Dean attacks Bush on Middle East

[madfloridian]

US Democratic opposition chief attacks Bush on Middle East

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060721/pl_afp/mideastconflictusrice_060721212250

"The fact remains that the Bush administration has failed to substantially engage in the very difficult arena of Middle East peacemaking over the past six years," Dean said.

Dean said the Republican administration had to keep channels open with all regional players, despite its refusal to deal with either Syria or Iran, which it views as state sponsors of terror.

"Refusing to engage while talking tough and ignoring international problems is not a foreign policy. We must have a foreign policy that is both tough and smart," said Dean

AFP/Getty Images/File - Fri Jul 21, 5:22 PM ET Democratic National Committee chairman and former presidential hopeful Howard Dean, seen here in May 2006, accused US President George W. Bush of losing control of the Middle East by neglecting specific regional powers.

[Gloria]

1. Thank you, Dr. Dean.

[ellisonz]

2. The Good Doctor hits the mark...

as always.

:dem:

[Pharaoh]

3. way to go howie

I really love this guy!:party:

[madfloridian]

4. Comments on Condi's visit....also comments by Reid, Biden.

"Democratic National Committee chairman and former White House hopeful Howard Dean said Rice's planned regional tour was an "important first step" but that she would have trouble finding a solution of the Lebanese conflict."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060721/pl_afp/mideastconflictusrice_060721224340

"But two other top Democrats urged Bush on Friday to appoint a special Middle East envoy "of stature" -- like he does with North Korea -- because Rice's trip would be short and include a minimal number of stops in the region.

"Given the high stakes involved, we are surprised to learn that Secretary Rice will stop only briefly in the region next week," Senators Harry Reid and Joseph Biden wrote in an open letter to Bush.

"The United States needs someone of stature, who can speak on your behalf, who can begin to put the pieces of a political settlement together and who can dedicate the time on the ground in the region to achieve results," the letter said."

[Cha]

5. KNR!

Dean is pointing out that the bushits are once again turning a Blind eye to the Middle East Nightmare!

bush was asked about the Middle East Flare Up when he was in Germany and he told the reporters that he thought they were going to ask him about "The Pig".

He wishes they would have asked him about the Pig..cause that's all he can handle. Speaking of handlers..they were mia.

[madfloridian]

6. Give the Yahoo story a mark up.

If you don't mind.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060721/pl_afp/mideastconflictusrice_060721212250

[stepnw1f]

7. Bush and His Neo-Nazi Neo-Cons Have to be brought to Justice

the Hague preferably.

[Mass]

8. Great - Now may be they can ask for a cease-fire to give peace a chance.

[madfloridian]

9. "direct negotiations with all the people of the Middle East."

This is about all we will get right now, I fear.

"Refusing to engage while talking tough and ignoring international problems is not a foreign policy. We must have a foreign policy that is both tough and smart," said Dean.

He called for "direct negotiations with all the people of the Middle East."

[Mass]

10. Good - They could still call for a cease fire. I am not only aiming at

Dean here, but at all Democratic leaders and particularly in the House and the Senate.

Direct negotiations can take months and innocent civilians can die in-between. I do not think this is what Dean or most of the Dems want, so why not ask Bush to ask for a cease-fire as most other European countries do.

[madfloridian]

11. Why not? Good idea.

I don't see anyone rushing to be first though. :-)

[Mass]

12. I agree and this makes me sad.

[madfloridian]

13. Afraid to speak out against Israel. Remember the Pelosi letter?

They remember the letter Dean got from a bunch of Democratic congressman when he spoke out during the campaign about being fair to both sides.

September 10, 2003

The Honorable Howard Dean
P.O. Box 1228
Burlington, VT 05402

Dear Governor Dean:

We are writing to respond to your comments on the Middle East at a recent
campaign event and in Tuesday's candidate debate and explain why we believe
it is wrong to say the U.S. should "not take sides" in the
Israeli-Palestinian dispute.

American foreign policy has been - and must continue to be - based on
unequivocal support for Israel's right to exist and to be free from terror.
The Palestinians have at best been ambivalent about their willingness to
accept Israel's existence and from Yasir Arafat on down they have promoted
or acquiesced in the use of terrorism as a tactic in their struggle. It is
unacceptable for the U.S. to be "evenhanded" on these fundamental issues.

All of us want a genuine peace process to succeed, and all of us accept the
legitimacy of a Palestinian state once the Palestinian leadership and people
recognize Israel's right to exist as a Jewish state and not only renounce
the use of violence but at last take action to dismantle the terrorist
infrastructure inside the Palestinian Authority. Time and time again, the
Israeli people have shown their willingness to take risks for peace. But
they will only do so with the knowledge that U.S. support for Israel will
not waver.

It is important for America to help facilitate a peaceful resolution of the
conflict, but in playing this role we must be true to our values and make
sure that all parties clearly understand our policies. This is not a time to
be sending mixed messages; on the contrary, in these difficult times we must
reaffirm our unyielding commitment to Israel's survival and raise our voices
against all forms of terrorism and incitement.

Sincerely,

Howard L. Berman
Nancy Pelosi
Robert Matsui
Steny Hoyer
Martin Frost
Nita Lowey
Tom Lantos
Edward Markey
Chet Edwards
Ben Cardin
Steve Rothman
Steve Israel
Gary Ackerman
Barney Frank
Rahn Emanuel
Adam Smith
Anthony Weiner
Chris Bell
Adam Schiff
Hilda Solis
Robert Menendez
Shelley Berkley
Robert Andrews
Joseph Crowley
Jose Serrano
John Larson
Ellen Tauscher
Dennis Cardoza
Patrick Kennedy
Linda Sanchez
Harold Ford Jr.
Brad Sherman
C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger
Alcee Hastings


http://www.house.gov/berman/letter_new.html

[wtmusic]

14. I wonder how many of those reps would sign the letter today

Seems things have changed.

[madfloridian]

15. They all would still sign probably.

That unwavering loyalty seems not to have changed that much.

[wtmusic]

16. Just clicking around some of their websites

and based on what I see you're right.

[madfloridian]

17. Those who support this and still support Iraq have blood on their hands.

It is not going to wash off either.

[Mass]

19. Seems Dean is not that keen on criticizing Israel either. However, this

is not my point. You can ask for a ceasefire on both sides.

[madfloridian]

22. I was just reading a post at Kos.

It was a sincere plea by a rather new poster for our country to quit sending bombs to Israel to kill innocent civilians.

This is a poster I know under other aliases, a sweet and kind person.

She was blasted out of the water by some of the Kos big shots. Can you just imagine what would happen if one of our Dems actually said ceasefire?

I think Dean's views are changing on Israel and are not as close to AIPAC as they once were. I doubt he could get away with saying too much right now.

Kind of sad, a ceasefire would be good....but I think we are way past that. I guess I am just glad to see them urging diplomacy.

[madokie]

21. I just want the good Dr. to tell me what he personally feels

and that need not be his official stance. I see the two as separate entities

[cynatnite]

18. Clinton knew not to ignore them...

I remember him saying that we must deal with them if the region was ever to be stable.

Go, Dean!

[madokie]

20. Refusing to engage while talking tough and ignoring international problems

is not a foreign policy. I guess that is true if you want all out war. It takes a cold hearted vet to embrace the carnage of war and I suppose thats why you don't find many, chickenhawks on the other hand relishes it, go figure.

[madfloridian]

24. I think by "engage" he refers to getting involved diplomatically.

This is a call for Bush to step in and help them negotiate.

[bdamomma]

23. thank you Dr. Dean for speaking the truth