tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31461204.post7513488089124619742..comments2023-12-11T06:11:11.449-05:00Comments on Bruce's MidEast Soundbites: Newt, Golda Meir & The Question of PalestineBrucehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09331211089963297411noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31461204.post-35911206215730623212011-12-15T08:45:56.335-05:002011-12-15T08:45:56.335-05:00I fully agree that this truth may indeed be close ...I fully agree that this truth may indeed be close to irrelevant...they are a people now. However, it is mighty refreshing to hear someone in such a high position state a basic truth that has been missing from MidEast dialogue. That Palestinian identity has its roots firmly in rejectionism, can never be repeated too often.Brucehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09331211089963297411noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31461204.post-1031692391338923002011-12-14T19:52:12.820-05:002011-12-14T19:52:12.820-05:00His was better not because he is critical of Newt ...His was better not because he is critical of Newt (I can do that) but because he made the better point that regardless of the roots of the situation the reality is that the Palestinians are here now. There is a real people with a real issue though the issue never seems to be what they claim. I just do not think those comments by Newt or articles agreeing with him are helpful to anyone.LHwriteshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15890891351498768757noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31461204.post-62067431670538389692011-12-13T17:07:50.967-05:002011-12-13T17:07:50.967-05:00I thought for sure you'd like the Tobin piece ...I thought for sure you'd like the Tobin piece as it ends quite critical of Newt: <br /><br />"It is fair to say as president, he will have to be more guarded in his statements and even fairer to express skepticism about his ability to do so."Brucehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09331211089963297411noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31461204.post-23143212995980922212011-12-13T00:51:18.092-05:002011-12-13T00:51:18.092-05:00Arguments like this are very bad for Israel and th...Arguments like this are very bad for Israel and the world. They do not help anyone and it is not like the Palestinians are going to say "So sorry, we are illegitimate. Goodbye." They have as much legitimacy as the current state of Israel--the UN resolution of 1947. Sure, Israel was once a Jewish nation in biblical times. And I guess then all the world belongs to Africa because they were the first people that spread across the face of the world. The American Indians own America. Mexicans and Hawaiians have some news for Newt about what they would like if he takes office. The world would be a very different place if everyone could make historical claims, or if living in an area was not enough if someone else lived there first. The Palestinians are part of the picture whether they really want peace or not. Newt showed he would be a very prejudiced and antagonistic Presidential choice. Israel's supporters may like it more than Obama's stance on Israel but just as Obama should worry about the Jewish opinion but cannot worry about it to the exclusion of all else, so too should Gingrich worry about the message he is sending and who he has chosen to send it to. This is a contentious issue that shouldn't be an issue at all. What is Newt hoping to prove? There was nothing to be gained but Newt pandering in the most blatant way for the Jewish vote. If simplifying the Mideast problem and ridiculing the Palestinians is all it takes to get the Jewish vote that does not reflect very well on the Jewish vote.LHwriteshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15890891351498768757noreply@blogger.com