Mini-Guide on Different Groups’ Responses to Obama’s Trip to Israel:
Since President Barack Obama’s trip to the Middle East was such a turning point for U.S. policy, I thought it should be summarized by showing characteristic responses of different groups. These are, of course, generalizations, and there are many variations.
The Far Leftist: Why has Obama been so nice to Israel? He’s sold out and become just another typical president who backs Israel. How infuriating!
The Left-Liberal: Did you see how Obama told off the Israelis and demanded they make peace? Of course, the people love him and it is only the reactionary leaders who oppose a truly great president who is doing a great job. He hasn’t changed at all; he’s just found a clearer way to articulate his position.
The “Mainstream” Liberal (Current Version): We told you so! Of course Obama loves Israel despite all of that propaganda against him, and he really showed it this time. I’m so glad I voted for him twice.
The Moderate to Conservative: Oh, no! Obama has pulled it off again! Now the Israelis love him and we’ll never get American Jews to oppose him. How depressing!
The Militant Conservative: Ha! Did you hear what he said in this speech and that speech? Insulting Israel and just attacking it while apologizing for the Palestinian side! This is just one more proof of his enmity! How infuriating!
The Palestinian View: Obama been so nice to Israel! He’s sold out and become just another typical president who back Israel. How infuriating! Well, we expected this, so we won’t negotiate and will try either to engage in struggle or parlay our recognition as a state into getting the 1967 borders with no concessions.
The Islamists: Of course he’s just another Christian crusader as we’ve always known. He’s never helped us but just retreated out of weakness because he’s afraid of us! This has removed the illusions that diplomacy might work. Only armed struggle will ultimately wipe Israel off the map!
The Serious Israeli Observer: Thank goodness! After more than four years of hard work and with the help of the other side’s intransigence, we got Obama to see reality in policy if not in rhetoric, which is far less important. Perhaps a narrow escape from what would have been the most anti-Israel president in history by far. Look, the American people elect the president and then we have to deal with whomever they choose. Sure hope he wakes up about the Islamists and stays tough on Iran.
Sunday, March 24, 2013
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Singapore’s Lessons for an Unequal America - NYTimes.com
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Singapore’s Lessons for an Unequal America - NYTimes.com
Editorial by Stiglitz where he highlights Singapore as a role model of economic equality. Stiglitz has stated and written elsewhere many times that he believes in government wealth redistribution. He gives lip service to Singapore's non-democratic, authoritarian government that does have any First Amendment freedoms. He fails to mention that Singapore's economy is almost completely based on exports. He also fails to mention that the huge labor force of foreign worker are non-citizens who make much less money and have even fewer rights than citizens. For example, if they dare unionize, they are subject to expulsion. I find it strange and hypocritical that Stiglitz, a supporter of strong unions and labor rights, deliberately omits this. He is a bizarre and bitter person, who apparently hates America. He has the strange had of interjecting inappropriate forced smiles into his conversation.
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