Bachmann calls on Obama to apologize to Israel

[oberliner]

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Republican presidential hopeful Michele Bachmann called on President Barack Obama Tuesday to apologize to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for an unflattering exchange caught on an open microphone at a summit in France last week.

In the conversation reporters heard, French President Nicolas Sarkozy says he can't stand Netanyahu and calls him a liar. Obama responds, through a French interpreter: "You are sick of him, but I have to work with him every day."

Bachmann told reporters Obama needs to apologize to America's closest ally in the Middle East.

"I call on President Obama to immediately apologize to Prime Minister Netanyahu and I also believe that the president should demonstrate leadership and demand that the French President Sarkozy do the same," Bachmann said.

http://news.yahoo.com/bachmann-calls-obama-apologize-israel-232818822.html

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. I call on Obama to ignore Bachmann.

[oberliner]

7. I concur

She is trying to get herself in the news anyway she can.

Fortunately for the country, I believe her ship has sailed.

[treestar]

24. +1

[walerosco]

48. I call on Bachmann

To focus on the US elections shes running in

[no_hypocrisy]

2. Seems to me that republicans love demanding Obama follow their commands.

Even when Obama came out with his long-form birth certificate, Donald Trump harumphed and sent out press releases that he made Obama do something he didn't want to do.

Bachmann sees no downside to her shrill demands. Even if Obama doesn't jump up and apologize, she's shown AIPAC who Israel's "real friend" is in the republican cluster of candidates.

[oberliner]

8. Well put

I have noticed that tendency as well.

[Jack Rabbit]

22. "republicans love demanding Obama follow their commands"

It reminds one of the antebellum South, doesn't it? Well, that's the right wing's attitude.

By the way, Ms. Bachmann, Gee Dubya is a liar, too, and I won't apologize to the American people for saying that. On the other hand, I am patiently waiting for his nibs to apologize to the American people for lying to them, just as I am patiently waiting for PM Netanyahu to apologize to Israelis and Arabs, especially Palestinians, alike for his lies.

[RockaFowler]

3. Really??

So now he has to apologize for what someone else said. My God she is an idiot

[Bucky]

4. That would be like Hitler apologizing to Hank Williams Jr. No, wait. It would be like...

um... let me think through this analogy. I'll be right back.

[oberliner]

9. This made me smile

You are, however, no longer allowed to work for ABC.

[hlthe2b]

5. When, oh when, will this ignorant hateful woman ever go away?

[cyberpj]

6. Not until she is unable to make another dime in contributions, same with Cain. nt

[oberliner]

11. Perhaps a book deal?

Lord knows Cain has got to be setting one up as we speak.

[oberliner]

10. Very soon

This is the last gasp of a dying campaign.

[Enrique]

12. how do the GOP get away with being so unpatriotic?

our U.S. president didn't even insult Netanyahu, and he's supposed to apologize to him? the American president is obliged to protect the feelings of Israeli politicians?

An Israeli politician who himself insulted our country, by the way. He didn't insult one of our politicians, he insulted America. He insulted the country which is Israel's only friend in the world. Did anyone demand that Netanyahu apologize to us?

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/checkpoint-washington/2010/07/netanyahu_america_is_a_thing_y.html

The United States and Israel have made a huge effort this month to patch up the sometimes difficult relationship between President Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu. But a newly released video of Netanyahu, speaking in an unvarnished manner in 2001 about relations with the United States and the peace process, may cause some heartburn at the White House.

"I know what America is," Netanyahu told a group of terror victims, apparently not knowing his words were being recorded. "America is a thing you can move very easily, move it in the right direction. They won't get in their way."

[Rosa Luxemburg]

39. Net is a right winger pity the Israeli voters are so gullible

what we need in Israel is a change in government.

[karynnj]

42. Great point - wasn't the right concerned that he was on an "apology tour"?

Here there is nothing really to apologize for. Sarkozy might be uncomfortable as he might not be able to defend "liar", but Netayahu's disgusting repetition of the distortion of Obama's speech when he repeatedly spoke of it calling for the 1969 borders is very likely a lie. The alternative is that Netanyahu, educated in the US, could not read or watch the speech and correctly hear the entire sentence - which refers to the 1967 borders with land swaps. This has been the position of at least the 4 most recent administrations AND their Israeli counterparts. So, given this likely is a lie - told intentionally to inflame - I think it is fair to say that he IS a liar.

Your quote is not surprising, but startling in its cynicism.

[Tarheel_Dem]

13. I call on Michelle Bachmann to bite me.

:hi:

[Wait Wut]

14. Netanyahu is an asshole.

I'm not apologizing. In fact, I'll add that he's a manipulative prick that whines because we finally have a President that sees through his childish rants.

One more thing...fuck you, Michele.

[IggleDoer]

15. Dear Bibi ...

... I;m sorry you are such a pain in the ass and won't agree with my predecessor's or my policies toward Israel. I';m also sorry that President Sarkozy can't stand you.

Cordially,

Barack

[zbdent]

16. so, excatly, what did Obama say that was bad?

I mean, I was nice to a mayoral candidate who ended up winning the job yesterday ... but she was a Republican, and I was being nice. Should I apologize to her? Please explain what I may have said that insulted her ...

[oberliner]

17. Here's the exchange

"I cannot bear Netanyahu. He's a liar," Nicolas Sarkozy said to President Obama, not realizing the mikes in front of them had been turned on before a news conference at the G-20 summit in Cannes last week.

"You're fed up with him, what about me?" Obama replied. "I have to deal with him every day."

Read more: http://globalspin.blogs.time.com/2011/11/09/sarkozy-to-obama-i-cannot-bear-netanyahu-hes-a-liar/#ixzz1dEIrUyZR

[Cali_Democrat]

19. Apparently he didn't lick Netanyahu's feet and suck his toes and that's a big no no.

As you know, US presidents are supposed to do that kind of thing. :crazy:

[oberliner]

25. ??

What the heck is that supposed to mean?

[Cali_Democrat]

30. The media and many politicians want the US President to show deference

and essentially be subservient to the Israelis.

To them, Obama was not and it rubbed people like Bachman the wrong way. Now they want Obama to apologize to Netanyahu and Israel.

[oberliner]

34. I don't agree with that

I don't think the media and many politicians want the US president to show deference and be subservience to the Israelis.

I do think there are a lot of politicians who want to see warm/chummy relations between US and Israeli leaders - but not deference/subservience.

[Cali_Democrat]

36. I totally diagree with you. Do warm/chummy relations include sending billions of dollars...

in weapons and aid to the Israelis every year while America is flat broke...and the media and politicians failing to even question this? What about the Israelis and AIPAC lobbying Congress and the President to veto Palestinian statehood while much of the rest of the world wants it? Talk about the tail wagging the dog.

What about failing to confront the Israelis for building settlements on Palestinian land, essentially destroying any possibility of a viable Palestinian state in the future? And the US is supposed to be a fair mediator? What a sick joke.

I could go on. The media and politicians do not question this

Now when Obama fails to defend Netanhyahu from Sarkozy, he's attacked by Bachmann and many in the media.

How is this even in our interests? It's not. It actually hurts our image in the Middle East and for what? Warm/chummy relations? Nonsense.

To me, they are demanding deference and subservience at the expense of US interests.

[Ishoutandscream2]

37. + freakin' infinity

Spot on.

[oberliner]

44. Can I ask you to reconsider that?

Deference and subservience - doesn't that seem a bit over the top?

[oberliner]

38. Almost all of the money comes back to the US

Israel is expected to spend the money in large part on US-made weapons. In fact, I believe those requirements are written into the aid agreements.

As to the media and politicians questioning this - it should be obvious that foreign aid (not just to Israel but all countries combined) is a pretty miniscule amount of the budget and is certainly not the reason why America is flat broke (not even a contributing factor, I dare say).

AIPAC is an organization composed of Americans - many of whom support Palestinian statehood. Most Israelis support it as well. With respect to the veto of the UN resolution, I'm not entirely convinced that will happen. I do think that a lot of countries want Israelis and Palestinians to reach an agreement together rather than having the Palestinians make a unilateral declaration.

Lots of countries disagree with this position, of course, but several agree.

With respect to settlements, the US has confronted the Israeli leadership about them (usually toothlessly, to be sure). However, I do not know that I would agree that such settlements are destroying any possibility of a viable Palestinian state in the future. In previous negotiations, Palestinian leadership has agreed in principle to land swaps whereby some of the current settlements would become part of Israel in exchange for land currently within Israel being ceded to a future Palestinian state.

This seems like a reasonable proposal - have you looked at the Geneva Initiative? It has a fair amount of support around the world.

I don't think the US alone is a fair mediator - thus there is the "quartet" which includes the UN, the US, the EU, and Russia. Given the various leanings of the different elements of this foursome - that seems like a pretty reasonable mediation team.

I have never once read of any politician or member of the media "demand deference and subservience." I can respect your opinion that support for Israel is not in the US interests, but I hope you will respect the opinion of those who believe that it is (even if you disagree with them).

Thanks for taking the time to read and consider my points on this topic.

[chavi]

43. Very well stated! Plus, add that he snubs his nose at OUR

president every chance he gets. Bibi is an arrogant bully who stomps his feet and throws a tantrum when he doesn't get his way. This little exchange being used as an excuse to attack Obama and demand an apology from him is down right pathetic! There's absolutely nothing to apologize for. Considering everything that Bibi's attack dogs have thrown at Obama lately, his response was far too kind.

[oberliner]

45. Bibi is not the one demanding an apology

In fact, he has said nothing about this as far as I know.

[LeftishBrit]

51. Subservient?

Israel is a small country, and is financially dependent on the USA, not the other way about. It's Israel that tends to get used as a pawn by the US government, if you ask me (and the UK does too at times).

As regards Bachmann, she seems mainly interested in and 'supportive' of Israel as a prop for Armageddon! Not a very comforting thought, from any point of view.

[Cali_Democrat]

29. .

.

[Cali_Democrat]

18. Why should he apologize to an asshole that flouts international law and UN resolutions?

Fuck that shit.

[oberliner]

26. How is the US on international law and UN resolutions?

Good role model?

[Cali_Democrat]

31. Nope. n/t

[Cigar11]

20. Is she still hanging around? n/

[Ikonoklast]

21. Mr. Obama should accede to her demands.

Dear Bibi, you piss of just about everyone that has to deal with you, you right-wing shitstain, I'm sorry you are such an insufferable prick.

But Michelle Bachmann loves you, go figure, she's nuts.



Sincerely,


Barack H. Obama

President of The United States.




P.S. The check is going to be a little late, seems we lost it and will have to issue another one...maybe.

[oberliner]

27. What is this comment all about?

Seems a larger issue.

[Marrah_G]

23. Oh fuck her

[Life Long Dem]

28. When I heard of the open mic...

I wasn't fearing Obama said something he shouldn't have said. That's a good feeling.

They would like you to think... OMG an open mic... what did they catch that was not meant to be heard? But knowing Obama, I didn't suspect anything bad was said.

Try again Bachmann - you lose.

[elleng]

33. Right, he was diplomatic as usual.

[thelordofhell]

32. Dear Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu,

I'm sorry Michelle Bachmann is fucking insane.

Sincerely,
President Barack Obama

[JoePhilly]

35. Bachmann calls on Jesus to NOT destroy Israel during the rapture!!!

Now THAT would be news.

[karynnj]

40. I suspect there is many an Israeli official who agrees wholeheartedly with Sarkozy nt

It is embarrassing for both France and the US that this is public, but what would an apology be. Should Sarkozy say that he is sorry this was overheard? He likely is. However how do you take back a sentiment like this said in a situation you thought private? Saying that Netanyahu is not REALLY a liar likely just reenforces the original comment - and the vaguer comment that really just says he is annoying is even harder to refute.

The administration's response was perfect, they spoke of the US support for ISRAEL - and gave the example of how we essentially stood against the world for them just a few months ago. The coverage has been asinine including CNN replaying Netanyahu lecturing Obama and speaking of the 1967 borders being a no go - when Obama NEVER called for the 1967 borders and Netanyahu knew it and was playing to the RW pro Israel crowd. (PS I think the majority of US Jews would come closer to siding with Sarkozy than with Netanyahu - especially the younger generation.)

[Whisp]

41. if there is one thing I would like Obama to be an ass about

is to tell Yahoo to just straight out fuck off.
fuck off you ugly murdering fuck.

[Enthusiast]

46. I do not see where this calls for an apology.

Who cares what Bachmann says.

[oberliner]

47. I sincerely doubt one is forthcoming

Fewer and fewer people pay that woman any attention.

[Sheepshank]

49. "Irrelevant one" is telling a leader what to do? That's rich. n/t

[Obamakarma]

50. Bachman Attacks Obama For Apologizing One Day...

So Bachmann is asking Obama to apologize to another world leader.

This is the Michelle Bachmann that has spent the last two years yelling that Obama is a weakling who continually goes round apologizing for America, and now she is asking him to do exactly that!?!

I guess if he apologized, she'd probably ask him to apologize for apologizing...

[and-justice-for-all]

52. I call on Bachmann to apologize to America...nt