Dean Greeted Warmly by Arab Americans (WP)

[dajabr]

DEARBORN, Mich., Oct. 18 -- An assemblage of politically active Arab Americans gave former Vermont governor Howard Dean repeated ovations Saturday at the windup of a two-day meeting that marked a clear shift of allegiance from President Bush to his Democratic rivals.

Dean got by far the warmest response of any of the seven presidential hopefuls who addressed the 300 people attending the national leadership conference of the Arab American Institute (AAI), a Washington-based advocacy group. But every Democratic speaker was applauded for criticizing the administration's policies in the Middle East and especially for the anti-terrorism tactics of Attorney General John D. Ashcroft, condemned by participants in a morning panel as targeting immigrants from Muslim countries and routinely violating their civil liberties.

The political tilt of the nominally nonpartisan gathering became so evident that James J. Zogby, the president of the AAI and himself a member of the Democratic National Committee's executive committee, told the activists attending from around the country that he had heard "some complain that there is an imbalance in the program." He said that is inevitable when nine people are running on the Democratic side and only one on the Republican.

More: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A46756-2003Oct18.html

[ScreamingMeemie]

1. I was lucky enough to get the chance to meet him today in MI

as well at a brunch in Grosse Pointe. He received several ovations for his stance on health care, Bush's tax cuts for the middle class, and affirmative action, not to mention NAFTA. A great day for Dean, I would say.

[DrFunkenstein]

2. You Guys Know Better Than To Bring Up I/P

I have bitched about it before, but Dean makes it sound really nice to have all the burden shouldered by Palestinians. Unfortunately, Palestinians get nice words, while Sharon gets promised 4x the military aid used to kill them. I had hoped that the progressive base of his grassroots would have changed his mind, but apparently they've only changed his language.

Here is a perfect example of how Dean demands an end to violence only from Palestinians, while Israel is told to take care of them like a child.

"Dean said the Palestinian leadership will have to make the decision to abandon violence and dismantle terrorist infrastructure while Israel should do all it can to alleviate Palestinian suffering and spur economic development."

http://rutlandherald.nybor.com/News/Story/73328.html

Let's see that again:

"The basic framework for peace between the Israelis and Palestinians is a two state solution -- a Jewish state of Israel living side by side in peace and security with an independent, demilitarized Palestinian state.

To get there, the Palestinian Authority will have to fight terrorism and violence on a consistent basis to create the conditions necessary for a viable peace process. The Israeli government will have to work to improve the living conditions of the Palestinian people and ultimately will have to remove a number of existing settlements.

http://www.deanforamerica.com/site/PageServer?pagename=policy_policy_foreign_mideast

...And again:

When they have bothered to state them, the Administration's guiding principles in the Middle East are the right ones. Terrorism against Israel must end. A two-state solution is the only path to eventual peace, but Palestinian territory cannot have the capability of being used as a platform for attacking Israel.

Some degree of separation between Israelis and Palestinians is probably necessary in light of the horrible bloodshed of the past two years. To be viable, the Palestinian Authority must become democratic and purged of corruption.

http://www.deanforamerica.com/site/PageServer?pagename=policy_speech_foreign_drake

Can anyone tell me that this truly represents an "even-handed" principle behind Mideast peace?

Whereas this seems far more true to the slogan:

"Without demanding unilateral concessions, the United States must mediate a series of confidence building steps which start down the road to peace. Both parties must walk this path together - simultaneously. And the world can help them do it.

While maintaining our long term commitment to Israel's existence and security, the United States must work to keep both sides focused on the end game of peace. Extremists must not be allowed to control this process."

http://www.johnkerry.com/news/speeches/spc_2003_0123.html

[Sean Reynolds]

3. THIRD time now Mr. Funk that I'm gonna clear up Dean's stance.

Why not go back and re-read what I've stated in TWO other threads. You've posted the exact same crap over and over and every time I've seen it I've replied with this:

Your first link was dated almost a year ago, December of 2002. Your second link is based off information from almost a year ago, December of 2002. Your third link doesn't state a date, but I'm guessing it was quite a while ago. Your fourth and final link was given in February of this year.

Since then Dean has stated he's changed his views on the issue because he's become more aware of international conflict. Back when he made the visit with Sharon Dean wasn't totally aware of the situation, as I'm sure most politicians outside Washington aren't. But I do think RECENT remarks speak more volume than those made a year ago, or hell even TEN months ago.

Remember, it was YOUR man Kerry that attacked Dean for stating the United States should be an even-handed broker in their negotiating with I/P. So where does Kerry really stand? Read for yourself.....

Pro-Israel Lieberman and Kerry Blast Dean Mideast Statement

Why don't we actually take a look at Dean's beliefs from his campaign site, ok?

Governor Dean on Middle East Peace
Wednesday September 10, 2003
By: Press Office

(September 10, 2003)

Governor Dean believes that the only way to find a truly lasting and comprehensive settlement in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is through direct negotiation.

The Governor recognizes and supports the historic, special relationship that the United States has with Israel, providing a guarantee of its long-term defense and security.

The U.S. has another important role to play in the region - that of an honest broker who has the trust of both sides and a facilitator of direct talks between the parties. A Dean Administration will be committed to following in the footsteps of Bill Clinton from day one and to making every effort to bring peace to this troubled region.

Playing the role of honest broker is consistent with the special relationship that the U.S. has with Israel and preserving that role is key to achieving peace. A secure Israel is not only more likely to take risks for peace, but also underscores to the region that there is no alternative to peace.

Governor Dean is disappointed that Senator Lieberman would seek to further polarize this issue by questioning his commitment to Israel's defense and security.

http://www.deanforamerica.com/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=8978

Also take a look at this too:

Statement on Principles on the Middle East Peace Process
------[br />

[DrFunkenstein]

6. He Has Never Renounced His Pledges (It's Called Triangulation)

Palestinians get words. Israelis get helicopters.

Let me repeat Kerry's statement:

"Without demanding unilateral concessions, the United States must mediate a series of confidence building steps which start down the road to peace. Both parties must walk this path together - simultaneously. And the world can help them do it.

While maintaining our long term commitment to Israel's existence and security, the United States must work to keep both sides focused on the end game of peace. Extremists must not be allowed to control this process."

Kerry is not calling for an "even-handed" relationship. Israel is our strongest ally in the Mideast, and will remain so for very legitimate reasons. That doesn't mean we have to go further than PAUL F'n WOLFOWITZ!!!! Kerry is committed to parallel concessions. Dean is not. Over and over, as I've stated, he calls for a cessation of Palestinian violence as parallel to Israel helping to "alleviate" Palestinian suffering. Nice words, but THEY ARE NOT PARALLEL.

I already quoted Dean's statement of "principles." He repeats the same unilateral demands on Palestinians, couched in soothing language.

Dean's AIPAC-paid trip to Sharon (he met with ZERO Palestinian leaders) during his Presidential campaign was extremely un-Presidential. He threw out alot of wild, unconditional pledges where the highest levels of sensitivity need to be shown. He has never - NEVER - taken those pledges back. No matter how many times he says "honest broker" or pushes the issue off to Clinton will change that.

[Sean Reynolds]

7. Maybe Dean possibly has had a change of heart?

Why continue harping on past statements when new statements basically refute anything stated last year? I mean, Kerry stated Dean was turning his back on Israel - yet you're the one calling Dean pro-Israel? If anything Dean has switched his beliefs to conform to an even-handed leadership, while Kerry has switched his to conform with a Pro-Israel stance, no?

[DrFunkenstein]

9. Basically Refute?

I must have missed that part.

Kerry's position remains the same - maintain our special relationship with Israel while promoting parallel concessions between the two parties to establish the stability needed for a viable Palestinian state. Which is the absolutely correct position.

If Kerry is unaware of Dean's backroom deals, I'm not surprised. It's not like he announced to the world that he was taking a trip paid by the biggest Israeli-hawk lobby to make extravagant pledges to Ariel Sharon. Steve Grossman - Dean's campaign co-chair - may have been the head of AIPAC before his new job, but he knows that the trip would never play well with the foolish peaceniks that make up his core.

[AWD]

8. Don't bother, Sean

You can explain and explain to Kerryites, and they're just going to shut their ears to any rationale.

Then, Kerry will copy Dean's position, and they'll all praise him and anoint his feet with oils.

[DrFunkenstein]

10. Like Asking For Rumsfeld's Resignation?

Get a grip.

Please show me where Dean has renounced the pledges he so unwisely and un-Presidentially made. All I've seen are cheap attempts to pacify his grassroots.

And can you really tell me that Dean's plan is actually "even-handed" beyond the fact that he says it is?

[w4rma]

4. This is awesome news! Arab-Americans are waking up! (n/t)

[CMT]

5. Arab vote is a factor in Michigan

and this could be helpful to Dean in caucus. Most recent poll gives Dean a six-point lead in Michigan.