By Michael J. Smith on Wednesday July 19, 2006 08:24 AM
Just ran across this unsurprising but accurate UPI report, with the stop-the-presses headline "Experts: Islam-U.S. relations at nadir." You don't say. Among other gems:
The Israeli attack on Lebanon with apparent American blessing only reinforces that view [i.e. negative attitudes toward the US], said Muqtedar Khan, a fellow at the Brookings Institution, and a periodic adviser to the White House.So -- is anybody really surprised that likable, humane, witty Barbara Boxer, Marin County arch-liberal, has lined right up with the other bloody-jowled dawgs of war -- the Liebermans, the Clintons -- in howling her approval of whatever monstrosity Israel chooses to commit? Can I have a show of hands, please? What, nobody? -- Oh, there you are, Kos. Thanks for your candor."The way we have abandoned Lebanon, I'm not very sure if any moderate Muslims will be able to take a risk (and move toward democracy,)" he said.
Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., disputed that point, saying the Israeli attack was a result of Hezbollah's aggression, and Iranian patronage.
Comments (3)
I like this line:
"Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., disputed that point, saying the Israeli attack was a result of Hezbollah's aggression, and Iranian patronage."
It certainly needs to be juxtaposed with this comment from Robert Fisk in the Independent on Sunday:
Posted by Tim D | July 19, 2006 9:34 AM
Posted on July 19, 2006 09:34
Stanley Rogouski over at sums it up better than I could:
"In other words, on ex-Republican millionaire securing the Democratic nomination for the Senate in a small liberal northeastern state means very little. The Democratic Party’s grassroots are putting all their eggs in Connecticut’s basket. There is no national push to knock out pro-war Democrats. There is no support for Jonathan Tasini on any of the big Democratic Party weblogs so enthusiastic in their support for Ned Lamont. Robert Menendez, a co-sponsor of the flag burning amendment, receives enthusiastic support on the Daily Kos and on other liberal Democratic websites. Robert Casey, the anti-abortion, right wing Democratic challenger to Rick Santorum will get no serious opposition. While the Democratic Party’s elite will trumpet Ned Lamont as a reason to abandon the anti-war movement, to give up organizing mass non-violent protest, don’t listen to them."
Posted by AlanSmithee | July 19, 2006 10:26 AM
Posted on July 19, 2006 10:26
Want to understand Hillary, Boxer, et al?
Follow the money. They are.
If the Mafia contributed the same amount of money to their campaigns as do suppoprters of Israel, if its public face occupied a similarly "respectable" place in the society, why...they'd be speaking up against the RICO laws.
Until all campaigns are publicly financed this same sort of special interest lobbying will be successful. It is simply too expensive to be elected Senator or President for it to work any OTHER way.
Checks.
That's all they wrote.
NO balances. Just checks.
AG
Posted by Arthur Gilroy | July 19, 2006 4:34 PM
Posted on July 19, 2006 16:34