Yes! I love discussing divisive issues! And I know you DL folks are gonna especially love this post from guest blogger jdavis. Intelligent debate is welcome. Just keep the name-calling (somewhat) clean. I’m working on getting my little sister to read phillygrrl.com.
After just seeing the video of Obama addressing Iran, the only word that comes to mind is “Finally!” As a Jew, I’ve continually concluded that the only way for Israel to survive is to isolate those who are actively hostile against it. By this, I of course mean Hamas and Hezbollah. Unfortunately, both of those organizations are funded directly by Iran. And that’s why when I heard news of possible renewed peace talks with Syria, I thought that Israel was finally making progress in the region considering that Operation: Cast Lead seems to have cost far more than it was worth.
Don’t be confused, however. I fully support Israel’s right to self-defense, and I can’t imagine that the people of Philadelphia would have reacted any less strongly were rockets falling on 9th and Passyunk. However, after seeing this article by Ha’aretz on the descent of IDF morality during this war, I feel ashamed for the reality of what took place.
It’s clear to me that one of the only ways for Israel to isolate Hezbollah, since Iran refuses to do so, is to negotiate a peace with Syria and return the Golan Heights. However, again, since Cast Lead, I’m afraid the possibility of such a peace has been diminished.
Such is the reason why is say “Finally!” Finally, we have a president who is not apathetic to instability of the Middle East and is actually in a position to begin dialogue with Iran. Finally, we have a president whose diplomacy doesn’t begin with a trigger and end with a barrel. Finally, we have a president who is man enough to be the first one to make the first move. Lastly, we finally have a president who understands that being likable goes beyond being the guy with whom you’d love to have a beer.
I believe the author may be missing an important aspect of Iran. They believe America is the great Satan, the Infidels. Not so much the people of Iran, but the radical Islamic government. From what I have read about the Middle Eastern culture, they don’t respond to weakness. This message I believe may have come off as weak in their eyes. The government of Iran has already dismissed his comments. I don’t believe anything good is going to come out of this statment to Iran accept to make the United States look like we are weak and afraid. I hope I am wrong.
iran is full of psycho liars, i never met a persian who wasn’t either 1. insane 2 a liar 3 a ditz 4 islamically challenged. Middle eastern men are big babies, and the women are just retards, once u figure out how to deal with babies and retards, you’ll solve ur problem. I don’t justify israel either, i mean they are dbags extraordinaire…it’s a no win situation here.