If I were Netanyahu, I would politely inform the Congress

[MineralMan]

that I could not appear to speak to them, since diplomatic relations are a matter for the Executive Branch to deal with. If I were President Obama, I would have my Secretary of State send a message to Netanyahu explaining that diplomatic relations are a matter for the President, not Congress and that his address to the Congress would create an issue with ongoing relationships, and that he should consider declining.

That's what I'd do. We'll see if that's what ends up happening. Boehner is overstepping his role in government.

[RKP5637]

1. Agree!!! n/t

[MineralMan]

2. I won't be surprised if this is what ends up happening.

Frankly, I think the same thing applies to Pope Francis addressing Congress. We have division of power in the U.S. for a reason.

[Bluenorthwest]

5. I agree on both counts.

nt

[MoonRiver]

7. Unfortunately Speaker Bonehead didn't get the memo.

[geek tragedy]

3. Bibi understands all of that. He just has no respect for our system of government or our president.

Or the relationship between the two countries.

Bibi understands only two things: kicking the shit out of Palestinians and chasing votes.

[MineralMan]

4. Well, I see that the address to Congress has been

rescheduled to March. I suspect that Secretary Kerry has send a billet doux to Netanyahu. The address may well not take place, after all, due to "scheduling issues." I'll be watching for that announcement. If it comes, the communications will have taken place through official diplomatic channels.

[SickOfTheOnePct]

6. Did anyone raise this kind of hell the other two times that Netanyahu addressed Congress?

Congress doesn't have to ask permission to invite speakers. Protocol says that they should notify the White House, but there is no legal requirement to so.

Much ado about nothing, IMO.

[dballance]

8. Wow, you expect Bibi to be a reasonable human?

No chance of that. Bibi will speak to congress in open defiance of normal protocol. Any time he can throw middle a finger at Obama it will happen.

Bibi is further distancing Israel from the US by his actions. The BDS movement has taken hold and Bibi's actions just reinforce it.

Too bad Bibi's ego is larger than the idea of peace in the Middle East.

[oberliner]

10. Fortunately everyone in Israel and the world can look forward to his being voted out of office

Elections are happening quite soon over there.

[dballance]

11. I certainly hope so.

Voting Bibi out of office would be a really good thing in my opinion.

[NightWatcher]

9. did Boner ask Netanyahu, or did Nety (get some group to) ask/force Boner?

If it is found that Netanyahoo got some group like AIPAC to get Johnny to "invite" him to speak to Congress, shouldn't someone go to jail for corruption?

[MineralMan]

12. I don't know the answer to that question.

Maybe someone else does, though.

[NightWatcher]

13. Boner's drunk all the time and hasn't had an original thought since, "I should get a tan"

I'd love for it to come out that he was directed to use his position to 'invite' a foreign head of state to speak in an attempt to alter our foreign policy.

[oldandhappy]

14. You are sane!

Boehner and Netanyahu are not.

I just put this under activism, but here it is again.

Benjamin Netanyahu
Prime Minister's Office
3 Kaplan St. Hakirya
Jerusalem 91950
Israel

Please write and say what you said above -- perfect!

[Calista241]

16. Why would he do that?

He has a pretty good chance at getting what he wants by going through Congress.

All of the senate Dems that could block this will face the voters again.

Bibi doesn't give a shit about Obama's legacy. The sanctions will almost certainly pass, the only question is if they have enough to override the veto, and I suspect it's going to be very close.

[MineralMan]

17. Well, I'm not Netanyahu. I'm telling what I'd do if I were.

The two are not the same thing.