Again I'd state that I don't know whether the Rahm pick is a great disaster or a possible opening. This stuff is complex. I believe Obama is a great leader/player, capable of being sphinxlike even to the lobby. You sense that sphinxlike greatness in the "60 Minutes" interview with Obama's four aides last night. The Obama that came thru was distant, hard to know, noble, godlike, impersonal. Not one frikkin anecdote. You don't get a window on Obama. But here is Jack Ross, saying Why he's optimistic:
"I think Juan Cole basically has it right - and frankly, I prefer benign neglect to "engagement", partly the isolationist in me, and partly because it gives the lie to the scam Henry Siegman so aptly describes. And if Dennis Ross does end up with some kind of envoy position - which I still doubt but at least they've given up the ghost of an official position in the administration - it will be about as meaningful as that which was given to Tony Blair when he stepped down as Prime Minister."
Here's an idea: make GW a "peace envoy"!
(Just kidding. But someone thought Tony Blair was a good idea.)
Benign neglect? Isolationism? What are these terms referring to — U.S policy on the I/P conflict?? How is providing Israel with 4-5 billion dollars every year, and the most advanced weaponry, considered "benign neglect" and "isolationism"?
Nemesis
I nominate Norman Finkelstein, for President Obama's Middle East ambassador. He's the nation's foremost authority on the facts and the law, about Israel-Palestine issues, a moral man, of even temperament, impervious to bullying. I believe he would soon steer the U.S. on a course towards justice.
Norm Finkelstein should have been aborted at birth
My use of those terms is obviously with aid notwithstanding. If its optimistic to think that their could be reductions in aid with the financial crisis, I think only slightly so. The empire is crumbling.
"Here's an idea: make GW a "peace envoy"!
(Just kidding. But someone thought Tony Blair was a good idea.)"
I'M NOT JUST KIDDING:
If Blair and Bush "pardnered up", I think they might just "git 'er done". Perhaps they could stay at Sharon's ranch in the Negev. (logs up the *** optional)