Thursday, July 27, 2006

Yet Another Inconvenient Truth

Question Asked and Answered

European leaders attending a Mideast conference Wednesday in Rome discussed plans to push for a cease-fire in Lebanon. Lucking out on C-Span I saw this exchange in the group press conference which followed it. Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Saniora accepted a challenging question from an Israeli journalist:

QUESTION:
Prime Minister Siniora, I'm an Israeli journalist from (inaudible) And I hope I'm not embarrassing you by my direct question.

If you were in Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's shoes, would you react differently to the abduction to two Israelis soldiers inside the territory of Israel? And are you calling for the disarm of Hezbollah in order to reach a lasting cease-fire?
SINIORA:
Well, that's a good question.

I believe that everybody has realized that there has been crossing across the Blue Line. But the reaction of Israel really shows that as Israel has already a well-prepared plan for reaction. And the retaliation is definitely by the judgment of all concerned is disproportionate with what has happened.

Moreover, I believe if I were, let's say, in the position of Mr. Olmert, I would really move directly toward solving the real problems.

Let me tell you, throughout the past years, did any of the actions that Israel committed over the years bring additional security and safety to Israel? Not at all. It did not bring at all any safety or security.

What brings security and safety is the ability of Israel to really build good relations with its neighbors. And how this can be done is really going through the peace process, to see how we can build peace between Israel and the Arab countries on the basis of what really was offered by the Arab countries in the Arab summit in the year 2002.

This is what can really put an end to the hostilities and the war in the Middle East.

Otherwise, things will continue; it will move from one hostility to the other, from one crisis to the other.

The Arabs, they have made their point and they are serious. And I think it's high time for Israel to realize that this is the real way how to really make peace in that region. It is actually historic deeds -- would require historic men. And I think these deeds are really waiting for historic men to do it.

I think the Arabs, they have done it, they have said what they want. They said they want peace. It is high time for Israel to really solve all these issues, starting with Lebanon; to give Lebanon back the occupied territories of Shebaa; and to really solve the problem of Gaza and the West Bank -- to go back to peace it really means.

This is how you can -- how the Israeli leaders can protect the Israelis, how they can really raise their children in prosperity and in peace in that region.
I invite readers to click on the photo, examine Condoleezza Rice's body language and offer captions.

38 comments:

  1. Condi is thinking to herself,

    "Oh no, not this again. Why is he bringing up all this old shit, NOW!?"

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  2. Siniora's rambling response to the inquiring mind is reminiscent of a White House press conference. While he manages to somehow string sentences together he is unable to express a logical thought. Israel has put up with the radical religious right for decades.

    Any fair thinking individual would know that the Middle Eastern view of Israel is purely racist, mixed with a dollop of envy. The kidnapping of Israel soldiers is an excuse to take care of business. Once again it doesn't take a great intellect to identify the obvious.

    Condi, clearly as confused as the rest, must suffer the frustrations of Job, given the travails of her boss and the less than realistic, albeit biased view of the State of Israel by the Arabian Knights.....

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  3. I saw this unusual event on TV, too. Condi seemed frazzled, desperate, plaintive, and whining.

    I am rather proud as an American that we are represented internationally by someone as gifted, talents, and attractive as Dr. Rice. She is more than just a pretty face. Of all of the architects of this abysmal policy, she's is the first one I think one could say, 'should know better.'

    It's just that she's in with the wrong crowd, selling the wrong snake oil. (Even the best attorneys lose when they have a weak case.)

    But historians and biographers will treat her well.

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  4. Aren't we giving Rice a bit too much slack here? Granted that, she is the classiest of the bunch but that's not saying too much. What I hear, Bush and Condi are as thight as Siamese twins and she visits the ranch more often than just about anybody. We all know what a visit to ranch means, don't we?

    Siniora's performance has been, in my estimation, restrained under the most horrendous circumstances and I haven't personnally heard anything but sensible suggestion coming out of his mouth. Must be this damn impairment that most of us foreigners have - we ain't speaking no American. :)

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  5. Pekka, I don't know what Mad Mike is referring to when he is attributing "a rambling response" to Siniora. The only fault I could assign the foreign minister is that he is talking about bygone days as if they are still recoverable. In other words, he's trying to convince himself and others that a two-state solution for Palestine is still possible. Maybe he can be accused of nostalgia?

    As far as your point on West Texas linguistics, Pekka, I've often made the point that when Americans' become impatient trying to follow the English of non-Americans, they conclude the Lebanese (in this case) is stupid. In fact, more likely than not, the speaker is multilingual in speech and a fluent reader and writer in many languages.

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  6. I agree with pekka, Condi is getting far to much slack. I had alway thought that she was one of the neocon planners of the Iraq war. While she may play the piano very well, she ain't doing very well in her day job.

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  7. A two-state solution is possible for Palestine, Vigilante. They won't be side-by-side, though.

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  8. Beach Bum, although I share Messenger's elevated esteem for Condi, I agree with you that her day job is not going well and (I have often hoped) she should maybe give it up. Too late for that, I'm afraid.

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  9. I find the posts on this site kind of intellectually equivalent of watching a group of spoiled kids playing video games and eating junk food. Seems most all the people do here is feed around the fringes of things.? This site is devoted to auguring the finer points of trying to interpret the insane machinations of a bunch of Price System flunky`s. Did you know that you here are a part of the problem.? Ever look in the mirror.? Why not call Rice what she is. A merciless religious crank. A believer in the revelation of the Bible. A cohort of the dumbest of the dumb. A person with a hatred for other belief systems, an unconcious pawn of the corporations. Her group would and will kill any number of people to make sure their tribal cult god comes out on top. Yahweh is the one they worship. Yahweh has a plan to take over the world. It is plain and simple, they will build a new Jerusalem. Oh you disagree.? I did not make it up they did. It says so in their Revelation. They will destroy the world so that it is remade in the tribal cult gods image. A Joke? - The other people that live in the area don`t think so. They have their own belief system. Their own criminal gang. It does not allow for the other. ------ Then there are crazy believers that feel they must destroy the other. Is that clear.?---- I hope the people on this site don`t get carpal tunnel in their minds from all the useless activity that goes on here. ----- I have seldom encountered such egoistic blathering. Condi is nothing more than a paid assassin for our system . By the way , any idiot can play the piano. Any idiot can also learn to speak Russian. To the person that said;" Any fair thinking individual would know that the middle eastern view of Israel is purely racist, mixed with a dollop of envy." I agree with you about it not taking a great intellect to identify the obvious , but not in the sense of your statement. I guess I have almost never read a sweeping generalization that was more obviously idiotic in my life. Race.? You idiot. This is about belief. I hope you know how to cross the street so you aren`t run over. Did you go to school.? Do you like to hear your voice, and think you can write, let alone think ? Or think critically. You can`t do either. It is not pretty listening to your Freudian stream of unconsciousness. These are two warring criminal gangs referred to as religions, by the challenged. Add another criminal gang called Christianity, and you get world war three. Wake up you dummies. You are only pawns being manipulated. Why not try and get at the underlying elements. --- Have you ever seen a dog chase its tail. Its kind of funny.. Most dogs though stop doing that when they get older. There are always dogs though that can`t be broken of bad habits. These car chasers often get run over . This site seems rather canine. And I don`t mean to demean dogs by saying that. At least dogs won`t bullshit you.

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  10. When I hear rambling I recognize it. Skippy did it...oh boy did he ever! It's totally fascinating and I am hoping that Vigil will graceously let it happen for otherwise this will turn into, as Skippy so smartly pointed out, dog chasing it's tail. Besides, I think his assesment of Condi is the one I could run with. Go Skippy Go! :)

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  11. Folks, check out Skip's site.

    It's not nuanced. There's no junk food, no useless activity, no egotistic blathering, no piano playing, no Russian spoken, no sweeping generalizations, no pawns manipulated, no tail-chasing dogs, no bull shit, dog shit or bird shit.

    And above all, no nuanced shit.

    Just one simple truth:

    Money is the root of all evil!

    If you're lucky enough to have some of the filthy stuff in your pockets, go to his site and confess your sins for you're part of his problem.

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  12. You know Vigilante,you are not as clever as you seem to think you are. In case you haven`t noticed I have taken over your site. If you are serious about your desire to stop the war/occupation or whatever, you might try to broaden your perspective. Please do not dumb down what I have to say. Apparently you have little to no respect for people or ideas. Why is that.? Perhaps this is just your style.? It is a bigger world than you think. You seem to occupy just a tiny corner. I have noticed there are some people here that may be interested in real solutions. You even may be. A political approach is not a real solution.//// Do you mistake nuance for something that involves you projecting your small circular labrythine ideas to the larger world.? Do you find actual free speech a little scary.? Why trivialize others so much.? Thank you Mr. Pecca by the way. You seem to have a restrained wit.

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  13. Sorry that was pekka , I meant to say.

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  14. God forbid a journalist asks a politician or diplomat an embarrassing question.

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  15. Skippy, please, don't get overly excited! I am far, far away from becoming your convert but, since you are an angry individual with ideas that are somewhat hazy to my pesant mentality, I would like Vigil let you do your frontal assaults for a change of pace. Besides, you haven't taken over anything and Vigil has a firm crip on this ship.

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  16. Took a look at your site, Skipper, at Vigilante's invitation. Looks like he's your only friend.

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  17. You know it is funny that both the left and right wing sites use a form of destructive humor. What makes you think I want any friends? Why would a friendship with a gnarly little backbiting anally thinking person such as yourself be of interest. I like to operate in the world of Ideas. Not one upmanship pseudo-intellectual banter. There is a big difference. The tone of argument here is egoistic. Not interesting. - Have I taken over.? That was a joke. In a sense it is true though. I am trying to elevate the proceeding here. Why.? Because I am an educator. Why pick on us you say.? I don`t know. For some reason you just piss me off. The whole lot of you. Are you really an angry individual.? Yes, and no. I do play one on the internet. A way to do this is by using something called a rhetorical polemic. This is a lost art. We have the Greeks to thank for it. ----- Back to Condi, I honestly think she is sexy, but I hate her.

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  18. You are trying to elevate the proceedings Skippy? I submit that your ravings rely more on personal attacks and less on logic. You say that you are an "educator", yet I find little indication in your ravings that your "education" has served you. I am an educator and you will find informed reasoning and some modicum of respect behind my thoughts and impressions. You will notice that your observations are the only ones laced with vitriol and ill informed opinions. I suggest you learn to "speak your truth quietly" Skippy, because many of us have learned to "avoid loud and aggressive persons as they are vexations to the spirit." By the way I also think Condi is sexy. Now trot along and take your medication....

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  19. Vigilante: As an American I must point out that we are no different than those of any nationality when trying to puzzle out the various dialects and nuances employed by foreigners when struggling with the English language. I have never once assumed that the sender was stupid. I speak several languages and I am hopeful that those who hear me stumble will be gracious enough to accept that I am more comfortable with my native tongue than with theirs.

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  20. I assume Mike that you teach 1st graders how to go to the toilet.? You sound like you are reclining on a golden divan,as you speak of vexing loud people. I get a mental image of a bloated Roman. You may as well have been ordered up from central casting as to prove my point about intellectually wimpy and egoistic posers here. I find the response`s I get here comical. I guess I didn`t bother to mention before that I am not a nice person.? I don`t pretend to be one either. I see that on this site there is a constant scratching of backs. Does it hurt when someone throws cold water in your face.? Even the more retarded of you are probably not made that way organically. I assume that it is brainwashing, and lack of caring. Btw, I would refuse to have sex with Condi, unless she really begged me. Then only reluctantly.

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  21. Skip you are wrong about the rationale for the hatred of the Jews by Muslims. It is all about race, with Judaism defined as an ethnic culture. The religion issue is purely coincidental and is often confused with the real cause of their bitter conflict. The Nazi pogrom (1933-1945) was all about ethnicity and nothing about religious beliefs. It is the culture that is hated and religion is just part of it. You should do your research before you start belittling others, especially university professors. As to Condi she is the brightest of the bunch and I would do her in a heartbeat.

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  22. P.S. I suspect that the envy Mike mentions is that felt by large segments of the Middle Eastern population. The fact that the younger people identify, or wish to, with the West is what causes the old Mullahs the most concern. They are afraid that the Theocrats are on the way out so they wage war and oppress their people to hold on to their power. When it comes to personal power Muhammad has little to do with it. The same applies in the U.S. When it comes to power Jesus is just an excuse.

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  23. I find some of the comments here disappointingly demeaning and sexist.

    How dear some of you suggest sacking Condi, for grying out loud!Don't you have any sense of propriety and class? Where the hell does this kind of disgusting slime oozes from?

    Besides, I personaly would hump Madelain Albright any time and place rather than that young skinny as a rake chick, Condi.

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  24. I think Ravenmine your post might be the most ignorant one I have experienced here yet. I hope it is not this so called university professor who has been feeding you ideas. Are you sure this person is not a horse doctor.?

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  25. Pekka, your comment on Madeleine Albright causes me, for the very first time, to question your judgment.

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  26. As far as Albright,I can see it. Variety is the spice of life.

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  27. Maddy Albright Pekka? Good grief :-)

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  28. Maddy Albright Pekka? Good grief :-)Then again you are in good company. I mean Jiffy agrees with you! Sorry! I mean Skippy :-)

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  29. OK, fellows, listen good because I am not going to repeat it and, this will be my dead last comment on the subject of who's who on a sacking departement, Maddy or Condi?

    It is a well acknowledged fact that women and vine possess the same qualities - when they mature their quality improves. Young chick is like a blonk that haven't aquired character and subtle nuances that only a careful againg can produce.

    Young firm bodied blond is like a horse shit on a hot pavement, attracting thousands of flies to puzz around and trying to get a peace of the action. Just like a blob of horse manure, young hottie doesn't/can't fully appreciate the attention it attracts where as an old mature one would be flattered to an extreme.

    Condi is getting all the attention she can handle (especially when the boots are on), where as Maddy is left for predators such as Skippy and me. Hyphothetically, lets assume that Vigil, for instance, would get a crack at Condi. Do you think that her performance would be great and inspired based on her previous lack of chances? Of course not! She propably would concider you as just another ho-hum and forgetable sap in a long line of others. With Maddy, it propably would be a Fourth of July fire-works combined with the second coming of Jesus, if you know what I mean?

    Did I hear you saying - what about the looks? You are such a bunch of skin-deep egoists but then again it's your funereal. While Skippy and I are having a ride of the life-time, you buzz desperately around your Play Boy Bunnies and getting nothing. Besides, you must be aware of two handy inventions called CURTAINS an LIGHTS. Alcohol, drugs, keeping your eyes closed and thinking of PB Bunnies helps, too.

    I pitty you fools! (wow, I am starting to sound like Skippy)

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  30. Pekka, I'll cop to being a proven victim for any woman who has looks and brains. Condoleezza, (what a beautiful name- melts in your mouth doesn't it?), when she first ascended to Secretariat of State had both, especially strutting around in her boots. Now that she has been forced by circumstances - some of her own making - to preside over the slicing up of the Lebanon salami, she appears not to have been that smart, walking tip-toe on eggs and, (I hate to say it), a little used.

    I'll take a pass. But don't look for me to get in line behind you and Skippy, either. The close to Madeleine as I'm going to get will be to read her book.

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  31. Condi's a little used?

    Vigilante, Canadians say it a little differently: "Ridden hard and put away wet."

    Who do you think her 'stage hubby' could be, huh?

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  32. The much-maligned Skip Sievert has the last statement on topic here.

    Having said that, I just want to paraphrase (on topic) Zev Chafets, Slurring More Than His Words, that had Mel Gibson ranted that Zionists, Likudniki, Israelis, neocons like Paul Wolfowitz and Richard Perle were behind all the world's wars, he would have been right-on in my book.

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  33. "Bother, I left the oven on."

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  34. I'm not sure about a caption for Condi, but we need a caption to go with Siniora's hand actions that's perhaps more interesting than what he really had to say?

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  35. According to the latest Gallup/CNN poll:

    Condaleeza Approval at 62%
    Bush Disapproval at 58%

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