Obama was also criticized for suggesting he might have talks with Iran and Syria.

You know, because diplomacy is so passe...
Just look at how great a non-diplomat W has been, and how well that has worked.

FWIW, there is only one country that I believe the US President should have 'fealty' towards...

What a paradox this is for me...1, I am not a nationalist; 2, I believe (as a historian) that the old norms of national sovereignty are passing in deference to a more loosely-based Empire (a la Negri), yet 3, when I think about our political leaders unerring and unquestioned support of Israel in the face of reasonable concern, I feel that I should support a presidency that places my nation 1st and does so without question.

It gives me fits...

but not as much as the flying BS that tries to paint Obama as not-of-Washington and oh-so-perfect (as Rolling Stone would have it). He is only nominally and minimally different than Clinton and McCain.

Wow... do you work for the New York Times? You sure do know how to pull quotes out of context.

The titled of this post:
MISSLEADING
Nobody at the event said "fealty to Israel," rather that was Dana Milbank's words. Here's the full quote:
Next, from your description:
OUT OF CONTEXT
Lewis’ point was that we must listen to the entire voice of our ally, and not pick and chose based on political party. We listen to the democratically elected leaders of Israel… not simply whichever party most agrees with the American political party in charge. Here's the full quote in context:
MISSLEADING
These are two countries that are currently enemies of Israel, openly support groups calling for its destruction... as well as enemies of the United States. For those who want a dialogue, let me ask... what do you think will happen? What do you predict the result to be? What will or could be gained?


Additionally, you fail to see "the big picture." Let me give you an example. Imagine you buy a house. You spend time fixing it up, making is safe, and it becomes a really nice place. With that done, you now do everything in your power to keep it that way. So what happens when your town starts changing? Are you concerned when your neighbor's house falls into disrepair? Are you worried when there are drug dealers, and gangs on the next block? Should you be? After all, you're still in your house... your house is still nice and safe... even if the things around you are going to hell.

The point is, that protection of this nation sometimes requires action and protection of other nations. We might have the nicest house on the block... but sooner or later, everyone else’s trouble is going to catch up to us... and either we deal with it when it's a small but difficult problem to solve, or we wait until it's a big and almost impossible problem to solve.


But anyway... you dislike Israel... we get it. Everyday you post another two or three articles about it... and then get mad because most of the people around here don't buy it. But I guess if it makes you feel better, stay the course. I'll be here to point out how you’re wrong.

I'm sorry...I was expressing Milbank's own assessment, that the panelists (thus those at the event) were questioning Obama's 'fealty'...

It is not as out of context as you would like it to be...in fact, it is very much in the context of the article. The article is on display, as are its referents.

Your argument, and Lewis's, are exactly what I am talking about. If that is the case, why is it objectionable to not take a 'likud' view? The implication is clear; a person is not sufficiently supportive of israel unless he/she is uncritically supportive.
It is not the job of the president of the USA to support the decisions of the Israeli people or leaders...that is a choice, not an obligation.
Can one not be 'pro-american' while supporting the libertarian party, or the democratic party, or party x? As far as I can tell, that is the essence of liberal democracy.


maybe i just see a different picture...
maybe i see problems to which the same old and ineffective solutions are being applied...
like the way you apply your bigoted references to 'drug dealers' threatening our suburban utopia.

who says i am mad? Just because i offer rebuttals and/or criticisms to your arguments does not mean that I am mad...
Plime stands out among most internet forums for its quality and its openness. Go ahead, post some things that support your views, rather than criticizing mine.
The great thing is that people do buy it, and some don't...it is a discussion.
And I don't think I ever said I dislike Israel...i don't like their assumptions, prejudices, and their policies...but i certainly have no desire to have them pushed into the sea, a la John Hagee and Billy Graham.
The fact is, the vast majority of the world, and many Americans, and many, many Jewish people, think that Israel is an international pariah and is short-sighted in its approach to the situation of which they are part. Like their 'opponents' in the region, they have been pilloried in the UN on dozens upon dozens of occasions, though more often for opposing declarations on human rights (in tandem with our government).

They are not "good guys", plain and simple. it is very possible for all the dogs in a fight to be bad dogs...there is no imperative for a 'hero'.

The essence of democracy is supporting the whole, and the wishes of the majority. It means sometimes your POV wins, and sometimes it loses, but in the end you remain part of the whole.

For example, one who says that “If my candidate does not win the Presidency, and do XYZ, then f*** this place, I’m leaving!” IMO is not a supporter of democracy. They are a user of democracy (because they have the freedom to say and do just that), but they only wish for others to bend to their will, without accepting the will of others. That’s a person looking for a dictatorship, not a democracy.

In this case, the idea is that we would only support one of our allies, depending on which political party was in charge. That is not how our diplomacy should work… our support and allies should be dependent on the actions of the country. Can you imagine if other countries acted the way you are suggesting? China says, “We’re only going to work with you if you elect a Democrat” and Italy says, “Only if you elect a Republican.” What business is it of theirs?

It is America’s responsibility to support Israel, because they are a strategic ally. Without them, we have virtually no support in the middle east, not attempt for any sort of democracy over there, and will inevitably result in the slaughter of many innocent people.


“…your bigoted references…” How was I bigoted again? Oh, that’s right, I assumed people wouldn’t want to live around drug dealers and gangs. My bad. How very bigoted of me.

*Sheesh* Is that the best you’ve got? Ignore the argument, call me a bigot, and move on? Do you think that actually makes a point? Yeah, not so much… try again.

Yes, you are clearly very angry… and clearly your anger is directed towards Israel. How many articles have you posted thus far about how bad Israel is? How many times have you defended those who want to attack and/or kill the Israelis, as well as anyone else unlike them?

I have no idea where you got the idea that the “vast majority of the world” and “may Americans” and “many Jewish people” think the way you do. You can’t just make things like that up, and hope that it’s true. It’s not, we all know that it’s not, and no matter how many times you say it, or articles you post, it’s not going to be true.

I’m not suggesting you stop posting… you can post all you’d like. I’m mealy stating that your anti-Israel, pro-Anti-Israel group bias is very transparent, and flawed logic at best.

I don’t agree with everything that Israel does… but at the same time, I don’t disagree with everything either. You are apparently in search of the next great offense, and more inclined to accept an anti-Israel position, before actually thinking about the issue. It’s not necessarily that those who dislike Israel are right… it’s just that Israel is wrong.

So let me end this with a question: What do you think should happen to Israel? What should be done so that we can have peace in that region? What is America’s responsibility. It’s very easy to say everything is wrong and bad and not going to work… but it’s harder to come up with a solution. So gimme what you’ve got.