Pelosi did so great in her trip to Syria

[Barry Ramey]

Not only going around with scarves on her head, I guess wanting to fit in with the other perceived 2nd class citizens there in the ME known as women, but looks like she just has no clue. Just like Bill Clinton and Albright, they can't believe these people lie and just say the right things to them and turn right around and its business as usual once they leave. Not everybody is impressed with you Nancy. Oh, and didn't Nancy and the other democrats say they were bringing the troops home before they regained control? Last I checked the troops aren't home and the only thing they've done so far is hike up minimum wage which effects a whopping maybe 0.5% of the population. Wow.

Pratfall in Damascus
Nancy Pelosi's foolish shuttle diplomacy

Thursday, April 5, 2007; A16

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...402306_pf.html

HOUSE SPEAKER Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) offered an excellent demonstration yesterday of why members of Congress should not attempt to supplant the secretary of state when traveling abroad. After a meeting with Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad in Damascus, Ms. Pelosi announced that she had delivered a message from Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert that "Israel was ready to engage in peace talks" with Syria. What's more, she added, Mr. Assad was ready to "resume the peace process" as well. Having announced this seeming diplomatic breakthrough, Ms. Pelosi suggested that her Kissingerian shuttle diplomacy was just getting started. "We expressed our interest in using our good offices in promoting peace between Israel and Syria," she said.

Only one problem: The Israeli prime minister entrusted Ms. Pelosi with no such message. "What was communicated to the U.S. House Speaker does not contain any change in the policies of Israel," said a statement quickly issued by the prime minister's office. In fact, Mr. Olmert told Ms. Pelosi that "a number of Senate and House members who recently visited Damascus received the impression that despite the declarations of Bashar Assad, there is no change in the position of his country regarding a possible peace process with Israel." In other words, Ms. Pelosi not only misrepresented Israel's position but was virtually alone in failing to discern that Mr. Assad's words were mere propaganda.

Ms. Pelosi was criticized by President Bush for visiting Damascus at a time when the administration -- rightly or wrongly -- has frozen high-level contacts with Syria. Mr. Bush said that thanks to the speaker's freelancing Mr. Assad was getting mixed messages from the United States. Ms. Pelosi responded by pointing out that Republican congressmen had visited Syria without drawing presidential censure. That's true enough -- but those other congressmen didn't try to introduce a new U.S. diplomatic initiative in the Middle East. "We came in friendship, hope, and determined that the road to Damascus is a road to peace," Ms. Pelosi grandly declared.

Never mind that that statement is ludicrous: As any diplomat with knowledge of the region could have told Ms. Pelosi, Mr. Assad is a corrupt thug whose overriding priority at the moment is not peace with Israel but heading off U.N. charges that he orchestrated the murder of former Lebanese prime minister Rafiq al-Hariri. The really striking development here is the attempt by a Democratic congressional leader to substitute her own foreign policy for that of a sitting Republican president. Two weeks ago Ms. Pelosi rammed legislation through the House of Representatives that would strip Mr. Bush of his authority as commander in chief to manage troop movements in Iraq. Now she is attempting to introduce a new Middle East policy that directly conflicts with that of the president. We have found much to criticize in Mr. Bush's military strategy and regional diplomacy. But Ms. Pelosi's attempt to establish a shadow presidency is not only counterproductive, it is foolish.

[Rohirrim]

I have to agree with the Post here. Pelosi's efforts are ill advised. I also understand that if we had a president with even minimum competence, such efforts would not be needed. I think Pelosi's true purpose is not to deal with Assad, which would be useless, but to deliver a wake up call to an incredibly stubborn president who couldn't read the writing on the wall if the paint was dripping on his head.

[bendog]

Note, the bigotry, however. Even Condi wears scarfs when entering a mosque. It's the "polite" thing to do.

Pelosi's motives may also be a bit larger. Sure, it's political gamesmanship, and a slap at JR. But Condi's pushing for more contact, but the neo cons oppose that. They want a war. However, Condi is largely getting credit for getting NK back on track. The neo-cons manufacturing of evidence of NK trying to get a centrifuge stalled negotiations for years, and JR refused to back off until SK and China made it clear that negotiations were going to happen. It could be that Pelosi's backing Condi's play ... which wouldn't be a bad thing.

[Rigs11]

So barrey, what about the republican that also went there?Does he get a pass? Cause that numbskull Dubya sure did attack Pelosi for going there and not him.At least Pelosi showed leadership and a willing to communicate instead of acting like a spoiled child who didn't get his way.see this is what leaders do. they solve things diplomatically. Any ahole can be a bully.

[Bronco Bob]

Barry's just pissed that someone in Congress is finally standing up to Shrub.

[RaiderH8r]

Originally Posted by Rigs11

So barrey, what about the republican that also went there?Does he get a pass? Cause that numbskull Dubya sure did attack Pelosi for going there and not him.At least Pelosi showed leadership and a willing to communicate instead of acting like a spoiled child who didn't get his way.see this is what leaders do. they solve things diplomatically. Any ahole can be a bully.

I don't know if it was her actually going there or the part where she misrepresented the U.S. and Israel to the Syrian president, like she...you know....mattered, or was even elected by anybody outside of San Francisco. Although I should give her some latitude, it is difficult to be understood when you've got your lips puckered up against Syrian arse.

[bendog]

What did she misrpesent?

[RaiderH8r]

Originally Posted by bendog

What did she misrpesent?

The WaPo piece sums it up nicely:

After a meeting with Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad in Damascus, Ms. Pelosi announced that she had delivered a message from Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert that "Israel was ready to engage in peace talks" with Syria. What's more, she added, Mr. Assad was ready to "resume the peace process" as well. Having announced this seeming diplomatic breakthrough, Ms. Pelosi suggested that her Kissingerian shuttle diplomacy was just getting started. "We expressed our interest in using our good offices in promoting peace between Israel and Syria," she said.

Only one problem: The Israeli prime minister entrusted Ms. Pelosi with no such message. "What was communicated to the U.S. House Speaker does not contain any change in the policies of Israel," said a statement quickly issued by the prime minister's office. In fact, Mr. Olmert told Ms. Pelosi that "a number of Senate and House members who recently visited Damascus received the impression that despite the declarations of Bashar Assad, there is no change in the position of his country regarding a possible peace process with Israel." In other words, Ms. Pelosi not only misrepresented Israel's position but was virtually alone in failing to discern that Mr. Assad's words were mere propaganda.

[Rigs11]

Originally Posted by RaiderH8r

I don't know if it was her actually going there or the part where she misrepresented the U.S. and Israel to the Syrian president, like she...you know....mattered, or was even elected by anybody outside of San Francisco. Although I should give her some latitude, it is difficult to be understood when you've got your lips puckered up against Syrian arse.

Do you feel the same way about republicans that go there? And actually she does matter, she's the Speaker of the House. You can be a bullying simpleton like Bush who leads through fear and shuts down communication, or you can be like pelosi who is actually trying to reach out to the ones that bush has shut out.

[bendog]

Ah, no, she didn't misrepesent a damn thing. But Olmert's getting his clock cleaned by the neocons in Isreal and the US

"Pelosi is conveying that Israel is willing to talk if they (Syria) would openly take steps to stop supporting terrorism," said Olmert's spokeswoman, Miri Eisin. "But at this point the Syrian government, by openly backing terror all around the Middle East, is not a partner for negotiations."
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl...&feed=rss.news

At a meeting Sunday, Olmert asked Pelosi to take a message to Assad that Israel would be interested in peace if Syria stops its support for terrorism. Assad has repeatedly said in the past year that Damascus is willing to negotiate with Israel, insisting the talks must lead to the return of the Golan Heights, seized by Israel in the 1967 Mideast War.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2...a_N.htm?csp=34

[Garcia Bronco]

Originally Posted by Rohirrim

I have to agree with the Post here. Pelosi's efforts are ill advised. I also understand that if we had a president with even minimum competence, such efforts would not be needed. I think Pelosi's true purpose is not to deal with Assad, which would be useless, but to deliver a wake up call to an incredibly stubborn president who couldn't read the writing on the wall if the paint was dripping on his head.

I think it's a bad move as well...I also don't think it's proper to negotiate with the likes of Syria.

[bendog]

Bushii's refusal to talk has been counterproductive, as Hezbollah's stronger now than in 00, but I tend to agree Pelosi will accomplish very little. Maybe if she gives Cheney a stroke that would help, but ..... he's already dead and Sharon's occupying his body.

[RaiderH8r]

Originally Posted by Rigs11

Do you feel the same way about republicans that go there? And actually she does matter, she's the Speaker of the House. You can be a bullying simpleton like Bush who leads through fear and shuts down communication, or you can be like pelosi who is actually trying to reach out to the ones that bush has shut out.

Israel was clear that their conditions for peace with Syria haven't changed. Pelosi hoping to force talks by misrepresenting Israel to Syria, then having her press conference in an effort to strong hand Israel into backing her up went up in smoke. Israel has not softened their terms and conditions, Syria's known for some time what it takes to be at peace with Israel and have refused to take those steps to that end. Pelosi's "good will" tour of feel goods so the Code Pink ladies stay out of her office has really gone down the crapper.

[bendog]

The real issue: Iraq.
http://www.csmonitor.com/2003/0624/p07s02-wome.htm

[Atlas]

Not talking to these countries doesn't do anything to resolve anything. Talking should always happen. The old saying keep your friends close and your enemies closer, is a very wise statement. Whatever happens from this trip can only be good. What could happen that's gonna make anything worse?? NOTHING.

[Stormontheplains]

So what you are saying guys is that if Hillary or BO is elected, you wouldn't mind Trent Lott going without white house support?

[Bronco Bob]

Originally Posted by Stormontheplains

So what you are saying guys is that if Hillary or BO is elected, you wouldn't mind Trent Lott going without white house support?

If Lott decides to go, he'll go, whether we care or not.

[Garcia Bronco]

It's just sad that our leaders cannot work together from a PR perspective

[epicSocialism4tw]

Originally Posted by RaiderH8r

The WaPo piece sums it up nicely:
After a meeting with Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad in Damascus, Ms. Pelosi announced that she had delivered a message from Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert that "Israel was ready to engage in peace talks" with Syria. What's more, she added, Mr. Assad was ready to "resume the peace process" as well. Having announced this seeming diplomatic breakthrough, Ms. Pelosi suggested that her Kissingerian shuttle diplomacy was just getting started. "We expressed our interest in using our good offices in promoting peace between Israel and Syria," she said.
Only one problem: The Israeli prime minister entrusted Ms. Pelosi with no such message. "What was communicated to the U.S. House Speaker does not contain any change in the policies of Israel," said a statement quickly issued by the prime minister's office. In fact, Mr. Olmert told Ms. Pelosi that "a number of Senate and House members who recently visited Damascus received the impression that despite the declarations of Bashar Assad, there is no change in the position of his country regarding a possible peace process with Israel." In other words, Ms. Pelosi not only misrepresented Israel's position but was virtually alone in failing to discern that Mr. Assad's words were mere propaganda.

They are laughing at her over there.

She made herself look like a bimbo in a region that doesnt respect women anyway.

[defenseman]

Originally Posted by Rigs11

So barrey, what about the republican that also went there?Does he get a pass? Cause that numbskull Dubya sure did attack Pelosi for going there and not him.At least Pelosi showed leadership and a willing to communicate instead of acting like a spoiled child who didn't get his way.see this is what leaders do. they solve things diplomatically. Any ahole can be a bully.

Senior person "in charge" gets the target painted. No one else. Similar to the military COC for the most part. 3rd in line for the presidency has it's drawbacks, in this case anyway, SHE'S responsible all by her lonesome..dman

[defenseman]

Originally Posted by angryllama

They are laughing at her over there.

She made herself look like a bimbo in a region that doesnt respect women anyway.

Yep, looks like her alligator mouth just overrode her hamster a$$...dman

[defenseman]

Originally Posted by Garcia Bronco

It's just sad that our leaders cannot work together from a PR perspective

She's the one who left, hang it on her this time, bad girl nancy, bad bad girl...dman

[Blueflame]

Originally Posted by Stormontheplains

So what you are saying guys is that if Hillary or BO is elected, you wouldn't mind Trent Lott going without white house support?

Trent Lott will likely be too busy protecting his buddies' rights to make $$ off of betting on cockfights (illegal in most other states) to bother with going to Syria.

[defenseman]

Originally Posted by Bronco Bob

Barry's just pissed that someone in Congress is finally standing up to Shrub.

One of the keys to standing up to someone is having your freaking ducks in a row, SHE DOESN'T.........useless freaking waste of time...dman

[Blueflame]

Originally Posted by angryllama

They are laughing at her over there.

She made herself look like a bimbo in a region that doesnt respect women anyway.

But of course they wouldn't have laughed at this, would they? Your gender bias is showing, Llama.