Obama: Palestinians Matter, Too

Barack Obama did the unthinkable recently: he had the audacity to mention the Palestinians.

"Nobody is suffering more than the Palestinian people," Obama told voters in Iowa on Sunday. That remark hardly endeared him to the hawkish pro-Israel supporters at AIPAC, where Obama (and Hillary) spoke on Monday.

According to the New York Times, Obama and Hillary held dueling receptions to woo Jewish voters. Hillary offered the standard pro-Israel line, even displaying a sign spelling her name in Hebrew (can't imagine Barack translates very well).

In the past, Obama has spoken highly of the Palestinian people and the calamities they've faced. No doubt, his opponents will now try and use that against him. National Review's blog has already posted a picture of him with (gasp) Edward Said.

In the AIPAC primary, it's fair to say Hillary is winning round one.

Comments (24)

1. Well, what do the "AIPAC controls everything" people say?

   Obama just slit his own throat, no? I mean if AIPAC is the be-all and end-all of American politics (after all, Pelosi was boo'ed by them and she just gave them what they wanted in the supplemental bill on attacking Iran).

   After all, you can't say AIPAC "runs US politics" AND "Obama will win on his fair approach to the Palestinians", can you?

   And who's going to hit him harder....AIPAC....or Hillary?

   Posted by Mask at 03/14/2007 @ 10:16am

2. It would seem that "Barack" would translate very well into Hebrew, since there is already a Hebrew name "Baruch", sharing a similar derivation.

   Posted by puffis at 03/14/2007 @ 10:26am

3. that major american politicians cannot even mention, nay allude to, palestinian oppression at the hands of the israelis is testament to how much this country is in denial.

   Posted by darladoon at 03/14/2007 @ 10:29am

4. Well, what do the "AIPAC controls everything" people say?

   Posted by MASK 03/14/2007 @ 10:16am

   I knew one of these would be you.

   WHO said that "AIPAC controls everything"? Did someone here really say that or did you just fabricate it to create a foundation for another newly minted, MASK-style faux-argument?

   Posted by fromredbird at 03/14/2007 @ 10:35am

5. As noted, "Bara(c)k" is a Hebrew as well as a Swahili name, usually translated as "lightning". Barak in biblical times was a military man who led an improbable victory..AIPAC take note!

   Posted by wlgjim at 03/14/2007 @ 10:42am

6. It's really wonderful, actually, that AIPAC can act as a bridge of understanding and joint action between Hillary and other eloquent voices like Pastor John Hagee.

   American Israel Public Affairs Committee 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM SUNDAY NIGHT PLENARY - The U.S. and Israel: Tradition and Transcendence

   Two eloquent voices from diverse backgrounds explore the history of U.S. involvement in the Middle East and how Americans from all faiths can find common cause in supporting Israel.

   Pastor John Hagee

   Author and Scholar Michael Oren

   Special Guest Eitan Wertheimer, Chairman of the Board of ISCAR

   http://www.aipac.org/AIPAC_events/2552_2541.asp

   In Hagee's telling, Israel has no choice but to strike at Iran's nuclear facilities, with or without America's help. The strike will provoke Russia -- which wants Persian Gulf oil -- to lead an army of Arab nations against Israel. Then God will wipe out all but one-sixth of the Russian-led army, as the world watches "with shock and awe," he says, lending either a divine quality to the Bush administration phrase or a Bush-like quality to God's wrath.

   But Hagee doesn't stop there. He adds that Ezekiel predicts fire "‘upon those who live in security in the coastlands.'" From this sentence he concludes that there will be judgment upon all who stood by while the Russian-led force invaded Israel, and issues a stark warning to the United States to intervene: "Could it be that America, who refuses to defend Israel from the Russian invasion, will experience nuclear warfare on our east and west coasts?" He says yes, citing Genesis 12:3, in which God said to Israel: "I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you."

   To fill the power vacuum left by God's decimation of the Russian army, the Antichrist -- identified by Hagee as the head of the European Union -- will rule "a one-world government, a one-world currency and a one-world religion" for three and a half years. (He adds that "one need only be a casual observer of current events to see that all three of these things are coming into reality.") The "demonic world leader" will then be confronted by a false prophet, identified by Hagee as China, at Armageddon, the Mount of Megiddo in Israel. As they prepare for the final battle, Jesus will return on a white horse and cast both villains -- and presumably any nonbelievers -- into a "lake of fire burning with brimstone," thus marking the beginning of his millennial reign.

   http://tinyurl.com/zjng5

   With LVLIBERTY1-style nuts like this running around being feted by one of America's most powerful political lobbies who the hell needs Osama Bin Laden to attack America?

   Posted by fromredbird at 03/14/2007 @ 10:48am

7. Perhaps Obama recognizes that Hillary is going to get the support of AIPAC; maybe he has simply decided to write it off and attempt to appear as some sort of "rebel" or "outsider". In the primary it would be to his advantage with the black vote, which is a block Hillary covets, a block that is still in play. First things first. If he wins the nomination he can always kiss and make up with AIPAC for the general election.

   Posted by mtspence05 at 03/14/2007 @ 10:50am

8. With LVLIBERTY1-style nuts like this running around being feted by one of America's most powerful political lobbies who the hell needs Osama Bin Laden to attack America?

   Posted by FROMREDBIRD

   (I don't understand how Osama bin can pull off something like 9/11, yet fails to make an effort to disrupt the inporting/exporting of the global economy. All they have to do is fill a few containers up with something that just look like explosives/dirty bombs and that would bring everything to a sudden halt.)

   Posted by mtspence05 at 03/14/2007 @ 10:55am

9. National Review's blog has already posted a picture of him with (gasp) Edward Said.

   But who remembers this?

   Washington Post - Saturday, November 13, 2004 - Page A01

   President Bush set a goal yesterday of ensuring the creation of a peaceful, democratic Palestinian state alongside Israel before he leaves office in 2009.

   Funny how Bush can declare that the time for a Palestinian state has come, and his supporters cheer, but if a Democrat actually sits at a table with a Palestinian, then it's some kind of scandal.

   Posted by MyParadigm at 03/14/2007 @ 10:57am

10. FROMREDBIRD It's funny how every generation of Christians have had their sign seekers who declare that generation as the one where all this stuff will happen.According to Jesus sign seekers are evil,but the sign seekers believe Jesus is coming to get those he deemed to be evil.What does that say about their view of Jesus?

    Posted by i'm nobody at 03/14/2007 @ 10:57am

11. "WHO said that "AIPAC controls everything"?"---Posted by FROMREDBIRD 03/14/2007 @ 10:35am

    followed closely by...

    "... being feted by one of America's most powerful political lobbies..."----Posted by FROMREDBIRD 03/14/2007 @ 10:48am

    Posted by Mask at 03/14/2007 @ 11:13am

12. Posted by FROMREDBIRD 03/14/2007 @ 10:48am

    As whacked as this Hagee guy sounds, his brand of eschatology, with variations, isn't terribly uncommon among right wing nut paulinian (pseudo) christians.

    In certain circles, support for Israel is compulsory, though I'm not quite sure how they reconcile the whole rejection of Jesus thing (I am sure Lovey will be glad to pontificate on this).

    It seems to be tied into the whole Second Coming thing (personally, I am more inclined to believe the Words of The Man himself - the kingdom is within you - and to doubt the ravings of some dude who probably was experiencing hypoglycemia induced hallucinations), but hey, maybe they're right about another go round for the Galileean. If so, I think that Hagee, et al are in for a big surprise when they see just who it is whose ass is getting kicked.

    Anyway, weirdos like this jack off do wield a lot of power and need to be watched. Though neoconism is disgraced and discredited, it is not gone, and those slick bastards have used the followers of people like this character in the past. It's part of why we're in Iraq. It should not be allowed to lead us into Iran.

    Posted by skeletonman at 03/14/2007 @ 11:20am

13. MASK Saying that they are one of the most powerful lobbies is a tad different from saying they control everything.If they controlled everything then he would have said they are the only powerful lobby.

    Posted by i'm nobody at 03/14/2007 @ 11:23am

14. In Hagee's telling, Israel has no choice but to strike at Iran's nuclear facilities, with or without America's help. The strike will provoke Russia -- which wants Persian Gulf oil -- to lead an army of Arab nations against Israel. Then God will wipe out all but one-sixth of the Russian-led army, as the world watches "with shock and awe," he says, lending either a divine quality to the Bush administration phrase or a Bush-like quality to God's wrath.

    Posted by FROMREDBIRD 03/14/2007 @ 10:48am | ignore this person

    Hagee ought to apply for the job of special assistant to the VP. They would have a wonderful rapport and could share delusions of Armageddon.

    Posted by OneVote at 03/14/2007 @ 11:36am

15. "...then he would have said they are the only powerful lobby."---Posted by I'M NOBODY 03/14/2007 @ 11:23am

    It's the ONLY one he ever talks about!

    hehe

    Posted by Mask at 03/14/2007 @ 11:40am

16. Hagee ought to apply for the job of special assistant to the VP. They would have a wonderful rapport and could share delusions of Armageddon.

    Posted by ONEVOTE 03/14/2007 @ 11:36am

    While delusional in and of his own right, I highly doubt that Darth's even remotely have anything to do with Armageddon.

    I suspect that Darth thinks that he is playing Risk and that he is still winning even though he's got just a couple of armies left and they are bottled up in shitholes from whence they are unlikely to return.

    Posted by skeletonman at 03/14/2007 @ 11:52am

17. "Funny how Bush can declare that the time for a Palestinian state has come, and his supporters cheer, but if a Democrat actually sits at a table with a Palestinian, then it's some kind of scandal."

    Posted by MYPARADIGM 03/14/2007 @ 10:57am

    Excuse me if this was already your point, but Bush's supporters cheer because they know he is lying through his teeth.

    Posted by drhammer at 03/14/2007 @ 12:16pm

18. My cousin who lives in Israel is named Barack, smart ass.

    Posted by citylady at 03/14/2007 @ 12:48pm

19. Wasn't Obama saying something earlier in defense of Israel's brutal war against Lebanon last year? Seems like he's trying to have it both ways now -- in other words, he appears to be pandering. Either that, or his previous statements were distorted (which wouldn't surprise me given the nature of the zealots who initially reported the Illinois senator's remarks). I hope it's the latter, because I simply have no patience for politicians who pander to AIPAC or any other foreign lobby.

    Posted by ARCHANGEL_M at 03/14/2007 @ 12:58pm

20. My cousin who lives in Israel is named Barack, smart ass.

    Posted by CITYLADY 03/14/2007 @ 12:48pm

    With a name like that I assume he's highly intelligent.

    Posted by fromredbird at 03/14/2007 @ 1:04pm

21. MASK Saying that they are one of the most powerful lobbies is a tad different from saying they control everything.If they controlled everything then he would have said they are the only powerful lobby.

    Posted by I'M NOBODY 03/14/2007 @ 11:23am

    MASK, the honest truth is that I put you on the ignore list because you keep making a fool of yourself.

    Posted by fromredbird at 03/14/2007 @ 1:06pm

22. Wasn't Obama saying something earlier in defense of Israel's brutal war against Lebanon last year?

    Posted by ARCHANGEL_M 03/14/2007 @ 12:58pm

    Good memory, ARCH....but it was a month ago--

    BLOG | Posted 02/19/2007 @ 4:55pm Now That's Audacity by Max Blumenthal

    Barack Obama states his view of Israel's war on Lebanon last summer:

    "I don't think there is any nation that would not have reacted the way Israel did after two soldiers had been snatched. I support Israel's response to take some action in protecting themselves."

    Posted by Mask at 03/14/2007 @ 1:07pm

23. MASK, the honest truth is that I put you on the ignore list because you keep making a fool of yourself.

    Posted by FROMREDBIRD 03/14/2007 @ 1:06pm

    Yeah, but you keep "peeking"...hehe

    Posted by Mask at 03/14/2007 @ 1:08pm

24. While delusional in and of his own right, I highly doubt that Darth's even remotely have anything to do with Armageddon.

    I suspect that Darth thinks that he is playing Risk and that he is still winning even though he's got just a couple of armies left and they are bottled up in shitholes from whence they are unlikely to return.

    Posted by SKELETONMAN 03/14/2007 @ 11:52am | ignore this person

    I think Risk is appropos, but with an ultimate end game of Armageddon too. See below. Darth has real visions of it.

    "There things stood until September 11, 2001, when Cheney and Rumsfeld suddenly began to act out parts of a script they had rehearsed years before. Operating from the underground shelter beneath the White House, called the Presidential Emergency Operations Center, Cheney told Bush to delay a planned flight back from Florida to Washington. At the Pentagon, Rumsfeld instructed a reluctant Wolfowitz to get out of town to the safety of one of the underground bunkers, which had been built to survive nuclear attack. Cheney also ordered House Speaker Dennis Hastert, other congressional leaders, and several Cabinet members (including Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman and Interior Secretary Gale Norton) evacuated to one of these secure facilities away from the capital. Explaining these actions a few days later, Cheney vaguely told NBC's Tim Russert, "We did a lot of planning during the Cold War with respect to the possibility of a nuclear incident." He did not mention the Reagan Administration program or the secret drills in which he and Rumsfeld had regularly practiced running the country."

    See Atlantic Monthly - 2004 - The Armageddon Plan; James Mann

    Posted by OneVote at 03/14/2007 @ 6:38pm