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madmike (Anonymous) says…

Mr. Obama is inexperienced and naive in his foreign policy speeches so far. His willingness to meet unconditionally with the planet's worst despots worries me.

Confrontation (Anonymous) says…

Yes, because it's so much easier to prevent conflicts if we just insult other leaders and threaten them with our “super” powers.

madmike (Anonymous) says…

Negotiating with a dictator from a position of weakness certainly won't prevent one either. Obama and his advisors are willing to meet with Ahmennajad, Chavez and other despots with hat in hand, like Neville Chamberlain, ready to offer them anything in order to avoid a confrontation. That only ensures that one will happen, but at a later date, when more demands can be placed on a weak administration like Obama's.

just_another_bozo_on_this_bus (Anonymous) says…

“Negotiating with a dictator from a position of weakness certainly won't prevent one either.”

Threatening to annihilate anyone you disagree with (along with anyone with in a few hundred miles of them,) from a position of arrogance and stupidity, has proven to be a disastrous foreign policy.

“Obama and his advisors are willing to meet with Ahmennajad, Chavez and other despots with hat in hand, like Neville Chamberlain, ready to offer them anything in order to avoid a confrontation.”

This is nothing but strawman argument at its lowest. Obama has suggested no such thing.

anxiousatheist (Anonymous) says…

“Negotiating with a dictator from a position of weakness certainly won't prevent one either” - MadMike

You're right, we learned that with Reagan, at least Obama hasn't suggested something as stupid as selling arms to them. Just so republitards don't forget, cause we know about your selective memory..

Mkh (Anonymous) says…

Obama is inexperienced, especially in foreign policy. However his foreign policy advisor, Zbigniew Brzezinski certainly is experienced. In fact, his book the Grand Chessboard was one of the major influences on the neo-cons' agenda at PNAC.
www.wanttoknow.info/brzezinskigrandchess…

Of course McCain does have foreign policy experience…but he is still a moron. Which he displayed just a few weeks ago by claiming that Al-Qaeda and Iran were close allies…not understanding the difference between Sunni and Shiite.

Finding_Uranus (Anonymous) says…

Im sure that Bush will be advising Obama on foreign relations as needed/requested. Bush has more experience than anyone in this new perilous time. He'll be a key player in dealing with terrorists for Obama's terrified and confused administration.

beatrice (Anonymous) says…

When you are as old as McCain, virtually everyone is “inexperienced” by comparison.

Exactly what experience is required to be President? Since there is no specific list of experience requirements, how can we say who is and who isn't experienced.

But let us consider the experience Obama doesn't have. Indeed, Obama has no experience getting chastised by Congress for trying to help lobbyists and being part of the Keating Five, no experience voting against the Martin Luther King Holiday, no experience sucking up to President Bush and supporting Bush's failed economic strategies, no experience ranking low in his college graduating class, no experience as an adulterer or with having multiple marriages, no experience flip-flopping on issues of tax breaks for the wealthiest of the wealthy, no experience supporting the complete failure known as the war in Iraq, and on and on and on.

Yep, Obama doesn't have the experience of John McCain — thank God.

Obama will be our next President.

1029 (Anonymous) says…

Since when do people work out their differences through discussion? What an absolutely ridiculous idea. My kid had an argument with another kid at school and his stupid liberal teacher wanted them to talk it out. I tell my kid “you are better in God's eyes and thus you do not have to talk to anyone you are superior to”. Rather than try to work things out, I tell him to spread vicious rumors about how the other kid lives an inferior lifestyle.

1029 (Anonymous) says…

Since when do people work out their differences through discussion? What an absolutely ridiculous idea. My kid had an argument with another kid at school and his stupid liberal teacher wanted them to talk it out. I tell my kid “you are better in God's eyes and thus you do not have to talk to anyone you are superior to”.

BigDog (Anonymous) says…

Has Obama beat Clinton in any key battleground state?

duplenty (Anonymous) says…

“Negotiating with a dictator from a position of weakness certainly won't prevent one either.”

Madmike, your stupidity amazes. A “position of weakness”? How do you figure?

In your mind, deplomacy=weakness?

“Obama and his advisors are willing to meet with Ahmennajad, Chavez and other despots with hat in hand, like Neville Chamberlain, ready to offer them anything in order to avoid a confrontation. ”

Really? I'd love to see, and will withdraw my claim of your stupidity, a quote that even approaches this.

BigAl (Anonymous) says…

“madmike (Anonymous) says…
Negotiating with a dictator from a position of weakness certainly won't prevent one either. Obama and his advisors are willing to meet with Ahmennajad, Chavez and other despots with hat in hand, like Neville Chamberlain, ready to offer them anything in order to avoid a confrontation.”
*************************************************************************

Obama didn't say anything even close to this. This sounds like the talking heads from FOX news just putting their usual spin on a story.

I don't know if talking with these guys is a good idea or not. I do know that what we've been doing for the past 8 years sure as hell hasn't worked. Obama couldn't gum it up any worse than where Bush has taken us.

BigAl (Anonymous) says…

lucky_man, I agree that NBC is biased to the left. But, no more than FOX is biased towards the right. Most, if not all, of my news used to come from FOX. However, FOX has become so biased and “tabloid”, I have been going to ABC and others.

oldvet (Anonymous) says…

“Obama couldn't gum it up any worse than where Bush has taken us.”

Obama will make Jimmy Carter look like a pillar of strength in foreign policy… Obama will keep his campaign promises and pull the US troops out of the Middle East. Radical Islam will be dancing in the streets again. And then Obama will try to talk with Iran and convince them not to be a state sponsoring terrorism, to change their views on the destruction of Israel, and to stop their nuclear programs that can make weapons… and then they will be rolling in the streets laughing at him… Oh yes, the Great Hope!

KS (Anonymous) says…

Barry Obama (as he was known in high school) scares the living daylights out of me. The last guy I would want to put in charge as commander in chief.

stuckinthemiddle (Anonymous) says…

none of the three major presidential candidates have any experiences that causes any kind of confidence that they are capable of doing anything particularly good for this country…

but McCain has experiences that are just plain scary…

I’m going to vote against the scariness…

Agnostick (Anonymous) says…

BigDog (Anonymous) says…

“Has Obama beat Clinton in any key battleground state?”
_______________________________________________

Exactly what are these “key battleground states?”

Are you suggesting or implying that some states are more important than others?

Do these “key battleground states” pay more in taxes than others?

Do these “key battleground states” send more soldiers to Iraq and Afghanistan than other states?

I'd like to hear more about this, please. Thanks.

Agnostick
agnostick@excite.com
http://www.uscentrist.org
http://www.americanplan.org

madmike (Anonymous) says…

This is from another paper, but I thought it was relevant here,

When President George Bush in a speech to the Israeli Knesset highlighted the failures of appeasement, Barack Obama immediately jumped to the conclusion that he was the target of the remarks.
The interesting thing was Obama’s response. To highlight the benefits of negotiating with our enemies he specifically mentioned President John F. Kennedy meeting with Nikita Khrushchev.

In June of 1961 Kennedy and Khrushchev met and Khrushchev came away from the meeting convinced that Kennedy was a wimp and would not stand up to the Soviet Union. Subsequently, Khrushchev began placing nuclear missiles in Cuba.

Was the Kennedy-Khrushchev meeting an example of how Obama plans to conduct foreign policy? Flash forward to a future that, God forbid, never occurs: President Obama meets Iranian President Ahmadinejad, Ahmadinejad is convinced Obama is a wimp, Iran completes its nuclear weapons. Israel is targeted, and we have a repeat of the Cuban missile crisis with the difference that Khrushchev was sane while Ahmadinejad is a fanatical nut.

Do we really want a president who believes that Kennedy’s failed negotiation with Khrushchev is an example that he wants to follow?

stuckinthemiddle (Anonymous) says…

oldvet
not to defend Obama…
but, what Iranian vew of the distruction of Israel are you talking about? and what nuclear programs that can make weapons?

scott3460 (Anonymous) says…

Was it wrong of bush to negotiate with the North Koreans?

BigAl (Anonymous) says…

madmike says: “Do we really want a president who believes that Kennedy’s failed negotiation with Khrushchev is an example that he wants to follow?”

By the same token, do we really want a president that believes Bush's failed policies with basically the world is an example that he wants to follow?

stuckinthemiddle (Anonymous) says…

a conservatives view of history and talking to your enemies:
http://www.lewrockwell.com/buchanan/buch…

BigAl (Anonymous) says…

stuckinthemiddle. Thank you. Pat Buchanan says it much better than I could. And, Pat Buchanan is far from being left-wing.

stuckinthemiddle (Anonymous) says…

and, for the record…

the report from the combined 16 intelligence agency of the US government concluded that all evidence shows that Iran discontinued it's program for nuclear weapons in 2002…

the Iraq study group, appointed by Bush and headed up by long-time Bush family friend, James Baker reported that one of the top priorities for the US to be successful in Iraq should be to enter into talks with Iran…

the exact Farsi translation of the Ahmadinejad quote that the US media has played up as “wipe Israel off the map” is:
“The regime occupying Jerusalem must vanish from the pages of time.”
for people who understand that words have meaning, the difference is distinct…

acoupstick (Anonymous) says…

“Rather than try to work things out, I tell him to spread vicious rumors about how the other kid lives an inferior lifestyle.”

Tell him to call the other kid a socialist. Everyone hates socialists, just look at France and Hugo Chavez!

anxiousatheist (Anonymous) says…

Why don't we talk about Reagan dealing arms to the Iranians…This isn't appeasment? Please conservatives, come up with a coherent, argument, not your simple-minded “scared of a half-black-man” rants. You people are ridiculous…

stuckinthemiddle (Anonymous) says…

“Bomb bomb bomb Iran”
— John McCain

max1 (Anonymous) says…

http://uk.reuters.com/article/topNews/id…
Republican presidential candidate John McCain accused Democratic front-runner Barack Obama on Tuesday of wanting to soften the U.S. embargo on Cuba and meet Cuban President Raul Castro.
McCain compared Obama's position to that of past U.S. presidents, such as Franklin Roosevelt in World War Two, and Ronald Reagan during the Cold War.

February 2003
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_hb…
cancun, Mexico-For the first time in decades, ships bound for Cuba are steaming out of the Port of Galveston.
Texas farmers recently formed the Texas-Cuba Trade Alliance to seek nearly $60 million in potential business on the communist-controlled Caribbean island.

October 19, 2003
http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/fe…
Some U.S. farmers want one specific trade barrier, the Cuban embargo, completely eliminated.
About a year ago, Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura traveled to Cuba to promote the state's trade interests. He was taking advantage of the U.S. government's partial lifting of the Cuban trade embargo.

October 25, 2007
http://edition.cnn.com/2007/politics/10/…
U.S. President George W. Bush ruled out any easing of the decades-old U.S. trade embargo on Cuba . . easing the embargo would be “giving oxygen to a criminal regime,” he said.

February 24, 2008
http://www.carnegieendowment.org/publica…
70 percent of Cuban-Americans want Washington to negotiate with the post-Fidel government if it is willing to cooperate.
Sensing this opinion shift, many prominent Cuban-Americans have been calling for “conditional engagement” with the island that would include more direct American travel to Cuba and more American investment – on the condition that the Cuban government increase its respect for workers' rights, create an independent judiciary and allow its people greater freedom to start businesses. Even some Republican members of Congress, once loath to contemplate rapprochement with Cuba, have changed their tune: At a recent Senate Finance Committee hearing, Sen. Chuck Grassley suggested the U.S. reconsider bilateral relations with the island.
Unfortunately, most presidential candidates don't seem to see this future. Though Barack Obama supports changing the relationship with Cuba, Hillary Clinton, who previously said she wanted to continue the economic embargo, has said she will continue Mr. Bush's tough policies.
John McCain has indicated he would continue the current policy.

max1 (Anonymous) says…

We need to impose trade embargoes and cut off diplomatic relations with Seattle.
http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2007/sep/20…
“I lived in the People's Undemocratic Republic of Seattle” -madmike

max1 (Anonymous) says…

http://www.britishembassy.gov.uk/servlet…
The British Embassy, Tehran represents the UK at a political and diplomatic level in Iran.

yourworstnightmare (Anonymous) says…

Obama is indeed a bit inexperienced in foreign policy. However, so is John McCain. Being held as a POW does not equate to foreign policy experience.

Both McCain and Obama are senators, and they have the foreign policy experience that comes with being senators.

What executive or diplomatic position has John McCain held. What foreign policy experience makes McCain more experienced than Obama.

McCain is simply older and has been in the Senate for what, 30 years.

McCain again is making silly attacks based on fear.

ndmoderate (Anonymous) says…

“since they edited a key statement out of the Richard Engel interview and told the whitehouse to jam it upon a request to divulge Bush's edited statement.”

Nice try, R_T. That is what Fox Noise will do to you. The entire interview has been on NBC's website, and they aired the clip in its entirety last night.

And you know, that “key statement” did absolutely nothing to bolster the president's point.

malcolm_x_obama (Anonymous) says…

If for some wild reason Obama wins he can always call Hillary at 3:00 A.M.

Obama if elected will make Jimmy Carter look conservative. Iran is being contained. Containment worked against the Soviets and it will work against Iran if the left would stop assisting the terrorists.

Agnostick (Anonymous) says…

Certain posters to this thread are on the verge of getting their collective clocks cleaned for stupidity did.

Kinda like this ignoramus did…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1wSZBTAX…

—Ag

EXks (Anonymous) says…

John McCain aka John McBush, foreign policy *experts* LMAO!!

Agnostick (Anonymous) says…

madmike (Anonymous) says…

“In June of 1961 Kennedy and Khrushchev met and Khrushchev came away from the meeting convinced that Kennedy was a wimp and would not stand up to the Soviet Union. Subsequently, Khrushchev began placing nuclear missiles in Cuba.”
_____________________________________________

And that is Neoconservatwit revisionism…

“… the Soviet government, in addition to previously issued instructions on the cessation of further work at the building sites for the weapons, has issued a new order on the dismantling of the weapons which you describe as 'offensive' and their crating and return to the Soviet Union.”

—Nikita Khrushchev addressing the U.S.S.R. via Radio Moscow, October 28, 1962

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuban_Missl…

Wikipedia has a good, introductory article about the Cuban Missle Crisis. If you'd like more detailed information, or have an inbred distrust of Wikipedia, there are dozens of other sources available: web sites, books, TV and movie documentaries and dramatizations, and more.

—Ag

dirkleisure (Anonymous) says…

Is the conservative talking point seriously “negotiating from a position of weakness?”

So, if Obama is elected the US will be “weaker” than Iran?

Seriously, Iran? With its rocket?

You people really do hate America, and it is sad. “Position of weakness,” nice way to describe your country.

One of you fools could be elected Prez, and the US still wouldn't be weaker than Iran. Both nations would be ruled by psychopathic dimwits, but it is pretty fair to say the US would not be the weaker of the two.

Stop hating America.

duplenty (Anonymous) says…

“Obama will make Jimmy Carter look like a pillar of strength in foreign policy…”

Hey, oldvet…your ESP is amazing! It's truly marvelous how you can *see the future*!

I have to ask, however….why have you been keeping this talent a secret?

We sure could have used your foresight in regards to Iraq…

EXks (Anonymous) says…

John Sydney McBUSH
John Sydney McBUSH
John Sydney McBUSH

dirkleisure (Anonymous) says…

There is a notable difference between “Are you any safer now” and “You will die if you vote Democratic” or some other McCain-ized variation.

Are you any safer now argues one candidate is better suited to handle the threat. It says both sides recognize the threat, but my side will do a better job handling the situation.

You will die if you vote Democratic argues that only one party recognizes there is a threat. It says my side is the only side that is even aware of the threat, thus my way of handling the threat is the only alternative.

So you see, the only people confused about “which one is it” are those who support the candidates and party clinging to the second line.

beatrice (Anonymous) says…

And Obama accused McCain of being up past his bedtime. Big deal.

This is a non-story, a simple lob from McCain to see how Obama will respond. It is testing the waters from the people running McCain's campaign.

McCain is falling behind at a time when he should be taking a lead. He can't stay in the spotlight, which is a clear sign that Obama is going to be our next President. If this truly makes people afraid of being attacked by Iran with their rocket (funny line, dirk!), there is still time to take George Bush's advice. Now is the time to wrap your house in plastic and duct tape. Why wait? Be sure to seal all the openings, and don't allow any more oxygen in … ever.

beobachter (Anonymous) says…

Actually, gigolo, Bush has made us less safe and more hated throughout world. No president has ever had a higher disapproval rating then w. Also among the lowest ratings ever. Ranks right down there with Nixon and Carter.

beobachter (Anonymous) says…

gigolo, have asked before, what exactly will Obama do that is so terrible? Anything he does is a welcome change from W.

beobachter (Anonymous) says…

gigolo, sounds racist to me.

beatrice (Anonymous) says…

rt, have you forgotten about the daily attacks against Americans in Iraq? Those don't count in your book? 4000 plus dead don't count in your book? You must really hate the troops and America.

By the way, one successful Black man does not undo the racism still found in this country. But it won't hurt … well, except the feelings of racists, like you.

dirkleisure (Anonymous) says…

There were 3 under Willie? They've happened every day for over five years under W. That's almost 2,000 for those of you scoring at home.

Wait, wait, wait, I've got your response – all 2,000 of those attacks were planned during the Clinton administration!

So easy to quote - “the entire Arab world emboldened to kill Americans–one by one.” Apparently you've never heard of an IED. Either that or r_t doesn't consider the soldiers fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan to be “Americans.”

Ah, r_t. You are a fish in the ljworld.com barrel.