tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19184418.post8770496035755753771..comments2024-03-09T22:15:04.984-08:00Comments on Global Paradigms: feedbacksLeon Hadarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07074306142674999554noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19184418.post-86692024399238938162007-03-25T00:14:00.000-07:002007-03-25T00:14:00.000-07:00Brian, I think you missed the point of the discuss...Brian, I think you missed the point of the discussion.<BR/><BR/>Israel is quite clear that they thihk Ahmadinejad's Holocaust views are something they take into consideration.<BR/><BR/>If you think you can negotiate a peace in the Middle East without taking into account the Israeli position, then you are mistaken.<BR/><BR/>The earlier comment was just making the point that Abu Mazen once stated beliefs somehow are held no longer important.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19184418.post-23775393745913850452007-03-21T09:05:00.000-07:002007-03-21T09:05:00.000-07:00I fail to see why the Holocaust has ANYTHING to do...I fail to see why the Holocaust has ANYTHING to do with negotiations for peace in the middle east. This is nothing but a ploy to avoid reaching a conclusion, one of the many ploys that have helped to prevent peace for FORTY years.<BR/><BR/>Regardless of their views on the Holocaust, the Ahmadinejads and Mazens of the world do have one point - they and their people had NOTHING TO DO WITH IT either way.<BR/><BR/>So, the existence of the Holocaust is irrelevant to any debate on peace in the middle east, land etc.<BR/><BR/>Fact is, the Holocaust has become a political tool (a perhaps a religion onto itself?). I think this is sad.<BR/><BR/>But what it should not become is some litmus test or precondition as to whether one can negotiate with someone. This just wastes everyone’s time. But maybe that is the point.Brianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17387233246665688430noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19184418.post-17324908259119629752007-03-20T20:33:00.000-07:002007-03-20T20:33:00.000-07:00The problems with the Shiites started after the 19...The problems with the Shiites started after the 1982 Lebanon War (and remember Al Haig's "yellow light")and of course there was the Iranian revolution (and remember Mossadgeh). Basically, that's how is works in the Middle East. A lot of shifting alliances, usually based on short-term considerations. To be honest with you, I'm not even sure what Al Queda means any more, although I agree with you that the U.S. should have found Osama and hang him and his buddies instead of going to Iraq. At this point, it's just a mess and I don't see any way out, with the Shiite-Sunni stuggle becoming more of a reality, and not end to the crises in Lebanon, Israel/Palestine and of course Iraq.Leon Hadarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07074306142674999554noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19184418.post-37852629146294748682007-03-20T14:53:00.000-07:002007-03-20T14:53:00.000-07:00If Hersh is correct, Israel and the US are now bas...If Hersh is correct, Israel and the US are now basically alligned with Saudi linked Qaeda factions in Lebanon. - All because the looming Iran thing and the Hezb link. No good can come of that - It's not just immoral, it's also wrong. We should be doing everything we can to wipe out Qaeda and it would make more sense (though still dumb and unrealistic) to have a tactical alliance with Hizbollah to go after Qaeda, than vica versa. Israel once had good relations with the Shia of Lebanon - so maybe it will again, some distant day. But they can never have good relations with anyone linked to Qaeda.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19184418.post-61221783532149941642007-03-20T09:09:00.000-07:002007-03-20T09:09:00.000-07:00Decisions in foreign policy have to be made based ...Decisions in foreign policy have to be made based on calculations that take into considerations power, interests,etc. The president of Iran is clearly an unpleasant character, even if he hadn't denied the Holocaust. But so was Stalin (gangster), Mao (pedophile)and many others. At the same time, we also have to recognize that there is a small but living community of Jews (about 20,000) in Iran, unlike in Egypt, Jordan or Saudi Arabia (out great friends) and that most Iranians have less intense feelings towards Israel (either way). But if Israel bombs Iran all of that will change.Leon Hadarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07074306142674999554noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19184418.post-2921536897119381962007-03-19T21:42:00.000-07:002007-03-19T21:42:00.000-07:00When Bibi and others say, about Ahmadinejad that h...When Bibi and others say, about Ahmadinejad that he's a holocaust denier so you can't negotiate with him, it makes some sense - Agree with him or not, you can undertand the logic. But then you hear about Abbas and how no one even mentions it. Abbas issues a non denial denial a while back, but he still is what he is. So you come to the depressing conclusion that a so much bs is being flung about that it's hard to know what to believe or who to trust. I have no idea if Iran is a threat because I don't trust these politicians to tell the truth.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19184418.post-84725637294738408712007-03-19T20:46:00.000-07:002007-03-19T20:46:00.000-07:00It's really weird because the case against Ahmadin...It's really weird because the case against Ahmadinejad hinges, in good measure, on his reputed rep as a holocaust denier. But depending on what you read - there's some grey area there; sometimes he indicates he acknowledges the holocaust but quibbles about the details and entertains those freaks - etc. But he at least is somewhat ambigious.<BR/><BR/>Meanwhile - Olmert hails his partner for peace - Abu Mazen - and it turns out that his PhD would make David Duke blush with deniers envy.<BR/><BR/>Grant Olmert this perogative - If it's in his national interest to pretend Abbas is not what his resume suggest, then that's his right. Afterall, holocaust denial is widespread in the area - so you can't be too picky<BR/><BR/>But it's sort of bizarre to see the media just cluck along without saying "wait a sec!" <BR/><BR/>Interesting that you mention that about Sadat - I'd wish that wasn't true.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19184418.post-61499528300080516632007-03-19T20:11:00.000-07:002007-03-19T20:11:00.000-07:00Interesting point. Indeed, after he had landed in ...Interesting point. Indeed, after he had landed in Israel, everyone suddenly forgot that Sadat was a pro-Nazi agent during WWII.Leon Hadarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07074306142674999554noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19184418.post-69397360811611147382007-03-19T15:13:00.000-07:002007-03-19T15:13:00.000-07:00Abbas is basically a holocaust denier - It was the...Abbas is basically a holocaust denier - It was the topic of his PhD Dis - Done while a grad student in the Soviet Union.<BR/><BR/>Why is he acceptable to negotiate with and the Iranian is not? Maybe because negotiations with the Palestians are all make believe to begin with.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com