I’m still listening. I know what you mean, I know that this country needs him, but I can certainly understand if he and his family aren’t ready for that kind of commitment. I know whatever he decides we will have his back and I believe he knows how much we love him.
‘JERUSALEM—In early August, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stood in front of 22 Democratic U.S. lawmakers. He closed the door and instructed an aide to clear his schedule for the afternoon. There was nothing more important, he told the members of Congress, than answering their questions on the Iranian nuclear deal, however long it took. For the next two hours, the prime minister worked the room, according to many of the lawmakers present. His props included a large white board on which he wrote their questions. At one point, he drew what he called a “nuclear gun” to underline his fears. Although Mr. Netanyahu didn’t explicitly tell them to vote against the deal, his feelings were clear. It would seriously jeopardize Israel’s security, he told them. “They weren’t twisting my arm but they were certainly trying to convince me,” said Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, a New Jersey Democrat, one of the House freshmen attending the meeting. “What a showman!” another lawmaker said.
Inside account of Israel’s failed bid to derail Iran pact, including Bibi drawing a "nuclear gun" for 22 Democrats http://t.co/Wgc5TX9Nhc
The Aug. 9 session in the prime minister’s office was a telling moment in an extraordinary campaign by Mr. Netanyahu to scuttle the agreement. Both supporters and opponents say they can’t recall any other foreign government inserting itself so directly into an American political debate, especially against a deal the White House considers a cornerstone of President Barack Obama’s legacy. The high-stakes Israeli campaign has left the White House infuriated and many Democrats resentful. It also appears to have failed to secure the votes which Mr. Netanyahu needed to block the agreement. The Obama administration cleared an essential obstacle this week by securing more than 34 votes in the Senate, the minimum needed to sustain a presidential veto of a resolution seeking to undo the pact. A vote on a resolution approving or disapproving the deal is expected in coming weeks…continued’
He is an amateur and an unconscionable bully! I can’t imagine in what universe Bibi would find it acceptable to be collecting ‘subsidies’ on the one hand, while blatantly trying to buy your benefactor’s supporters. I wish there was a way the US could slap his wrist *hard* without affecting the Israeli people. US should also send that Isreali ambassador home and request one a bit more trustworthy.
Hello, VC! ….from the WP article I posted below….some of the most damning paragraphs written on the matter…
“Having him come and try to influence the members of the Congress and lobby against what the president was working on, set the tenor,” Cohen continued. “Netanyahu should not get himself involved in American politics in the future, and AIPAC played a stronger hand than they should have.” Other congressional aides pointed out that Israel’s unprecedented direct lobbying efforts against the deal by Ambassador to the U.S. Ron Dermer, who once worked for GOP operative Frank Luntz, worsened AIPAC’s position by association
….While AIPAC and Israel’s activities were not coordinated, some members of Congress felt the group was tacitly endorsing the Israeli government’s increasingly political line. “They burned their bridges with Democrats before they got into this,” said a Senate aide who spoke on condition of anonymity in order to speak frankly about AIPAC’s apparent failure. “They were silent and a little complicit in the Netanyahu debacle. They were just standing by when it happened. They spent down their political capital before they got up to this effort.”
“The unfortunate problem with Prime Minister Netanyahu is that he prides himself on being the Israeli who knows America the best,”said former Democratic Rep. Robert Wexler (Fla.), who now runs the D.C.-based S. Daniel Abraham Center for Middle East Peace. “Where he’s mistaken is, Prime Minister Netanyahu knows the America that elected Ronald Reagan president. He’s completely unfamiliar with the America that elected Barack Obama president. And they are in fact very different Americas.”
Hey, you! Are you all rested and back to ‘normal’ or have you simply been away watching sports while harassing your researcher? And yes, I did read that entire article earlier. (It’s one of the reasons I’m so slow – I tend to follow links and read stuff (in case unfair undercurrents are included).
Not yet …have to get my freaking (hopefully only one root canal Saturday)….my T,W, & Thurs are the worst days for me school wise…I’m almost fully immersed into sports fanatic mode (Auburn’s season begins Saturday & Colts season starts next Sunday), but the #3 HS Football recruit in the country announces what college he will be attending tomorrow at 12:45 EST….my boys are looking good to land him!
At least you didn’t take three hours to comment this time 😀 😀 😀
“Not since George H.W. Bush was president has the American Israel Public Affairs Committee sustained such a public defeat on an issue it deemed an existential threat to Israel’s security.
James Baker to Israel, 1990: "The telephone number is 1-202-456-1414. When you're serious about peace, call us'' http://t.co/3vZmiw2yv8
But the Iran nuclear deal has Washington insiders wondering if the once-untouchable lobbying giant has suffered lasting damage to its near-pristine political reputation. In fighting the deal, AIPAC and its affiliates mustered all of its considerable resources: spending tens of millions on television ads in the home states of undecided lawmakers and organizing a fly-in to blitz lawmakers on Capitol Hill – another is planned for next week when Congress returns from August recess to vote on a resolution of disapproval. But all that noise amounted to a humbling and rare defeat this week, when President Obama secured a strong enough plurality in the Senate to protect the pact from efforts to dismantle it. Many say AIPAC’s efforts were doomed to fail in the aftermath of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s combative speech to Congress in March — an appearance brokered by Israel’s ambassador to the U.S. along with House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) without White House consultation. Many of AIPAC’s supporters also blame President Obama and what they see as a process he rigged and a debate he polarized.
But whether or not the White House won a lasting victory in securing the Iran deal’s fate, AIPAC may have lost their claim to having iron-clad influence over lawmakers on issues pertaining to Israel. “The lesson that lawmakers have learned from this experience is that right-leaning pro-Israel groups are not immortal,” said Dylan Williams, vice president of government affairs for J Street, a more liberal, rival pro-Israel group. “Blood can be drawn. And it is possible to stand up and say “no” to them. And not suffer political consequences.” AIPAC’s position on the Iran deal lines up with the Republican Party’s, but its efforts thus far have helped persuade only two Senate Democrats, and a handful in the House – while Obama has secured more than the 34 Senate votes to ensure that opponents won’t collect a two-thirds, veto-proof majority to block the deal. On Thursday, three more Senate Democrats sided with Obama — Heidi Heitkamp (N.D.), Cory Booker (N.J.), and Mark Warner (Va.)…continued’
I remember when he made that remark. GB the first administration. He really had a fairly independent hand with Israel. I believe the prime minister then was Shamir, and he was a total asshole. Plus it was on the heals of the spy case where (as I read) Jonathan Pollard stole a US nuclear targeting map of the Soviet Union and sold it to the Soviets in exchange for allowing the immigration of thousands of Soviet Jews to Israel.
When you present people with facts and explanations for discussion, and they have that kind of dismissive response – you know their issue is the man, and not his policies.
Don’t even sweat that man, hon’. Let him sit in his damn corner and pout. He ain’t gonna hear it.
He’s one of those who works hard at “making the perfect the enemy of the good.”
Dems like that are exactly why we can’t have nice things.
The only reason I engaged him at all was because a former TODer, and strong PBO supporter had responded to him, saying that she was also disappointed in PBO’s decision and found it contradictory. So I tried to explain stuff for her benefit as well – because I know that she doesn’t harbor those nasty emoprog feelings, but was probably just not fully informed about the situation entirely. But when he responded with this nasty accusation of PBO being “two-faced” I wasted no time in telling him have a good nite and that I was no longer interested in having any conversation with him.
But politicians and, yes, even political commentators have an obligation: to try to make things better, not worse. There is always a choice between the politics of resentment and the politics of remedy. Resentment is easier.
I wish only the best for Mr. Rezaian, Mr. Levinson, the Marine, Amir Hekmati, and any others being unjustly held….but this is why any talk of a *swap* couldn’t be part of the #IranDeal…and quite frankly like ISIL just incentivizes more hostage taking/trumped up charges as bargaining chips.
I don’t know if this report on BBC has anything to do with why VP is attending multiple national security meetings: => US is monitoring if Russia has sent military personnel and just sold (and delivered?) and weapons to Syria;
As the refugee crisis seems to be growing and overwhelming the EU, together with the mess in Ukraine, I am wondering when people all over the world will resume speaking out about the role of Russia, China and other Assad-supporting governments;
I think that as long as the situation on the ground remains so devastating to daily life, the people will keep trying to leave
I think I heard the father of the toddler and his other child who died said he was going to bury them, and then go sit by their graves and wait to die himself.
A little piece of all of us dies each day hearing these stories, I believe. Rest in peace, little babies.
had to pause at another development being reported by BBC: => US government advises the families of ALL military personnel to leave Turkey as the fight against ISIL intensifies
i’ll admit, i was a little lukewarm about v.p. biden running for president this time. mostly since i was worried about all he’s been through in his life and his age and felt he’s lost a step over time, most notably seen in his speech for the 2012 democratic convention, but with the help of people here and seeing some recent speeches, i’m feeling more and more that i can get excited about him running, which is still an “if” of course.
went looking for clips from his debate last time, and really feeling better about it after watching some clips such as this:
love how he takes on the b.s. and beats them at their own bully tactic games that republicans usually get away with in “the news.” when challenged fairly, republicans such as paul ryan fold like a cheap card table! go joe!
okay. just totally “binging on bidens” and need to go now, but reminded of this from beau now that he has passed away and how poetic it is…all aboard the “ridin with biden” train:
The Obama Diary 
Congrats on 1st Dudette!
Thank you for bringing the laughs, NW!!!
Gracias Roberto!
Congrats Dudette, hope your mom is doing well….
I’m posting this here only to set up the next tweet…
This cracked me up! LOL! 😀
[She’s right. She really is.]
Auburn students showed up to watch the game on the brand new, largest scoreboard in any CFB stadium 😎
….but Dean Smith was still the best “we don’t do football” 😀
Now Auburn does football.
We (UNC) do other good stuff though. [Thanks Dean. Miss you!]
Way to go Miss ¡Número Uno!
Thank ya, M’am! 🙂
☺️
If you missed it, tonight’s program with the Vice President’s speech is here:
Ambassador Eizenstat’s intro starts around: 1:16;02
VPOTUS steps to the podium around: 1:15:40
Thanks Dudette, I’ve missed a few days.
Welcome back, CarolMae. 🙂
Thank you so much for posting this, Dudette! Now I’ll go watch it.
It was excellent. He really should be our next President.
But whatever he and the family decide deserves the utmost respect.
I’m still listening. I know what you mean, I know that this country needs him, but I can certainly understand if he and his family aren’t ready for that kind of commitment. I know whatever he decides we will have his back and I believe he knows how much we love him.
Thank you for bringing the funny, Nerdy! 😀
Second that NW!
🙂
🙂
The Univ of Phoenix one — I swear I tried to hold in the laugh! I tried!
Hahahahahahahaha…..but it got you. 😀
Don’t cheat…..regarding the Tom Brady news today
Name the Movie (no cheating in the mentions) and the famous line 😀 😀 😀
Oh come on, that’s easy. Good Will Hunting. Saw it like 50 times.
I should have excluded you from the contest 😀 “How do you like them apples” 😎
LOL! 😀
Do you like apples?… [shall I go on?]
Great movie….if it isn’t in the Movie Hall of Fame it should be.
It’s in my personal movie HOF for sure.
‘JERUSALEM—In early August, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stood in front of 22 Democratic U.S. lawmakers. He closed the door and instructed an aide to clear his schedule for the afternoon. There was nothing more important, he told the members of Congress, than answering their questions on the Iranian nuclear deal, however long it took. For the next two hours, the prime minister worked the room, according to many of the lawmakers present. His props included a large white board on which he wrote their questions. At one point, he drew what he called a “nuclear gun” to underline his fears. Although Mr. Netanyahu didn’t explicitly tell them to vote against the deal, his feelings were clear. It would seriously jeopardize Israel’s security, he told them. “They weren’t twisting my arm but they were certainly trying to convince me,” said Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, a New Jersey Democrat, one of the House freshmen attending the meeting. “What a showman!” another lawmaker said.
The Aug. 9 session in the prime minister’s office was a telling moment in an extraordinary campaign by Mr. Netanyahu to scuttle the agreement. Both supporters and opponents say they can’t recall any other foreign government inserting itself so directly into an American political debate, especially against a deal the White House considers a cornerstone of President Barack Obama’s legacy. The high-stakes Israeli campaign has left the White House infuriated and many Democrats resentful. It also appears to have failed to secure the votes which Mr. Netanyahu needed to block the agreement. The Obama administration cleared an essential obstacle this week by securing more than 34 votes in the Senate, the minimum needed to sustain a presidential veto of a resolution seeking to undo the pact. A vote on a resolution approving or disapproving the deal is expected in coming weeks…continued’
What an amateur. I feel for our PBO having to deal with this nut.
Bibi is going to pay domestically…it might not be immediately, but the reckoning is coming, Meta!
He is an amateur and an unconscionable bully! I can’t imagine in what universe Bibi would find it acceptable to be collecting ‘subsidies’ on the one hand, while blatantly trying to buy your benefactor’s supporters. I wish there was a way the US could slap his wrist *hard* without affecting the Israeli people. US should also send that Isreali ambassador home and request one a bit more trustworthy.
Hello, VC! ….from the WP article I posted below….some of the most damning paragraphs written on the matter…
“Having him come and try to influence the members of the Congress and lobby against what the president was working on, set the tenor,” Cohen continued. “Netanyahu should not get himself involved in American politics in the future, and AIPAC played a stronger hand than they should have.” Other congressional aides pointed out that Israel’s unprecedented direct lobbying efforts against the deal by Ambassador to the U.S. Ron Dermer, who once worked for GOP operative Frank Luntz, worsened AIPAC’s position by association
….While AIPAC and Israel’s activities were not coordinated, some members of Congress felt the group was tacitly endorsing the Israeli government’s increasingly political line. “They burned their bridges with Democrats before they got into this,” said a Senate aide who spoke on condition of anonymity in order to speak frankly about AIPAC’s apparent failure. “They were silent and a little complicit in the Netanyahu debacle. They were just standing by when it happened. They spent down their political capital before they got up to this effort.”
“The unfortunate problem with Prime Minister Netanyahu is that he prides himself on being the Israeli who knows America the best,”said former Democratic Rep. Robert Wexler (Fla.), who now runs the D.C.-based S. Daniel Abraham Center for Middle East Peace. “Where he’s mistaken is, Prime Minister Netanyahu knows the America that elected Ronald Reagan president. He’s completely unfamiliar with the America that elected Barack Obama president. And they are in fact very different Americas.”
GN, VC….
Hey, you! Are you all rested and back to ‘normal’ or have you simply been away watching sports while harassing your researcher? And yes, I did read that entire article earlier. (It’s one of the reasons I’m so slow – I tend to follow links and read stuff (in case unfair undercurrents are included).
Not yet …have to get my freaking (hopefully only one root canal Saturday)….my T,W, & Thurs are the worst days for me school wise…I’m almost fully immersed into sports fanatic mode (Auburn’s season begins Saturday & Colts season starts next Sunday), but the #3 HS Football recruit in the country announces what college he will be attending tomorrow at 12:45 EST….my boys are looking good to land him!
At least you didn’t take three hours to comment this time 😀 😀 😀
Hey, some answers need to be reflected upon before sharing (that’s the story I’m sticking to)! 🙂
😦 😦 Grosss. No matter *what* Chips told you about snails, I cannot stand them!!! Ugh!!
ICYMI:
it seems that its so hard for normal people to avoid the hatemongers – haters are everywhere (like cockroaches)
Does this woman Pastor Lydia has a problem with Serena?
“Not since George H.W. Bush was president has the American Israel Public Affairs Committee sustained such a public defeat on an issue it deemed an existential threat to Israel’s security.
But the Iran nuclear deal has Washington insiders wondering if the once-untouchable lobbying giant has suffered lasting damage to its near-pristine political reputation. In fighting the deal, AIPAC and its affiliates mustered all of its considerable resources: spending tens of millions on television ads in the home states of undecided lawmakers and organizing a fly-in to blitz lawmakers on Capitol Hill – another is planned for next week when Congress returns from August recess to vote on a resolution of disapproval. But all that noise amounted to a humbling and rare defeat this week, when President Obama secured a strong enough plurality in the Senate to protect the pact from efforts to dismantle it. Many say AIPAC’s efforts were doomed to fail in the aftermath of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s combative speech to Congress in March — an appearance brokered by Israel’s ambassador to the U.S. along with House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) without White House consultation. Many of AIPAC’s supporters also blame President Obama and what they see as a process he rigged and a debate he polarized.
But whether or not the White House won a lasting victory in securing the Iran deal’s fate, AIPAC may have lost their claim to having iron-clad influence over lawmakers on issues pertaining to Israel. “The lesson that lawmakers have learned from this experience is that right-leaning pro-Israel groups are not immortal,” said Dylan Williams, vice president of government affairs for J Street, a more liberal, rival pro-Israel group. “Blood can be drawn. And it is possible to stand up and say “no” to them. And not suffer political consequences.” AIPAC’s position on the Iran deal lines up with the Republican Party’s, but its efforts thus far have helped persuade only two Senate Democrats, and a handful in the House – while Obama has secured more than the 34 Senate votes to ensure that opponents won’t collect a two-thirds, veto-proof majority to block the deal. On Thursday, three more Senate Democrats sided with Obama — Heidi Heitkamp (N.D.), Cory Booker (N.J.), and Mark Warner (Va.)…continued’
Ha! Hadn’t see that James Baker quote. Two snaps to that!
Hadn’t seen…
I remember when he made that remark. GB the first administration. He really had a fairly independent hand with Israel. I believe the prime minister then was Shamir, and he was a total asshole. Plus it was on the heals of the spy case where (as I read) Jonathan Pollard stole a US nuclear targeting map of the Soviet Union and sold it to the Soviets in exchange for allowing the immigration of thousands of Soviet Jews to Israel.
When you present people with facts and explanations for discussion, and they have that kind of dismissive response – you know their issue is the man, and not his policies.
Don’t even sweat that man, hon’. Let him sit in his damn corner and pout. He ain’t gonna hear it.
He’s one of those who works hard at “making the perfect the enemy of the good.”
Dems like that are exactly why we can’t have nice things.
The only reason I engaged him at all was because a former TODer, and strong PBO supporter had responded to him, saying that she was also disappointed in PBO’s decision and found it contradictory. So I tried to explain stuff for her benefit as well – because I know that she doesn’t harbor those nasty emoprog feelings, but was probably just not fully informed about the situation entirely. But when he responded with this nasty accusation of PBO being “two-faced” I wasted no time in telling him have a good nite and that I was no longer interested in having any conversation with him.
Ah! I see.
But politicians and, yes, even political commentators have an obligation: to try to make things better, not worse. There is always a choice between the politics of resentment and the politics of remedy. Resentment is easier.
Sorry if they duplicate…WP moderator has decided to rear its ugly head!!!!
OK, GN TOD….
I wish only the best for Mr. Rezaian, Mr. Levinson, the Marine, Amir Hekmati, and any others being unjustly held….but this is why any talk of a *swap* couldn’t be part of the #IranDeal…and quite frankly like ISIL just incentivizes more hostage taking/trumped up charges as bargaining chips.
I’m so pissed at all the ridiculous, repeated, insane, irresponsible repeal attempts, I can’t even celebrate that they’ve essentially given up.
Giant waste of taxpayer $. Congrats up there on your first place win, Dudette!
I agree. Thanks Judith!
I don’t know if this report on BBC has anything to do with why VP is attending multiple national security meetings: => US is monitoring if Russia has sent military personnel and just sold (and delivered?) and weapons to Syria;
As the refugee crisis seems to be growing and overwhelming the EU, together with the mess in Ukraine, I am wondering when people all over the world will resume speaking out about the role of Russia, China and other Assad-supporting governments;
I think that as long as the situation on the ground remains so devastating to daily life, the people will keep trying to leave
Knew it would be something really bad. This rises to that. Ugh!
OK, definitely going to bed NOW!!!!
Aw, so cute! I’d feel the same way! 🙂
If she don’t wash that hand, I hate to see what it look like by the time POTUS leave office.
I think I heard the father of the toddler and his other child who died said he was going to bury them, and then go sit by their graves and wait to die himself.
A little piece of all of us dies each day hearing these stories, I believe. Rest in peace, little babies.
had to pause at another development being reported by BBC: => US government advises the families of ALL military personnel to leave Turkey as the fight against ISIL intensifies
Dang!
Perfection! 😀
Okay folks, I’m off to play a couple more games of solitaire – my new love – before retiring.
Thank you to today’s blog leaders!
Thanks to fellow participants – you all added an extra bit of something to my day.
Thanks…. And to all…. a …G’Night!
Nightie-nite VC!
{D-ette}
{D-ette’s Mama}
You’re so sweet! Mama’s long asleep. 🙂
Smart woman – not like her daughter and her friend! You can always deliver it in the morning. 😀
I’m outta here!
Goodnight, TODville! Sweet dreams when you get there. I’ll be there in 3 … 2 … 1 … 🙂
i’ll admit, i was a little lukewarm about v.p. biden running for president this time. mostly since i was worried about all he’s been through in his life and his age and felt he’s lost a step over time, most notably seen in his speech for the 2012 democratic convention, but with the help of people here and seeing some recent speeches, i’m feeling more and more that i can get excited about him running, which is still an “if” of course.
went looking for clips from his debate last time, and really feeling better about it after watching some clips such as this:
love how he takes on the b.s. and beats them at their own bully tactic games that republicans usually get away with in “the news.” when challenged fairly, republicans such as paul ryan fold like a cheap card table! go joe!
oh man. and this one is even better. can totally start “ridin with biden” when thinking about him debating any of the republican sociopaths this way:
okay. just totally “binging on bidens” and need to go now, but reminded of this from beau now that he has passed away and how poetic it is…all aboard the “ridin with biden” train:
h/t LP for the link ….
I hope that’s clear.
good night TOD ….
GM, TOD! My freaking tooth is killing me 😦 thus I’m awake at this god awful hour……