If you still think this administration supports Israel, you might have a change of heart after reading what John Kerry told Republicans senators this week.
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/173994#.UogBb8STiSp
Of course, the Republicans wasted no time in reporting Kerry's words.
Kerry stupidly discounts the value of the U.S./Israeli alliance.
ReplyDeleteAfter the end of the Cold War, the value of having what many consider to be a regional superpower allied with the United States has been largely ignored. But the notion that the U.S. doesn’t need strong allies in an era in which it is challenged by Islamist terrorism as well as rogue states like Iran is ridiculous. Moreover, the traditional meme of critics of the alliance—that Arab states are hostile to the United States because of its friendship with Israel—has been exploded both by the Arab Spring and the regional concerns about Iran that have made it clear that they fear Tehran more than they do the Jewish state.
Israel’s intelligence capabilities have long been a boon to the U.S. But its technological resources—both in terms of military and commercial applications—are now just as if not more important. Israel,is a vital partner for the U.S. economy.
Support for Israel is part of the political DNA of American culture. The same is true of Israel’s affinity with its fellow democracy.
Its about time the U.S. government started thinking about the best interests of the American people instead of the best interests of Israeli foreign policy.
ReplyDeleteI got a news flash for you, Siarlys. The best interest of the American people is not served by us coddling up to or appeasing Israel's enemies. They are a bad bunch, and they are our enemies too.
ReplyDeleteWhy oh why am I unsurprised?? I hope no one thinks Kerry acted independently on this.
ReplyDeleteelwood, although you may not be aware that anyone other than your august self ever took a civics class in public school, it is widely recognized that cabinet officers serve at the pleasure of the president, and have a subordinate role in carrying out policy entrusted by the constitution, and laws adopted in conformance with that constitution, to the President of the United States. Surely you recall what Abraham Lincoln said when the entire cabinet voted against a measure Lincoln supported? "...and the ayes have it."
ReplyDeleteI have news for you Gary. We live in the real world. Until such time as we are prepared to take out Iran as a nation, subjugate and occupy it, we are going to have to deal with it. They show aspirations to be a regional power, and they are enemies of our enemies the Saudis (who we have to pretend to be friends with), but they are not showing aspirations to rule the world at present.
Latest reading I've been doing, Republican congressmen and legislators who got deluged with mail against bombing Syria have heard not one word from constituents about supporting Netanyahu banging the drums of war.
Israelis have made very substantial sacrifices for their own independence, but on this one, they are looking to fight Iran down to the last GI in the 82nd Airborne, no matter what they have to do to get us into the mess. There really isn't support for that among voters, and Republicans know that as well as anyone.
Siarlys-- my point exactly. If, as I suspect and as you essentially concede , Obama directed/permitted Kerry, either generally or specifically, to make such statement(s), then he (they) are treating the Iranians (and others) with more respect than the Israelis are getting from this administration.
ReplyDeleteAt the moment, the Iranians are willing to talk, partly because they've decided sanctions really do hurt, whereas the Netanyahu administration is unwilling to compromise with its own allies. He would rather try to meddle manipulatively in our politics, no matter how crazily intransigent his policies.
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