i guess on the bright side they gave 1 to Kissinger and Obama's 'nothing' is far better than what Kissinger is guilty of.
it is funny, though, he gets this as he most likely will be increasing the number of troops in Afghanistan shortly and continues to do nothing while Israel continues to violate the Geneva Conventions, international law, UN resolutions, commits war crimes....
don't compete; coexist
what are you but my reflection? who am i to judge or strike you down?
"I will promise you this, that if we have not gotten our troops out by the time I am president, it is the first thing I will do. I will get our troops home. We will bring an end to this war. You can take that to the bank." - Barack Obama
when you told me 'if you can't beat 'em, join 'em'
i was thinkin 'death before dishonor'
it is funny, though, he gets this as he most likely will be increasing the number of troops in Afghanistan shortly and continues to do nothing while Israel continues to violate the Geneva Conventions, international law, UN resolutions, commits war crimes....
What exactly should Obama do about Israel? You could have stated that in roughly the same amount of time it took you to focus on how dastardedly the Isrealis are. Thanks for the chuckle, though. I laugh whenever someone pretends that the UN gives Israel a fair shake.
Seriously ... Obama has pushed for peace harder than Bush and Clinton did before him. What else can he do that might solve the problem? He's pretty much flat-out stated that he supports a two-state solution, but no nation has the power to force this on Israel.
They gave it to a guy who became president two weeks before the deadline to nominate people for this award. Let me repeat: Obama just won the Nobel Prize for the first two weeks of his presidency.
Must have been a hell of a 14 days. Pick out new drapes, adopt a dog, arrange your furniture, win a Nobel Prize. The standards are slipping.
On the bright side, I guess Obama can put this on the mantel next to the Father of the Year trophy he won two months before his first daughter was born.
everybody wants the most they can possibly get
for the least they could possibly do
Did anyone watch Obama's speech this morning? He said he didn't deserve to be among the people that have recieved the award in the past but he would accept it in the spirit of affecting nuclear disarmament, etc.
"First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win ."
They gave it to a guy who became president two weeks before the deadline to nominate people for this award. Let me repeat: Obama just won the Nobel Prize for the first two weeks of his presidency.
Must have been a hell of a 14 days. Pick out new drapes, adopt a dog, arrange your furniture, win a Nobel Prize. The standards are slipping.
On the bright side, I guess Obama can put this on the mantel next to the Father of the Year trophy he won two months before his first daughter was born.
This I do agree with ... I am surprised his wife didn't win some sort of back-up or consolation prize as well.
Did anyone watch Obama's speech this morning? He said he didn't deserve to be among the people that have recieved the award in the past but he would accept it in the spirit of affecting nuclear disarmament, etc.
How and what was affected?????
All the world will be your enemy, Prince with a thousand enemies, and whenever they catch you, they will kill you. But first they must catch you, digger, listener, runner, prince with the swift warning. Be cunning and full of tricks and your people shall never be destroyed.
Did anyone watch Obama's speech this morning? He said he didn't deserve to be among the people that have recieved the award in the past but he would accept it in the spirit of affecting nuclear disarmament, etc.
How and what was affected?????
Does seem like a random link to make ... "I don't deserve this prize, but if I accept, no one will want nukes anymore!".
Uh huh. ...
it is funny, though, he gets this as he most likely will be increasing the number of troops in Afghanistan shortly and continues to do nothing while Israel continues to violate the Geneva Conventions, international law, UN resolutions, commits war crimes....
What exactly should Obama do about Israel? You could have stated that in roughly the same amount of time it took you to focus on how dastardedly the Isrealis are. Thanks for the chuckle, though. I laugh whenever someone pretends that the UN gives Israel a fair shake.
Seriously ... Obama has pushed for peace harder than Bush and Clinton did before him. What else can he do that might solve the problem? He's pretty much flat-out stated that he supports a two-state solution, but no nation has the power to force this on Israel.
he can cut their funding, cut back on arms shipments....
the UN has been more than fair towards Israel....has the UN ever sanctioned Israel like it has several other countries? has the UN ever imposed an arms embargo or any sort of embargo on Israel like it has several other countries?
don't compete; coexist
what are you but my reflection? who am i to judge or strike you down?
"I will promise you this, that if we have not gotten our troops out by the time I am president, it is the first thing I will do. I will get our troops home. We will bring an end to this war. You can take that to the bank." - Barack Obama
when you told me 'if you can't beat 'em, join 'em'
i was thinkin 'death before dishonor'
he can cut their funding, cut back on arms shipments....
the UN has been more than fair towards Israel....has the UN ever sanctioned Israel like it has several other countries? has the UN ever imposed an arms embargo or any sort of embargo on Israel like it has several other countries?
I am pretty sure that U.S. arms shipments to Israel HAVE dropped off considerably, which was one of the reasons why the Israelis decided to start manufacturing more of their own Merkava tanks, small arms, and other munitions. Cutting them off completely is not going to happen unless countries like China and Russia halt similar shipments to Iran, Syria, Hezbollah in Lebanon, etc. You're right about sanctions, and I will be the first person to admit that UN sanctions get used selectively and inappropriately. I am not sure that any sort of embargo against Israel is called for at this time ... Starving non-combatants did not work well on Iraq in the 90s (after the first Gulf war), and such sanctions won't work with Iran either, should that route be pursued.
Did anyone watch Obama's speech this morning? He said he didn't deserve to be among the people that have recieved the award in the past but he would accept it in the spirit of affecting nuclear disarmament, etc.
How and what was affected?????
Does seem like a random link to make ... "I don't deserve this prize, but if I accept, no one will want nukes anymore!".
Uh huh. ...
i think he was trying to say that he knows he hasn't done anything, but that if the nobel committee feels like he somehow is, has been, or can be a force for change in international nuclear policy, then he will try to live up to that mantle and hope the award brings awareness and pressure to reform in that area. as with all the other questions about the award, it remains to be seen what he'll actually do about it. but i think his comment is reasonable enough given how awkward a position this announcement puts him in. this poor guy is screwed. he has the entire hopes of the entire progressive world pinned to his back and he can never live up to people's ideal of him... i just hope when he falls (which he inevitably will becos he's human as the rest of us) that he doesn't take the entire progressive movement with him.
this poor guy is screwed. he has the entire hopes of the entire progressive world pinned to his back and he can never live up to people's ideal of him... i just hope when he falls (which he inevitably will becos he's human as the rest of us) that he doesn't take the entire progressive movement with him.
Big deal.. I got one for knocking over the 3 milk jugs with a softball at the fair this year. But hey at least you could say I did something to get it.
this poor guy is screwed. he has the entire hopes of the entire progressive world pinned to his back and he can never live up to people's ideal of him... i just hope when he falls (which he inevitably will becos he's human as the rest of us) that he doesn't take the entire progressive movement with him.
this poor guy is screwed. he has the entire hopes of the entire progressive world pinned to his back and he can never live up to people's ideal of him... i just hope when he falls (which he inevitably will becos he's human as the rest of us) that he doesn't take the entire progressive movement with him.
Well said.
maybe he shouldnt make promises he has no intention of keeping.
this poor guy is screwed. he has the entire hopes of the entire progressive world pinned to his back and he can never live up to people's ideal of him... i just hope when he falls (which he inevitably will becos he's human as the rest of us) that he doesn't take the entire progressive movement with him.
Well said.
maybe he shouldnt make promises he has no intention of keeping.
Ya man he did what he said.... Bo is an awesome first dog.
he can cut their funding, cut back on arms shipments....
the UN has been more than fair towards Israel....has the UN ever sanctioned Israel like it has several other countries? has the UN ever imposed an arms embargo or any sort of embargo on Israel like it has several other countries?
I am pretty sure that U.S. arms shipments to Israel HAVE dropped off considerably, which was one of the reasons why the Israelis decided to start manufacturing more of their own Merkava tanks, small arms, and other munitions. Cutting them off completely is not going to happen unless countries like China and Russia halt similar shipments to Iran, Syria, Hezbollah in Lebanon, etc. You're right about sanctions, and I will be the first person to admit that UN sanctions get used selectively and inappropriately. I am not sure that any sort of embargo against Israel is called for at this time ... Starving non-combatants did not work well on Iraq in the 90s (after the first Gulf war), and such sanctions won't work with Iran either, should that route be pursued.
4 days after Israel attacked the Gaza strip this order went through....they ended up delaying it Greece until after they were finished massacring a bunch of civilians...
A very large delivery of US weaponry to Israel consisting of 3,000 tons of "ammunition" is scheduled to sail to Israel. The size and nature of the shipments are described as "unusual":
"Shipping 3,000-odd tons of ammunition in one go is a lot," one broker said, on condition of anonymity.
"This (kind of request) is pretty rare and we haven't seen much of it quoted in the market over the years," he added.
"Shipping brokers in London who have specialized in moving arms for the British and U.S. military in the past said such ship charters to Israel were rare. (Reuters, Jan 10, 2009)
The Pentagon has entrusted a Greek merchant shipping company to deliver the weapons to Israel:
"The U.S. is seeking to hire a merchant ship to deliver hundreds of tons of arms to Israel from Greece later this month, tender documents seen by Reuters show.
The U.S. Navy's Military Sealift Command (MSC) said the ship was to carry 325 standard 20-foot containers of what is listed as "ammunition" on two separate journeys from the Greek port of Astakos to the Israeli port of Ashdod in mid-to-late January.
A "hazardous material" designation on the manifest mentions explosive substances and detonators, but no other details were given.(Ibid)
It is worth noting that a similar unusually large shipment of US ordinance to Israel was scheduled in early December:
"Tender documents indicate that the German ship hired by the US in early December also carried a massive cargo of weapons that weighed over 2.6 million kg [2600 tons] and filled up to 989 standard 20-foot containers to Ashdod from North Carolina." (Press TV, 10 Jan 2009)
Are These Large Shipments of Ordinance Connected to the Invasion of Gaza?
The request by the Pentagon to transport ordinance in a commercial vessel, according to Reuters, was made on December 31, 4 days after the commencement of the aerial bombings of Gaza by F16 Fighter jets.
Analysts have hastily concluded, without evidence, that the 2 shipments of "ammunition" were intended to supply Israel's armed forces in support of its military invasion of Gaza.
"A senior military analyst in London who declined to be named said that, because of the timing, the shipments could be "irregular" and linked to the Gaza offensive." (Reuters, January 10, 2009)
These reports are mistaken. Delivery of ordinance always precedes the onslaught of a military operation. The ordinance required under "Operation Cast Lead" was decided upon in June 2008. Further to Tel Aviv's request under the US military aid program to Israel, the U.S. Congress approved in September 2008 the transfer of 1,000 bunker-buster high precision GPS-guided Small Diameter Guided Bomb Units 39 (GBU-39).
The GBU 39 smart bombs produced by Boeing were delivered to Israel in November. They were used in the initial air raids on Gaza:
"...The Israel Air Force has used the new lightweight GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb acquired from the USA, in the recent attacks in Gaza. The [Jerusalem] Post mentioned the new weapons ordered last September having arrived last month [November], and already put to action with the IAF fighters. These weapons could have been deployed by the Boeing/IAF F-15Is, since sofar SDB is cleared for use only with this type of aircraft.
The US was by far the largest supplier of weapons to Israel between 2004 and 2008. The US government is also due to provide $30 billion in military aid to Israel, despite the blatant misuse of weaponry and munitions in Gaza and Lebanon by the Israel Defence Forces (IDF).
According to one US official, President Obama has no plans to cut the billions of dollars in military aid promised to Israel under a new 10-year contract agreed in 2007 by the Bush administration. This new contract is a 25 per cent increase compared to the last contract agreed by the previous US administration.
Amnesty International first drew attention to this arms ship's voyage on 15 January. The ship's charter, authorised by the Bush administration a week before the IDF launched their attack on Gaza, was to carry 989 shipping containers of 'containerized ammunition and other containerised ammunition supplies' from Sunny Point Military Ocean Terminal, North Carolina to Ashdod, as listed in the contract. US Military Sealift Command charters for a further two US munitions shipments from Navipe-Astakos (Greece) to Ashdod, which explicitly included white phosphorus munitions, were announced on 31 December during the Gaza conflict and then cancelled on 9 January, but a US military spokesperson subsequently confirmed that the Pentagon was still seeking a way to also deliver those munitions.
don't compete; coexist
what are you but my reflection? who am i to judge or strike you down?
"I will promise you this, that if we have not gotten our troops out by the time I am president, it is the first thing I will do. I will get our troops home. We will bring an end to this war. You can take that to the bank." - Barack Obama
when you told me 'if you can't beat 'em, join 'em'
i was thinkin 'death before dishonor'
this poor guy is screwed. he has the entire hopes of the entire progressive world pinned to his back and he can never live up to people's ideal of him... i just hope when he falls (which he inevitably will becos he's human as the rest of us) that he doesn't take the entire progressive movement with him.
Well said.
maybe he shouldnt make promises he has no intention of keeping.
i don't think that's what he's done. he has a very clear vision for what he'd like to accomplish, but he knows he can't ram that down the world's throat and he is willing to compromise for the sake of getting things done and taking steps in the right direction. personally, i think it's a refreshing change of pace. he's shown more willingness to work with the right than they deserve. they seem to hate him for it, just as they hated clinton, one of the most moderate, centrist democrats out there. i guess the right just hates having it revealed to them how petty they are. probably sticks in their craw that for as much as they talk about morals and values, they're clearly dealing with a president that is a bigger man than any of them could ever hope to be.
and speaking as guy that leans pretty strongly left, obama running rough shod over half the coutnry to jam a liberal agenda down the country's throat is no better than bush doing it for the right. he's been a let down on a lot of things (esp FISA and backpedaling on guantanamo) and he doesn't get a free pass for that, but overall i appreciate that he is trying to do things in a way that doesn't alienate half the country the way the last admin did. we're fractured and divided enough as it is.
Point taken, although it seems like this surge of military support is directly related to renewed fighting in Gaza and elsewhere, fighting that both sides must assume responsibility for. Like I said, cessation of arms shipments will not happen unless they occur across the board. Even if the U.S. stopped all shipments to Israel, Israel's enemies would continue to arm themselves. No one in the U.S. government is going to consider this acceptable, not in this political climate.
Gee, you'd think a U.S. president who won the Nobel Peace Prize might get rave reviews from his party's activists and polite congrats from top Republicans.
But news of Barack Obama's award Friday drew a rebuke from the Republican Party chairman, ridicule from conservative bloggers, and even gripes from some liberals who think he hasn't done enough to wind down the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Top Democrats congratulated Obama, of course, but critics abounded on the left and right.
"What has President Obama actually accomplished?" said Michael Steele, chairman of the Republican National Committee.
"It is unfortunate that the president's star power has outshined tireless advocates who have made real achievements working towards peace and human rights."
There was praise from two Democrats who also have won the Nobel Peace Prize.
Former President Jimmy Carter, who won in 2002, called Obama's selection a "bold statement of international support for his vision and commitment."
And former Vice President Al Gore, who won two years ago, said Obama's prize was "extremely well deserved."
"I think that much of what he has accomplished already is going to be far more appreciated in the eyes of history, as it has been by the Nobel committee," Gore said.
And some Republicans had kind words, too. "Under any circumstance an appropriate response is to say congratulations," said Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty.
But GOP Rep. Gresham Barrett, who is running for governor of South Carolina, mocked Obama's prize. "I'm not sure what the international community loved best; his waffling on Afghanistan, pulling defense missiles out of Eastern Europe, turning his back on freedom fighters in Honduras, coddling Castro, siding with Palestinians against Israel, or almost getting tough on Iran," Barrett said.
Several commentators challenged the value of the Peace Prize, noting that Palestinian President Yasser Arafat shared it in 1994.
"What's Obama done?" asked Rick Moran in his blog on American Thinker, a strong advocate of Israel. "What peace has he negotiated? ... I suppose an organization that thought Yasser Arafat worthy of the same prize can't be taken seriously anyway. But they are."
Erick Erickson, writing on the conservative RedState.com, suggested Obama won in part because he is black.
"I did not realize the Nobel Peace Prize had an affirmative action quota for it, but that is the only thing I can think of for this news," Erickson wrote. "There is no way Barack Obama earned it in the nominations period."
Obama himself said he felt humbled and undeserving, declaring in a Rose Garden statement: "I do not view it as a recognition of my own accomplishments."
The reaction was only slightly warmer on some liberal Web sites, where some writers said Obama should end the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan before being awarded such a prize.
To be sure, some groups and politicians gave Obama full-throated congratulations.
Global Zero, comprising political and military leaders from around the world, applauded Obama's award, which was "in part based on his leadership to achieve the elimination of nuclear weapons."
Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine, who chairs the Democratic National Committee, called the award "an affirmation of the fact that the United States has returned to its long-standing role as a world leader."
Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., chastised the GOP's Steele for his remarks, and noted that conservative activists had cheered when Obama failed last week to bring the 2016 Olympic Games to Chicago.
"I find it very very disappointing for the chairman of the Republican Party -- after the cheers that went out when America lost the Olympics -- to now be attacking our president, everyone's president in our country, at a time when he is being recognized on the world stage," Stabenow said.
I knew all the rules, but the rules did not know me...GUARANTEED!
But GOP Rep. Gresham Barrett, who is running for governor of South Carolina, mocked Obama's prize. "I'm not sure what the international community loved best; his waffling on Afghanistan, pulling defense missiles out of Eastern Europe, turning his back on freedom fighters in Honduras, coddling Castro, siding with Palestinians against Israel, or almost getting tough on Iran," Barrett said.
ironically, he may be the first person i've heard of to give even a remotely compelling list of things obama has done that actually might merit any kind of recognition for peace
how many world leaders have an army in 2 foreign countries? just obama.
how many world leaders gave Israel tacit political and billions in military aid, months after they slaughtered 1400 gazans? just Obama
and Obama was silent after a peruvian slaughter by government forces. he was silent as regime changes took place in south america. he's been silent as allies commit war crimes.
Nobel should give Kim Jong Il an award for his outstanding support of democracy while they're at it..
Nobel should give Kim Jong Il an award for his outstanding support of democracy while they're at it..
Didn't he "give up" nuclear plans???? That should have earned Kimmie Po the award :?
All the world will be your enemy, Prince with a thousand enemies, and whenever they catch you, they will kill you. But first they must catch you, digger, listener, runner, prince with the swift warning. Be cunning and full of tricks and your people shall never be destroyed.
the Nobel Peace Prize lost credibility for me when people like Mother Theresa and Henry Kissinger received them. Pretty outrageous
I find it interesting and disturbing he would even be considered a peacemaker.
Flat out, Obama believes bombs and guns can bring peace which of course is counter to the whole concept of peace. And he is currently authorizing and running 2 wars right now.
A guy who doesnt believe in peace shouldnt be given the prize. and obama doesnt deserve it.
I said it before, and I will say it again, he will be considered by me to be an enemy and a liar and cheat and worse as long as he continues to wage these 2 senseless, illegal and immoral wars.
I still remember in 2002 on CSPAN, before anyone even knew who he was, Obama speaking to a interviewer about how he DID NOT CONSIDER himself a pacifist and that we should seriously consider using military force in Korea.
as long as he continues to wage these 2 senseless, illegal and immoral wars.
this kinda raises the inference that a sensible, legal, and moral war would be ok, and i'm kinda curious what war would meet those criteria for you? though i'd agree that neither afghan nor iraq meets them now, and iraqq never did.
this kinda raises the inference that a sensible, legal, and moral war would be ok, and i'm kinda curious what war would meet those criteria for you? though i'd agree that neither afghan nor iraq meets them now, and iraqq never did.
I know you're not talking to me, but WW-II typically gets cited as a "just war" (and with good reason, IMO). I agree that the term itself is probably not a fantastic way to categorize wars, which all feature a political slant, atrocities commited by most or all sides involved, civilian deaths, etc.
this poor guy is screwed. he has the entire hopes of the entire progressive world pinned to his back and he can never live up to people's ideal of him... i just hope when he falls (which he inevitably will becos he's human as the rest of us) that he doesn't take the entire progressive movement with him.
Well said.
People expect a lot out of their anti-christ
just curious, but why do you keep calling him the antichrist in all of these threads? according to jesus's teachings i would think that jesus would think he was a good guy and would agree with his agenda in several areas.
"You can tell the greatness of a man by what makes him angry." - Lincoln
Comments
it is funny, though, he gets this as he most likely will be increasing the number of troops in Afghanistan shortly and continues to do nothing while Israel continues to violate the Geneva Conventions, international law, UN resolutions, commits war crimes....
what are you but my reflection? who am i to judge or strike you down?
"I will promise you this, that if we have not gotten our troops out by the time I am president, it is the first thing I will do. I will get our troops home. We will bring an end to this war. You can take that to the bank." - Barack Obama
when you told me 'if you can't beat 'em, join 'em'
i was thinkin 'death before dishonor'
What exactly should Obama do about Israel? You could have stated that in roughly the same amount of time it took you to focus on how dastardedly the Isrealis are. Thanks for the chuckle, though. I laugh whenever someone pretends that the UN gives Israel a fair shake.
Seriously ... Obama has pushed for peace harder than Bush and Clinton did before him. What else can he do that might solve the problem? He's pretty much flat-out stated that he supports a two-state solution, but no nation has the power to force this on Israel.
They gave it to a guy who became president two weeks before the deadline to nominate people for this award. Let me repeat: Obama just won the Nobel Prize for the first two weeks of his presidency.
Must have been a hell of a 14 days. Pick out new drapes, adopt a dog, arrange your furniture, win a Nobel Prize. The standards are slipping.
On the bright side, I guess Obama can put this on the mantel next to the Father of the Year trophy he won two months before his first daughter was born.
for the least they could possibly do
"With our thoughts we make the world"
This I do agree with ... I am surprised his wife didn't win some sort of back-up or consolation prize as well.
Does seem like a random link to make ... "I don't deserve this prize, but if I accept, no one will want nukes anymore!".
Uh huh. ...
he can cut their funding, cut back on arms shipments....
the UN has been more than fair towards Israel....has the UN ever sanctioned Israel like it has several other countries? has the UN ever imposed an arms embargo or any sort of embargo on Israel like it has several other countries?
what are you but my reflection? who am i to judge or strike you down?
"I will promise you this, that if we have not gotten our troops out by the time I am president, it is the first thing I will do. I will get our troops home. We will bring an end to this war. You can take that to the bank." - Barack Obama
when you told me 'if you can't beat 'em, join 'em'
i was thinkin 'death before dishonor'
Sweep the Leg Johnny.
I am pretty sure that U.S. arms shipments to Israel HAVE dropped off considerably, which was one of the reasons why the Israelis decided to start manufacturing more of their own Merkava tanks, small arms, and other munitions. Cutting them off completely is not going to happen unless countries like China and Russia halt similar shipments to Iran, Syria, Hezbollah in Lebanon, etc. You're right about sanctions, and I will be the first person to admit that UN sanctions get used selectively and inappropriately. I am not sure that any sort of embargo against Israel is called for at this time ... Starving non-combatants did not work well on Iraq in the 90s (after the first Gulf war), and such sanctions won't work with Iran either, should that route be pursued.
i think he was trying to say that he knows he hasn't done anything, but that if the nobel committee feels like he somehow is, has been, or can be a force for change in international nuclear policy, then he will try to live up to that mantle and hope the award brings awareness and pressure to reform in that area. as with all the other questions about the award, it remains to be seen what he'll actually do about it. but i think his comment is reasonable enough given how awkward a position this announcement puts him in. this poor guy is screwed. he has the entire hopes of the entire progressive world pinned to his back and he can never live up to people's ideal of him... i just hope when he falls (which he inevitably will becos he's human as the rest of us) that he doesn't take the entire progressive movement with him.
Well said.
People expect a lot out of their anti-christ
Such as?
Ya man he did what he said.... Bo is an awesome first dog.
i'm not so sure it has dropped....
http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php? ... &aid=11743
Unusually Large U.S. Weapons Shipment to Israel
4 days after Israel attacked the Gaza strip this order went through....they ended up delaying it Greece until after they were finished massacring a bunch of civilians...
A very large delivery of US weaponry to Israel consisting of 3,000 tons of "ammunition" is scheduled to sail to Israel. The size and nature of the shipments are described as "unusual":
"Shipping 3,000-odd tons of ammunition in one go is a lot," one broker said, on condition of anonymity.
"This (kind of request) is pretty rare and we haven't seen much of it quoted in the market over the years," he added.
"Shipping brokers in London who have specialized in moving arms for the British and U.S. military in the past said such ship charters to Israel were rare. (Reuters, Jan 10, 2009)
The Pentagon has entrusted a Greek merchant shipping company to deliver the weapons to Israel:
"The U.S. is seeking to hire a merchant ship to deliver hundreds of tons of arms to Israel from Greece later this month, tender documents seen by Reuters show.
The U.S. Navy's Military Sealift Command (MSC) said the ship was to carry 325 standard 20-foot containers of what is listed as "ammunition" on two separate journeys from the Greek port of Astakos to the Israeli port of Ashdod in mid-to-late January.
A "hazardous material" designation on the manifest mentions explosive substances and detonators, but no other details were given.(Ibid)
It is worth noting that a similar unusually large shipment of US ordinance to Israel was scheduled in early December:
"Tender documents indicate that the German ship hired by the US in early December also carried a massive cargo of weapons that weighed over 2.6 million kg [2600 tons] and filled up to 989 standard 20-foot containers to Ashdod from North Carolina." (Press TV, 10 Jan 2009)
Are These Large Shipments of Ordinance Connected to the Invasion of Gaza?
The request by the Pentagon to transport ordinance in a commercial vessel, according to Reuters, was made on December 31, 4 days after the commencement of the aerial bombings of Gaza by F16 Fighter jets.
Analysts have hastily concluded, without evidence, that the 2 shipments of "ammunition" were intended to supply Israel's armed forces in support of its military invasion of Gaza.
"A senior military analyst in London who declined to be named said that, because of the timing, the shipments could be "irregular" and linked to the Gaza offensive." (Reuters, January 10, 2009)
These reports are mistaken. Delivery of ordinance always precedes the onslaught of a military operation. The ordinance required under "Operation Cast Lead" was decided upon in June 2008. Further to Tel Aviv's request under the US military aid program to Israel, the U.S. Congress approved in September 2008 the transfer of 1,000 bunker-buster high precision GPS-guided Small Diameter Guided Bomb Units 39 (GBU-39).
The GBU 39 smart bombs produced by Boeing were delivered to Israel in November. They were used in the initial air raids on Gaza:
"...The Israel Air Force has used the new lightweight GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb acquired from the USA, in the recent attacks in Gaza. The [Jerusalem] Post mentioned the new weapons ordered last September having arrived last month [November], and already put to action with the IAF fighters. These weapons could have been deployed by the Boeing/IAF F-15Is, since sofar SDB is cleared for use only with this type of aircraft.
from Amnesty International:
http://www.amnesty.org.uk/news_details.asp?NewsID=18136
The US was by far the largest supplier of weapons to Israel between 2004 and 2008. The US government is also due to provide $30 billion in military aid to Israel, despite the blatant misuse of weaponry and munitions in Gaza and Lebanon by the Israel Defence Forces (IDF).
According to one US official, President Obama has no plans to cut the billions of dollars in military aid promised to Israel under a new 10-year contract agreed in 2007 by the Bush administration. This new contract is a 25 per cent increase compared to the last contract agreed by the previous US administration.
Amnesty International first drew attention to this arms ship's voyage on 15 January. The ship's charter, authorised by the Bush administration a week before the IDF launched their attack on Gaza, was to carry 989 shipping containers of 'containerized ammunition and other containerised ammunition supplies' from Sunny Point Military Ocean Terminal, North Carolina to Ashdod, as listed in the contract. US Military Sealift Command charters for a further two US munitions shipments from Navipe-Astakos (Greece) to Ashdod, which explicitly included white phosphorus munitions, were announced on 31 December during the Gaza conflict and then cancelled on 9 January, but a US military spokesperson subsequently confirmed that the Pentagon was still seeking a way to also deliver those munitions.
what are you but my reflection? who am i to judge or strike you down?
"I will promise you this, that if we have not gotten our troops out by the time I am president, it is the first thing I will do. I will get our troops home. We will bring an end to this war. You can take that to the bank." - Barack Obama
when you told me 'if you can't beat 'em, join 'em'
i was thinkin 'death before dishonor'
i don't think that's what he's done. he has a very clear vision for what he'd like to accomplish, but he knows he can't ram that down the world's throat and he is willing to compromise for the sake of getting things done and taking steps in the right direction. personally, i think it's a refreshing change of pace. he's shown more willingness to work with the right than they deserve. they seem to hate him for it, just as they hated clinton, one of the most moderate, centrist democrats out there. i guess the right just hates having it revealed to them how petty they are. probably sticks in their craw that for as much as they talk about morals and values, they're clearly dealing with a president that is a bigger man than any of them could ever hope to be.
and speaking as guy that leans pretty strongly left, obama running rough shod over half the coutnry to jam a liberal agenda down the country's throat is no better than bush doing it for the right. he's been a let down on a lot of things (esp FISA and backpedaling on guantanamo) and he doesn't get a free pass for that, but overall i appreciate that he is trying to do things in a way that doesn't alienate half the country the way the last admin did. we're fractured and divided enough as it is.
Point taken, although it seems like this surge of military support is directly related to renewed fighting in Gaza and elsewhere, fighting that both sides must assume responsibility for. Like I said, cessation of arms shipments will not happen unless they occur across the board. Even if the U.S. stopped all shipments to Israel, Israel's enemies would continue to arm themselves. No one in the U.S. government is going to consider this acceptable, not in this political climate.
Gee, you'd think a U.S. president who won the Nobel Peace Prize might get rave reviews from his party's activists and polite congrats from top Republicans.
But news of Barack Obama's award Friday drew a rebuke from the Republican Party chairman, ridicule from conservative bloggers, and even gripes from some liberals who think he hasn't done enough to wind down the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Top Democrats congratulated Obama, of course, but critics abounded on the left and right.
"What has President Obama actually accomplished?" said Michael Steele, chairman of the Republican National Committee.
"It is unfortunate that the president's star power has outshined tireless advocates who have made real achievements working towards peace and human rights."
There was praise from two Democrats who also have won the Nobel Peace Prize.
Former President Jimmy Carter, who won in 2002, called Obama's selection a "bold statement of international support for his vision and commitment."
And former Vice President Al Gore, who won two years ago, said Obama's prize was "extremely well deserved."
"I think that much of what he has accomplished already is going to be far more appreciated in the eyes of history, as it has been by the Nobel committee," Gore said.
And some Republicans had kind words, too. "Under any circumstance an appropriate response is to say congratulations," said Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty.
But GOP Rep. Gresham Barrett, who is running for governor of South Carolina, mocked Obama's prize. "I'm not sure what the international community loved best; his waffling on Afghanistan, pulling defense missiles out of Eastern Europe, turning his back on freedom fighters in Honduras, coddling Castro, siding with Palestinians against Israel, or almost getting tough on Iran," Barrett said.
Several commentators challenged the value of the Peace Prize, noting that Palestinian President Yasser Arafat shared it in 1994.
"What's Obama done?" asked Rick Moran in his blog on American Thinker, a strong advocate of Israel. "What peace has he negotiated? ... I suppose an organization that thought Yasser Arafat worthy of the same prize can't be taken seriously anyway. But they are."
Erick Erickson, writing on the conservative RedState.com, suggested Obama won in part because he is black.
"I did not realize the Nobel Peace Prize had an affirmative action quota for it, but that is the only thing I can think of for this news," Erickson wrote. "There is no way Barack Obama earned it in the nominations period."
Obama himself said he felt humbled and undeserving, declaring in a Rose Garden statement: "I do not view it as a recognition of my own accomplishments."
The reaction was only slightly warmer on some liberal Web sites, where some writers said Obama should end the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan before being awarded such a prize.
To be sure, some groups and politicians gave Obama full-throated congratulations.
Global Zero, comprising political and military leaders from around the world, applauded Obama's award, which was "in part based on his leadership to achieve the elimination of nuclear weapons."
Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine, who chairs the Democratic National Committee, called the award "an affirmation of the fact that the United States has returned to its long-standing role as a world leader."
Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., chastised the GOP's Steele for his remarks, and noted that conservative activists had cheered when Obama failed last week to bring the 2016 Olympic Games to Chicago.
"I find it very very disappointing for the chairman of the Republican Party -- after the cheers that went out when America lost the Olympics -- to now be attacking our president, everyone's president in our country, at a time when he is being recognized on the world stage," Stabenow said.
Hail Hail HIPPIEMOM
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ironically, he may be the first person i've heard of to give even a remotely compelling list of things obama has done that actually might merit any kind of recognition for peace
this had to be fake. i checked. its legit.
how many world leaders have an army in 2 foreign countries? just obama.
how many world leaders gave Israel tacit political and billions in military aid, months after they slaughtered 1400 gazans? just Obama
and Obama was silent after a peruvian slaughter by government forces. he was silent as regime changes took place in south america. he's been silent as allies commit war crimes.
Nobel should give Kim Jong Il an award for his outstanding support of democracy while they're at it..
I find it interesting and disturbing he would even be considered a peacemaker.
Flat out, Obama believes bombs and guns can bring peace which of course is counter to the whole concept of peace. And he is currently authorizing and running 2 wars right now.
A guy who doesnt believe in peace shouldnt be given the prize. and obama doesnt deserve it.
I said it before, and I will say it again, he will be considered by me to be an enemy and a liar and cheat and worse as long as he continues to wage these 2 senseless, illegal and immoral wars.
I still remember in 2002 on CSPAN, before anyone even knew who he was, Obama speaking to a interviewer about how he DID NOT CONSIDER himself a pacifist and that we should seriously consider using military force in Korea.
What a jerk
this kinda raises the inference that a sensible, legal, and moral war would be ok, and i'm kinda curious what war would meet those criteria for you? though i'd agree that neither afghan nor iraq meets them now, and iraqq never did.
I know you're not talking to me, but WW-II typically gets cited as a "just war" (and with good reason, IMO). I agree that the term itself is probably not a fantastic way to categorize wars, which all feature a political slant, atrocities commited by most or all sides involved, civilian deaths, etc.
"Well, you tell him that I don't talk to suckas."