Russia to send envoy to try to defuse the crisis

[JackNewtown]

==Bush declined to endorse the Russian leader's call for such a cease-fire, saying instead that Hezbollah was largely responsible for the violence and should halt its attacks on Israel.

``I think all parties here want the violence to stop,'' Bush said today after a meeting with Putin ahead of the G-8 summit of leading industrialized nations in St. Petersburg, Russia. ``The best way for us to stop the violence is for Hezbollah to lay down its arms.''

The U.S. president's stance distances him from other G-8 leaders, including Putin, who yesterday called for a cease-fire and announced he is sending a special envoy to the region to try to broker a peace agreement. Other leaders, including British Prime Minister Tony Blair and French President Jacques Chirac, have called for Israel to exercise restraint and scale back its response to Hezbollah's rocket attacks on Israel and the capture of Israeli soldiers.

``It is absolutely unacceptable to try to reach political goals through the use of force,'' Putin said through a translator at a joint news conference with Bush after their meeting. ``At the same time, we work under the assumption that the use of force should be balanced. In any case, bloodshed should stop as soon as possible.'' ===

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=asnWVDKNYa8Q&refer=worldwide_news

[rodeodance]

1. so, it is Bush is once again slow to step up to the plate (Putin sends in

a broker).

Damm.

[VegasWolf]

2. BUBBLE-BOY hasn't gotten his Cheney feed in yet telling him what to do.

:nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke::nuke:

[PATRICK]

12. As in every crisis

Where IS Cheney? No one disappears faster while Bush is on guitar, chain saw or pork rind. I take it he is buried in the REAL situation room somewhere with his fellow puppet masters and shadow government.

But he is not the "President" so the media never wonders.

[IChing]

3. "Just Wait"

Was Bush's reply
like Katrina
like the memo on Bin Laden is suppose to attack the US with Airplanes.

[Tellurian]

8. WOW!! Putin taking on the role of "SuperPower Broker!!!"

while Bush sits on the sidelines paralyzed in fear...
waiting for orders from headquarters...Like he did for 9/11,
like he did for Katrina...

How un presidential is that?

[mom cat]

18. Bet he doesn't even have his Goat Book handy for self soothing!

[JackNewtown]

19. It is sad

Under Gore or Kerry the US would be taking a leadership role in this crisis. Who would have thought a few years ago that the world would have to turn to Moscow, not Washington, to try to solve a crucial Middle East crisis?

[daleo]

4. Russia doesn't exactly have clean hands (e.g. Chechnya)

But, it is still worthwhile to send someone to try to start the jawing rather than the warring.

[The Stranger]

11. Russia should be praised for this -- where is the U.S.?

[daleo]

13. Bush may be eating some birthday cake

Or strumming on a guitar.
Or reading a childrens' book.

[Vidar]

15. Putin is trying to do the right thing, at least.

[JackNewtown]

20. Bush is AWOL again

[lonestarnot]

5. Oh more comfort food- thought. I'm ready for that knap now.

[Aristus]

6. Envoys from Russia to try to defuse the crisis.

Isn't this something we used to do once upon a time?

[Cush]

7. in a galaxy far, far away

[lutefisk]

9. The USA is officially out of the peace business

The rest of the world has to find ways to work around the malicious idiocy of our government while humoring Bush, Inc. at the same time. I am so ashamed of what this government has become.

[Tellurian]

14. Putin, has to be thrilled at this opportunity for all the World to see

what a Third Rate Country the US has become.

Having Bush under a microscope, watching his every move, every thought (if there is one)
every word he utters profiled by his secret service. By the time
Bush leaves the G8 Summit his weaknesses and strengths(?) will be
documented and recorded for future business transactions.

The erosion of US prestige and influence has come full circle to
an undeniable low ebb. We all knew of Bush's ineptitude under pressure.
But now, his true self has been laid bare for all the world to see.

From this, there will be no recovery. No amount of media spin will ever
be enough to cover the deep humiliation suffered by the US'failure to respond
in a crisis situation.

[lutefisk]

21. Bush is a spoiled 13 year old bully in a man's body

Can foreign intelligence services really wrap their minds around that? I really wonder how they profile him- do they believe, as Clinton claims, that he is actually a shrewd politician we underestimate at our own peril, or have they figured out that Junior is just a coddled idiot? It must be so, so very difficult for world leaders to pretend to carry on a conversation with our Chimperor. It's obvious to the citizens of the world, so the "leaders" must realize it, too.

[The Stranger]

10. Someone save the planet from the catastrophic imbecility in the White Hous

He is too fucking stupid to even begin to understand what it means to be a leader, and the world is being fucked into oblivion as a result.

[Spazito]

16. I am glad to see a world leader step up to the plate and try to defuse

this crisis.

Edited to add: It is obvious bush is totally incapable of it as are any of his cabal.

[Gregorian]

17. It's time for the intelligent people to step in. Get out of the way, Bush.

Maybe someone could just put a keg in front of W, and he'll drink himself into oblivion while we sort out the mess.

[Penndems]

22. The Russians CAN, but we CAN'T?!

Good God, does this ever make the U.S. - the world's only remaining superpower - look weak.

Follow-up on this topic:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=2725672&mesg_id=2725672

[Skittles]

24. we can but we won't

f***ing incompetence yet again

[Corgigal]

23. Thank goodness someone is trying something

This adminstration wants it to go to hell in a handbasket. More options for Cheney and crowd.
At least someone is trying to stop the killing.