Israeli Prime Minister told Nancy Pelosi to pass a message to the Syrians that Israel is open to dialogue. This might have gotten him in some political trouble at home, so he felt a need to issue a clarification.
The clarification was that Israel and Syria are not allies and that Israel still considers the Syrians bad guys. Wow!!! You don't say. We still consider Syria the bad guys -- that doesn't mean you shouldn't talk to them. We have talked to our adversaries for time immemorial -- that's how you do diplomacy.
Conservatives these days think that just labeling someone an enemy is good enough reason to never talk to them again. Third graders across the country agree. "Suzy told Johnnie that I like him, and I don't, so I'm never going to talk to her again!"
There are reports out now that Syria might have helped in negotiating the release of the British sailors from Iran. It turns out if you talk to other countries, even ones you disagree with, you might get some thing out of it. Wow. Revolutionary breakthrough called ... diplomacy.
Remember that every Republican and Democratic president before Bush has talked to our enemies in the Middle East and beyond. Reagan had summits with the evil empire again and again. The only exception was Iran because of the Iranian hostage crisis. But we found a way to have meaningful and productive conversations with all other countries through all other presidencies -- until this one.
None of the stories cited by any conservative actually mentions anything inappropriate that Pelosi actually said or did. They just mention that she dared to visit Syria, along with some Republican colleagues. And that Israel had to issue a clarification -- not of what she said, but of their position.
I'll put that one in the whoop dee do category. Every time a country reaches out to an adversary, they immediately remind everyone that they are still going to stick to their position. This is done so that they don't appear weak by offering a compromise. Until any deal gets done, you always explain how you're not going to budge an inch -- until you do. It's Negotiations 101.
Ultimately, Republicans are doing more damage to themselves here than anything else. Americans see Nancy Pelosi trying to do what this administration refuses to do -- open up a dialogue and pursue diplomacy. This is exactly what the bipartisan Iraq Study Group recommended and any sensible person would agree to. Except we do don't have sensible people in the White House. So, Americans look at George Bush holding his breath until he turns blue in the face and refusing to talk to anyone who hurt his feelings, and rightfully think he's acting like an immature brat.
In the end, Nancy Pelosi looks reasonable and diplomatic and Bush looks childish and irresponsible. If conservatives want to keep harping on this, be my guest. We'll take the position of diplomacy and you take the position of not talking to any "bad guys," and see if that works out for you.
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Diplomacy Means Talking to the "Bad Guys"
Posted Apr 5th 2007 9:48AM by Cenk Uygur
Filed under: Middle East, Politics, George Bush, Young Turks, Democrats, GOP, Nancy Pelosi, Syria
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Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 2)
1. Do you mislead on purpose??? Once again you're doing your character assissinations by question marks. The US entered joint talks with Syria & Iran in Feb of 2007.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/27/AR2007022700894.html
Do you think Nancy Pelosi giving Syria a great photo op encourages them to stop funding terrorism? Ridiculous!
Mel at 11:01AM on Apr 5th 2007
2. I have to agree and disagree. Dialog is always important but you seem to speak more kindly about Syria then your countrymen of differing views. If one can speak with ones own enemies with respect them one can point to others how to speak to their's. Syrian's have killed Israel's citizens so i would withhold my judgement of them especially if i cannot have a constructive dialog with my "play" enemies (conservatives). Calling another adult a third grader will never lay a groundwork for constructive discussion of differences. I do not agree with the conservative viewpoint but we do not have to insult people who have valid - yes, valid - if different views. Just becomes a circular insult session and goes no where. My opinion.
Matt Casserly at 11:06AM on Apr 5th 2007
3. Cenk,
Once again your post indicates that you don’t understand what is going on. Your entire post is based on the false premise that the United States is not having communication with Syria. That is simply not the case. What the United States is refraining from is having high profile visits with Syrian leaders. The Bush Administration is following this policy because they believe it is inappropriate for American leaders to have photo opportunities with a person who orchestrated the assignation of the Lebanese Prime Minister.
Try to remember calling Bush names is no substitute for thinking.
Greg at 11:09AM on Apr 5th 2007
4. The sentence "Americans see Nancy Pelosi trying to do what this administration refuses to do should be amended to state "American liberals see Nancy Pelosi trying to do what this administration refuses to do
lynn w at 11:09AM on Apr 5th 2007
5. when politicians negotiate for something. they promise something in return. do you agree? question is what did the deva promise to give up.
edwin abernathy at 11:36AM on Apr 5th 2007
6. So Greg, Who are we talking to in Syria? If the US is not talking to high profile Syrians, since they orchestrated the assignation of the Lebanese P.M., why should we be talking to and allies with Israel. Didn't they bomb Lebanon back to the Stone Age and kill thousands of innocent women and children? The US keeps sticking its nose into other countries, where we are not wanted or welcomed. They should all be like us, free and Democratic. While here in the US, there is Racism, Profiling, people living in Poverty and Homelessness.
And you're right, it doesn't take much thinking to call bush names but, it makes a lot of people feel better.
David Rosenberg at 1:26PM on Apr 5th 2007
7. Since when does "Taking on the Bad Guys", mean we counter with a obsequious political hack in a cute yellow bonnet.
Bob Rogan at 1:10PM on Apr 5th 2007
8. Thanks to the contributions in this blog, we can now add items 9-12 to our “Why we Hate Bush” List.
Let’s all help the “Neo-Libs” feel better about their compulsive hatred of George Bush, by making it easier for them to construct their “Fair and Balanced” Blog epistles:
1. Bush caused the Aids Epidemic in the World.
2. Bush caused the Tsunami eruptions.
3. Of course Bush caused Global Warming.
4. Bush is responsible for poisoning our cats and dogs.
5. Bush is responsible for terrible Forest fires wherever they occur.
6. Bush and Chaney are responsible for all types of Drug addiction.
7. Bush caused the Twin towers to collapse.
8. Bush is dumb!! (This may be a problem because; Bush has a higher IQ and received better Grades at Yale, than Sen. Kerry. Bush also has a Master’s degree from Harvard).
9. Bush is responsible for Racism.
10. Bush is responsible for Profiling.
11. Bush is responsible for people living in Poverty.
12. Bush is responsible for the Homelessness.
Bob Rogan at 2:02PM on Apr 5th 2007
9. To Bob Rogan:
Where did all this stuff come from? Who said George Bush poisoned cats and dogs? Maybe you are just trying to make a point with silly, extreme statements (Ann Coulter, anybody?). Unlike Ann, at least you didn't accuse virtually every liberal in America of being a homosexual.
Seriously, Reagan never stopped having summit talks with the Soviets, and Nixon opened a dialog with China....both at the height of the cold war.
Bush has this thing about isolation that is really spooky. He throws away the bipartisan Iraq Study Commission's report that calls for direct, high level dialog. He threw away the CIA's report that proved that Hussein had no weapons of mass destruction. He threw away the doctors' reports that Terry Shaivo was brain dead. He threw away the report last year that said that Walter Reed Hospital was crumbling. He threw away the military's report that soldiers being sent back into combat for a third or fourth tour of duty so quickly is dangerous and unfair.
This is the strangest, most isolated, most disconnected administration in modern history.
DS at 3:55PM on Apr 5th 2007
10. David,
You asked who we are talking to in Syria. The answer is that there are normal diplomatic channels where most international discussions are held. The United States maintains an embassy in Syria and Syria maintains an embassy in the United states.
As far as Israel goes, there is a difference between defending yourself from attacks from across the border and assassinating foreign leaders. If you think there is a moral equivalence between Israel and Syria, you have very strange morals.
Yes there is racism, profiling, poverty and homelessness in this country. Those things occur in every country. The difference is that America has done more to eliminate these ill than any other country around. I honestly believe that there is no better country to live in. I, for one, am proud to be an American.
I find it interesting that you wrote a very negative comment about my comment. My comment pointed out that Cenk’s post was based on an erroneous premise. You have done nothing to challenge what I wrote. Instead you reflexively attack Israel and the United States. Do you have anything to offer but hate?
Greg at 3:09PM on Apr 5th 2007
11. BU$H LACKS ALL DIPLOMATIC FUNTIONING TOOLS. HE IS AN IDIOT ALONG WITH BEING AN EGOMANIAC. HE IS THE DECIDER...NOT THE VOTERS (WHO THE HELL ARE THEY)HE IS UNDER ORDERS FROM BIG BUSINESS. BY THE WAY HIS LATEST ENDEVOR IS A DUZZY. HE IS HELL BENT ON MERGING THE UNITED STATES WITH MEXICO AND CANDANA UNDER ONE BIG "NORTH AMERICA UNION"...GOOD BYE BORDERS NOT NECESSARY ANYMORE AND THE SICK AND CRIMINAL FUGITIVES FROM MEXICO WILL BE LIVING FREE AND CLEAR IN THE USA WHILE DRYING UP MEDICARE, MEDICAID, EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES AND ANYTHING ELSE THESE ILLEGALS CAN GRAB. WE WILL ALL BE SPEAKING MEXICAN. WHICH BRING UP ANOTHER SUBJECT OF THE SPREADING OF THE HEMORRAGENIC DISEASE WHICH IS NOW IN CENTRAL AMERICA AND MEXICO CITY AND SPREADING JUST AS FAST AS YOU CAN GET ILLGALLY ACROSS THE BORDER. REPUBLICANS IN CONGRESS ARE IN A RAGE AS NO ONE CONSULTED THEM ON THIS MERGER WITH OTHER COUNTRIES AND THE REMOVING OF OUR SOVEREIGNTY. THIS IS ALL BEING DONE TO GIVE CORPORATE UNAMERICA MORE CHEAP LABOR AND ELIMANATE THE MIDDLE CLASS ENTIRELY.
ANN at 7:48AM on Apr 6th 2007
12. The Prime Minister of Israel enjoys the same type of "popularity" as GW Bush.
I'm betting Israel is ready to negotiate, but he doesn't want to tick off the con fundies in his country, the only support he has.
Why is anyone surprised when politics turnes out to be political??
callmelate4lunch at 3:56PM on Apr 5th 2007
13. Sorry, Pres Bush, but we can't win the support of the world by bravo Macho swaggering. It is time for people to sit down and seek ways of working together. Pelosi, is moving in the right direction, despite the fact that Bush disapproves of her trip. He is losing grip on his effort to obtain supreme control in our respublican nation.
Tom Edgar at 5:22PM on Apr 5th 2007
14. To DS(post 11):
Your right, maybe item 5 (Bush is responsible for poisoning our cats and dogs.)
Is not a fact and should be removed from the list. However Bush’s “free trade” policy is responsible for unchecked imports to our country, including poisonous fertilizer from China).
However, thanks for adding items 13-15 to our “Why we Hate Bush” List.
Let’s all help the “Neo-Libs” feel better about their compulsive hatred of George Bush, by making it easier for them to construct their “Fair and Balanced” Blog epistles:
1. Bush caused the Aids Epidemic in the World.
2. Bush caused the Tsunami eruptions.
3. Of course Bush caused Global Warming.
4. Bush is responsible for poisoning our cats and dogs.
5. Bush is responsible for terrible Forest fires wherever they occur.
6. Bush and Chaney are responsible for all types of Drug addiction.
7. Bush caused the Twin towers to collapse.
8. Bush is dumb!! (This may be a problem because; Bush has a higher IQ and received better Grades at Yale, than Sen. Kerry. Bush also has a Master’s degree from Harvard).
9. Bush is responsible for Racism.
10. Bush is responsible for Profiling.
11. Bush is responsible for people living in Poverty.
12. Bush is responsible for the Homelessness.
13. Bush disposes/disregards all important documents ( This may be another problem, remember the theft and destruction of classified documents from the US National Archives by the Clinton Administration (Sandy Burger, President Clinton’s National Security Advisor), right before the 911 commission investigation).
14. Bush refuses to meet with Despots to solve problems in the United Nations of the world.
15. Bush fraternizes with Anne Coulter who hates Homosexuals.
Bob Rogan at 5:29PM on Apr 5th 2007
15. Bob Rogan, et al,
When Clinton was in office, (R)'s blamed him for "trickle-down immorality," selling our nuclear secrets to China, murdering Vince Foster, abusing franking privileges regarding Socks the cat, etc. (R)'s hated him. But what was his approval rating? High throughout most of his administration and just as high as Reagan's at the end.
Bush/Cheney's approval ratings have been dismal for years. If you think it is only the Libs who hate them, then why does most of the center agree with them? Maybe it's because the whole non-(R) world realizes that Saddam was not connected to 9-11 and no WMD's were found. And that Bush intentionally sold those ideas to sell this horrible war. That is the big reason why we despise Bush/Cheney.
Keep up the ... work,
lil_turk at 8:13PM on Apr 5th 2007