President Obama: Moving forward, I would ask that we all remember the weightiness of these issues; the stakes involved for Israel, for America, and for the world. Already, there is too much loose talk of war. Over the last few weeks, such talk has only benefited the Iranian government, by driving up the price of oil, which they depend upon to fund their nuclear program. For the sake of Israel’s security, America’s security, and the peace and security of the world, now is not the time for bluster; now is the time to let our increased pressure sink in, and to sustain the broad international coalition that we have built. Now is the time to heed that timeless advice from Teddy Roosevelt: speak softly, but carry a big stick. As we do, rest assured that the Iranian government will know our resolve, and that our coordination with Israel will continue.
If until very recently it looked like Netanyahu might be able to use the AIPAC conference as an opportunity to push Obama into a corner and escalate pressure to start a war against Iran, it now seems Obama will not yield to such pressure — at least not before November. But even if this policy of containment works over the coming months, the question remains: what will happen over the following four years (assuming Obama gets reelected)?
Earlier, the New York Times reported:
The pressure from an often-hostile Congress is also mounting. A group of influential senators, fresh from a meeting with Mr. Netanyahu in Jerusalem, has called on Mr. Obama to lay down sharper criteria, known as “red lines,” about when to act against Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
“We’re saying to the administration, ‘You’ve got a problem; let’s fix it, let’s get back on message,’ ” said Senator Lindsey Graham, Republican of South Carolina, who took part in the meeting with Mr. Netanyahu and said the Israeli leader vented frustration at what he viewed as mixed messages from Washington.
“It’s not just about the Jewish vote and 2012,” Mr. Graham added. “It’s about reassuring people who want to avoid war that the United States will do what’s necessary.”
To give teeth to the deterrent threat against Iran, Israel and its backers want Mr. Obama to stop urging restraint on Israel and to be more explicit about the circumstances under which the United States itself would carry out a strike.
At least in this round of the fight, it looks like Obama’s GOP critics and the Israel lobby overplayed their hand. They made their expectations too explicit and in response Obama has reinforced his own “red lines” and they are not the ones the warmongers want.
Same goal, different strategies:
1. “speak softly, but carry a big stick” (Barack Obama, Bill Clinton)
(You have very pretty eyes let me drill your oil fields. Or i will starve you to death and then rape your oil fields.)
2. Speak loudly, and hit people in the head with your big stick (George Bush).
(I’m so horny for your oil fields, die you bastard. I will rape your oil fields after you are dead.)
Madeleine Albright Defends Mass-Murder of iraqi Children (500,000 Children dead):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4PgpbQfxgo
667 busloads of children starved to death. (I guess Bush had to wait a week before he started the war, so that the number was not 666).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEtdw7Z04QQ&feature=related
The embargo was such a big success, it must be repeated!!!
Only this time against a much bigger country.
How will Hillary explain this on 60 minutes?
How many millions will have to die while she “speak softly”?
Will there be a new genocidal Oil-For-Food Programme?
The US should be put on a Food-for-Oil Programme….
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/us-news-blog/2012/mar/04/barack-obama-aipac-speech-live-
As a commenter from another site notes “The sad part is that too many Americans can’t decipher the BS that is being shoveled at the AIPAC- No Democratic or Republican President will ever voice the opinions of the average American in our lifetime.”
The Guardian’s Chris McGreal –live from the Circus:
“Aipac is nothing if not slick. The main conference hall is an upper floor of Washington’s convention centre. The long wall behind the speakers is fitted with vast screens flashing up pictures of Aipac leaders with Congressional leaders and quotes from Israel’s supporters. Periodically that gives way to an American flag overlaid with a Star of David. Downstairs is the “Aipac village”, billed as the “ultimate pro-Israel social network”.
The “largest policy conference in Aipac’s history” – with more than 13,000 delegates – opened with thumping speakers broadcasting Ronald Reagan, Golda Meir, Nathan Sharansky, Barack Obama, Binyamin Netanyahu and Martin Luther King all saying that the US and Israel share a common commitment to democracy.
Then came a statement from one of Aipac’s members that sets the tone of the conference of Israel as besieged by threats and enemies: “Iran is marching towards the bomb, the Palestinians seem more interested in bringing the terrorist group Hamas in to power and the Arab Spring has turned to a cold winter.”
Certainly rivals PT Barnams GSOE..