Bush's Iran Policy Hurts Israel
Submitted by Wes Clark on March 29, 2007 - 11:04am.
Call to Action | Iran | Israel | Middle East
Click here to leave your comments and read the transcript
Bush's Iran Policy Hurts Israel
Last Friday, Iranian military forces seized 15 British sailors and marines in the Persian Gulf. Some believe this is an act of aggression by Iran and should be met with a commensurate military response.
I do not.
I believe it shows that the Bush Administration's current policy with Iran is not working. For sake of stability in the Middle East, it's time for direct diplomacy with Iran -- now more than ever.
Today, we're launching our third video blog for StopIranWar.com. I'm joined by Iraq war veteran Jon Soltz of VoteVets.org and Clark Community blogger Reg to discuss how President Bush's get tough policy with Iran is undermining the security of our most reliable ally in the region, Israel.
We need to be shaping a new vision for the Middle East. Peace won't come through saber rattling and threats -- it will come through dialogue, negotiation and the hard work of diplomacy. While I would never rule out military action against Iran if necessary to preserve stability, protect Israel and defend America's national security, it just doesn't make sense in our current circumstances.
In fact, attacking Iran now would simply derail the Middle East peace process, further radicalize Israel's enemies, and put our friend and ally at risk. Years of diplomacy aimed at laying the groundwork for peace will be lost.
We must give the people of this region cause for hope -- not just the threat of the Sixth Fleet lurking off their shore. It's time to let the diplomats do their job.
It's time for the United States to be a beacon of hope and the voice of reason in the Middle East. President Bush's policy of military confrontation has done enough harm. Please, help me change his course by inviting your friends and family to sign our petition at StopIranWar.com today.
Sincerely,
Wes Clark
n/t - thanks Reg for your good work !
Pelosi: "Calm Down With The Threats, There's A New Congress In Town"
He still believes, even after Pelosi told him to "calm down with the threats" that he's the Father who Knows Best.
How did we ever get to the point where an unarticulate faux cowboy became our CIC?
someone who knows how to navigate DU commands post this video there; I posted at myDD.com;
Pelosi: "Calm Down With The Threats, There's A New Congress In Town"
Lots of views, but no comments yet:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x3187552
Could you please post a link to your post at MyDD? Also mention this in the GD thread? Please? :)
Has anyone hit Dkos? If so PLEASE let us know with a link.
Thank you,
Kevin
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Shortie posted the link below, but here it is again.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/3/29/111010/171
had to post twice because the links didn't work on first comment
http://www.mydd.com/story/2007/3/29/9392/16563#commenttop
my editing isn't up to speed: I literally don't always see the details I have nerve damage in my eyes - it is the same as having blind spots in vision so it takes edit after edit to see everything and can't edit a post at myDD after posting so everything is 'as is' there are typos.......
I thought you meant that you posted a cross post diary of this diary.. a copy. Has anyone done this? Reg?
We can bring this to the top quickly at MyDD.com if someone post it and let us know about it with a link .. in the GD thread.
Normally I would just do it, but I can't right now.
Someone?
Thanks.
I don't know what's going on behind the scenes, of course, and I realize that the big media attention goes toward Hillary and Obama. But a candidate who comes out with a message, perhaps confronting those others with it in debate --- couldn't that get the subject more attention?
Couldn't Jon Soltz continue to work on it behind the scenes while you work on it "on the national stage"?
I think it would be good for us to have a mainstream candidate who actually came out with an agenda to change the dialogue. I think he could be successful.
Did anyone catch Larry King last night?
Just before I went to bed I happened on Larry King, which I never watch, and there was Madeleine Albright and Christiane Amanpour discussing Iran.
The whole show was about Iran, the British sailors nabbed, and what this all means.
Madeleine was VERY concerned that Bush had decided to show a big show of force by sending in two new ships instead of starting negotiations first. She said he's only provoking Iran.
Christiane Amanpour agreed and said that Bush could have tended to diplomatic talks way before now... but was wondering, and the people in Iran (I'm not sure where she was reporting from) are concerned Bush is losing his grip on any negotiations if Bush continues with an aggressive plan.
They were showing military jets flying near the Iran region. I was not sure if they were American jets or not, but I'm almost sure they were. Ring a bell? Deja vu again?
I'm sorry I didn't get into the beginning of the show. Madeleine, as usual, very keen on diplomacy first. I'm sure she's heard from Wes, too. She and Wes were speaking the same language about Iran.
I will try to find a transcript... I don't even know if LK does that anymore.
on Kos:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/3/29/111010/171
Please give it a comment and a recommend. Let's see if we can get it on the rec list.
General Clark:
Mrs. Clinton seems to be the Democrat seeking the presidency who is most likely to continue the policies of the current administration.
Mrs. Clinton says that "when" she is president, she wants American military bases in Iraq, even after the troops leave.
King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia told george W. Bush to get American troops out of his country, and declared the war in Iraq illegal.
I hope you agree that just like war with Iran is not in Israel's best interest, an American president who thinks keeping American military bases in Iraq is not the best person to serve as Commander-in-Chief.
As you have said so often, the American voter knows that the Democratic Party will take care of domestic matters. What many voters still don't know is whether a Democratic President is competent to handle the military and international affairs.
You remain the Democrat's best bet to stand up to the Republicans on matters of national security, the military, and international relations.
You are also the Democrat's best bet to make in-roads into the "Red" states.
If Hillary is the Democratic nominee, the party will lose seats down-ticket. Her candidacy will bring out Republicans with the same vengence that George W. Bush brought out Democrats in 2004 -- and I find it difficult to believe she will inspire many Independents to vote for her.
So please announce your candidacy.
My best to Gert and the family.
Gordon Suber
No need looking over your shoulder, sir. We're right behind you, backing you up all the way. Keep looking forward and see yourself in the White House. We CCNers promise not to tear the place up when the bloggers convene for the first annual Clark Community White House Gala BlogFest.
Stan Davis
Lakewood, CO
If not us, WHO? If not now, WHEN?
BE THE CHANGE you wish to see in the world.
Gordon - What you say about Senator Clinton is accurate. It doesn't explain why virtually ever left wing, anti-war person I know up here supports her. No one in a major leadership position forstered this war more than Senator Clinton. Does that bother her virulent anti-war supporters? no. Does a million dollar bribe to her husband from Marc Rich to pardon him bother them? no. Does the fact that in six years in the Senate she has shown no penchant for leadership whatsoever and as Frank Rich says simply followed the opinion polls bother them? no. This is political cultism - it follows generationally; - the avatar can do no wrong and is defended at any cost (we are at what might be called the Madam Mao phase of the cult now - the missus is always anti-climax and the final deflation). Likewise, these same individuals have no interest whatsoever in Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius, probably the best Governor in the country today and probably better prepared to be President today than any Democrat other than Wesley Clark.
"... virtually ever left wing, anti-war person I know up here (northern New Hampshire) supports her (Hillary).
send them each and every one anti-war NH the new Stop Iran War video: Reg, Jon, Wes.....
it will work wonders on their de-spirited spirits........
I am CA - it doesn't feel right coming from west coast to NH ... someone east coast needs to pay attention to NH
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Gordon: I can only think that this is a kind of generational cultism which sees Bill Clinton as a generational Bhagwan or tribal god (like Mick Jagger or Abbie Hoffman) and therefore sees his wife in reflected light. I am also certain that in psychological terms (this is what I do - see "Quigley in Exile") - the HIllary is a "shadow" in Jungian terms; that is if you see the new Spiderman movie you see an example of "Shadow" - "Venom" is the shadow side of "Spider." The Shadow takes its vitality exclusively from OPPOSING POWER: it has no light within itself. When one of those paid Democratic bloggers started following around my articles last year they kept making the point that Hillary is great because she "really pisses off the Republicans." That is a crippling attitude for Democrats but indeed, that is her dark charm to my neighbors (I live about 200 yards from Vermont). The Republicans have of course been able to play this to the hilt; Tom Delay and Gingrich were shocked and thrilled to see her come forth - Fox holds fund raisers for her; it is hard to go a day without hearing some Republican comment on how formidable opponent she will be. What a joke! And she is vain enough to hear this as faint praise even from the other team! The Republicans fortunes are collapsing, but still, with Hillary, they are insured an easy ride.
to tap into generational culture, isn't it?
I think I will spend the day listening to Simon and Garfunkel and the Beatles.
Concord:
State lawmakers waged a bitter debate on the Iraq war yesterday before passing a resolution opposing President Bush's Iraq policy and seeking an end to U.S. involvement.
The House voted 214-151 to support the resolution, which voiced disapproval of the president's plan to send 20,000 additional combat troops to Iraq. It also urged the president and Congress to "begin the orderly withdrawal of American military forces from Iraq."'
http://www.concordmonitor.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070329/REPOSITORY/703290373
I'm probably going to make trips down to CA and to Nevada, since I doubt our caucus will count for much. It might though - it was before Super Tuesday last time.
given the nature of the caucuses, Iowa is not the best place, generally, for out-of-staters to move in and help.
So I'd be more inclined to helping in NH and some of the big Feb. 5 states, I think.
You may be right, Susan, but my brother lives in Iowa and I think I'll hang out with him for a bit, get to know the neighbors, and see what I can do. I've put my sister in law on notice too.
I do NOT hear this question being asked directly to her from the media when this is a key issue in the 2008 election!
Here is the criteria that I think Hillary is probably looking at right now which gives her the reasons why she thinks that she can win the general election in 2008 if she is the Democratic nominee:
http://securingamerica.com/ccn/node/11224
ANALYSIS: What Hillary is probably seeing now to think that she can win in 2008!
Submitted by Mitch Dworkin on February 27, 2007 - 5:54pm.
I am sure that she realizes how polarizing that she will be to the country even if she manages to win the election by a bare majority!
Most people in the country ("the forgotten middle" and "new silent majority" talked about below) want to see the country united and hunger for that to happen:
http://www.rd.com/content/openContent.do?contentId=28693
A Fractured America?
Red State, Blue State. So the media says. But is our country really that divided?
By William Beaman, From Reader's Digest, November 2005
"So the sexy story may be that there's an all-out war between red and blue, but the bigger news is about the forgotten middle. These centrists lack power and influence, but they've got the numbers. Put another way, America has spawned a new silent majority."
No President, regardless of party, can EFFECTIVELY run the country if about half of the country absolutely hates their guts (just like how they do with Bush right now)!
I do NOT believe that Hillary can unite the country while Gen. Clark clearly can:
http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/news/politics/15480285.htm
Posted on Sun, Sep. 10, 2006
A great divide: Left and right battling for the nation's soul
A backlash against the '60s could be blamed for the polarization of political discourse.
By Dick Polman
Inquirer Political Analyst
"I can't recall when I first realized that political discourse had become dangerously polarized, and that civility had gone the way of $2 gas, but I can still feel the moment when these truths were shoved in my face...
"There's not much chance the polarization will be reversed soon. But a lot depends on who we nominate next time. If it's Hillary Clinton and a Republican who is close to Christian conservatives, then we'll have more polarization..."
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-oe-burkee22jan22,0,7673503.story?coll=la-opinion-rightrail
Anyone but a Bush or a Clinton
The U.S. needs a leader in 2008 who doesn't inherit the office because of a last name.
By James Burkee, JAMES BURKEE, an assistant professor of history at Concordia University Wisconsin, is co-founder of the bipartisan political action committee Americans for Responsibility in Washington.
January 22, 2007
"Minority and bare-majority presidents are weak leaders because nothing undergirds presidential power like an election mandate. The strongest post-World War II presidents — Dwight Eisenhower, Lyndon Johnson and Ronald Reagan — were also its most popular. (Eisenhower and Johnson won at least 55% of the vote; Reagan polled just over 50% in 1980 with independent John Anderson in the race, then 59% in 1984.) Presidencies enveloped by partisanship — Harry Truman, Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton — were made of men who won office on the barest of majorities or pluralities (Truman won 49.6% of the popular vote in 1948; Carter won 50.1% in 1976; Clinton won 43% and 50% in 1992 and 1996).
Pundits compare 2006 to the late Nixon years, with a country disillusioned by war and a deep distrust of its political leadership. In one of his last interviews, former President Ford lamented the "extreme partisanship that exists in the nation's capital today," suggesting that partisanship is even worse than in the post-Watergate era he inherited.
The nation needs today, as it got in Ford then, a president respected by both Republicans and Democrats who can restore trust in politics. It needs new faces and new ideas if it is to confront advancing crises of war, debt and entitlement reform. And it needs a president who can assume office in 2009 swimming in the political capital that only a mandate can bring. The nation needs a candidate who can win 55% or more.
And that will not happen with a Bush or Clinton on the ballot."
Here is why I definitely think that Gen. Clark has the ability to unite the country and BE AN EFFECTIVE PRESIDENT:
http://securingamerica.com/ccn/node/9979#comment-161838
Why I think Gen. Clark is best qualified to unite the country:
Submitted by Mitch Dworkin on December 8, 2006 - 5:27am.
http://securingamerica.com/ccn/node/9979#comment-177662
Gen. Clark is the champion of trying to unite the country:
Submitted by Mitch Dworkin on January 29, 2007 - 1:49pm.
Any President, regardless of party, MUST be able to BOTH unite the country and win back our world allies with the right kind of diplomacy if they are going to EFFECTIVELY govern AND THE MEDIA NEEDS TO BE SPECIFICALLY ASKING HILLARY ABOUT THIS CONSTANTLY!
Please run Gen. Clark because we absolutely CANNOT live through four more years of this kind of bitter partisanship after the 2008 election!
Hillary also does not seem to understand how to get out of Iraq in a responsible manner like how Gen. Clark does:
http://securingamerica.com/ccn/node/11337
How Gen. Clark differs with Obama, Edwards & Hillary on getting out of Iraq!
Submitted by Mitch Dworkin on March 6, 2007 - 5:55pm.
Very little can be accomplished in the country after the 2008 election regardless of which party wins IF we are still bogged down in Iraq with no end in sight, if we do not leave Iraq responsibly and therefore make the situation even worse than it is right now, and if the country is not united!
Not to take anything away from the gentlemen in the video, but how about our Reg:) Oh and as far as Iran goes, they are playing chess. We took 5 of their pawns. They took 15 of ours. There are plenty of moves that can be played besides nuking the chessboard. The first move being what they want, to swap their pawns for our pawns. At the moment the price of oil going up works for Iran, so waiting is good for them. They need the money to pay Russia to finish the nuclear reactor. Send George Mitchell to resolve this thing.
Looks like ICantBelieve has posted a diary about Reg's interview with Wes Clark and John Soltz.
It is on the rec'd list but it only has one comment. We need more comments and rec'd.
Here is the link:
http://www.mydd.com/story/2007/3/29/12833/0664
Kevin
-
BTW
if you try to post more than 50 words thereabouts over at myDD in comments it says post too large but if you reply to someone else's comment - there doesn't seem to be a word limit.......???
The same way you do here and at Dkos. There is a button on the right side. You must be signed in.
Kevin
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Sometimes the title of the blog (which propagates in the title of the comment) is to big for the title of the comment box. Just shorten it or change it.
Also known as the subject line.
It is that easy. :)
Kevin
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I was hoping StopIranWar would feature a calm, thoughtful piece on the recent events that have the hawks on the right salivating.
I hope this gets in front of as many eyes as possible!
Also, we all need to go to YouTube, via the link on the bottom right corner of the video, and rate it up.. save to favorites, etc. etc.
Push it!
Kevin
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Social News is the way to go. Please up-vote this link if you are a member of either site:
http://digg.com/political_opinion/Wes_Clark_Some_think_Iran_s_actions_demand_immediate_response_I_do_not
http://reddit.com/info/1dwn6/comments
The U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Health and Iraq Accountability Act, 2007 passed the Senate today. Which is very good news.
However, doing some G2 work, it appears Senator Webb introduced his amendment to the bill last Tuesday regarding these funds being appropriated not be used to attack Iran. That amendment did not even receive a vote and no evidence of debate. The nearest I can tell, it was withdrawn for some reason. Speaker Pelosi was to include similar wording in the House bill last week. Yet..it was pulled, as well.
It has been reported Speaker Pelosi will introduce a stand alone bill on Iran somewhere down the road. Somewhere...sometime.....Would it be safe to assume Senator Webb's bill will follow?
Golly, it seems difficult for anyone in Congress to discuss the matter of Iran. When is Congress going to get with it on the topic of Iran?! Well...I'll be watching...and waiting....and waiting.......
Thankfully, you and Jon Soltz are talking about it, General Wes.
Jay Boyova wrote this on the Kos thread:
I have made a lot of stinging comments in the past about General Wesley Clark and Clarkies. Well I just wanted the Clark camp to know I will NO LONGER be making negative comments to the Clark folks. But I reserve the right to comment constructively.
By the way I would like to see more videos like this. Why am I doing this...well my wife caught some of my comments I made and dragged me by the ear and laid some new ground rules down. Ouch that ear still stings!Later.
As one action to honor General Wes' request of us,
this morning I posted in a thread at Kos that free stopiran.com buttons were available via securingamerica.com sites General Discussion, that "shortie" has them.
I wish there were some easier way for strangers to find the buttons. Many that I've talked with couldn't even find the General Discussion, much less the messages with link for getting the buttons.
so, while I don't think getting that into a Kos thread will send a surge to get the bottons and, hopefully, sign the pledge at stopiran.com , it should hwlp some.
The button project is a super-duper action.
Clearsky
I don’t know much about Middle East but why NOW Iran is so determined to have nukes and trying to wipe out Israel from the map? How well is Iran backed up by others? And can I write, who knows what else might be going on?
I do hope in Israel and throughout the Middle East peace will reign once and for all, and your thinking would be a great start or starting over with the peace process…
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http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/wesclark08
Wes Clark for President 2008!
Created by Jordon Wright on February 25th, 2007 at 6:13 pm AST
This petition is to urge General Wesley Clark to run for President again in 2008! In 2004, Wes Clark got in a little too late, but made a huge impact in the race. We want him to impact this race in 2008, because quite frankly it's beginning to look like media hyped 'Political' American Idol and less like a horse race to determine whose best equipped to lead our nation. General Clark understands these challenges we face, and with his strong military record and foreign policy know how we can become the beacon of hope around the world once again! So please sign this petition, and let's urge Wes Clark to run in 08'!
and notice that you've only been here for a couple of weeks. Welcome to CCN!
If you need any help with anything please ask as there's usually someone around
who can help you. Also, Matt our Donkey on the top right just loves to help people find their way around.
Are the 15 British soldiers in Iran taken from disputed waters insurance against an American attack against Iran? It has been all over the internet that Russian intelligence says an American attack against Iran will come April 6 or shortly thereafter. Did Iran intentionally grab the British soldiers as insurance against such an attack?
If Republicans are not happy with their current crop of presidential candidates, which seems to be reported a lot lately in the media. Are Democrats happy? Well some to be sure, but to me there seems to be an apprehension out there even within the average Democratic voter with the current crop of candidates. And what do I hear? Well one major qualification that is lacking; sticks out like a sore thumb (their sore thumb), no foreign affairs experience. Or a general lack of experience, or with some the trust factor. Another is they just don't seem Presidential (that unknown quality, you either have it or you don't). Unfortunately for some you cannot transfer that quality within a family. I also hear talk about the long race these declared candidates have made for themselves. It will be a very long horse race for them, and what we have already seen is what we are going to get out of the current crop, and for many voters they are coming up lacking. If the American voter is already looking around for real leadership that fits where we are as a country in 2007, and what many of them are seeing is 1968 or 1998 or 2000 then America your candidate has not declared yet, and yes America there is such a leader out there and his initials are W K C.
Turnin' North Texas Blue
http://www.democrats.org/page/group/WesClarkforPresident2008
http://www.democrats.org/page/dashboard/public/gHssW
It ain't over till it's over - Yogi Berra
The Repubs are turning to Fred Thompson increasingly since the Barbara Walters interview with Giuliani - I happen to know that Giuliani's favorite TV show is The Sopranos (it is mine too) - but what is kind of spooky is that his answers to Walters with his charming wife was actually like a session with Dr. Melty (Tony's muse - comes from Beatrice in Dante's Divine Comedy, don't cha know) - Giulini says (holding hands with his current honey) he would like to have his wife in cabinet meetings - (we call this "anima poluted" but there is a much better street expression for it). And we thought he was a tough guy. I notice that he also drives the same kind of car Tony drives - Cadillac Excaliber. Very bad karma. Gives people the creeps. This gives "environmental exposition" to his aura. The Bernie Kerik episode could have possibly been gotten around - now it looks like business as usually. I think they'll turn to Thompson who is so, so good at tv: As Howard Baker's Watergate associate, Thompson was the one who came up with thse history-changing phrases like: "What did the President know and when did he know it?"
Way to go, Jon, Wes and Reg!
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