Obama "deeply concerned" about civilian casualties in Gaza

[Jackeens]

This is the 'breaking news' on British TV - is this new? Did he not say something similar yesterday, or is this the first time he has actually referred to civilian casulaties?

[thewiseguy]

1. Bush also said that he was concerned with humanitarian crisis in Gaza

[bdamomma]

6. but * is doing nothing to stop it either.

[thewiseguy]

11. Neither is Obama

He made it very clear that Hamas should not have been included in Palestinian elections. That Israel has the right to do everything to stop the rocket fire.

He has also said that he supports for Israel's capital to be moved from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

[bdamomma]

15. but Obama is not President yet.

and regarding Hamas the Bush administration pushed for that election when other countries said no.

[thewiseguy]

22. Obama's policies are crystal clear

[bdamomma]

27. Crystal clear? what that he has pledged his allegiance to Israel?

I am willing to see what strategy he takes when he is in office, with relations to Israel and Palestine. But you are entitled to your opinion.

[laststeamtrain]

2. Deep concern and a buck will get you a candy bar. n/t

[dionysus]

3. so what can he do, as currently he is neither president nor a senator?

shake his fist in the air?
:shrug:

[thewiseguy]

4. That was not a problem when he was giving a speech to AIPAC

Back then he was trying to get elected.

But then what about the speech he gave in Israel?

But back then he was trying to look presidential.

[DevonRex]

5. *snort* I guess the naysayers are the ones who think he walks on water now.

Apparently all he has to do is "speak out" and everything will change. Unless, of course, he "speaks out" and is troubled by the bloodshed, because then it's just all talk.

They need to get their stories straight.

[thewiseguy]

7. He has spoken out before and his positions are no different from Bush

Bush is also troubled by the bloodshed, but the policy remains the same.

[Occam Bandage]

12. Whose position is no different from anyone else in Washington. America is Israel's bitch. nt

[thewiseguy]

13. and that will not stop the bloodshed or chaos. nt

[Occam Bandage]

14. Of course it won't. nt

[bdamomma]

16. or Israel is America's bitch.

[DevonRex]

24. I'm troubled by it too. Yet the policy remains the same. I can't change

policy, either. And neither can Obama for the next 2 weeks. Will he change the policy? I don't know.

One thing I do know is that the people in the region have to want peace before it will happen.

[merh]

17. You have noticed that too, have you?

I am amazed, the ones that laughed at Obama supporters and called them "cult members" and accused them of thinking he was a messiah, are now the ones that expect him to perform miracles. They are now the ones that think he should stand before the crowds and give the "word" and all will be settled, we will know peace in the land.

[Connie_Corleone]

19. And Obama spoke to the masses, saying, "As it is written, so it shall be done." Amen

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with Obama, and the Word was Obama.

:crazy:

[DevonRex]

25. Oh yes I've noticed it. They're either the real koolaid drinkers now

OR they're being disingenuous. Hmmm. Wonder which it is?

[merh]

32. it is simply

"pick a side, any side" so I can oppose your choice.

I hate to keep turning to biblical references, but could you imagine these folks being around when Solomon was king? Cut the baby in half, what the hell are you talking about.

And they sure the hell would have given Abe Lincoln a headache. "you can please some of the people, some of the time, yada yada"

[laststeamtrain]

20. Candidates & PEs start to roll out their programs...

...if they have them, at any time.

Minimize the bloodshed. Cut military aid to Israel. Use half that annual sum for economic development in Palestine. A two-state balancing act.

Carrots & sticks.

The problem probably can't be solved but the bleeding can be minimized.

An overall 'vision' doesn't seem all that mysterious. As usual details elude me. But I know there are experts around. The experts assigned the task shouldn't have the prefix NEO in their resumes.

[dionysus]

29. all of which you mentioned, good ideas all, you have to be president BEFORE you can implement.

[laststeamtrain]

30. Yeah. I was just talking about 'roll out', getting the buzz going.

Letting the 'clients' know what's coming. Get them thinking & maybe, hopefully, acting better.

[Marrah_G]

8. Well I hope he and Hillary have a plan to put a stop to the chaos

In 14 days it will be up to them to push for real peace. Real solutions.

Right now it is still on W's shoulders and we can't expect much besides cheerleading from him.

[DevonRex]

21. Oh Marrah, I agree with you. I want it to end. With their 2 heads

put together we may have a chance. But it's just a chance and I think everyone needs to understand that grim reality, too. I remember how hard Bill Clinton worked, for 8 long years, to achieve some lasting peace in the region. And it wasn't enough. I honestly have no answers to this horrible situation. At some point the responsibility has to be put on the 2 factions involved. Kind of like an alcoholic whose family wants him to quit and does everything in their power to make him do it, but it doesn't work. It has to come from him. Same thing over there, I fear. They have to want it and be willing to do the hard work.

[dionysus]

31. exactly, thank you :)

[rug]

9. I don't think he should go out on such a limb until after he's sworn in.

[bdamomma]

18. exactly, technically he has not be sworn in.

[Occam Bandage]

10. Why hasn't he used his Super Obamapowers to stop war and end racism yet?

That isn't change i can believe in.

[Hutzpa]

23. You never believed in change

from the beginning, So, I don't expect it from you now.

You just loved the divisional subjects.

[Uzybone]

26. I think it was sarcasm.

[Occam Bandage]

33. It was sarcasm. nt

[snooper2]

28. They are being re-charged right now...

He had to use a lot of energy to stop the attack of the Clinton Clones :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[Hutzpa]

35. Dang!!

I hate to be wrong...you devil, one on me.

[flpoljunkie]

34. Politico: Obama deplores civilian deaths in Gaza and in Israel, 'breaks silence'

Breaking his silence on the conflict in Gaza, the president-elect deplored the civilian casualties, which have been overwhelmingly on the Palestinian side, after a meeting with fiscal and economic advisors today.

"I’m very concerned with the conflict taking place there," Obama said. "I’m monitoring the situation on a day to day basis.

"The loss of civilian life in Gaza and in Israel is a source of deep concern to me, and after January 20th I’ll have plenty to say about the issue."

Obama said he was "not backing away at all from what I said during the campaign" and that "starting at the beginning of our administration, we’re going to engage effectively and consistently in trying to resolve the conflict in the Middle East."

Obama's emphasis on civilian casualties breaks slightly with the White House line, which has been to blame Hamas first.

by Ben Smith 02:07PM

http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0109/Obama_deplores_civilian_deaths_in_Gaza.html

[Vattel]

36. call me a cultist,

but there have been consistent signs that Obama is much more concerned about killing innocent people than most presidents or most americans for that matter. I am cautiously optimistic that his presidency will display great respect for innocent life.