vexation
multitudinously murmuring hooplebabble

WLGF out

249 NoSubmission  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:29:33pm

Read the post title and balked out loud. Woke up my dog. WHAT?

Oh, please Obamamama please keep talking.

250 snowcrash  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:29:40pm

McCains "100 years in Iraq" has become a weapon for Democrats. Let us hope the same for Obama and this statement.

251 brainwizard73  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:29:48pm

Since Obama will sit down unconditionally with our worst, most vile enemies, will he extend the same courtesy to Israel.

I won't hold my breath.

252 eschew_obfuscation  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:30:15pm

re: #245 DesertSage

Bob Beckel has become a real asshole.
I used to think he was a decent guy.

He created Super Delegates (at least he helped).....just one more of those "count every vote" kinda guys...

253 offendi  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:30:31pm

Let's face facts Barry is already a captive of the Zbignew-Carter foreign policy mentality, which is if you lean on Israel on the "settlements" you will move forward on a nice fake peace that you believe will guarantee your Saudi oil shipments.

Defects in this thought process are :

1) The "settlements" were originally created for Israeli security. No Palestinian facts on the ground, i.e. real desire for peace, have ever existed meaning they could or should be dismantled. They are still against Israel's very existence Barry.

2) Saudis need Israel as a military counterweight to Iran more than ever. Saudis realize they can't buy off a ideological enemy like Iran, whose President is apocalyptic, believed he gave off an aura at the U.N., and thinks he is following the wishes of a mahdi he believes is living down a well.

Barry is going to cause the Israelis to attack, maybe even nuke, the Iranian nuclear sites because they will not wish to put Israel's national security in the hands of a Jimmy Carter-like putz.

254 Perry  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:30:47pm

I am aghast that he's saying this to a man named GOLDBERG.

255 Reno911  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:30:56pm

Lot O apologizing going on round here tonight.

256 Cognito  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:31:16pm

re: #237 buzzsawmonkey

We're criticizing him for focusing on the settlements.

We're criticizing him for focusing on Israel without mentioning the Arabs.

We're criticizing him for using language that is itself indicative of an ugly attitude.

Mmm... okay. But it does look an awful lot like people seem to think he called Israel "a sore," when that's not the case.

Honestly I wish I knew more about the settlements. I've spent a little time in the area and I still don't have a good handle on the rightness or wrongness of some -- some -- settlements; I tend to come down pro-Israeli on almost every issue, but I do expect fallibility from any human construct, and I do know there's been some pretty rough treatment on both sides, in some places.

I think I need to find some good books about the issue...

257 song_and_dance_man[deleted]  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:31:18pm
258 M. Bensson-Levi  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:31:18pm

re: #160 Maine's Michael

Wealth and success makes you soft, I guess.

I agree, but there's more to it than wealth. There's a core rottenness, a weakness of the soul, and spirit. A sense of shame about being a Jew. A deep, nauseating sickness.

They make me sick, anyway. Good thing that some of us are knuckle dragging unsophisticated brutes...keeps us all from having a bad name.

259 DesertSage  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:31:27pm

re: #255 Reno911

Lot O apologizing going on round here tonight.

I'm sorry.

260 mitthrawnurdo  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:31:42pm

.."this constant sore, does infect all of our foreign policy.".

Yes, because we all know that Israel (oh, I'm sorry, Messiah really meant the Israeli-Arab conflict) is the cause of:

China's aggression towards Tibet and Taiwan.
Russia's more aggressive stance toward the West.
Al-Quida killing innocent Iraqis.
Iran wanting nukes to destroy "The Great Satan", ect, ect.

Thanks for that one-size-fits-all garbage explanation of the US's foreign policy problems, Messiah!

/What do people see in that man?

261 Ma Sands  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:31:52pm
"guarantees of security"


Ah, buzz.....did that hit my stomach hard! --direct description of the endings, just before the throwing of Israel under the bus.....

262 Geepers  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:31:53pm

galloping granny (#235),

Another fake soldier as spokesman for the Leftys?

Any military personnel who can check this joker out?

Geepers, if the guy had claimed to make E7 in that time two decades earlier during Vietnam I might have bought that - hubby made E6 in less than two - but not in the 80's. During that time the services were shrinking hand over fist and there were wholesale base closures.

My thoughts too. Something really doesn't add up here.

263 Challenger  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:31:57pm

Somehow I am not surprised. This is the logical conclusion of the democratic parties leftist marxist politics.

264 rawmuse  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:32:32pm

re: #187 Charles

I up dinged him by mistake, sorry. them dang buttons are close together...

265 BaruchAdam  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:32:33pm

Another reason he'll never see the inside of The White House.

266 mitthrawnurdo  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:33:05pm

re: #250 snowcrash

Fat chance - the "Driveby Media" (thanks Rush!) gets tingles up their legs regarding Messiah, thus this won't get much play there.

267 mitthrawnurdo  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:33:37pm

re: #265 BaruchAdam

We can all hope...

268 itellu3times  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:33:39pm

Hey, I'm sure Obama wasn't in the room when he said that, and this is not the Obama he thinks he's known for the last twenty years.

269 itellu3times  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:34:17pm

Anyway, you know those Israelis, clinging to their religion and guns and stuff, and afraid of people not like themselves.

270 buzzsawmonkey[deleted]  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:34:34pm
271 katemaclaren  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:35:19pm

Well, guys, I have some final exams to grade before I get my week off and start the summer term. Just one thing: Keep up drums beating because this guy (Obama) is either dangerously naive or just bloody dangerous. Make that all caps. Bill Ayers for Secretary of State, right?

It's freezing here (Philly). Global Warming. Are we there yet?

272 Perry  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:35:50pm
Goldberg was born in Brooklyn, New York and raised in Malverne, New York.[2] He attended the University of Pennsylvania, where he was editor-in-chief of The Daily Pennsylvanian.[3] He left college to move to Israel[4], where he served in the Israeli Defense Forces as a prison guard during the First Intifada.[5] He later returned to the United States to continue his journalism career, and now lives in Washington, D.C. with his wife and three children.[6]


Wiki

273 loppyd  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:36:17pm

re: #271 katemaclaren

Well, guys, I have some final exams to grade before I get my week off and start the summer term. Just one thing: Keep up drums beating because this guy (Obama) is either dangerously naive or just bloody dangerous. Make that all caps. Bill Ayers for Secretary of State, right?

It's freezing here (Philly). Global Warming. Are we there yet?

It's freezing in MA, too....

Damn you Algore!

274 Catttt  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:36:29pm

I am really getting tired of Senator Obama's "what you thought you heard me say is not what I meant" way of speaking. I personally think he blurts out what he really thinks about every other day, freaks out his handlers, gets trotted out to explain what he really meant, and is instantly praised for his brilliant teleprompter speech.

(No wonder he avoids town hall meetings where people actually ask questions.)

Then the MSM leads with - a picture of Senator O in jeans, with MSMers salivating at his feet.

275 loppyd  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:37:00pm

re: #248 BabbaZee

In my business we would call you the star witness.

276 Intrepid  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:37:01pm

re: #208 brainwizard73

How about an engraved invite to serve as the American consulate in Gaza City. I hear the office space is a real sh**hole.

No, seriously, it probably is.

In an Obama administration, I figure there would be scores of State Dept. appointees who think an awful lot like webkruzer. Not that there aren't already, mind you.

277 Mardukhai  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:37:21pm

As a journalist, I'm most proud of the fact that in forty years, I have never, not once, had to retract a story or a quote. (One idiot claimed that he never talked to me, but I had the interview notes and the phone bill to prove it.)

My secret is very simple -- I read back statements to people whom I interviewed. I'll even call back sources to make sure that the context was correct and show them a way to correct their grammar, etc. Even hostile people want the chance to be heard as they intended to be heard, and it often breaks down walls, people are more open when they believe that they will be heard fairly.

Ironically, read-backs are considered an ethical violation, mainly because they are a lot of trouble and show up the rest of the profession.

I suppose I became so sensitive to the problem of bad quotes when I was interviewed by a radical writer in 1967, who immediately told a colleague, "Now, how do I slant this?" Naturally, nothing I actually said made it to print -- which made me ultra-sensitive when it came to my own reporting.

I know I'm weird about this, but I believe the truth is more important than a flubbed statement. It may still be that Obama is an Arabist -- and I believe that the risk is too great to let him near the nuclear football -- but this isn't the way I want to find out.

278 Ma Sands  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:37:54pm

re: #271 katemaclaren

It's freezing here (Philly). Global Warming. Are we there yet?


My son told me yesterday he saw in the news that the song birds here in mid-eastern MN are dying left and right, because of this cold Spring.....

279 M. Bensson-Levi  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:37:56pm

re: #200 Dr. Shalit

MBL -

Not me - even in my days as a politically active "Lib-Dem," I was for "Gun Rights" and lost votes and endorsements accordingly. To my fellow Jews with US citizenship, I posit that the Talmud as the US Constitution IS NOT A SUICIDE PACT - That is all.

-S-

Good for you. We're not all brain dead, even when deluded by liberalism. Glad you straightened out. :-)

280 Maine's Michael  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:38:39pm

re: #269 itellu3times

Anyway, you know those Israelis, clinging to their religion and guns and stuff, and afraid of people not like themselves.

A zillion updings for that one. Very good!

281 crashland  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:38:47pm

re: #9 Sharmuta

God help Israel if this man becomes POTUS!

Gold help us if we ever abandon Israel.

282 kafir  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:38:49pm

A simple test of reasoning capability for the asshats who think that settlements are the problem.

In 1929, in Hebron, where jews had lived continuously for thousands of years, before there were any "settlements", the jews were massacred enmasse by arabs. Hundreds killed.

So the logic problem is this. If settlements are the problem, then how come the arabs went after the jews in Hebron in 1929? And in 1936-39 in Palestine?

Remember this precedes "settlements" by quite a bit.

How can the effect precede the presumed cause?

Ten extra points if you can do more than splutter.

283 Cognito  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:39:05pm

re: #275 loppyd

In my business we would call you the star witness.

If a hashed quote, pulled from the rest of the conversation, serves as a witness in your business, then in my business we'd call you 'overpaid.'

284 Alouette  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:39:13pm

re: #256 Cognito

I think I need to find some good books about the issue...

Here's a good place to start.

285 Daryl Herbert  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:39:19pm

In fairness, Sen. Obama probably meant that the controversy is an open sore. That's exactly what the Arabs intended it to be.

The Arabs don't want Israel to ever have peace. From the very beginning, they refused to resettle the "Palestinians" in order to achieve that. And they've been very successful.

Sen. Obama's gaffe here shows that he isn't ready for prime time.

286 Timbre  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:39:28pm

Obama is boil on the rear of the behind of history and common sense.

287 kirche  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:39:40pm

#274 catttt

Obama's "what you thought you heard me say is not what I meant" way of speaking
-------------------------------------------------- -------------
i wonder who in his camp pull's him aside and says, "do you know what you just said?".

288 Dr. Shalit  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:39:56pm

re: #276 Intrepid

" 'trep " -

If the US Embassy in Israel were in Gaza - all 'y'all might see an instant ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT.

-S-

289 stuiec  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:40:08pm

re: #204 Occasional Reader

I also don't think Obama is breathtakingly stupid enough to call Israel a "sore" or "disease" in an on-the-record interview, whether he believes it or not.


Okay, then, here is what he is breathtakingly stupid enough to say:

The lack of a resolution to this problem provides an excuse for anti-American militant jihadists to engage in inexcusable actions, and so we have a national-security interest in solving this, and I also believe that Israel has a security interest in solving this because I believe that the status quo is unsustainable.

If anti-American militant jihadists are engaging in inexcusable actions, there should be no need for action by Israel before an American President takes punitive, corrective and pre-emptive measures against those jihadists. What Obama is saying, by contrast, is that he can't or won't do anything about the jihadists because he's afraid that their excuses will make him look like the bad Israel-lover. Now, if the Israelis dismantle the settlements and the separation barrier and the checkpoints and the border crossings, then the militant jihadists won't have any excuse, so THEN if they continue to murder Israelis and Americans, Obama might consider sending the UN a REALLY strongly-worded protest.

Do I have that about right?

290 Yankee Division Son  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:40:11pm

re: #232 Occasional Reader

We'll just have to agree to disagree. I don't read the interview that way. And I think the Obama campaign will have a laughably easy time knocking this down if it becomes an issue. In fact... they'd probably be happy to focus on the "he didn't call Israel a sore" point, because it lets them slide away from the substantive problems with what he DID say.... My two cents.

Agreed. You may have a point there, but I can't excuse the language he used. To me, it hints at his real beliefs.

291 Eri  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:40:26pm

I think it's pretty clear that he was referring to the conflict, not to Israel itself, judging by the context of the question and his responses to previous ones (where he heaped praise on Israel). Even Israelis recognize the conflict as an "open sore" that the Arab states have no interest in resolving because it keeps political pressure on Israel. I once took a graduate course on the Arab-Israeli Conflict with an Israeli professor who frequently used such terminology. "Why do you think they keep the Palestinians bottled up in camps?" he'd ask. "To keep the sore open."

292 Roger  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:40:35pm

Messiah Obama cometh with a mirror to shove in your face.

293 Geepers  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:40:45pm

What Barry learned from his mentor and pastor: Israel is the problem.

From the July 30, 2006 edition of Trinity Church’s Trumpet newsletter:

The escalating Middle East violence and the continued bombing of Lebanon and Gaza is threatening regional stability. Though appeals have gone out from the religious community for the United States and other world leaders to intervene diplomatically, as of Wednesday when the TUCC bulletin is published, the U.S. refuses to call for a cease-fire. Instead, the U.S. is increasing arms shipments to Israel and Congress has passed resolutions declaring unconditional support for Israel’s devastating military campaigns.

Hezbollah’s opportunistic raid that captured Israeli soldiers and rocket attacks on Israel have been nearly universally condemned. However, the excessive force with which Israel is responding goes far beyond defense against Hezbollah and promises to destroy most of what has been rebuilt in Lebanon since its civil war 15 years ago. The disproportionate attack on Lebanon may backfire, strengthening Hezbollah,increasing sectarian strife, and weakening Lebanon’s democracy and security.

Obama’s Church Printed Pro-Hezbollah Articles

294 jaunte  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:40:58pm

"The lack of a resolution to this problem provides an excuse for anti-American militant jihadists to engage in inexcusable actions,.."

An American presidential candidate has willingly
endorsed one of the main jihadi excuses.
That's all we need to know about Obama.

295 Catttt  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:41:06pm

re: #278 Ma Sands

My son told me yesterday he saw in the news that the song birds here in mid-eastern MN are dying left and right, because of this cold Spring.....

I've got a bumper crop of live ones at my feeder and pool (aka birdbath) here in Maryland. They bring the whole family. :)

296 Biff  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:41:19pm

re: #207 lawhawk

Reform Jews think Israel is wrong.
Conservative Jews think Olmert is right.
Kahane Chai.

297 Sharmuta  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:41:29pm

Okay- so what some of you are saying is obama's saying Israel is not the sore, the pali-Israeli conflict is the sore.....

but with Israeli settlements being the root cause:

if Israel is building settlements without any regard to the effects that this has on the peace process, then we’re going to be stuck in the same status quo that we’ve been stuck in for decades now

So maybe the larger conflict is the sore, but he's still blaming Israel.

Of course- Geepers at #141 summed it up more neatly. +1 for you Geeps.

298 FreeIowa  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:41:48pm

Why is it when this great orator actually answers a question his supporters have to come running out explaining to us what he really meant?
By the end of his first week in the White House they’re going to find him curled up under his desk muttering “Hope.. Change.. Hope.. Change.. Hope...”. Leaving VP Al Franken to take up the reins.

299 Alouette  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:41:52pm

re: #285 Daryl Herbert

In fairness, Sen. Obama probably meant that the controversy is an open sore. That's exactly what the Arabs intended it to be.

The Arabs don't want Israel to ever have peace. From the very beginning, they refused to resettle the "Palestinians" in order to achieve that. And they've been very successful.

Sen. Obama's gaffe here shows that he isn't ready for prime time.

Carol Herman, are you using your leftover sock puppet?

300 Ma Sands  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:42:04pm

re: #295 Catttt

Awww.....hope! :)

301 kirche  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:42:11pm

a cold spring here in seattle as well...

302 loppyd  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:42:17pm

re: #283 Cognito

If a hashed quote, pulled from the rest of the conversation, serves as a witness in your business, then in my business we'd call you 'overpaid.'

Oh please.

In my business you wouldn't last five minutes on the stand. For starters, the jury would hate you. Second, you need to answer in simple yes or no responses, not your usual nuanced "I really agree with the larger point you are trying to make, BUT [insert bs here]"

303 Asylum Aleikum  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:42:20pm

Why am I not surprised?

304 really grumpy big dog Johnson  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:42:33pm

re: #271 katemaclaren

Well, guys, I have some final exams to grade before I get my week off and start the summer term. Just one thing: Keep up drums beating because this guy (Obama) is either dangerously naive or just bloody dangerous. Make that all caps. Bill Ayers for Secretary of State, right?

It's freezing here (Philly). Global Warming. Are we there yet?

You think it's cold now, wait a couple of days. We are supposed to get 1-3" of snow here tonight.

305 Dr. Shalit  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:42:39pm

re: #282 kafir

A simple test of reasoning capability for the asshats who think that settlements are the problem.

In 1929, in Hebron, where jews had lived continuously for thousands of years, before there were any "settlements", the jews were massacred enmasse by arabs. Hundreds killed.

So the logic problem is this. If settlements are the problem, then how come the arabs went after the jews in Hebron in 1929? And in 1936-39 in Palestine?

Remember this precedes "settlements" by quite a bit.

How can the effect precede the presumed cause?

Ten extra points if you can do more than splutter.

"Whaddabout" -

THEY - or at least their "leadership class" - are WHO and WHAT they ARE!

-S-

306 itellu3times  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:42:40pm

re: #285 Daryl Herbert

Sen. Obama's gaffe here shows that he isn't ready for prime time.

At best, he's clueless, and trying very hard to stay that way, kumbaya.

Imagine that as president, Obama would be the one hiding out under the desk, trying not to learn, not be quoted, make no decision.

307 Cognito  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:42:49pm

re: #302 loppyd

Oh please.

In my business you wouldn't last five minutes on the stand. For starters, the jury would hate you. Second, you need to answer in simple yes or no responses, not your usual nuanced "I really agree with the larger point you are trying to make, BUT [insert bs here]"

Huh.

308 PloniAlmoni  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:42:54pm

I don't like Barack Obama's policies, so I'm not voting for him, but...I read that whole interview with Jeffrey Goldberg and while that may have been a poor selection of words, when you keep the context in mind, I don't think Obama meant anything bad by it. He could have easily meant that the wound or sore is caused by the terrorists attacking Israel and the US foreign policy has to always be concerned about supporting and helping Israel. If he keeps calling Israel a wound or sore in the future...then I would start to be concerned more. But for now, it doesn't seem like a big deal.

309 Charles  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:42:56pm

re: #291 Eri

I think it's pretty clear that he was referring to the conflict, not to Israel itself, judging by the context of the question and his responses to previous ones (where he heaped praise on Israel). Even Israelis recognize the conflict as an "open sore" that the Arab states have no interest in resolving because it keeps political pressure on Israel. I once took a graduate course on the Arab-Israeli Conflict with an Israeli professor who frequently used such terminology. "Why do you think they keep the Palestinians bottled up in camps?" he'd ask. "To keep the sore open."

Yes, but those of us who are paying attention also know that you're shilling for Obama at LGF.

310 Maine's Michael  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:43:26pm

Again with the 'notion'.

He uses it as a class distinction. It's code for 'I'm an eduated man' and you unwashed or non-Harvard guys should just listen and not ask silly questions of me.

As an ex-Harvard faculty, I can tell you this guy is a self important piece of shit.

I've known dozens of 'em.

311 Eri  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:44:01pm

re: #299 Alouette

Carol Herman, are you using your leftover sock puppet?

Can anyone here ever debate someone on the merits of their point rather than hurl personal insults anytime someone doesn't follow the rest of the mob?

312 NoSubmission  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:44:43pm

re: #298 FreeIowa

Why is it when this great orator actually answers a question his supporters have to come running out explaining to us what he really meant?


Don't tell me words don't matter.

313 Kosh's Shadow  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:44:56pm

re: #112 jcm

Israel is a sore to the 57 States....

The 57 members of the OIC, yes.

314 Biff  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:45:08pm

NObama

315 Eri  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:45:26pm

re: #309 Charles

And Charles proves my point splendidly.

316 offendi  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:45:49pm

One point I haven't seen made here is that the Middle East would be in an ongoing state of war even if there was no Israel.

I mean shi'a and sunni. The sunni view the shi'a as the worst apostates. Iran vs. Saudi Arabia and friends. Iranians causing rebellions of shi'a in sunni countries, etc.. If you don't think sunni and shi'a countries would be fighting with each other with no Jews in between, I believe I have a bridge to sell you.

317 Alouette  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:45:51pm

re: #311 Eri

Can anyone here ever debate someone on the merits of their point rather than hurl personal insults anytime someone doesn't follow the rest of the mob?

You're a friend of Carol?

318 pingjockey  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:45:57pm

Hey you lurking Jewish folks out there! Tell me again how the donks are Israels best friend?! The beast, obamarama, and jimmuh will sell Israel down the river in a New York minute if they get the chance.

319 katemaclaren  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:46:22pm

re: #304 really grumpy big dog Johnson

Where in the world are you? You POOR thing!

320 lostlakehiker  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:47:08pm

re: #34 Charles

The two question/answer items before the quote make it clear that it is not Israel being described as a disease, but the policy of building settlements in territory that came under Israeli authority as a result of the 1967 war.

The issue of these settlements is being characterized as a sore. That's a different matter. We can discuss whether the settlements provide a defensive barrier, a mangrove forest that might one day serve to blunt the impact of a sudden wave of attacks across Jordan into Israel. We can discuss whether they serve mainly to further inflame relations between Israel and Muslim nations. We can debate whether relations are inflamed beyond repair and dismantling settlements would not move peace any nearer.

All that's another story.

321 Roger  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:47:54pm

Say BO. Microsoft has a 'settlement' in Israel; try taking it out.

322 stuiec  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:47:57pm

re: #204 Occasional Reader

I also don't think Obama is breathtakingly stupid enough to call Israel a "sore" or "disease" in an on-the-record interview, whether he believes it or not.


Another quick thought:

There is only upside to Obama making this statement the way he did.

On one hand, he may create a firestorm on the part of those who want to chastise him for calling Israel a "sore" that "infects" America's foreign policy. Gives him a lot of free news coverage of him and his advisers coming out and saying, "Ridiculous -- not what I said and not what I meant -- here's how much I support and love Israel."

On the other hand, it gives a perfect pull quote for his radical Left and anti-Israel supporters to say, "See? He's giving us a coded clue about how he REALLY feels about the Zionist disease organism!"

Not stupid at all. Very clever, if you want to court the Jewish vote without alienating the radical anti-Zionist Left.

323 M. Bensson-Levi  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:48:24pm

re: #270 buzzsawmonkey

Wrath, I dislike Reform as a tawdry imitation of Judaism which is being foisted as a fraud upon people who do not know how they are being cheated of their heritage.

I dislike the way I have seen some Conservative congregations follow down the path of Reform, replacing Judaism with "social justice."

That said, Reform Jews who are not reckoned Jews merely under the patrilineal descent introduced by Reform are still Jews under halacha. Conservative Jews are still Jews under halacha. I know many Conservative Jews who are more scrupulous in their observance than some Jews who daven now and then at Orthodox synagogues. And I know some Jews who attend my Orthodox synagogue who are foolish enough to be supporting Obama.

I am happy to inveigh against the needless watering down of Jewish religion and tradition. I also will inveigh against some of the blinkered views which are prevalent in the Orthodox community. But to remain true to the principle of ahavas Yisroel, one cannot dismiss out of hand those who, for whatever reason, are at a different level of observance.

Yeah, you're all right, you are. You have not only a yiddisha kopf, but equally, if not more important, a yiddisha hertz, lev tov.

You're all right.

324 Dr. Shalit  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:48:40pm

re: #309 Charles

Charles -

Actually, as a US Native Born Citizen of Eastern European Jewish Heritage, I have enough reasons to work for the Defeat of a "D" ticket headed by Sen. Obama. Being weasel worded on Israel is just Icing on the Cake.

-S-

325 Maine's Michael  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:48:50pm
I also believe that Israel has a security interest in solving this because I believe that the status quo is unsustainable.

Well, you ask an Israeli if its sustainable and he will tell you that it is sustainable enough to breathe free, raise a family, and live life to its fullest.

If the Israelis, who are, after all, not stupid people, believe the status quo is the best they can hope for, who is this empty suit, trained at the knee of the Nation of Islam's mole, the 'Black Liberation 'Christian' 'Rev'. Wright, to tell them otherwise.

That he even presumes to speak on the issue in this maner shows us what he thinks.

He means it is not sustainable FOR HIM.

Choke on Farakhan's c--k, Obama.

326 Geepers  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:49:11pm

Eri,

And you can just go sit in the dark and cry, 'cause nobody the mob doesn't respect you.

327 jaunte  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:49:15pm

re: #308 PloniAlmoni

I don't think Obama meant anything bad by it.

Agreeing that jihadis attack the U.S. because of support for Israel, or that jihadis attack Israel because of territorial issues, sas to me that the man is a dolt. And if he is not a dolt, he is going to throw a lot of somebodies under the bus in a futile attempt to be the last eaten. (metaphormix alert!)
Not a very strong leadership position to take, in my opinion.

328 Charles  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:49:21pm

I don't have time to dig up the numerous comments Eri has posted that make his/her/its agenda very clear, so I'm just taking away its account before it hijacks another thread.

329 Killian Bundy  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:49:23pm

Sore, ethnic bombers, gutter religion.

Anyone see a pattern here?

/the wheels on the bus go round and round

330 Sharmuta  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:49:25pm

re: #320 lostlakehiker

OK- so Israeli policy is the sore? How is that an improvement?

331 song_and_dance_man[deleted]  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:49:42pm
332 x-ray  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:49:59pm

re: #302 loppyd

That was a great post to put picking the choice for POTUS into context.

We are a jury of millions needing to decide from very limited and often hidden info how to decide on the person who will hold in their hands the fate of all of us.

333 Bill M  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:50:02pm

OK, I'm not questionning his patriotism (although there may be good reason to do so), but I am beginning to question this "notion" that he's really smart. Sounds like a really dumb way to state the proposition. It just asks to be misinterpreted; he'll end up having to revise and clarify. This isn't the first time. He's had a lot of these "unforced errors",enough that you start to wonder if they are really errors after all.

334 Catttt  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:50:14pm

Anyone remember the moment in The Maltese Falcon where Mary Astor takes off her shoe, tries to hit Peter Lorre with it, and yells "Why don't you make him tell the truth!" at Humphrey Bogart?

I feel - in a purely metaphorical way - like Mary Astor, with Senator O as Peter Lorre. I don't know who Humphrey Bogart is.

335 onepistoffyid  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:50:25pm

re: #177 stuiec

Simple thought experiment.

How many Jewish settlements remain in Gaza?

And has the withdrawal of those "constant sores" made Gaza a happy, peaceful place?

By the way, why is a Jewish settlement a "sore"? I'm reminded of Raisin in the Sun, the play about a Black family planning to move into a nice house in an area where their neighbors would all be white... and how the white folks sent someone to bribe them not to move in. Is that the kind of "wound" or "sore" that Obama means when he refers to Jews living among Arabs? Is he hearkening back to Jimmy Carter's famous declaration that he didn't ever wish to disturb the "ethnic purity" of various European-American neighborhoods in the USA?

I think that Israel should simply point out that it is in fact the culmination of the Arab dream to bundle all of the Middle East's Jews into the ghetto -- it just happens to be a larger ghetto than the ones they used to keep their Jews in. I think it would be comforting to the Arabs to think of Israel that way -- they don't need to admit to themselves the truth that a sovereign Jewish homeland has accomplished in the same region and under the same (or worse) conditions what their own societies have failed to accomplish in terms of economic self-sufficiency, human rights and quality of life.

Just to add to your excellent "thought experiment" why is it that Akko and Jaffa and Nazareth aren't considered "Arab Settlements" located in Israel?

And why is it assumed that all jews will be evacuated from the future hypothetical "Palestinian" state (as in Gaza) to create a Juden Rein apartheid state, while Arab Muslims are free to live in Israel?

As for the "right of return", can the 800,000 jews exiled from their Arab homes in 1948 reclaim their over $1 Billion of confiscated property? I didn't think so.

And tell me again why why the United States of America is supporting this genocidal and racist farce?

336 really grumpy big dog Johnson  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:50:53pm

re: #319 katemaclaren

Where in the world are you? You POOR thing!

I'm on the western edge of the central Great Plains. It was 84 here today.

337 mikeinmd  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:51:29pm

Seems I remember when Obama couldn't throw Rev Wrong under the bus,also. THUMP. Ooops.

If it's politically expedient, I think he'd throw anyone/anything under that bus.

Including Israel.

338 Darwin Akbar  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:51:44pm

It should come as no surprise that Obama accepts the leftist view that "if only Israel were more compliant and sensitive to world opinion" everything would be just fine. He and his spent years listening to Jeremiah Wright sermons and all of his other leftist friends feel the same way.

For these people, the world comprises only victims and oppressors. Palestinians are of course the victims, their degenerate culture of death and murder notwithstanding.

This interview confirms what everyone here knew, i.e., that the selection of Israel-haters like Robert Malley and Susan Powers as foreign policy advisors was no accident.

Will Jews wake up? I doubt it. I think I may be able to turn one or two, but I know several that are immune to logic or common sense, as their Bush-hatred has poisoned their brains.

339 onepistoffyid  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:52:02pm

re: #291 Eri

I think it's pretty clear that he was referring to the conflict, not to Israel itself, judging by the context of the question and his responses to previous ones (where he heaped praise on Israel). Even Israelis recognize the conflict as an "open sore" that the Arab states have no interest in resolving because it keeps political pressure on Israel. I once took a graduate course on the Arab-Israeli Conflict with an Israeli professor who frequently used such terminology. "Why do you think they keep the Palestinians bottled up in camps?" he'd ask. "To keep the sore open."

As far as the Arabs are concerned, the sore will be healed when the last Jew takes his agonized breath.

340 pingjockey  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:53:02pm

re: #339 onepistoffyid
Charles has sent Eri to never never land.

341 sparrowlake  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:53:03pm

re: #138 Charles

JG: If you become President, will you denounce settlements publicly?
BO: What I will say is what I’ve said previously. Settlements at this juncture are not helpful. Look, my interest is in solving this problem not only for Israel but for the United States.
JG: Do you think that Israel is a drag on America’s reputation overseas?
BO: No, no, no. But what I think is that this constant wound, that this constant sore, does infect all of our foreign policy. The lack of a resolution to this problem provides an excuse for anti-American militant jihadists to engage in inexcusable actions, and so we have a national-security interest in solving this, and I also believe that Israel has a security interest in solving this because I believe that the status quo is unsustainable.

IMHO Obama is not calling Israel a wound or a sore. He is referring to the settlement issue. He is not even calling the settlements themselves a sore - it is the dispute over the settlements. It is no secret that I can't stand Obama, but the unfairness of the lead to this blog is crystal clear to me from the transcript and context.

342 M. Bensson-Levi  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:53:11pm

Nytol. Play nice.

343 Dr. Shalit  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:53:37pm

re: #329 Killian Bundy

Sore, ethnic bombers, gutter religion.

Anyone see a pattern here?

/the wheels on the bus go round and round

With the BHO campaign - The Wheels on the Bus Roll Over You, Over You, Over You....

-S-

344 A Kiwi Infidel  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:54:16pm

BHO can squirm all he likes about having what he said taken out of context. The moment he opened his mouth and declared "that this constant wound, that this constant sore, does infect all of our foreign policy." he told us what is in his heart. It has nothing to do with settlements. In the eyes of the arabs, Israel is an "illegal zionist occupation" and has no right to exist. Everything else you hear is taquiyya.

Make no mistake, he tells it like it is. Israel affects his party's foreign policy.

Should BHO become the next POTUS, how long will it be before the mood changes and he starts to openly speak of Israel as does the Fwench foreign minister. How long before the oil suppliers apply the pressure to remove Israel (so to speak). If his heart already is not 100% in support of Israel then, with pressure applied in right place, he will capitulate and abandon Israel.

And has been said before, God the help us all.

345 kafir  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:55:36pm

re: #318 pingjockey

Actually Jihmmma's been out marketing land where Tel Aviv now sits to Meshaal and the chinless wonder ...

Why wait?

/sarc

346 Syrah  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:55:39pm

From the article

Among other things, he told me that he learned the art of moral anguish from Jews.


Is just me, or is that a strange thing for a person to say?

347 katemaclaren  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:55:44pm

re: #336 really grumpy big dog Johnson

I'm on the western edge of the central Great Plains. It was 84 here today.

You are on the cutting edge of WEATHER! The plains that the wind comes sweeping down from...

I love WEATHER. When I first moved to a place with WEATHER, I got hooked on the Weather Channel. I was looking for a 12-step program until Spring finally came.

348 pingjockey  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:56:14pm

re: #341 sparrowlake
Israel could pull all of the settlements out and it still wouldn't matter. This is just another excuse. Israel pulled out of Gaza, left all this wonderful infrastructure behind and the savages destroyed it. What do civilized people owe to savages? Nothing. We owe them nothing.

349 Killian Bundy  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:56:19pm

re: #291 Eri

"Why do you think they keep the Palestinians bottled up in camps?" he'd ask. "To keep the sore open."

/to keep from being overrun by crazed jihadis with rifles and suicides belts

350 tblot  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:56:22pm

I read that sore earlier. Who is this Obama anyway. Is he the baby boomers last chance to take over America. Seems he be hanging around the last of the strange 60'S people

351 jaunte  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:56:25pm

re: #341 sparrowlake

It would be clearer if O just came right out and said "East Jerusalem' is a constant sore, but he's being crafty and not overdefining 'settlement policy.'

352 loppyd  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:56:56pm

283 Cognito

If a hashed quote, pulled from the rest of the conversation, serves as a witness in your business, then in my business we'd call you 'overpaid.'

Oh please.

In my business you wouldn't last five minutes on the stand. For starters, the jury would hate you. Second, you need to answer in simple yes or no responses, not your usual nuanced "I really agree with the larger point you are trying to make, BUT [insert bs here]"

353 Sharmuta  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:57:13pm

re: #346 Syrah

From the article

Among other things, he told me that he learned the art of moral anguish from Jews.

Is just me, or is that a strange thing for a person to say?

I missed that- good catch. I don't think it's strange- I think it's insulting.

354 pingjockey  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:57:16pm

re: #345 kafir
Really? Doesn't surprise me. Goddamn jimmuh peanut.

355 Charles  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:57:23pm

re: #341 sparrowlake

IMHO Obama is not calling Israel a wound or a sore. He is referring to the settlement issue. He is not even calling the settlements themselves a sore - it is the dispute over the settlements. It is no secret that I can't stand Obama, but the unfairness of the lead to this blog is crystal clear to me from the transcript and context.

If I were trying to be 'unfair,' I would not have included a link to the full text so that everyone can read it for themselves.

I stand by the title. It was a direct question and a direct answer.

356 taxfreekiller[deleted]  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:57:25pm
357 loppyd  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:57:51pm

re: #352 loppyd

hamster?

358 katemaclaren  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:57:57pm

re: #295 Catttt

I've got a bumper crop of live ones at my feeder and pool (aka birdbath) here in Maryland. They bring the whole family. :)

Illegal immigrants! ;-)

359 onepistoffyid  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:58:18pm

re: #338 Darwin Akbar

It should come as no surprise that Obama accepts the leftist view that "if only Israel were more compliant and sensitive to world opinion" everything would be just fine. He and his spent years listening to Jeremiah Wright sermons and all of his other leftist friends feel the same way.

For these people, the world comprises only victims and oppressors. Palestinians are of course the victims, their degenerate culture of death and murder notwithstanding.

This interview confirms what everyone here knew, i.e., that the selection of Israel-haters like Robert Malley and Susan Powers as foreign policy advisors was no accident.

Will Jews wake up? I doubt it. I think I may be able to turn one or two, but I know several that are immune to logic or common sense, as their Bush-hatred has poisoned their brains.

More jews than ever are waking up. I have heard several Kosher bagels (I can say that because, you know, I am a yid) that never would have considered voting for a Republican say they will vote for McCain, especially old-times in Florida...it really is astonishing.

Perhaps they are just bitter and clinging to their dradles

360 Killgore Trout  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:58:26pm
361 Darwin Akbar  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:58:29pm

re: #270 buzzsawmonkey


I, too, belong to a Reform synagague. The membership is actually more politically conservative than the national organization, but it really bothers me that the Reform Union is a shill for the Democrats. I have promised, however, that I will not endeavor to rock the boat until after my daughter's Bat Mitzvah. However, once that is done, I plan to try to organize some form of resistance (although I have not formulated a battle plan just yet).

362 Kreuzueber Halbmond  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:58:42pm

Eerie.

363 ted  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:59:07pm

Can Israel Survive for Another 60 Years?
PERHAPS, BUT NOT NECESSARILY AS A JEWISH STATE.
By Christopher Hitchens
Posted Monday, May 12, 2008, at 12:26 PM ET

A military parade marking Israel's 60th anniversary
It's somehow absurd and trivial to use the word Israel and the expression 60th birthday in the same sentence or the same breath. (What is this, some candle-bedecked ceremony in Miami?) The questions before us are somewhat more antique, and also a little more pressingly and urgently modern, than that. Has Zionism made Jews more safe or less safe? Has it cured the age-old problem of anti-Semitism or not? Is it part of the tikkun olam—the mandate for the healing and repair of the human world—or is it another rent and tear in the fabric?
Jewish people are on all sides of this argument, as always. There are Hasidic rabbis who declare the Jewish state to be a blasphemy, but only because there can be no such state until the arrival of the Messiah (who may yet tarry). There are Jewish leftists who feel shame that a settler state was erected on the ruins of so many Palestinian villages. There are also Jews who collaborate with extreme-conservative Christians in an effort to bring on the day of Armageddon, when all these other questions will necessarily become moot. And, of course, there are Jews who simply continue to live in, or to support from a distance, a nerve-racked and high-tech little state that absorbs a lot of violence and cruelty and that has also shown itself very capable of inflicting the same.
I find that no other question so much reminds me of F. Scott Fitzgerald and his aphorism about the necessity of living with flat-out contradiction. Do I sometimes wish that Theodor Herzl and Chaim Weizmann had never persuaded either the Jews or the gentiles to create a quasi-utopian farmer-and-worker state at the eastern end of the Mediterranean? Yes. Do I wish that the Israeli air force could find and destroy all the arsenals of Hezbollah and Hamas and Islamic Jihad? Yes. Do I think it ridiculous that Viennese and Russian and German scholars and doctors should have vibrated to the mad rhythms of ancient so-called prophecies rather than helping to secularize and reform their own societies? Definitely. Do I feel horror and disgust at the thought that a whole new generation of Arab Palestinians is being born into the dispossession and/or occupation already suffered by their grandparents and even great-grandparents? Absolutely, I do.

[Link: www.slate.com...]

364 Charles  Mon, May 12, 2008 6:59:56pm

re: #360 Killgore Trout

Hot Air's take: No, Obama didn’t call Israel a “constant sore”

AP tends to err on the side of being safe.

365 NoSubmission  Mon, May 12, 2008 7:00:43pm

re: #353 Sharmuta

I missed that- good catch. I don't think it's strange- I think it's insulting.


I don't get it. Jews and 'moral anguish'?

366 kingkenrod  Mon, May 12, 2008 7:01:06pm

re: #291 Eri

I think it's pretty clear that he was referring to the conflict, not to Israel itself, judging by the context of the question and his responses to previous ones (where he heaped praise on Israel). Even Israelis recognize the conflict as an "open sore" that the Arab states have no interest in resolving because it keeps political pressure on Israel. I once took a graduate course on the Arab-Israeli Conflict with an Israeli professor who frequently used such terminology. "Why do you think they keep the Palestinians bottled up in camps?" he'd ask. "To keep the sore open."

The use of illness, wounds, and death when referring to Israel is common in anti-Semitic propaganda. Ahmadinejad just a few days ago called Israel a "stinking corpse".

So do you think Obama just used an unfortunately analogy off the top of his head, or did his mask slip just a bit? Can you point to any proven friend of Israel who uses such language?

367 sparrowlake  Mon, May 12, 2008 7:01:18pm

re: #348 pingjockey

Israel could pull all of the settlements out and it still wouldn't matter. This is just another excuse. Israel pulled out of Gaza, left all this wonderful infrastructure behind and the savages destroyed it. What do civilized people owe to savages? Nothing. We owe them nothing.

I agree with you 100%.

368 Maine's Michael  Mon, May 12, 2008 7:01:37pm

re: #359 onepistoffyid

Perhaps they are just bitter and clinging to their dradles

ROFL!

369 brainwizard73  Mon, May 12, 2008 7:02:00pm

re: #271 katemaclaren

Go to Dellasandros and get extra onions!

370 Intrepid  Mon, May 12, 2008 7:02:07pm

re: #288 Dr. Shalit

" 'trep " -

If the US Embassy in Israel were in Gaza - all 'y'all might see an instant ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT.

-S-

I'd like to hope that the US Embassy would move to Jerusalem before Gaza. But if that would get a few Marine companies or battalions sent into Gaza, with some very loosely defined orders, then hey - I'd not cry to loudly.

BTW - Dr S, meant to mention while ago, but my prayers are for the safety, health and speedy return for Gilad (who bears part of your sig). And for his family there waiting for him.

371 Killgore Trout  Mon, May 12, 2008 7:02:31pm

re: #364 Charles

Ed Morrissey agrees too.

372 Catttt  Mon, May 12, 2008 7:02:53pm

re: #344 A Kiwi Infidel

The moment he opened his mouth and declared "that this constant wound, that this constant sore, does infect all of our foreign policy." he told us what is in his heart.

I tend to agree, because of Senator Obama's history of doing exactly that on a number of issues. He can later explain away the hidden meaning, but his heart speaks. He really means it when he says he doesn't want his daughter "punished with a baby." He means it when he says "bitter" small towners "cling" to guns and God. He really sees a "sore" when Israel is brought up.

I'm sure he is not doing it on purpose, but it is really weird that he can't stop doing it. His very glibness embroiders what is in his heart into the carefully crafted sound bites.

373 bryantms  Mon, May 12, 2008 7:02:59pm

Look I don't care whether he called Israel a constant sore or the situation with Israel a constant sore -- there's hardly a difference.

Bottom line - Obama is not capable of a respectable foreign policy. This is demonstrated with meeting with rogue nations as well as his horrid stance on Israel illustrated here.

374 Ma Sands  Mon, May 12, 2008 7:02:59pm

re: #341 sparrowlake

From the portion you quoted:

The lack of a resolution to this problem provides an excuse for anti-American militant jihadists to engage in inexcusable actions


Therein lies the proof.........the words "provides an excuse". --the word "provide", to be even more exact. The concept of "lying", "murder", "terrorism", annihilate all Israel, and Jews" is what the truth is, and what is not in that word "provide".

375 Syrah  Mon, May 12, 2008 7:03:36pm

re: #353 Sharmuta

I missed that- good catch. I don't think it's strange- I think it's insulting.

Thats what bothered me. It seemed like a kind of a revealing insult by its suggestion that a peoples "anguish" can be worked into an art, making it somehow less genuine, and more of an edifice or a sales campaign.

376 brainwizard73  Mon, May 12, 2008 7:03:58pm

re: #276 Intrepid

How many from Trinity United? I put the over/under at 6 1/2

377 pingjockey  Mon, May 12, 2008 7:04:06pm

re: #367 sparrowlake
Why, thank you very much.
OT but, Glen Beck tonite said they're trying to get polar bears on the endangered species list to stop any drilling. Well, whenever the first count was done 20-30 years ago there were 5k polar bears, now there's 25k polar bears. gorebull warming my butt!

378 onepistoffyid  Mon, May 12, 2008 7:04:08pm

re: #341 sparrowlake

IMHO Obama is not calling Israel a wound or a sore. He is referring to the settlement issue. He is not even calling the settlements themselves a sore - it is the dispute over the settlements. It is no secret that I can't stand Obama, but the unfairness of the lead to this blog is crystal clear to me from the transcript and context.

Bullshit, it is clear what B. Hussein meant, once again the jews are the problem because they won't hop on the cattlecars without making a fuss....that is the sore.

This is right out of the Ron Paul, Jimmy Carter, Walt and Mearsheimer playbook....Israel is the root of all our problems with the Arab Muslim world (don't mention that the first and longest war this nation ever had was with the Arab MUslim War, long before Israel existed).

379 taxfreekiller[deleted]  Mon, May 12, 2008 7:05:22pm
380 brainwizard73  Mon, May 12, 2008 7:06:24pm

re: #277 Mardukhai

As a journalist, you give a pass to someone if they clean up a remark right after they say it...that makes sense. Obama didn't exactly attempt to clarify anything there...looks like he said what he meant.

381 katemaclaren  Mon, May 12, 2008 7:06:33pm

re: #369 brainwizard73

Go to Dellasandros and get extra onions!

That's not too far away, either. That'll warm me up! One of my students did her research paper on ...ready for this--cheesesteaks.

382 A Kiwi Infidel  Mon, May 12, 2008 7:06:36pm

re: #363 ted


Christopher Hitchens is an arrogant athiest a-hole.

383 Sharmuta  Mon, May 12, 2008 7:06:46pm

re: #375 Syrah

The irony being that if anyone has turned their "moral anguish" into an art form, I would have to say it's the palis.

384 sparrowlake  Mon, May 12, 2008 7:06:55pm

re: #351 jaunte

It would be clearer if O just came right out and said "East Jerusalem' is a constant sore, but he's being crafty and not overdefining 'settlement policy.'

You may be perfectly correct, but he didn't go that far and I'm glad he didn't.

385 NoSubmission  Mon, May 12, 2008 7:07:15pm

It doesn't even matter how Obama meant it. It is simply music to our enemies' ears. Dinnerjacket just convulsed in orgasmic joy.

386 Bloodnok  Mon, May 12, 2008 7:07:17pm

re: #375 Syrah

Thats what bothered me. It seemed like a kind of a revealing insult by its suggestion that a peoples "anguish" can be worked into an art, making it somehow less genuine, and more of an edifice or a sales campaign.

Fantastic take, IMHO

387 miguelj  Mon, May 12, 2008 7:07:18pm

Oh, c'mon - let's be fair, huh? I'm not going to vote for Obama, but what he clearly means is that the lack of resolution of the 60-year-old Israel-Palestine crisis is a constant sore. Tell me it's not.
Anyway, read the full article & you'll see that he says (mostly) the right things about Israel. Is he sincere or just shamming? Unfortunately, we will all likely have a chance to find out. But in the meantime: be fair, willya?

388 Cognito  Mon, May 12, 2008 7:07:21pm

re: #378 onepistoffyid

Bullshit, it is clear what B. Hussein meant, once again the jews are the problem because they won't hop on the cattlecars without making a fuss....that is the sore.

Got to tell you, man.

When people say junk like that, it only muddies what could be an otherwise clear criticism of Barack Obama. Yes, he's the most leftist senator in America. Yes, he's inexperienced. Yes, he's shown a bizarre inclination to either bomb or converse with some not-so-friendly nations.

But no. He doesn't want to gas the Jews.

389 M. Bensson-Levi  Mon, May 12, 2008 7:07:24pm

New avatar. Not bad, huh?

OK, I'm outta here. Play nice.

390 Roger  Mon, May 12, 2008 7:07:29pm

re: #371 Killgore Trout

Considering the sore being the conflict, the focus is on OB's mirror; which he will not shove into the faces of Hamas or Hezbollah. OB reserves his mirror for Israel. He holds Israel responsible for the 'sore'.

391 song_and_dance_man[deleted]  Mon, May 12, 2008 7:07:31pm
392 Opinionated  Mon, May 12, 2008 7:07:33pm

If it is "the conflict" and not Israel that is the sore, I dare Obama to tell us why the sore never heals.

Who constantly pours salt in the wound?

Who pricks it open?

Who rips off the bandage?

Who's at fault Senator?

393 glargfaz  Mon, May 12, 2008 7:08:18pm

re: #192 Cognito

Exactly. As much as I love Charles, LGF, et al., and I *cannot*
stand BHO; in fairness, BHO is (effectively but not literally)
misquoted in the title of this thread.

In a transcript, one can't tell how rapidly the questions are coming
following the previous answer, and it is clear BHO "in context" (I hate
to use that term) is still talking about settlements (before and after
the interlocutor's quoted question).

I COMPLETELY disagree with BHO's assessment of settlements
as a "constant wound" or "constant sore", but I think LGF should
be at least fair about addressing the Marxist-phony-opportunistic-
hypocritical-squirmy-Chicago-machine jerk. (I think that a fair
and defensible adjective, but perhaps "jerk" is unfair.)

So there.

394 Carolyn  Mon, May 12, 2008 7:08:31pm

BHO's childhood moslem upbringing,
20 years in TUCC, where hate is the main course,
BHO's friends and associations (radicals),
Now this....why would anyone think he is on Israel's side?
Why would anyone believe he is on AmeriKKKa's side?

395 x-ray  Mon, May 12, 2008 7:09:01pm

The quote is telling IMHO not because in this particular speech he slipped. It's telling because in all his speeches I have been surprised to not hear it sooner.

This attitude/undertone is always there just today he slipped and said his feelings out loud and quotable.

396 Alouette  Mon, May 12, 2008 7:09:10pm

re: #351 jaunte

It would be clearer if O just came right out and said "East Jerusalem' is a constant sore, but he's being crafty and not overdefining 'settlement policy.'

I don't know why not, Condi already has.

397 jaunte  Mon, May 12, 2008 7:09:15pm

re: #384 sparrowlake

You may be perfectly correct, but he didn't go that far and I'm glad he didn't.

What do you think he means by "settlement policy?"

398 DesertSage  Mon, May 12, 2008 7:09:27pm

The MSM is really pushing this guy (Obama) on the population at large, and they're pushing him hard.
They will give him a pass on just about anything...short of murder.

There are forces at work (and the MSM is a co-conspirator) that will stop at nothing to get this man in the White House. These forces believe that we as a nation will all be unified if Obama is president. All you have to do is go along with his program. If you don't, if you disagree with his Leftist agenda...there will be ramifications.
Don't be surprised if you see re-education camps and political prisoners in the near future. The Left will not look kindly on dissenters. You will be punished for not marching in lockstep with their viewpoints. The Left can be vicious, there will be no leniency.

I see very bad things coming to this country if Obama is elected. And bad things for Israel too. This will be a very dangerous time in history. Obama is the point man (or dare I say...puppet) for a vast Leftist/Fascist takeover of America....led by none other than George Soros himself.
Things are going to change very quickly, and if you don't fall in line, if you cherish your freedom and liberty above their so called unity, then you'd better watch your back.

Or better yet...do everything you possibly can now to keep Obama from getting elected.

I'm not kidding!

399 hazzyday  Mon, May 12, 2008 7:09:37pm

Obama's 57 states


GWB would have been crucified in the media by this.

400 WrathofG-d  Mon, May 12, 2008 7:09:49pm

Well, the neighborhood bully, he's just one man,
His enemies say he's on their land.
They got him outnumbered about a million to one,
He got no place to escape to, no place to run.
He's the neighborhood bully.

The neighborhood bully just lives to survive,
He's criticized and condemned for being alive.
He's not supposed to fight back, he's supposed to have thick skin,
He's supposed to lay down and die when his door is kicked in.
He's the neighborhood bully.

The neighborhood bully been driven out of every land,
He's wandered the earth an exiled man.
Seen his family scattered, his people hounded and torn,
He's always on trial for just being born.
He's the neighborhood bully.

Well, he knocked out a lynch mob, he was criticized,
Old women condemned him, said he should apologize.
Then he destroyed a bomb factory, nobody was glad.
The bombs were meant for him.
He was supposed to feel bad.
He's the neighborhood bully.

Well, the chances are against it and the odds are slim
That he'll live by the rules that the world makes for him,
'Cause there's a noose at his neck and a gun at his back
And a license to kill him is given out to every maniac.
He's the neighborhood bully.

He got no allies to really speak of.
What he gets he must pay for, he don't get it out of love.
He buys obsolete weapons and he won't be denied
But no one sends flesh and blood to fight by his side.
He's the neighborhood bully.

Well, he's surrounded by pacifists who all want peace,
They pray for it nightly that the bloodshed must cease.
Now, they wouldn't hurt a fly.
To hurt one they would weep.
They lay and they wait for this bully to fall asleep.
He's the neighborhood bully.

Every empire that's enslaved him is gone,
Egypt and Rome, even the great Babylon.
He's made a garden of paradise in the desert sand,
In bed with nobody, under no one's command.
He's the neighborhood bully.

Now his holiest books have been trampled upon,
No contract he signed was worth what it was written on.
He took the crumbs of the world and he turned it into wealth,
Took sickness and disease and he turned it into health.
He's the neighborhood bully.

What's anybody indebted to him for?
Nothin', they say.
He just likes to cause war.
Pride and prejudice and superstition indeed,
They wait for this bully like a dog waits to feed.
He's the neighborhood bully.

What has he done to wear so many scars?
Does he change the course of rivers?
Does he pollute the moon and stars?
Neighborhood bully, standing on the hill,
Running out the clock, time standing still,
Neighborhood bully.

401 Dr. Shalit  Mon, May 12, 2008 7:09:56pm

re: #370 Intrepid

" 'trep' " -


Thanks, what more can I say. -S-

402 itellu3times  Mon, May 12, 2008 7:09:57pm

re: #351 jaunte

It would be clearer if O just came right out and said "East Jerusalem' is a constant sore, but he's being crafty and not overdefining 'settlement policy.'

Crafty? You think he knows things in that much detail? I don't.

403 Sharmuta  Mon, May 12, 2008 7:10:11pm

re: #387 miguelj

I read it loud and clear- Israeli policy is the sore, therefore it's Israel that's the problem, not the conflict.

404 Charles  Mon, May 12, 2008 7:10:12pm

re: #393 glargfaz

Exactly. As much as I love Charles, LGF, et al., and I *cannot*
stand BHO; in fairness, BHO is (effectively but not literally)
misquoted in the title of this thread.

In a transcript, one can't tell how rapidly the questions are coming
following the previous answer, and it is clear BHO "in context" (I hate
to use that term) is still talking about settlements (before and after
the interlocutor's quoted question).

I COMPLETELY disagree with BHO's assessment of settlements
as a "constant wound" or "constant sore", but I think LGF should
be at least fair about addressing the Marxist-phony-opportunistic-
hypocritical-squirmy-Chicago-machine jerk. (I think that a fair
and defensible adjective, but perhaps "jerk" is unfair.)

So there.

No, he is not misquoted. Every quote in my post is a direct, documented quote. You may disagree with my interpretation, but there is nothing dishonest about it.

405 Geepers  Mon, May 12, 2008 7:10:17pm

Here's a new twist on an old scam:

Assalam alakom

I got your email address through search in the Internet.

I hope in the name of ALLAH that I have the right person who will
assist me.

I want to transfer money for investment into your country as such I
would like to make contact with people like you residing in that
country for assistance .

Note,the funds are already with a security company which has branches in every continent for safe keeping. If you are willing to assist me.

You will help me collect the funds from the Security Company as I
cannot travel out from iraq at the moment because of certain conditions which I will explain to you if we work together(my travelling documents are not yet complete).

The fall of Saddam Hussein has brought destruction / Hell to our great country and everything is practically difficult now and opportuinities are closing up,the new government is trying to frustrate our businesses.

Please if you accept this offer of assistance you are required to give
me your Name, age, occupation, address also enclosing your telephone fax numbers
. What I now need from you are as follows:

1. You should go to the Security Company to secure the funds in cash on my behalf and open a Bank account in your country for me with the credentials i will give you.

2. You will be entitled to 30% of the total sum involved for your
assistance.

3. As soon as you confirm to me by e-mail your readiness to travel to the Security Company, I will send the PIN code number of the
consignment to you and also the security Company's information.

4. I will also most importantly know if you have the apprioprate travel documents and send to me your travelling documents for my proceedings over here.

5. Please note that this project is 100% risk free but you must keep it very secret and confidential with strong assurance that you will not let me down at all.

I expect your prompt reply.

Wasalam,

Abdullah Gh Al-qassab

406 Catttt  Mon, May 12, 2008 7:10:37pm

You see why, when asked off the cuff what he thought about Pres. Carter schmoozing with Hamas - he said - let me eat my waffle? He can't be trusted not to trip over his tongue.

407 itellu3times  Mon, May 12, 2008 7:11:58pm

I am at least reassured that Condi will be able to keep her job in the new Obama administration.

408 nyc redneck  Mon, May 12, 2008 7:12:11pm

for a harvard educated person, he is incredibly inept in using the english language. too many odd and absurd word choices and basic mistakes. punished w/ a baby, israel is a sore, there are 57 states, typical white person, bitter people clinging to guns and religion, decided not to wear "that pin". it is embarrassing that this buffoon has gotten this far in the race for potus. i have met bums on the street w/ a cup in their hand who are more astute and intelligent than barack obama.

409 katemaclaren  Mon, May 12, 2008 7:12:41pm

re: #382 A Kiwi Infidel

Christopher Hitchens is an arrogant athiest a-hole.

oh oh oh please don't mention the a-word. We've had enough of those discussions, I hope!
Aside from that, of course, you are absolutely right.

410 NoSubmission  Mon, May 12, 2008 7:13:07pm

re: #408 nyc redneck

for a harvard educated person, he is incredibly inept in using the english language. too many odd and absurd word choices and basic mistakes. punished w/ a baby, israel is a sore, there are 57 states, typical white person, bitter people clinging to guns and religion, decided not to wear "that pin". it is embarrassing that this buffoon has gotten this far in the race for potus. i have met bums on the street w/ a cup in their hand who are more astute and intelligent than barack obama.


But, but, but he's... articulate!

411 brainwizard73  Mon, May 12, 2008 7:13:32pm

re: #381 katemaclaren

That's not too far away, either. That'll warm me up! One of my students did her research paper on ...ready for this--cheesesteaks.

Sounds like my kind of class. I know everyone talks about Pat's and Geno's (no diss here) but they aren't the only places in Philly. I married into a Philly family...so I got more than just the Fodor's version of Philly landmarks.

412 Dr. Shalit  Mon, May 12, 2008 7:14:00pm

re: #383 Sharmuta

re: #383 Sharmuta

The irony being that if anyone has turned their "moral anguish" into an art form, I would have to say it's the palis.

Sharm -

And that Art has turned into FARCE for all those willing to see.

-S-

413 pingjockey  Mon, May 12, 2008 7:14:04pm

re: #387 miguelj
Nope. I don't have to be fair. I am a conservative, retired navy vet and I don't trust that man half as far as I could throw him. He has never held a real job in the real world and has been friends and confidantes with people who would tear this country down.

414 onepistoffyid  Mon, May 12, 2008 7:14:28pm

re: #374 Ma Sands

From the portion you quoted:

Therein lies the proof.........the words "provides an excuse". --the word "provide", to be even more exact. The concept of "lying", "murder", "terrorism", annihilate all Israel, and Jews" is what the truth is, and what is not in that word "provide".

Exactly, The Jihadists use Israel as an excuse....an excuse is not a valid reason...therefore, what exactly is BHO trying to say needs resolution? If they are using Israel as an excuse, than shouldn't he be concentrating on the real problem and motive for terror?

415 Sharmuta  Mon, May 12, 2008 7:14:42pm

I don't see how placing it in the context of "the settlements" makes it any better. If anything- it makes it worse. He's clearly blaming Israel for the problem.

416 Catttt  Mon, May 12, 2008 7:15:12pm

Some of y'all, imho, are missing the point.

Senator O CAN reframe his quotes to say - see - that is not what I meant - but he constantly lets slip little clues. He thinks babies are a punishment, not a blessing. He thinks rural white people are God and gun loving bitter ignorant twits. He thinks Israel is a sore on our international policy. You all are doing Senator O's handlers' jobs for them. They will be along to explain how ignorant we are to hear the nuance.

417 Maine's Michael  Mon, May 12, 2008 7:15:31pm
"that this constant wound, that this constant sore, does infect all of our foreign policy."

The 'constant sore' is not Israeli 'settlements', because it 'infected' our foreign policy before there were 'settlements', before 1967. As well, it is not ISreali 'settlements' that are the main arab complaints, it is ISrael, itself. That it exists. The 'settlements' are just the latest excuse, co