Remember. She’s third in line for the Presidency—and she already considers herself part of a shadow State Department, though she’s far too desirous of publicity to actually, you know, remain in the shadows.
Okay, then, Madame Speaker. You want some publicity? Revel in this:
The second most popular politician in Syria these days may be an American: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
The California Democrat warmed Syrian hearts with her trip last month to Damascus, an event that people still share with visiting Americans as conversational currency.
“Nancy Pelosi is good, yes?” asked a Damascus laborer who found himself sitting next to an American at a greasy gyro stand this week. “Nancy Pelosi, good American.”
Pictures of Mrs. Pelosi and Syrian President Bashar Assad—officially Syria’s most popular citizen—still turn up on the local news channels, especially during coverage of the dispute between President Bush and Congress over the Iraq war spending bill.
Mrs. Pelosi’s two-day visit to Damascus was a major news event here. Camera crews trailed her as she bought sweets in the ancient Hamadieh souk, made the sign of the cross at what is thought to be the tomb of John the Baptist and donned a black abaya to visit the historic Omayyad Mosque.
Mrs. Pelosi, 67, is praised as “a friend of Syria,” and that makes her more influential than Oprah Winfrey and more appealing than the old Hollywood movies shown on satellite television.
Many Damascus residents say her private visit with Mr. Assad and senior ministers shattered Washington’s attempt to isolate the regime.
“She was enormously popular here, a hero,” said one such resident, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. “This is the best thing that has happened here, if it proves [Mr. Assad] was right not to give concessions.”
Along with recent visits by U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and officials from the European Union, the resident added, Mrs. Pelosi’s trip “bolsters the regime with the Syrian people, and it shows that isolating Syria won’t work.â€Â
More than burnishing the regime’s image in Syria, Mrs. Pelosi is seen as the well-dressed woman who stood up to President Bush, possibly the most unpopular figure in the Arab world after former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.
So then I guess rogue “diplomacy” does work. If what you’re hoping to do is undermine the foreign policy strategy of your own duly elected government and provide the dictator heading a terror state with the propaganda he needs to withstand pressures aimed at curbing aid to those killing our soldiers or funding a proxy war against Israel. Whom you also presume to speak for.
At least when Jimmy Carter goes around treating the world like his own little chess board, he hasn’t much power to affect change. But Pelosi—as number 3 in line to head the world’s sole hyperpower—gives people like Assad hope that if they just hold out and stand firm, America, the paper tiger Bin Laden assured the Muslim world we are, will eventually be helmed by those eager to surrender our principles and betray our allies in exchange for a bit less aggravation.
Well done, Madame Speaker. Tyranny has nothing to fear on your watch—unless it’s the kind that wears a US Flag lapel pin and presumes to take measures to protect US citizens by treating the Islamist threat as more than just a speedbump on the road to universal health care, a global climate scheme for redistributing wealth, and an International Criminal Court hostile to any American not of the “progressive” stripe.
(h/t LGF)
What flippin’ stupid commentary from the WATimes: “shows that isolating the regime won’t work.” Circular much?
What the bleeping bleep did she think she was doing?
Dr. Kamal Labwani was unavailable for comment…
……because he’s in a freaking Syrian jail for expressing his political beliefs. Supposedly Pelosi brought up his case to Assad. I’m sure he got a nice healthy gut laugh over it and then proceeded to get back to the subject at hand, namely, just who is worse- Israel or Bush?
Sick
What the bleeping bleep did she think she was doing?
She is bringing peace in our time from her friends in Damascus.
IT really is a slimy, grotesque creature that She-thing. Selling out human rights for the accomplishment of breaking the glass ceiling.
How does she sleep at night?
But they are not certified malicious liar Al Sharpton followers’ rights, are they? Since Sharpton assisted in the murder of Jews in New Yawk, he’s probably cheering Nancy on in any effort to aid in the murder of Jews in Israel. Or anywhere.
Sheesh.
Seriously, what’s it take to start proceedings against this traitor? Call the AG on the horn and ask nicely?
Somebody tell me because it’s time.
And she didn’t even have to wear her red scarf.
Condi is upset she didn’t think of it first. Dialogue? Statesmanship? Why are they negotiating with terrorists? Get Admiral Poindexter and Ollie North on a plane to Syria. At least they have a history.
The article doesn’t cite a critical Republican by name. Are they that craven or do they have internal data telling them that any critique would be refracted through a media lens and portrayed as harsh Rethuglican acrimony? The more such silence, the more tolerable McCain’s flaws become. Ask me again tomorrow though.
I think the better question would be what, cleo. Put yourself in Condi or Nancy’s shoes, imagine you are the US envoy to Damascus, to negotiate with Assad and Hezbollah. What are you going to put on the table? What are you going to ask for? I am curious as to how you think the negotiations should start.
I don’t doubt she is upset, but rather because Pelosi is, you know, an idiot with no business conducting shadow diplomacy. Damn, BDS sure can cause for some awfully strange bedfellows. Wonder how many of her constituents have no problem with her sucking up to an honest-to-goodness, dissent-crushing thug. Bush could take a few lessons from this guy…
I wasn’t aware that “statesmanship” consisted of bolstering the regime of totalitarians with naught in return…
Folks – Shame on you. Attempting to have any type of rational discussion with sementicleo is likely to be as fruitful as discussing insurance reserving practices with an aardvark. After the initial gratuitous pot shot at some “R” it just escalates to name calling, and increasingly fevered BDS. There is a greater chance of the Cubs winning the Series in our lifetimes than of Miss Cleo being rational.
Statesmanship is a favorite Democratic code word for what happens when their favorite diplomats incompetently sell out American interests and principles for temporary goodwill among our enemies.
Images of Madeleine Albright begging mass murderers for favors insert here.
I know it’s off topic but I had to stop and point out: That was a dead nuts perfect assessment. Also, the Dem’s hope to make this a political running platform issue because they figure that they are stronger on the enviroment. It’s the perfect issue. Family oriented, lots of data to manipulate and the emotional trigger of being FOR THE CHILDREN.
To bad the rich bastards can’t hide the fact that everyone, including the “Green party” uses energy.
Rob B – they CAN hide that…
B Moe, that’s an excellent question. Blinky’s just made herself the poster child for why we used to talk about the water’s edge.
I’m starting to compile a list of questions I’d love to ask the Democrats if they debate anywhere around here in the next year or so, and yours just made the list:
* Does FISA represent the sole legal authority for conducting electronic surveillance for gathering foreign intelligence, or does the President retain any Article II powers in this regard?
* What will you do if members of the intelligence community who oppose your policies leak classified information adverse to your positions to the media?
* Can the President act on intelligence information in the absence of complete consensus?
* If Members of Congress of the other party attempt to influence negotiations with foreign powers, how will you react?
What kind of risks are we looking at? I’m in mass litigation m’self (asbestos, benzene, silica, and the lke). Do we have facultative or treaty reinsurance? Any burn rate calculations yet?
Of course, most of my discussions are with wombats, rather than aardvarks. Once, I did go with a very angry alpaca to a mediation for a West Virgina benzene exposure case…
Can I take this . No, oddly enough even our county court judges can issue search warrants. That includes phone, electronic, or archived records.
oops, that didn’t make any sense. Sorry.
cynn, I have no doubt that that question could be better formulated. I’m an economist, not an attorney. I’ve just been listening to the Democrats express, during FISA reform discussions this week, their shock that the President feels he retains any Article II prerogatives to conduct surveillance outside the scope of FISA. I’m not sure that’s ever been settled directly as a matter of law. As people pursuing the Presidency, the candidates might look at that issue a little differently from their fellow legislators. But maybe not.
So wait. We should’nt even talk to Arab’s or do diplomacy at them. But its ok to drop bomb’s on them to make them have a democracy. Yeah that makes alot of sense. In backwards logic.
Major John – I generally attend 2-3 mediations a week, ranging from standard commercial general liability, professional coverages, and much public sector work, focusing on 1983 claims.
Is the wombat related to the platypus ? Is the plural of platypi or platypussies ?
It’s reverse cyclology.
I may be mistaken, but suspect I am not, when I say that you do not “do diplomacy at” an entity. Diplomacy only tends to be effective when there is an actively engaged participant at the table with you, and it helps even more if they are participating in good faith.
To follow with the mediation theme referenced above, today I participated in a mediation (read – doing diplomacy) where the plaintiff counsel had no intention of engaging in good faith negotiation. Their demand never came below $7,500,000 despite their claim being worth less than $100,000 on their best day. Our “doing diplomacy” was never going to work, and was only done because the Magistrate ordered it.
Cleo must be the strong, silent type of negotiator. I would never have guessed.
trollwithohsooriginalname.
Nobody has said anything of the sort, but when you are trying to isolate a rogue nation (and even the EU is having issues w/ Syria regarding Lebanon) and the person from the opposite party decides to circumvent your efforts, that’s a bit of a problem.
But, of course, when the Dems do eventually have the White House, I’m sure they will allow the Republicans the grace of having a seperate policy regarding foreign relations.
Right?
Dissent is patriotic, after all.
JD,
I don’t think the platypus has any relatives. Nonextinct ones anyway.
1983 claims? Ugh, I feel sorry for you. I’ll stick with my CGL stuff, thanks. Maybe you could take a platypus to your next mediation…let me know if it works.
Platypi, but only if there are exactly three of them in Alabama. Otherwise they are all a bunch of platypussies.
Das right, war done wrong dude! We needs tah be talkin at them. You know, wus up and such. Ain’t they peoples too? That bomb droppin’ shit, man, that’s some wack shit, man.
I has tah go as I’m gonna be doin’ a birthday to ma peep, y’all.
HOLLA!!!
(*sigh* I miss actus…)
MJ – I find the 1983 claims, and the public sector work in general, to be far more interesting, though exponentially more difficult to value.
BMoe – I missed the platypussies driving through Alabama last weekend, but I saw more roadkill armadillos than I would have thought possible.
When is Pelosi going to throw her name into the mix for 2008 ?
BECAUSE OF THE MULTIPLE FACELIFTS !!!!
Wow. I seem to of struck a nerve. Whats your guys’s against diplomacy? Oh right because there Arab’s so you don’t want to even talk to them. Forgot. My bad. Yeah just keep using bombs thats working awsome LOL
You guys need to click on iraqwarwrong and check out the new truther video they found. Powerful stuff.
Is this clown serious ?
So, oh wise enlightened one, please explain how “doing diplomacy at” Syria, Iraq under the Husseins, or Iran will play out.
How would you go about negotiating with them? What concessions would you be willing to make ?
Leave diplomacy to the diplomats, noname.
It is destructive to genuine negotiations when a conceited maverick horns in, knowing nothing.
Syria’s position as bully of the Levant has been greatly strengthened by Pelosi’s arrogant stupidity, and the lives of thousands of innocent Lebanese and Syrians put at great peril.
If you can’t understand that you are as dense and self-obsessed as Pelosi.
I thought the Barack Obama thread was very thought-provoking.
BMoe – I learned a long time ago to not click on those things. Somehow, my Treo has learned to avoid those cesspools, and when I do forget or inadvertantly click on one, I tend to get caught in a continual feedback loop, much like the circular and insular echo chamber in which they service their narrative.
Syria needed it’s own Hanoi Jane Fonda so as the democrats always do they provided them one by the name of Peeeloshi. Bagdad Bob and Syria Pee, they have a start on entry to the traitor hall of shame.
No, troll, you did not strike a nerve. In reality, a concept clearly foreign to you, agressive ignorance does not go unrebutted.
uh, where was it Withheld came from?
We have a winner!
what did I win!? What did I win!? I’d like the blender Mr. B Moe.
iraqwarwrong,
Learn some history. Start with “Neville Chamberlain”. Then grow up.
Just for clarification, iraqwarwrong, any bomb 500 lbs or less dropped on Arabs is diplomacy. It’s working too.
Grate animalated gif, thogh. Thankx.
We need to start talking to the Persians, too.
Talk is cheap. The Mark 82 dropped on a Persian mullah: priceless.
Um, you guys, “iraqwarwrong” is supposedly somewhat similar to Jim Treacher’s “foreign exchange student” Puce.
I know, I know. It’s hard to sort out the parodies from the trolls these days. I’m not sure if that means that parody is getting easier or the trolls are getting stupider. Let’s call it a wash.
Doe’s this Puce po’ster have the s’ame problem with where to put hi’s apo’strophe’s a’s our troll’ster s’eem’s to?
Bit of a s’tyli’stic giveaway.
Anyone who is getting upset at this guy really needs to click on the link B Moe provided.
Well, in my defense, we had just come through a downpour of troll feces that set back critical thinking and intellegent discourse to the elementary school level.
But it’s all good as the flaming Star of David was WAY KULE!!!
I always thought Treacher should have named Puce “Fes”.
“What are you going to put on the table? What are you going to ask for? I am curious as to how you think the negotiations should start.”
BMoe;
Syria made overtures, ostensibly, to help quell
the flow of insurgents in 2006, but the Wh stopped talking to them in 2004. How should they start the negotiations? I don’t know. I just know nothing will happen if there’s no discussion.
* Does FISA represent the sole legal authority for conducting electronic surveillance for gathering foreign intelligence, or does the President retain any Article II powers in this regard?
FISA is a constitutional statute, passed by the Congress and signed into law by the President. Operationally, it fulfills EVERY part of the executive dream while providing the minimum of judicial review. The President is charged with upholding and protecting the laws and the Constitution of the United States. He/She cannot break those laws at his/her whimsy. Article 2 power was already willfully curtailed by the Executive. In any event, Congress has already indicated it would expand FISA to meet the Executive’s needs. The question, outside of a national emergency unheard of in this country since 1941, is largely moot. In that event, the President would get exactly the powers he/she asked for from a pliant Congress.
* What will you do if members of the intelligence community who oppose your policies leak classified information adverse to your positions to the media?
Gee, that’s never happened before. I propose we break into the leaker’s psychiatrist’s office to steal information that could discredit him. Let’s assign it to Howard Hunt. Better yet, let’s all re-read the well-crafted book of Gary Aldrige. There will always be leaks by the intelligence community or the FBI or the Pentagon. It’s how the game is played.
* Can the President act on intelligence information in the absence of complete consensus?
Of course the President can and does. For historical examples, see FDR’s exchange of destroyers for naval bases or President Bush’s surge. We live in a republic and, as you know, what seems unpopular and wrong, can be seen later as brave and right. (Seriously, that one was easy)
* If Members of Congress of the other party attempt to influence negotiations with foreign powers, how will you react?
The same way the Bushies acted in regards to Pelosi or the Clintons acted toward Gingrich or any host of American Presidents react: a slow shake of the head and an explanation to the American people that “it’s better for America to speak with one voice.” It’s gets your base all riled up over Syrian laborers and their political opinions and you win politically. Tempest in a teapot = 5 points in a poll.
Two observations about those questions: one, you should remember the current occupant of the White House will be a Democrat someday and, if you want to bind the opposition to this President now, those ropes will bind heroes like Mike Pence, John Boehner, and Trent Lott in the future.
Secondly, since I aced that questionnaire, I was born on US soil, and I’m over 36, can I a) run for the Presidency, and b) expect the generous donations of the PW community?
Hello, I’m jingling my cup of change. Vote for Tim, vote for change. Drop a quarter in the cup, BJ. Major John, I expect a fiver from a rich trial lawyer. Furriskey, a farthing or two can qualify me for matching funds. B Moe, dammit, this is my corner, go to your own corner and beg. Pablo, for all your insults, I expect to receive a handsome donation. Maggie, RTO’s kabob recipe was a fine start, but now I want cold hard cash.
Hello….people???? Anyone????
Sourcing, please.
I, for one, am grateful that timmyb took the opportunity to respond in depth to questions asked with a bare minimum of sarcasm and snark. I sense a real growth in his commentating skills so I tip my hat to him.
And, no, I’m not giving you a dime. I’m not a moron. I’ve heard multiple credit cards work for financing Presidential campaigns … or was that independant films? I get so confused about financing …
timmyb:
You may have misread my post. As it turns out, and as I thought I’d made clear, I wasn’t asking you. I had formulated that as something for the people who were actually, you know, running (unless that’s you, Congressman Kucinich, behind the kewl handle).
What’s more, I’m pretty sure you’re not entitled to the handful of inferences you drew about what I might think about any of those questions. In particular, I’m concerned that the Democrats are putting forth any number of standards that, consistently applied, are going to make it difficult for future Executives (including the next President, who I’d put at better than even odds to be a Democrat) to cope with a dangerous world.
Presumptuous and condescending. Nicely done.
You’ve got your hands sufficiently full being a nuisance to so many others on this site that I think you might reconsider adding me to that list.
Fine, be that way. But, can I name you my VP?
Come on, if I’m going to win this I need a VP like Cheney and outside of my dad, I can’t think of another person who could channel Cheney than you, BJ.
Although, now that I think about it, with Cheney’s potty mouth I could use other regular posters….
It’s a conundrum.
Dr. Steve, sorry for the misunderstanding (but the insult you concluded your posting with and the veiled threat will surely foster debate).
Anyway, you should email the questions to candidates on both sides and let us know how they respond.
I mistakenly thought you wanted answers to questions, and, as a capable representative of “liberals”, I thought I would answer.
I didn’t make any assumptions of you or your arguments, the “you’s” I used were general “you the reader”. Makes one realize that “old-fashioned” third person writing was crated for a reason, because referring to the reader as “you” makes the reader personalize things that were generally. Sorry about that.
For clarification: Sorry you misconstrued my post. It was not in anyway an attack on you. It was an attempt to answer your questions.
“Sourcing, please.”
BJ; Next time you get stuck, Google is a marvel.
Just search keywords.
http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/11/19/news/iraq.php
I’m sure that Cleo believes every word that comes out of Tony Snow’s mouth, too. Equal opportunity, and all that.
Do I interpret that paragraph as “yes”, “no”, or “mu”?
I anticipate the answer to the above will be “yes”.
cleo:
Here’s the Olde King James Version: byteth me!
It’s up to you to source your contentions, not me. I do enough sourcing of my own commentary.
Short answer; I’m underwhelmed by the Syrian offer considering their past history and their foreign minister’s statement that violence will be lessened once US troops leave, a view not shared by the Iraqi government.
I would suggest to the good minister that it is a tad disingenuous to be supporting, arming and allowing to pass terrorists while preaching to the US about our presence. That, however, is a very typical tactic for ME totalitarian governments.
Would it kill the Syrians to show some good faith after Lebanon and Iraq and cut off the flow of arms and men? Do you, in fact, believe that if the US left Iraq that Syria will make nice with their mostly Shiite neigbor and quit meddling in Iraqi affairs? i’m more inclined to think, based upon past history in Lebanon, that they will see it as an opportunity to meddle and destabilize.
As timmyb would say, nuance!
This is your idea of diplomacy, cleo?
Then you had best pimp someone like Peter Angelos, Mark Lanier or other Democratic donors…I came in from the cold, I work in house at a large Swiss-owned, insurance behemoth.
Are they hiring?
I have a dream of being the only lawyer in some small town somewhere, handling all the wills and estates and real estate deals, etc. Is that so wrong?
Now, you talked work. Bill someone an hour for it!
PS Why are there so many excuses not to donate to my campaign? Just seems I get no love.
The Washington Times is the most reliable paper in the world! Their sourcing is always flawless, a Damascus laborer who wishes to remain anonymous stated.
One Such Resident, better than the Associated Press’ sourcing – which has been to terrorist mouthpieces, sockpuppets, photoshop jockies or completely nonexistant sources.