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(03-04-2015, 11:17 PM)crash Wrote: (03-04-2015, 10:37 PM)FAHQTOO Wrote: What do you see strong, righteous or admirable in Obama? He's not anything close to a leader. He's a divider.
I hope you plan on living a long time if you ever expect to see a leader that unifies the opinion of the population and appears 'strong, righteous and admirable'
Ever since the birth of social media, there hasn't been a leader in the free world that hasn't been on the end of a polarised public. People are too keen to jump on the negativity bandwagon and bag the shit out of, ridicule, personally attack and debase their leader rather than swallow a little bit of pain, a little bit of pride and a lump of humility that the other side won and get in line. This has made politics in the western world a popularity contest rather than a policy debate.
I'm not pointing the finger at anyone here, shit, I'm guilty of it myself at times, but as a collective public we're all the tail wagging the dog, we are the dividers. Teddy Roosevelt. We need a return of the Bull Moose party.
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(03-05-2015, 12:46 AM)HairOfTheDog Wrote: (03-04-2015, 10:37 PM)FAHQTOO Wrote: Of course he will be re-elected. His people probably get a warm fuzzy feeling inside when they see their leader doing everything he can to keep them and Israel safe.
I'm not much for debate...just throwing my opinion out there.
I do find the above question quite ridiculous when you see how our own clown of a leader is handling things in our own country...oh wait, he's NOT.
What do you see strong, righteous or admirable in Obama? He's not anything close to a leader. He's a divider.
Well, you did answer the question about what you find admirable about Netanyahu. You think that Netanyahu's aim is to keep his people and his country safe. That may well be something he feels strongly about. I sure hope so, all leaders should and I agree that it is admirable. But, I don't personally see how that can be viewed as Netanyahu's sole or primary driver in many cases.
I don't think continuing to unnecessarily build settlements in the West Bank helps keep his people safe, for example. It doesn't do anything but say "fuck you, I do what I want" to the Palestinians, the United Nations, the US, NATO, the Arab world, and just about every country on the planet which views it as a violation of international law and a sleazy repressive power play. If he'd stop doing it, some tensions could be lessened in the admittedly dangerous global neighborhood in which he resides.
I also don't think his attempts to dictate US foreign relations policy helps keep his people safe. To me, it jeopardizes his country's future security and demonstrates an unwillingness to work towards progress. The US has strong interest in preventing Iran from developing nuclear WMD capabilities, of which, Israel has a shitload. Were Iran to launch a bomb at Israel, Iran would be dust -- assuming Israel continues to keep and build its nuclear stockpile (no reason why it won't, it doesn't allow monitoring or inspections) AND keeps its financial supporters and allies. Iran knows this.
I don't think it keeps his people safe -- I'm assuming you mean the people living in Israel -- to position Jews around the world as "his people" and implore them to migrate to Israel. I think it promotes an isolationist agenda and demonstrates a total lack of concern for the wishes of European leaders. It strikes me as a power-play, not an attempt to secure the safety of Jews in and out of Israel. Of course, if his migration initiative works, it will also give him a new excuse to build on Palestinian-marked land. It's ironic, to me; Netanyahu claims that Israel is in constant threat of being blown off the face of the earth by Iran -- Iran being right on the verge of having a nuclear bomb and all (he's made that same claim multiple times in public addresses since 1996, btw). So, why the hell would he want to entice all European Jews into one central highly dangerous target location if his primary driver is safety?
Having said all of that, I get why he wants the US and other countries to be very cautious of Iran and why it benefits him in many ways to maintain mutual enemies with the US. I completely understand why the persecution of Jews in the past is something that cannot be forgotten and factors into the mindset. I agree that threats and rhetoric towards the destruction of Israel cannot be ignored. I believe that Israel has the right to respond to aggression from Palestine. But, I believe there are better ways to go about addressing the issues and I don't think Netanyahu cares to consider progress or working in partnership. In my view, he wants to keep things as they are at all costs, and that's dangerous.
As for Obama, I probably disagree with as many of his policies as I agree with. I don't think he's been a particularly strong leader when it comes to the economy and domestic policies. He's sometimes smug and I wish he'd refrain from public comment when it comes to criminal investigations -- it hurts, not helps. The more I know about the Bergdahl negotiation, the less I agree with it. Etc...
On the plus side, I think he's right not to embrace the "nuke the shit outta 'em" stance against entire countries. I think he was right not to "take out" Assad and leave a vacuum in Syria that could have been filled quickly by what we now know was the burgeoning IS organization (and other terrorist factions fighting to take control of the country). I believe ridding Assad's regime of chemical weapons was a good tactical negotiation. I think that facilitating a peaceful removal of the unsuccessful repressive (previously US-backed) Iraqi government was the righteous and smart play to motivate Iraqis to resist IS. I'm all for moving towards normalizing relations with Cuba, finally. I support Obama's decisions to air strike IS in Iraq, to partner with the Kurds, and to eventually airstrike Syria. I admire his leadership commitment and ability to build an international coalition inclusive of several Middle Eastern nations to fight a mutual terrorist threat, rather than the US and western allies doing it alone or storming in with ground troops. (As for withdrawing troops from Iraq in the first place, I don't know if that was a tactical error and could have staved off IS, for a while at least.)
Okay, I'm done. If you've read this post without nodding off half way through, hats off.
I don't have the mindset of Nuking entire countries either.
I also don't agree with everything Bibi says or does either. Obama, on the other hand...I have absolutely nothing good to say about him...NOTHING!!
I think Obama will regret flipping the bird to Bibi for the whole world to see. Actually, he won't regret it...he's too fucking arrogant and stupid to realize what he has done.
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All the SJWs would have a field day on social media with Roosevelt and his administration.
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(03-05-2015, 04:29 PM)crash Wrote: All the SJWs would have a field day on social media with Roosevelt and his administration.
This brought back many memories as I can remember my Mother ranting and raving about FDR back in the late 40's. I thought at the time, he sure must be an evil person.....
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Thanks crash.
As you pointed out, with the advent and wide-spread use of social media, opinions and criticisms on all different topics from all over the world are everywhere we turn these days. I generally think that's a pretty great thing -- I like reading them and hearing them, whether I agree with them or not. And, sometimes I learn a thing or two based on the opinions and comments of others.
But, the President's comments carry way more weight and have a wider impact than the ordinary commenter or poster. He made a statement about Trayvon Martin looking like he imagines his son would look, while the investigation was still in progress and the defendant hadn't gone to trial yet. He recently made a comment about the murder of three Muslim students over what appears (to me) to have been an on-going parking dispute with a mentally deranged atheist; he tied it in to religious discrimination.
It's just my opinion that the President has the ability to create a narrative through insinuation and potentially impact the jury pool by making such public comments; comments which aren't based on the evidence of the cases. It kinda sticks in my craw is all.
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Keep your friends close, but your enemies even closer......
I agree with Duchess....I think Mr. Netanyahu is an evil person and like most dictators....oops, I mean leaders, is self absorbed and will never make peace with anyone....it will always be..."well, they started it," and maybe that is true, but he has no interest in preserving the life of the innocents on the other side. IMO, he is a warmonger and gets off on his power. Additionally, what an audacity of a World Leader to invite himself to speak before Congress....To me, that shows utter disrespect for our President which isn't good for the image of the "United" States as a World power. We are no longer number one.......
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(03-05-2015, 04:28 PM)FAHQTOO Wrote: I don't have the mindset of Nuking entire countries either.
I also don't agree with everything Bibi says or does either. Obama, on the other hand...I have absolutely nothing good to say about him...NOTHING!!
I think Obama will regret flipping the bird to Bibi for the whole world to see. Actually, he won't regret it...he's too fucking arrogant and stupid to realize what he has done.
Feisty!
I didn't say you're a knee-jerk "nuke-em"!! I don't get that impression from you at all. But, there are plenty of nuke-ems running around, some of them in governmental leadership positions. I appreciate that President Obama isn't one of them.
I think Bibi attempted to undermine Obama and flipped Obama the proverbial bird big time, more than once for all to see. In turn, Obama responded accordingly. I'm glad that Obama hasn't let Bibi dictate US foreign policy and tell us with whom we can pursue negotiations -- that would be wrong and weak, IMO.
Different viewpoints.
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Bibi has been in quite a few wars and I believe he has seen much death. That has some bearing as many Politicians do not have that insight into what war really is. Obama most certainly has not and besides Netenyahu is close friends with Biden. That means practically nothing because I like potatoes just as much as the next guy.
He ain't heavy, he's my brother.
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(03-05-2015, 04:56 PM)HairOfTheDog Wrote: (03-05-2015, 04:28 PM)FAHQTOO Wrote: I don't have the mindset of Nuking entire countries either.
I also don't agree with everything Bibi says or does either. Obama, on the other hand...I have absolutely nothing good to say about him...NOTHING!!
I think Obama will regret flipping the bird to Bibi for the whole world to see. Actually, he won't regret it...he's too fucking arrogant and stupid to realize what he has done.
Feisty!
I didn't say you're a knee-jerk "nuke-em"!! I don't get that impression from you at all. But, there are plenty of nuke-ems running around, some of them in governmental leadership positions. I appreciate that President Obama isn't one of them.
I think Bibi attempted to undermine Obama and flipped Obama the proverbial bird big time, more than once for all to see. In turn, Obama responded accordingly. I'm glad that Obama hasn't let Bibi dictate US foreign policy and tell us with whom we can pursue negotiations -- that would be wrong and weak, IMO.
Different viewpoints.
The way you read it isn't the way I intended for it to sound. Plenty of people say nuke em all and I think that's ridiculous. Why would anyone want to wipe out a whole country of mostly innocent people for the few bad apples?
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(03-05-2015, 04:50 PM)blueberryhill Wrote: Keep your friends close, but your enemies even closer......
I agree with Duchess....I think Mr. Netanyahu is an evil person and like most dictators....oops, I mean leaders, is self absorbed and will never make peace with anyone....it will always be..."well, they started it," and maybe that is true, but he has no interest in preserving the life of the innocents on the other side. IMO, he is a warmonger and gets off on his power. Additionally, what an audacity of a World Leader to invite himself to speak before Congress....To me, that shows utter disrespect for our President which isn't good for the image of the "United" States as a World power. We are no longer number one.......
He didn't invite himself here, congress invited him here.
I don't see what the big deal is about him giving a speech about how bad it would be if we made a deal with Iran. Why don't you try getting your news from somewhere other than FB or Mock.
Our own pussy of a president is guilty of giving the US a bad image...daily...every time he opens his mouth, or doesn't when he needs to. He's biased towards the thugs and niggers of the country and apparently that's okay with you. He's totally fucked the whole country with his healthcare plan, he's opened the door to 5 million illegals, he turns a blind eye to the IRS scandal, the Benghazi scandal, fast and furious, he's best buds with Al Sharpton, our borders are wide open for thugs, criminals and terrorists to waltz right in...I could go on and on and you would still bury your head in the sand.
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I'm a knee jerk, bomb 'em person. I love imaginary bloodshed and wiping entire groups of people off the face of the earth.
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I think Netanyahu probably succeeded in bolstering his chances of getting re-elected later this month with his speech to the US Congress. In my opinion, that was one of his foremost goals. But, his rhetoric and political scheming may well have motivated the Presidents of the US and Iran to work even harder at reaching a good deal.
In any case, the way Netanyahu approached it and the content of his speech certainly gave Iran an opportunity for greater global exposure to counter Bibi's claims.
Iran's rebuttals
^Javad Zarif, Iranian Foreign Minister:
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his supporters are trying to create "an atmosphere of hysteria" and "fear-mongering," the Iranian foreign minister said Thursday. "The only explanation that you can have here is that some people consider peace and stability as an existential threat." "Because a deal cannot be threatening to anybody unless you want conflict and tension and mistrust and crises."
Full piece: http://www.cnn.com/2015/03/05/world/aman...vad-zarif/
^Gholamali Khoshroo, Iran's Ambassador to the UN:
The paradox of the situation is that a government that has built a stockpile of nuclear weapons, rejected calls to establish a nuclear-weapons-free zone in the Middle East, made military incursions into neighboring states and flouted international law by keeping the lands of other nations under occupation, now makes such a big fuss over a country, Iran, that has not invaded another country since America became a sovereign nation.
Full piece: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/04/opinio....html?_r=0
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(03-05-2015, 07:13 PM)FAHQTOO Wrote: (03-05-2015, 04:50 PM)blueberryhill Wrote: Keep your friends close, but your enemies even closer......
I agree with Duchess....I think Mr. Netanyahu is an evil person and like most dictators....oops, I mean leaders, is self absorbed and will never make peace with anyone....it will always be..."well, they started it," and maybe that is true, but he has no interest in preserving the life of the innocents on the other side. IMO, he is a warmonger and gets off on his power. Additionally, what an audacity of a World Leader to invite himself to speak before Congress....To me, that shows utter disrespect for our President which isn't good for the image of the "United" States as a World power. We are no longer number one.......
He didn't invite himself here, congress invited him here.
I don't see what the big deal is about him giving a speech about how bad it would be if we made a deal with Iran. Why don't you try getting your news from somewhere other than FB or Mock.
Our own pussy of a president is guilty of giving the US a bad image...daily...every time he opens his mouth, or doesn't when he needs to. He's biased towards the thugs and niggers of the country and apparently that's okay with you. He's totally fucked the whole country with his healthcare plan, he's opened the door to 5 million illegals, he turns a blind eye to the IRS scandal, the Benghazi scandal, fast and furious, he's best buds with Al Sharpton, our borders are wide open for thugs, criminals and terrorists to waltz right in...I could go on and on and you would still bury your head in the sand.
I think you must get all of your news from Fox as they are rather known for spreading "untruths." It is the Obama haters that are giving the US a bad image. He hasn't fucked up the country with healthcare; where did you get this information. Specifically, who have you talked to or more importantly, how did Obama care negatively affect you. I have read just the opposite, but I must admit I do not watch Fox news for the "real" truth.
You say he is leaving borders wide open....must I remind you that it was under Mr. Bush's watch that we had terrorists (mostly from Saudi Arabia) cross our borders, enroll in flying lessons in Florida, board 4 planes and caused the disaster of 9/11. Bush's administration had advance notice of this, but there was insufficient follow up. If you along with other Obama haters, believe an actual fence will keep out terrorists, then you are really naive. We have too many security agencies which overlap each other, duplicate others actions causing inefficiency all through the system...We need reorganization of these agencies....to ensure our safety. Noone has every wanted to address immigration; very sensitive issue if you want to be reelected, but at least Obama has opened door for discussion. I just happen to believe that if you came here illegally, you should pay back taxes, and live up to other commitments to void the issue of "being illegal." Some need to return to Mexico. Heck we got a lot of their criminals so I don't have a lot of sympathy here, but it is a delicate situation and if you can't see that, well, you probably want all 5 million to return to Mexico....I am on the fence about this issue, but at least we are openly talking about it....not swept under rug as in previous administrations....Another obvious issue here is that Bush sent our citizens to war in the Mid East based on false intelligence. Oops.......It is an art and a special type of leader who can keep war at bay. War solves nothing, and results in loss of life....Mr. Obama is not a pussy. He has the guts to go against Congress in the interest of all the people of the U.S; his policies are not biased to favor a few select groups who donate funds to the Republican party. Mr. Obama's "mistakes" pale compared to the last administration. What a mess! If you have a retirement plan or own stocks or bonds, how can you complain compared to the Bush years....I know I would be happy if I had any funds left after losing everything under Bush's watch.....We need to quit perpetuating the lies and untruths which are spread without anyone checking the veracity of same. You don't have to like our President, but check some of the facts surrounding your complaints and try to be part of the solution, not the problem.
re your comment about getting my news from Facebook or Mock, I don't believe everything I read. I have several sites which I research before believing anything...In fact, I find that some people here on Mock are better reporters than the actual news media..You would be surprised how often the "legit" news media releases false information. Word of warning, never believe verbatim what you read....research it and verify it if you can. Try to get several viewpoints, try to leave out your individual prejudices when arriving at your opinion. Oh, and protocol usually requires the President's approval before asking someone to speak in Congress..
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I think blueberry hill just went straight up gangsta on a bitch. BAM!
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(03-07-2015, 10:34 PM)Donovan Wrote: I think blueberry hill just went straight up gangsta on a bitch. BAM!
She gets her news from Jon Stewart.
He ain't heavy, he's my brother.
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(03-07-2015, 10:34 PM)Donovan Wrote: I think blueberry hill just went straight up gangsta on a bitch. BAM!
Not hardly, but if you say so.
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Things are interesting in Israel leading up to the March 17 th election.
First, Bibi's Likud party (right) was slightly behind in the polls. Then, he made the speech to the US Congress and polls showed that his party pulled slightly ahead of Isaac Herzog's Zionist Union party (left).
This weekend there was a huge Anti-Netanyahu rally in Jerusalem and calls from Israelis for Israel to pursue more diplomacy with its neighbors and to pursue the two-state solution with Palestinians instead of Netanyahu's apartheid plan. Today, Bibi's party is 2 seats behind in the polls again.
It's a really close race with only 9 days until the election.
http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Politic...nds-393124
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(03-07-2015, 08:23 PM)blueberryhill Wrote: Oh, and protocol usually requires the President's approval before asking someone to speak in Congress..
Congress bypassing Obama with the invitation and Bibi accepting it in the same vein were very unusual moves, that's true.
The latest move by the US Senate, however, is unprecedented.
An open letter from the US Senate to the leaders of Iran to marginalize the power of the President of the United States and usurp his foreign negotiations.
Jesus Christ.
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(03-09-2015, 08:35 PM)HairOfTheDog Wrote: (03-07-2015, 08:23 PM)blueberryhill Wrote: Oh, and protocol usually requires the President's approval before asking someone to speak in Congress..
Congress bypassing Obama with the invitation and Bibi accepting it in the same vein were very unusual moves, that's true.
The latest move by the US Senate, however, is unprecedented.
An open letter from the US Senate to the leaders of Iran to marginalize the power of the President of the United States and usurp his foreign negotiations.
Jesus Christ.
This is outrageous IMO! I dunno know, but treason comes to mind, a
Senate coup? I think US citizens should be very concerned by this.
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See how their minds work.
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