Al-Arabiya TV interviews Obama

[KenH]

An excellent move by our president.

Transcript: www.alarabiya.net/articles/2009/01/27/65087.html#004


Al-Arabiya TV interviews Obama

WASHINGTON // The US president, Barack Obama, gave his first formal television interview as president to an Arabic cable TV network, telling Al-Arabiya that when it comes to Middle East matters "all too often the United States starts by dictating."

Mr Obama taped the interview with the Dubai-based network yesterday, as his envoy to the Middle East, former Sen George J Mitchell, set out for an eight-day trip to the region and elsewhere.

...

The president reiterated the US commitment to Israel as an ally, and to its right to defend itself.

...

"We cannot tell either the Israelis or the Palestinians what's best for them. They're going to have to make some decisions. But I do believe that the moment is ripe for both sides to realize that the path that they are on is one that is not going to result in prosperity and security for their people," he said.

- rest at www.thenational.ae/article/20090127/FOREIGN/668102703/1001

 

[Pastor Larry]

An excellent move our president.

Apart from writing an incoherent series of words, you seem to be in favor of outsourcing media jobs. That's too bad.

A lot of us have this idea that the president should tend to America. You got upset when Bush meddled in the Middle East (after supporting it, removing your support, supporting it again calling it WWIII, removing your support, and generally being all over the map with no consistent thought process about it). So why is it okay for Obama to meddle in the Middle East?

 

[KenH]

Apart from writing an incoherent series of words

I have corrected it for the word that I accidentally left out. I guess in your eyes that makes me a "word cheat".

 

[Ps104_33]

This move will show weakness on the part of the United States. This is what the barbarians look for. He is eating out of their hands.

 

[KenH]

This move will show weakness on the part of the United States.

Do you not think that diplomacy should be used at all?

 

[Pastor Larry]

I have corrected it for the word that I accidentally left out. I guess in your eyes that makes me a "word cheat".

Don't be silly.

Do you not think that diplomacy should be used at all?

It should be, but giving an interview to foreigners has not generally been considered diplomacy.

In diplomacy there must be some non-negotiables. The Democrats practice this all the time by refusing to discuss certain issues until other issues are off the table. I remember some of the idiots talking about Social Security reform, saying "Everything is on the table but we won't talk until privatization is off the table." It was a stupid thing to say, but they said it with a straight face. And people bought it.

We are, by and large, an unthinking country who has realized that the ballot box is actually a form of currency.

 

[KenH]

It should be, but giving an interview to foreigners has not generally been considered diplomacy.

I think that leaders in Muslim countries paid attention to what was said in the interview.

 

[Pastor Larry]

I think that leaders in Muslim countries paid attention to what was said in the interview.

You also think Obama was a good vote and Geithner was a good nomination, so you will pardon me if I don't put a lot of stock in what you think.

 

[LadyEagle]

I'm sure they did and will view this as weakness in only the first week of his presidency. When he arbitrates the 7-year peace deal with Israel and the Palestinians, some of us will know what's coming down the pike.

 

[KenH]

Don't be silly.

Your initial comment was silly.

 

[KenH]

I'm sure they did and will view this as weakness in only the first week of his presidency.

Do you not believe in using diplomacy at all?

 

[KenH]

so you will pardon me if I don't put a lot of stock in what you think.

I've felt that way about you for a long time.

 

[Pastor Larry]

I've felt that way about you for a long time.

Seeing your judgment on other things relieves any concern that might have caused. It is comforting to know that you don't put a lot of stock in what I think. It makes me think I am on the right road.

Let's face it, Ken ... You are not good at these games, my friend. You walk right into these things and make it too easy, my friend.

 

[KenH]

You're whistling past the graveyard, PL. I have handed you your head countless times in debate. :smilewinkgrin:

 

[Pastor Larry]

You're whistling past the graveyard, PL. I have handed you your head countless times in debate.

I don't recall you ever landing a blow, but several times you came close when you were a Ron Paul devotee. Oh for the days when you actually thought about this stuff.

 

[KenH]

Actually, I have thought about this stuff for years and reality finally set in and I rejected the failed policies that you, unwisely, still support.

 

[Revmitchell]

You're whistling past the graveyard, PL. I have handed you your head countless times in debate. :smilewinkgrin:

Wow! What an admission of guilt.

 

[Pastor Larry]

So you think Ron Paul was wrong?

 

[Alcott]

What? Is it past noon in the east and the president's golden touch of diplomacy hasn't brought the Israelis and Palestinians to a love feast and Ben Laden hasn't turned himself in?

 

[KenH]

So you think Ron Paul was wrong?

I still like him and enjoyed listening to him on "Morning Joe" on MSNBC this morning. The video is here: www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036789/#28872384

I don't think he has the correct prescription to remedy the economic mess caused by 8 years of conservative economic polices during the just completed Bush administration.