U.S. can't walk away from its role, By Wesley Clark

[BushCutters]

As a cadet at West Point, I learned that a state cannot survive for long unless it alone controls the use of force. The story that most vividly illustrates this point started back in 1948. It is the story of the State of Israel.

CUT

Currently, Israel is building a security fence - not because it wants to, but because terrorism has forced its hand. The fence is not a barrier to the peace process. No country can negotiate if the other side believes it has no alternatives. The fence will help contain the terrorist onslaught. It will warn other parties in the Middle East that they need to start negotiating - now. But it is not a sustainable substitute for peace. A strong, democratic Israel is the key to the future of the Middle East.

CUT

Leading a real peace process is a responsibility the United States cannot walk away from - and it is a responsibility that starts in the White House. Negotiations must proceed along a multifaceted track. The Israeli government should not be forced to make further territorial concessions until the Palestinian Authority acts decisively to dismantle terrorism. But to get negotiations back on track, the next administration must make peace for Israel one of its top priorities.

Other states must do their part, too. Currently, Palestinian militants are aided and Palestinian civilians are used by regional powers that stoke the violence to vent their own domestic tensions. That has to stop, and we have to stop it. Road maps to peace cannot be successful when others impose roadblocks. We must use every available tool to ensure that the governments of Syria, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Lebanon and others are facilitating rather than obstructing the peace process.


http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/358806.html

[LuminousX]

1. The only way something will get done in the Mideast

is if the U.S. with a few other prominent nations actively engage all sides of the issue and constantly encourage a peaceful settlement. Even if we were one of the original causes, we can mend our ways and provide a solution. In fact that should be what the U.S. is about in this century. Recognizing the harm we've caused and attempting to make ammends.

[Saudade]

2. Clark

This cowardly, ignorant, hypocritical, shamelessly pandering mess of an article eliminates any remaining doubt of Clark's lack of integrity.

<"...the wall is necessary... blah blah blah...">

Case closed.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

3. As a Clark supporter I am offended by your comments!!!

Who do you support??? Let's look at their record!!!

I agree with Clark that Iraq is our responsibility and cannot walk away from it.

[BushCutters]

5. Just a wild guess:

Kucinich? :shrug:

[Renew Deal]

4. Here is his full comment.

Currently, Israel is building a security fence -
not because it wants to, but because terrorism
has forced its hand. The fence is not a barrier
to the peace process. No country can negotiate
if the other side believes it has no
alternatives. The fence will help contain the
terrorist onslaught. It will warn other parties
in the Middle East that they need to start
negotiating - now. But it is not a sustainable
substitute for peace. A strong, democratic
Israel is the key to the future of the Middle
East.

I trust his knowledge on Foreign policy just a little more than I trust your thanks.

[BushCutters]

6. Me, too!

Clark is very 'in' with the Clinton group and they are very powerful in the DNC. Dean's apparent popularity notwithstanding, politics is a business of power.

People need to start taking a look at Clark...just might end up it's Clark v. Bush; you never know.

[globoll]

8. yeppers

a vote for any one but Clark is a vote for Bush and BUSH knows it

[helleborient]

7. I disagree, but also think the opinions here are nearly impossible to have

A civil discussion about.

I believe the wall is a hindrance, and I don't believe a strong, democratic Israel is THE key to the future of the Middle East.

I believe democratic institutions and self-determination on the part of all people in the Middle East is a key...but self-determination means democratic institutions can not be enforced from the outside.

I particularly regret how incredibly difficult it is to express opposition to the Israeli government without being called an anti-Semite.

The response to the recent European Union public opinion poll is a perfect example.

[Toucano]

9. I'm confused.

Your quote is just like the segment in the original post? Did you forget something, or have I gone senile? :crazy:

Thanks!

[Saudade]

10. Clark

"Currently, Israel is building a security fence -
not because it wants to, but because terrorism
has forced its hand. The fence is not a barrier
to the peace process."

The first sentence is either a cynical lie, or an admission that the author knows nothing about what Israel is doing, in which case, he shouldn't even be discussing the topic.

The second sentence is just completely idiotic nonsense on its face.

Even the Bush administration hasn't said anything so stupid and obnoxious as this. (Powell at least had the integrity to nominally refer to the wall as "problematic," even if they won't do anything about it.)

This statement puts Clark in the same camp as scum like Pat Robertson and Tom Delay, to the right of Bush. It's disgusting.