When we vote for a presidential ticket, we elect an executive administration.
Joe Biden's picks have been based on allegiance to democratic principles and ability to carry them out in national and international policy. To care for the general welfare and national security. These are parlous times. They call for considered action.. If noth…
When we vote for a presidential ticket, we elect an executive administration.
Joe Biden's picks have been based on allegiance to democratic principles and ability to carry them out in national and international policy. To care for the general welfare and national security. These are parlous times. They call for considered action.. If nothing else - and there is much else - having Anthony Blinken as Secretary of State was worth the vote.
While some might prefer the immediate gratification of bombast and belligerence, of unilateral proclamations and ultimatums, those are as antithetical to diplomacy as they are to any other function of good governance. The choice between Trump or Biden, between Republican or Democratic administrations, in diplomacy as elsewhere, is the choice between grievance and violence or truth and reconciliation. As we can see in the difference between the Democratic lead Senate and the Republican lead House, it is a difference between achieving comity or provoking chaos. And it is our choice. To unite for the better opportunity of achieving our shared goals. Or not.
For all those naysayers who talk about Joe Biden’s age, we present The Administration- a well organized collection of experts who know how to navigate in their respective fields. They can present the issues, relay responses, and give real scenarios to inform the POTUS of his options.
Compare that with Trump’s cabinet - a bunch of rich toadies who were more interested in their Oval Office picture than tackling the issues that faced America and its standing in the world.
Jane: Absolutely! Crooks don’t surround themselves with honest people. Narcissistic people don’t surround themselves with experts who know more. Obviously, TFFG’s advisors and Cabinet (past and future) tell you who he is.
Voting for Biden is voting for all the honest, expert people he appoints and listens to. He has shown us who he is.
Look at Putin - when the war w Ukraine began, Putin was assured Russia had the very best wartime technology. But, since Putin only knows liars and theives, he got “what he paid for”. It’s astonishing he didn’t see that coming.
JaneDough56 all so true. A true leader knows how to put the right people in the right positions; people that know their job and their roll in the bigger picture. The former president never was and would never be a good leader, only a mean tempered authoritarian. Those kind cannot be trusted in any way shape or form. His cabinet were like musical chairs - none had any expertise in any position. It was a despicable part of our history and we’re still dealing with him. When will it end?
Joe has paid his dues and all those years everyone attributes to his old age, he spent them well and learned a lot. I think history will look on him kindly to say the least and it’s a shame that more of those he is serving so well do not give him credit
A good leader also knows that experienced people improves the leader’s image and performance, while a poor leader is jealous of a person’s expertise. He only hires people who are inept, so he can take all the credit for success and dole out blame to the inept for failure.
Same antidemocratic religious extremist principles.
But as it is a different system, Netanyahu's administration is more like the GOP House, plum appointments go to the extremists Netanyahu must pander to to keep his position.
You capture so well the stark differences between traditional American administrations - grappling with intractable international challenges with a view to the greater good - and the destabilizing “bombast and belligerence" of a Trump administration content to fan and legitimate so many deadly prejudices and self-interested grievances.
Joe Biden leads with experience. He builds relationships. He has a great team of diplomats as well as those who are working to "build back better". Can we improve? ALWAYS! and we must not just "let projects go without supervision on a regular basis!
As we open our borders to receive immigrants , we must help the border states receiving immigrants. We must as a nation be prepared with processing stations....we must have housing and staff who can speak the languages of those coming to us.
Fellow citizens....their needs provide jobs for Americans .....their needs provide opportunitues to introduce them in a positive way to our great country. Let's admit and observe the many jobs they are willing to take that our citizens will not! Immigrants also need our protection!!!
How many of us would travel by foot through rivers and jungles with practically nothing to be a part of this nation? How many of us take the time to VOTE?
We have plenty of disrupters within our own government in our states and within each and all government positions. We do not need to point our fingers at the problems with people seeking asylum at the border.
We do need to educate our children to value this country and to value Democracy and to respect those who have left everything because they have heard about the opportunities we offer for a better life. The immigrants have suffered so much to come here....how much more do they appreciate freedom than we?
President Biden has been elected and served his state and this country in Washington most of his life. He loves this country and all the best for which it stands. Leaders throughout the world know him and trust him. No one is perfect, but I believe that along with his advisers, we have been able to accomplish much good.....not only here but throughout the world.
Emily - I agree. I’ve done some volunteer refugee resettlement (previously with refugees from the Balkan wars and now with a Ukrainian refugee family). I’ve seen so much hard work, gratitude and loyalty to the U.S. If only all of our native-born citizens could appreciate and possibly even emulate these new Americans.
I remember watching those confirmation hearing and being dissappointed with Thomas's acceptance to the Supreme Court. Yes, Biden carries blame for that, and we are all paying the price. I do not want to minimize the error, but I also firmly believe that Biden has learned from his mistakes and has adapted and changed with the times. The result of such a career is a seasoned and capable politician and administrator who has the insights and capacity to lead the U.S. well. The point of today's post is just that, and it's an obvious contrast to his political opposition.
In a 2019 article in the NYT, Anita Hill described a discussion with Biden in which he expressed regret for what she went through. She appreciated the call but told the Times that it fell short of an apology and by itself was not enough. She didn't think his actions were disqualifying, but hoped to see proper actions and policies for women.
Since that hearing, has progress been made in our society on the issue of violence against women? I would say yes, but not nearly enough. I would also say that progress would be reversed during a 2nd Trump administration - maybe not due to any laws being repealed, but through overt misogynistic behavior by Trump.
"Permitting the Saudis"?? Like we have control. And trying to stop someone from terrorist acts is wrong? If I was your neighbor and was lobbing grenades onto your property, what would you do? If I was threatening the Uber and Amazon trucks coming down your street, what would you do? Would you take action or demand that the police take action, or would you just keep calling me a naughty boy?
I do not think asking, begging pleading with Biden and the White House to stop supporting Netanyahu’s rampaging war on GAZA, to stop the wholesale killing of civilians, is in any way supporting terrorist organizations. How did we arrive at a point where asking our government to act responsibly ( seen UN & WHO requests) and not support a regime that has no intention of resolving the Palestinian Israeli conflict and only is seeking to destroy and then conquer., has become so one sided? We can support Bidens other work AND still denounce his support of genocide in GAZA. In fact if we really do believe in democracy, like we all espouse, we should be standing up for a people that are being decimated; who have been denied the right to have a democracy. It does not have to be either or. It can be AND/But.
I support Biden’s work and good intentions. I strongly denounce his continuation to financially and militarily support the murders of civilians in GAZA.
I also am confused and disappointed that so many feel it is an “either we support Biden all the way OR we are the enemy who support HAmas or terrorists.
Biden too could be in support of Israel AND give them the ultimatum that there will be no more money or arms until they stop the wholesale destruction in GAZA. Currently Netanyahu has thumbed his nose at Blinken and Biden’s urgings for restraint. It’s time to stop urging And set a clear limit. If you agree please send your message to the White House:
It continues to amaze me how propagandized lemmings lap up hegemony language couched in diplomatic blah blah, also confuse critique of empire and its accompanying horrors with supporting terrorist organizations.
We’ve caused more death and misery around the world post-WWII than every terrorist act combined, and it isn’t close. Create havoc? That’s an American specialty.
Tom, please unravel for us how we should be responding to Houti attacks on global shipping. What should Western countries do? Stop using oil? Allow hateful regimes to annihilate allies? Are you really criticizing ex-colonists for their actions in previous centuries? Are you expressing sympathy for Arab grievances? Are you railing against the miltary-industrial complex's hold on our short hairs? Given the world as it is now, what is your solution? What is the way forward without genocidal retribution? Or do you want to see that retribution? Or have you further need to vent?
Tom, first, use words you understand before your arguments carry the weight they deserve. Genocide? No. Apartheid? Not in pre-1967 borders, within which Arab Israeli citizens have full constitutional rights and are well integrated within the society. In the West Bank? There I would agree with it. While I agree with the initial security-focused actions by Israel, the Israeli settlements and the resultant IDF control of movement constitute oppression. However, Arab Palestinians must renounce the violence they've been perpetrating on Jews since the 1920s.
The true Nakhba is Arab leaders' disgraceful failure to provide true care to Palestinians, who have been stateless and leaderless since forever.
It amazes me how you buy the propaganda put out by murderous Hamas as truth.
Maybe more has been donated to Bidens campaigns because he was in Congress so long......"glorious career". Also beneficiaries include: Lindsay, Ted, Marco, McCain (before), McConnell, Mark Kirk (all lovely republicans).
The truth. All this adoration of Biden makes me sick to my stomach. No I am NOT a Trump supporter, heaven forbid. I voted for Biden and loathe Trump et al and everything they stand for. That has not blinded me however to Biden et al’s despicable support of the murderous Israeli regime and their war crimes. No I would NEVER vote for Trump or any of his minions and wanna-be clones but I will also never vote for Biden again either. Fortunately (in this particular instance ONLY) I live in a state that is so thoroughly red that unless some kind of miracle occurs and it does not go massively and overwhelmingly for Trump, my vote doesn’t count and is useless and meaningless for all intents and purposes.
What appears most is for the soap opera mentality sector, drama queens, attention getters- that group. NEWS is not found on channels lusting to viewership /bottom line dollar raising/corporate strangleholds/hostage actors /followers of fantasy fanatics.
People who regularly vote , most often by facts , read credible sources. There’s growing evidence through courts dismissing appeals /declaring guilty parties liable/citing multiple investigations sufficient basis for rendering sentences one after another and prison terms, who and their complicits are -the noisy , chaotic, law breaking and liars club. It isn’t a stretch, it’s fact after fact , and those remaining aboard that ship will eventually end up the same , just time is wasted folks and your taxpayer money looting the till.
Out of this we hope serious journalism can survive -my applause for credibility.
Out of this we learned loopholes in need to codify ,passing laws protecting principle, correcting long turned cheeks ‘looking the other way ‘ , accountability to truth.
I’ve been here subscribed to Heather’s, Steve’s , Simon’s Joyce’s , Ruth’s groups which are BTW free subscription( only paying customers can comment however) since near the getgo . I listen to PBS/BBC/watch documentary/research for collaboration, because the BS is big boot high to pander to that dollar EVERYWHERE!
The commentaries ,99% of the time are great, solid information gained carefully..I commend and appreciate y’all’s input. 🫶👏
It’s critical and forever work to sustain truth.
Know and promote the solution seekers . Biden and an incredibly team are bringing back America ‘s leadership through these years of turmoil. Much yet needs done.
Sorry, but your, and Heather’s, praise for both diplomacy and international rules-based order is a sham, couched in a propagandized, post-WWII desire for American hegemony. Every mention of rules-based order should be more accurately referred to as the American rules-based order, for that is what we seek. We look to the UN for a resolution to bomb Yemen, but veto one for a Gaza ceasefire. We value commerce, not the lives of people. There’s your American diplomacy. There is where America is. You’re right, that’s our choice.
Genocide Joe and Butcher Blinken have bombed Syria, Iraq, and Yemen now, in order to keeping letting Israel continue to bomb and slaughter Palestinians in Gaza. American rules-based order. Oh yes, and American diplomacy. But hey, it’s cool if war breaks out; we’ll just blame it on Iran, or Russia, or China. Because we’re the good guys, right?
“What Biden does not mention in his statement about his administration’s “response” to Houthi attacks on ships in the Red Sea is the fact that those Red Sea attacks are themselves a response to Israeli crimes against humanity in Gaza. Also unmentioned is the fact that the strikes took place after the first day of proceedings in the International Court of Justice in which Israel stands accused by South Africa of committing a genocide in Gaza.
So the US and the UK just bombed the poorest country in the middle east for trying to stop a genocide. Not only that, they bombed the very same country in which they just spent years backing Saudi Arabia’s genocidal atrocities which killed hundreds of thousands of people between 2015 and 2022 in an unsuccessful bid to stop the Houthis from taking power.”
"diplomacy, the established method of influencing the decisions and behaviour of foreign governments and peoples through dialogue, negotiation, and other measures short of war or violence."
You are angry. There is certainly a cause for anger. Diplomacy is anger management.
“Perhaps the greatest canard of all in this briefest of trips by Blinken is the continued, now absurd claim, that Washington is committed “to working with partners to set the conditions necessary for peace in the Middle East, which includes comprehensive, tangible steps towards the realization of a future Palestinian state alongside the State of Israel, with both living in peace and security.”
In his remarks to President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah, Blinken showed the hardened ignorance that will ensure the Israeli-Palestinian conflict will continue in some form. In his mind, a “reformed” Palestinian Authority will take over the reins of a ruined Gaza (“effective responsibility”) whatever the residents of Gaza think.
Palestinians will never, given current conditions, be permitted sovereignty and anything remotely resembling a thriving, viable state. Israel, whose very existence is based on predation, dispossession and war, will never permit a Palestinian entity to be given equal standing at the diplomatic or security table. The US, in the tatty drag of an independent broker, will go along with the pantomime, promoting, as Blinken is, a sham, counterfeit form of autonomy, one forever subject to conditions, demarcations and restraints. And one thing is almost certain about any future rump Palestinian entity: it will be deprived of any right to defend itself.”
There is cause for Tom's anger (see my response to him). It is paralyzing to watch Israel actively conducting genocide on the Palestinians (the army have been passing out rifles to the settlers on the West Bank) after what the Jews experienced during the Holocaust. Diplomacy here is simply a dance on hot coals. Bibi HAS to be taken out....
Yes. I am glad you came right out with that. It was the same belief as in 2016. Elect Trump and let things get bad enough. But it didn't grind to a halt did it? It got worse. And at the expense of our most vulnerable neighbors, fragile planet, and endangered democracy.
Trump's abandonment of the Palestinians IS the most proximal reason for their violence in an attempt to bring the focus back onto their valid concerns.
Trump did not just abandon any hope for justice for Palestinians. Trump embraced and encouraged - put America's imprimatur on - the worst abuses of the racist right wing religious extremist Netanyahu regime. Trump, his Evangelical base, and AIPAC. The worst 'friends' Israel could have.
I am torn...probably in the same way Biden is. Here you have bully Bibi and his rabid right-wingers not only bent on wiping out Hamas, but as his blatant actions show, to annihilate all Palestinians whether by killing them or shoving them out of Israel. The world response is pure horror. I felt the same when Biden declared that we would back Israel and "my friend Bibi" 100%. The Houthis have clearly stated that they would stop their attacks the minute Israel stops theirs on Gaza. The US has now pulled back on their "100%" support. Blinken is between a rock and a hard place. So Tom, other than diplomacy, what would you do if you were in his position as you watch ships carrying needed goods being attacked, knowing that genocide against Gaza will continue as long as Bibi is in control (other than suspending their annual allowance in the millions)? It is he who needs to be wiped out....
I have stated many times here, Biden needs to do what Reagan did as a response to Israel bombing a refugee camp in Lebanon in the 80s. He got the Israeli PM on the phone and said knock it off, or the military aid we provide will come under serious scrutiny. Israel complied.
But we have to mean it. If Bibi ignored the threat, and he very well might, we have to be willing to turn off the spigot.
We have been playing Manichaean checkers in the Middle East, especially since the coup in Iran since ‘53, instead of chess.
““Strategic cooperation” in the Persian Gulf led to U.S.-Israeli agreement on prepositioning U.S. military weaponry and medical gear in Israel; the U.S. Sixth Fleet’s use of Israeli ports; and the formation of a committee to arrange joint military exercises. The Reagan administration even resumed the delivery of cluster bombs to the Israeli Defenses Forces (IDF); the Carter administration had stopped such deliveries because Israel was using these weapons illegally against civilians. The Reagan administration increased military assistance to Israel, and concluded a trade agreement with Israel that gave it preferential treatment.
Fast forward to the present, and we find the United States trying to pull Israeli chestnuts out of a genocidal fire that the IDF has set in Gaza. U.S. weapons are central to the bombing campaign against Gaza, which has killed more than 23,000 civilians, devastated the elementary infrastructure that exists there, and annihilated more than 200 aid workers and journalists, and in some case their entire families. It took the Israeli killing of three Israeli hostages to make the international community aware of Israel’s total disregard for human life. And now South Africa has taken the case of Israeli war crimes to the International Court of Justice at the Hague, which is one of the more incredible ironies of this miserable tragedy.”
Tom HIGH, the Houthi are fighting for Gaza by disrupting international commerce? Sounds like Terrorism to me. Chaos by non state pirates applied to ships not involved with Gaza
Your problem here, Dave, is that you have a propagandized, simplistic definition of terrorism.
Your inability to recognize American terrorism, by both military and diplomatic means, is what is twisted. Your pretzel is hurl worthy, but certainly not unique.
Excellent assessment, lin. We elect Presidents, and administrations. Sadly, we also elect Judges, and there are far too many "wing nuts" occupying seats where their black robes match their black hearts.
My dear lin; You are so very correct - a thing that doesn’t surprise me, having paid attention to your comments for so long. …”Joe Biden's picks have been based on allegiance to democratic principles and ability to carry them out in national and international policy.” The tragedy is that some percentage of the populace masses don’t realize this; They’ve been duped into some belief (I know how) that a president must embody the “self-made man myth” - much akin to a concept HCR tried to define in terms of the “American cowboy” myths. I call it ‘toxic masculinity' longing. No one man or woman for that matter is capable of handling the office of the potus alone, and especially in the unchecked growth of the executive’s power; Only a highly competent, loyal to the constitution group can carry that out effectively. Proof ? Biden, and what a clearly masterful job he did at that assembly.
An apt point about what we choose when we elect a President, we elect an executive administration. To this I add, is that he or she is an executive charged with leading foremost into the future, not simply responding or pontificating about actions that are of concern at the kitchen table. Secretaries and Department heads are responsible for carrying out the implementation of our laws and serving the present needs of our citizens. Leadership requires men and women concerned with how the present will ensure safety and prosperity of the nation, not merely today, but on behalf of the next generations. It also requires they recognize what they can do and what they may merely influence, not control. To wit, Obama gave Trump a thriving economy, international standing, and an acceptable debt level, which he squandered, not to mention his handling of the Covid Pandemic or our international standing.
When we vote for a presidential ticket, we elect an executive administration.
Joe Biden's picks have been based on allegiance to democratic principles and ability to carry them out in national and international policy. To care for the general welfare and national security. These are parlous times. They call for considered action.. If nothing else - and there is much else - having Anthony Blinken as Secretary of State was worth the vote.
While some might prefer the immediate gratification of bombast and belligerence, of unilateral proclamations and ultimatums, those are as antithetical to diplomacy as they are to any other function of good governance. The choice between Trump or Biden, between Republican or Democratic administrations, in diplomacy as elsewhere, is the choice between grievance and violence or truth and reconciliation. As we can see in the difference between the Democratic lead Senate and the Republican lead House, it is a difference between achieving comity or provoking chaos. And it is our choice. To unite for the better opportunity of achieving our shared goals. Or not.
For all those naysayers who talk about Joe Biden’s age, we present The Administration- a well organized collection of experts who know how to navigate in their respective fields. They can present the issues, relay responses, and give real scenarios to inform the POTUS of his options.
Compare that with Trump’s cabinet - a bunch of rich toadies who were more interested in their Oval Office picture than tackling the issues that faced America and its standing in the world.
Jane: Absolutely! Crooks don’t surround themselves with honest people. Narcissistic people don’t surround themselves with experts who know more. Obviously, TFFG’s advisors and Cabinet (past and future) tell you who he is.
Voting for Biden is voting for all the honest, expert people he appoints and listens to. He has shown us who he is.
Look at Putin - when the war w Ukraine began, Putin was assured Russia had the very best wartime technology. But, since Putin only knows liars and theives, he got “what he paid for”. It’s astonishing he didn’t see that coming.
Well said, Jane.
JaneDough56 all so true. A true leader knows how to put the right people in the right positions; people that know their job and their roll in the bigger picture. The former president never was and would never be a good leader, only a mean tempered authoritarian. Those kind cannot be trusted in any way shape or form. His cabinet were like musical chairs - none had any expertise in any position. It was a despicable part of our history and we’re still dealing with him. When will it end?
Joe has paid his dues and all those years everyone attributes to his old age, he spent them well and learned a lot. I think history will look on him kindly to say the least and it’s a shame that more of those he is serving so well do not give him credit
A good leader also knows that experienced people improves the leader’s image and performance, while a poor leader is jealous of a person’s expertise. He only hires people who are inept, so he can take all the credit for success and dole out blame to the inept for failure.
Netanyahu’s cabinet is based on the same principles as that of Trump. No experience, only loyalty.
Same antidemocratic religious extremist principles.
But as it is a different system, Netanyahu's administration is more like the GOP House, plum appointments go to the extremists Netanyahu must pander to to keep his position.
You capture so well the stark differences between traditional American administrations - grappling with intractable international challenges with a view to the greater good - and the destabilizing “bombast and belligerence" of a Trump administration content to fan and legitimate so many deadly prejudices and self-interested grievances.
Truth and Reconciliation is the way forward.
We’ll get there.
Lin,
Joe Biden leads with experience. He builds relationships. He has a great team of diplomats as well as those who are working to "build back better". Can we improve? ALWAYS! and we must not just "let projects go without supervision on a regular basis!
As we open our borders to receive immigrants , we must help the border states receiving immigrants. We must as a nation be prepared with processing stations....we must have housing and staff who can speak the languages of those coming to us.
Fellow citizens....their needs provide jobs for Americans .....their needs provide opportunitues to introduce them in a positive way to our great country. Let's admit and observe the many jobs they are willing to take that our citizens will not! Immigrants also need our protection!!!
How many of us would travel by foot through rivers and jungles with practically nothing to be a part of this nation? How many of us take the time to VOTE?
We have plenty of disrupters within our own government in our states and within each and all government positions. We do not need to point our fingers at the problems with people seeking asylum at the border.
We do need to educate our children to value this country and to value Democracy and to respect those who have left everything because they have heard about the opportunities we offer for a better life. The immigrants have suffered so much to come here....how much more do they appreciate freedom than we?
President Biden has been elected and served his state and this country in Washington most of his life. He loves this country and all the best for which it stands. Leaders throughout the world know him and trust him. No one is perfect, but I believe that along with his advisers, we have been able to accomplish much good.....not only here but throughout the world.
Emily - I agree. I’ve done some volunteer refugee resettlement (previously with refugees from the Balkan wars and now with a Ukrainian refugee family). I’ve seen so much hard work, gratitude and loyalty to the U.S. If only all of our native-born citizens could appreciate and possibly even emulate these new Americans.
I remember watching those confirmation hearing and being dissappointed with Thomas's acceptance to the Supreme Court. Yes, Biden carries blame for that, and we are all paying the price. I do not want to minimize the error, but I also firmly believe that Biden has learned from his mistakes and has adapted and changed with the times. The result of such a career is a seasoned and capable politician and administrator who has the insights and capacity to lead the U.S. well. The point of today's post is just that, and it's an obvious contrast to his political opposition.
In a 2019 article in the NYT, Anita Hill described a discussion with Biden in which he expressed regret for what she went through. She appreciated the call but told the Times that it fell short of an apology and by itself was not enough. She didn't think his actions were disqualifying, but hoped to see proper actions and policies for women.
A link to that article:
Joe Biden Expresses Regret to Anita Hill, but She Says ‘I’m Sorry’ Is Not Enough https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/25/us/politics/joe-biden-anita-hill.html?smid=nytcore-android-share
Since that hearing, has progress been made in our society on the issue of violence against women? I would say yes, but not nearly enough. I would also say that progress would be reversed during a 2nd Trump administration - maybe not due to any laws being repealed, but through overt misogynistic behavior by Trump.
The choice, to me, is clear.
"Permitting the Saudis"?? Like we have control. And trying to stop someone from terrorist acts is wrong? If I was your neighbor and was lobbing grenades onto your property, what would you do? If I was threatening the Uber and Amazon trucks coming down your street, what would you do? Would you take action or demand that the police take action, or would you just keep calling me a naughty boy?
It continues to amaze me how folks want to support terrorist organizations, regardless of how much havoc they have created across the globe.
I do not think asking, begging pleading with Biden and the White House to stop supporting Netanyahu’s rampaging war on GAZA, to stop the wholesale killing of civilians, is in any way supporting terrorist organizations. How did we arrive at a point where asking our government to act responsibly ( seen UN & WHO requests) and not support a regime that has no intention of resolving the Palestinian Israeli conflict and only is seeking to destroy and then conquer., has become so one sided? We can support Bidens other work AND still denounce his support of genocide in GAZA. In fact if we really do believe in democracy, like we all espouse, we should be standing up for a people that are being decimated; who have been denied the right to have a democracy. It does not have to be either or. It can be AND/But.
I support Biden’s work and good intentions. I strongly denounce his continuation to financially and militarily support the murders of civilians in GAZA.
I also am confused and disappointed that so many feel it is an “either we support Biden all the way OR we are the enemy who support HAmas or terrorists.
Biden too could be in support of Israel AND give them the ultimatum that there will be no more money or arms until they stop the wholesale destruction in GAZA. Currently Netanyahu has thumbed his nose at Blinken and Biden’s urgings for restraint. It’s time to stop urging And set a clear limit. If you agree please send your message to the White House:
https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/
Genocide? Not even close. If the IDF wanted to, it could commit real genocide. Gaza population has been growing at 3% per year (https://worldpopulationreview.com/world-cities/gaza-population).
I, too, want the Netanyahu regime out and in jail. But that regime is not representative of all of Israeli society.
Genocide? Not ev
It continues to amaze me how propagandized lemmings lap up hegemony language couched in diplomatic blah blah, also confuse critique of empire and its accompanying horrors with supporting terrorist organizations.
We’ve caused more death and misery around the world post-WWII than every terrorist act combined, and it isn’t close. Create havoc? That’s an American specialty.
Oh go tell that to Chomsky. Make his day! What horseshit.
Tom, please unravel for us how we should be responding to Houti attacks on global shipping. What should Western countries do? Stop using oil? Allow hateful regimes to annihilate allies? Are you really criticizing ex-colonists for their actions in previous centuries? Are you expressing sympathy for Arab grievances? Are you railing against the miltary-industrial complex's hold on our short hairs? Given the world as it is now, what is your solution? What is the way forward without genocidal retribution? Or do you want to see that retribution? Or have you further need to vent?
Answer to every one of your questions: First, stop the genocide.
Tom, first, use words you understand before your arguments carry the weight they deserve. Genocide? No. Apartheid? Not in pre-1967 borders, within which Arab Israeli citizens have full constitutional rights and are well integrated within the society. In the West Bank? There I would agree with it. While I agree with the initial security-focused actions by Israel, the Israeli settlements and the resultant IDF control of movement constitute oppression. However, Arab Palestinians must renounce the violence they've been perpetrating on Jews since the 1920s.
The true Nakhba is Arab leaders' disgraceful failure to provide true care to Palestinians, who have been stateless and leaderless since forever.
It amazes me how you buy the propaganda put out by murderous Hamas as truth.
Which genocide? Hitler's? OK. To do that you need democratic western hegemony. Otherwise, you have unchecked anarchy. Just what Chomsky ordered.
Most here are sincerely struggling with a very difficult situation and giving it serious thought.
The fact is that the Carter, Clinton, Obama, and Biden administrations have been more fair than the Reagan, Bush 1+2, and Trump administrations.
Not good enough, but better.
Maybe more has been donated to Bidens campaigns because he was in Congress so long......"glorious career". Also beneficiaries include: Lindsay, Ted, Marco, McCain (before), McConnell, Mark Kirk (all lovely republicans).
No, just keep your head in the sand.
The truth. All this adoration of Biden makes me sick to my stomach. No I am NOT a Trump supporter, heaven forbid. I voted for Biden and loathe Trump et al and everything they stand for. That has not blinded me however to Biden et al’s despicable support of the murderous Israeli regime and their war crimes. No I would NEVER vote for Trump or any of his minions and wanna-be clones but I will also never vote for Biden again either. Fortunately (in this particular instance ONLY) I live in a state that is so thoroughly red that unless some kind of miracle occurs and it does not go massively and overwhelmingly for Trump, my vote doesn’t count and is useless and meaningless for all intents and purposes.
Well thank Christ's white ass for that!
Keep on bringing this powerful message.
I’m marking your share here for future conversations w folks.
What appears most is for the soap opera mentality sector, drama queens, attention getters- that group. NEWS is not found on channels lusting to viewership /bottom line dollar raising/corporate strangleholds/hostage actors /followers of fantasy fanatics.
People who regularly vote , most often by facts , read credible sources. There’s growing evidence through courts dismissing appeals /declaring guilty parties liable/citing multiple investigations sufficient basis for rendering sentences one after another and prison terms, who and their complicits are -the noisy , chaotic, law breaking and liars club. It isn’t a stretch, it’s fact after fact , and those remaining aboard that ship will eventually end up the same , just time is wasted folks and your taxpayer money looting the till.
Out of this we hope serious journalism can survive -my applause for credibility.
Out of this we learned loopholes in need to codify ,passing laws protecting principle, correcting long turned cheeks ‘looking the other way ‘ , accountability to truth.
I’ve been here subscribed to Heather’s, Steve’s , Simon’s Joyce’s , Ruth’s groups which are BTW free subscription( only paying customers can comment however) since near the getgo . I listen to PBS/BBC/watch documentary/research for collaboration, because the BS is big boot high to pander to that dollar EVERYWHERE!
The commentaries ,99% of the time are great, solid information gained carefully..I commend and appreciate y’all’s input. 🫶👏
It’s critical and forever work to sustain truth.
Know and promote the solution seekers . Biden and an incredibly team are bringing back America ‘s leadership through these years of turmoil. Much yet needs done.
💙💙VOTE ALL THE COMPLICIT OUT💙💙
Sorry, but your, and Heather’s, praise for both diplomacy and international rules-based order is a sham, couched in a propagandized, post-WWII desire for American hegemony. Every mention of rules-based order should be more accurately referred to as the American rules-based order, for that is what we seek. We look to the UN for a resolution to bomb Yemen, but veto one for a Gaza ceasefire. We value commerce, not the lives of people. There’s your American diplomacy. There is where America is. You’re right, that’s our choice.
Genocide Joe and Butcher Blinken have bombed Syria, Iraq, and Yemen now, in order to keeping letting Israel continue to bomb and slaughter Palestinians in Gaza. American rules-based order. Oh yes, and American diplomacy. But hey, it’s cool if war breaks out; we’ll just blame it on Iran, or Russia, or China. Because we’re the good guys, right?
https://www.caitlinjohnst.one/p/western-empire-bombs-yemen-to-protect
“What Biden does not mention in his statement about his administration’s “response” to Houthi attacks on ships in the Red Sea is the fact that those Red Sea attacks are themselves a response to Israeli crimes against humanity in Gaza. Also unmentioned is the fact that the strikes took place after the first day of proceedings in the International Court of Justice in which Israel stands accused by South Africa of committing a genocide in Gaza.
So the US and the UK just bombed the poorest country in the middle east for trying to stop a genocide. Not only that, they bombed the very same country in which they just spent years backing Saudi Arabia’s genocidal atrocities which killed hundreds of thousands of people between 2015 and 2022 in an unsuccessful bid to stop the Houthis from taking power.”
"diplomacy, the established method of influencing the decisions and behaviour of foreign governments and peoples through dialogue, negotiation, and other measures short of war or violence."
You are angry. There is certainly a cause for anger. Diplomacy is anger management.
Your diplomacy here is a sham. And is genocide complicity; nothing more.
https://www.counterpunch.org/2024/01/12/tall-tales-and-murderous-restraint-blinken-on-gaza-and-israel/
“Perhaps the greatest canard of all in this briefest of trips by Blinken is the continued, now absurd claim, that Washington is committed “to working with partners to set the conditions necessary for peace in the Middle East, which includes comprehensive, tangible steps towards the realization of a future Palestinian state alongside the State of Israel, with both living in peace and security.”
In his remarks to President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah, Blinken showed the hardened ignorance that will ensure the Israeli-Palestinian conflict will continue in some form. In his mind, a “reformed” Palestinian Authority will take over the reins of a ruined Gaza (“effective responsibility”) whatever the residents of Gaza think.
Palestinians will never, given current conditions, be permitted sovereignty and anything remotely resembling a thriving, viable state. Israel, whose very existence is based on predation, dispossession and war, will never permit a Palestinian entity to be given equal standing at the diplomatic or security table. The US, in the tatty drag of an independent broker, will go along with the pantomime, promoting, as Blinken is, a sham, counterfeit form of autonomy, one forever subject to conditions, demarcations and restraints. And one thing is almost certain about any future rump Palestinian entity: it will be deprived of any right to defend itself.”
More horseshit.
""mansplaining" historian revisionist history."
Yikes! WTW?
There is cause for Tom's anger (see my response to him). It is paralyzing to watch Israel actively conducting genocide on the Palestinians (the army have been passing out rifles to the settlers on the West Bank) after what the Jews experienced during the Holocaust. Diplomacy here is simply a dance on hot coals. Bibi HAS to be taken out....
Please.......South Africa wants to use the term "genocide" but lots of countries not buying it. netanyahu maybe .
Those countries are either fearful or compliant with American hegemony.
Your knowledge of the definition of genocide, and the criteria necessary for its applicable accusation, is deficient. Study up.
https://chrishedges.substack.com/p/the-case-for-genocide/comments
Are the attacks on Gaza anger management? What about those on the houthi? Just asking.
No. By definition.
They are both military attacks. And they ought not be equated.
Yes. I am glad you came right out with that. It was the same belief as in 2016. Elect Trump and let things get bad enough. But it didn't grind to a halt did it? It got worse. And at the expense of our most vulnerable neighbors, fragile planet, and endangered democracy.
Trump's abandonment of the Palestinians IS the most proximal reason for their violence in an attempt to bring the focus back onto their valid concerns.
Trump did not just abandon any hope for justice for Palestinians. Trump embraced and encouraged - put America's imprimatur on - the worst abuses of the racist right wing religious extremist Netanyahu regime. Trump, his Evangelical base, and AIPAC. The worst 'friends' Israel could have.
You explained my reasoning behind my assertion. Thank you.
Truth!
I am torn...probably in the same way Biden is. Here you have bully Bibi and his rabid right-wingers not only bent on wiping out Hamas, but as his blatant actions show, to annihilate all Palestinians whether by killing them or shoving them out of Israel. The world response is pure horror. I felt the same when Biden declared that we would back Israel and "my friend Bibi" 100%. The Houthis have clearly stated that they would stop their attacks the minute Israel stops theirs on Gaza. The US has now pulled back on their "100%" support. Blinken is between a rock and a hard place. So Tom, other than diplomacy, what would you do if you were in his position as you watch ships carrying needed goods being attacked, knowing that genocide against Gaza will continue as long as Bibi is in control (other than suspending their annual allowance in the millions)? It is he who needs to be wiped out....
As with Trump, Bibi is the personification of the problem. The domination of government by racist right wing religious extremists.
Who've learned that in unity there is strength and voting is the path to power.
Agree with removing Netayahu. ("wiping out?? .....not the language you want to use unless you are stirring up emotional reactions.....similar to Tom).
ThankYou Kathy.
Yeah, why get emotional about a genocide, right, Kathy?
I have stated many times here, Biden needs to do what Reagan did as a response to Israel bombing a refugee camp in Lebanon in the 80s. He got the Israeli PM on the phone and said knock it off, or the military aid we provide will come under serious scrutiny. Israel complied.
But we have to mean it. If Bibi ignored the threat, and he very well might, we have to be willing to turn off the spigot.
We have been playing Manichaean checkers in the Middle East, especially since the coup in Iran since ‘53, instead of chess.
https://www.counterpunch.org/2024/01/12/the-united-states-and-the-middle-east-hoist-on-its-own-petard/
““Strategic cooperation” in the Persian Gulf led to U.S.-Israeli agreement on prepositioning U.S. military weaponry and medical gear in Israel; the U.S. Sixth Fleet’s use of Israeli ports; and the formation of a committee to arrange joint military exercises. The Reagan administration even resumed the delivery of cluster bombs to the Israeli Defenses Forces (IDF); the Carter administration had stopped such deliveries because Israel was using these weapons illegally against civilians. The Reagan administration increased military assistance to Israel, and concluded a trade agreement with Israel that gave it preferential treatment.
Fast forward to the present, and we find the United States trying to pull Israeli chestnuts out of a genocidal fire that the IDF has set in Gaza. U.S. weapons are central to the bombing campaign against Gaza, which has killed more than 23,000 civilians, devastated the elementary infrastructure that exists there, and annihilated more than 200 aid workers and journalists, and in some case their entire families. It took the Israeli killing of three Israeli hostages to make the international community aware of Israel’s total disregard for human life. And now South Africa has taken the case of Israeli war crimes to the International Court of Justice at the Hague, which is one of the more incredible ironies of this miserable tragedy.”
No, South Africa has lodged its complaint with he UN. Get your facts straight.
Tom HIGH, the Houthi are fighting for Gaza by disrupting international commerce? Sounds like Terrorism to me. Chaos by non state pirates applied to ships not involved with Gaza
Your pretzel is uniquely twisted
Your problem here, Dave, is that you have a propagandized, simplistic definition of terrorism.
Your inability to recognize American terrorism, by both military and diplomatic means, is what is twisted. Your pretzel is hurl worthy, but certainly not unique.
You've been reading too much Chomsky. Did you know that he advocates stateless communism? Dave Dalton is right.
Horseshit.
Exactly. Well said, Lin.
Excellent assessment, lin. We elect Presidents, and administrations. Sadly, we also elect Judges, and there are far too many "wing nuts" occupying seats where their black robes match their black hearts.
https://www.usip.org/publications/2024/01/middle-east-verge-wider-war
Diplomatic efforts.
To put it simply:
Trump = “me”
Biden = “we”
My dear lin; You are so very correct - a thing that doesn’t surprise me, having paid attention to your comments for so long. …”Joe Biden's picks have been based on allegiance to democratic principles and ability to carry them out in national and international policy.” The tragedy is that some percentage of the populace masses don’t realize this; They’ve been duped into some belief (I know how) that a president must embody the “self-made man myth” - much akin to a concept HCR tried to define in terms of the “American cowboy” myths. I call it ‘toxic masculinity' longing. No one man or woman for that matter is capable of handling the office of the potus alone, and especially in the unchecked growth of the executive’s power; Only a highly competent, loyal to the constitution group can carry that out effectively. Proof ? Biden, and what a clearly masterful job he did at that assembly.
An apt point about what we choose when we elect a President, we elect an executive administration. To this I add, is that he or she is an executive charged with leading foremost into the future, not simply responding or pontificating about actions that are of concern at the kitchen table. Secretaries and Department heads are responsible for carrying out the implementation of our laws and serving the present needs of our citizens. Leadership requires men and women concerned with how the present will ensure safety and prosperity of the nation, not merely today, but on behalf of the next generations. It also requires they recognize what they can do and what they may merely influence, not control. To wit, Obama gave Trump a thriving economy, international standing, and an acceptable debt level, which he squandered, not to mention his handling of the Covid Pandemic or our international standing.