Is the lesson from the Israeli incursion into Lebanon that

[joemurphy]

there has been a general weakening of Condi's role at State vis-a-vis Cheney and the Neocons in the Defense Department insofar as policymaking is concerned?

I can't believe that this "policy" (no cease fire, no return to the status quo ante) was something manufactured in the State Department. Supposedly, according to a recent Al-Jazeerah article, Cheney gave Netanyahu at a meeting both attended at the American Enterprise Institute in June. If this is correct, Cheney is still making U.S. policy and the State Department is as much out in the cold as it was under Powell.

It's pretty stupid to have Cheney (one of the prime architects of the fiasco that is Iraq) back in the saddle and formulating Middle East policy. But this is what appears to have happened.

[lastknowngood]

1. Well you are close Israel is making the policy.

n/t

[Redstone]

2. Oh, balls. Just another post about them Evil, sneaky JEWS. Hey, you know

that them sneaky evil JEWS really run the US government. But only a few of us, the REAL SMART ONES know about it because them JEWS also own all the newspaper. Not that we actually ever READ anything, but it don't matter, because them JEWS also own all the TV stations.

Redstone

[joemurphy]

3. Do you really think Israel's incursion into Lebanon wasn't

preceded by a green light from Washington? I can't believe that Israel just decided to do it on its own and Bush and Cheney just decided to go along for the ride.

And you're awfully touchy -- there was nothing anti-Semitic about my post.

[Redstone]

5. Anyone who really beleives that Israel dictates US foreign policy

is anti-Semitic.

Because the only way that Israel could possible dictate US foreign policy would be for those sneaky JEWS to be in control of Washington. As the anti-Semites claim that they are.

Redstone

[QuestionAll...]

10. good grief...

you have no idea how you set back just whatever you are trying to achieve by your silliness.

[Redstone]

13. Thank you SO much for your correction. I'll be sure to look for your

guidance before I post in the future.

Redstone

[mom cat]

4. Knock it off.

[Redstone]

6. No.

Redstone

[mom cat]

9. Well, if you would rather alienate instead of educate, that is your

choice.
PS, my way of dealing with your post was also inappropriate.

[Redstone]

12. And your way of dealing with my post was what? To post the reply

that you did? If so, your admission that it was inappropriate tells me you're one of the good ones here.

It tells me that you think about what you say.

And I do appreciate that. I like people who do that.

Redstone

[mom cat]

14. We all need to work hard on civility. Sometimes I slip. Denial

would be stupid. I wouldn't like anyone telling me to knock it off. I frankly thought your reply was perfect.

[Redstone]

15. OK, so we undertand each other. And are friends still, yes? I do not

expect everyone to agree with me; indeed I count among my best friends several people who rarely do.

And we all slip on the civility now and again. In these parlous times, how could we not?

And thank you for the positive comment on my post.

Redstone

[mom cat]

17. You are quite welcome. And next time I disagree with you I will be

much more factual.

[Redstone]

20. It's OK. Emotions are allowed.

Just talk to me, whether from emotions or from intellect, but dammit, just TALK to me.

Tell me what's on your mind. I do want to hear what is.

Isn't that how a community is supposed to work?

I'm looking forward to conversing with you again in the forums. (Or should that be
fora?)

But not tonight. I must be off to the Land of Nod. Sleep well yourself.

Redstone

[mom cat]

21. Me too. I am so sleepy. Hope tomorow brings some better news.

[Generator]

7. Yes, the state department is dead I'm sure

Condi/Bush/Cheney/Rumsfeld are all on the same page. Same playbook. No ceasefire. Kill them all. Death is the answer. That's my take. Reading Seymour Hersch the only thing that stops these freaks is the generals in the actual pentagon that KNOW war against Syria/Iran/Lebanon insert country here..is folly. We can't do it. We don't have the army. We can't win. Iraq is lost. And the generals know it. But I think this time with Israel/Lebannon has shown just how weak the US is. We have no diplomacy. We have no leaders. We have no answers. And we aren't (I hope to Jesus) going to war anymore with anyone. So without diplomacy all we have is war. And all we have standing up to these cretins is world opinion and a few brave generals.

[joemurphy]

8. That's about how I see it...But you have to wonder if Rice is

being pulled along or is going along on her own. As you say, the Neocons are cretins. Condi knows better. Powell had the integrity to get out. Rice, I think, goes along to better her own position. In a way that's worse than the Neocons.

[leftchick]

16. Condi is your basic stenographer

she repeats back what has been written for her to say. No doubt at all that the writer is cheney.

[joemurphy]

18. *Deleted* (Duplicate)

[joemurphy]

19. Yeah, you have to wonder why a guy that has a 15% approval

rating carries so much clout with Bush. It'll be interesting reading about the inner dynamics of the Bush administration if we can ever get rid of it.

[Redstone]

22. Boy, did you nail it. Yes, indeed.

Redstone

[TahitiNut]

11. In this regime, the State Department's role ...

... is purely commercial. Global corporatism. The DoD is muscle - and in a "might makes right" ideology like the Bushoilini cabal, the Left Hand of God. Neither Powell nor Rice set policy - they carry it out and 'enhance' it. When Condi's not doing contracts, she babysits Junior.