It was certainly fair game for Democrats to attack John Bolton during the nomination process, though I objected to the failure to grant him an up or down vote. Sen. Chris Dodd however has gone over the line when he attacked now Ambassador Bolton after the President’s appointment.
True Bolton goes to the UN with sure public knowledge that he has the full confidence of our President and his State Dept., nevertheless the partisan attack on him were uncalled for and is a blow to any semblance of a bi-partisan foreign policy.
I fear for the fallout when the Roberts nomination comes up!
Today in the gym a classmate of mine going back to elementary and high school asked me why I never went into politics? After seeing the brutal character attacks on outstanding public servants up for judicial nominations etc., I wonder why so many competent people are still willing to go into public service?
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If the reports are even partially correct, then the bullying by Sec. of State Condaleeza Rice during her recent Israel trip is unacceptable and not seen in quite a few Administrations.
Israel is not a vassal state and at the end of the day security issues must be decided in Jerusalem and not Foggy Bottom. The pressure to force Israel to rearm the PA is totally out of line.
Abbas has shown no inclination to disarm the terror groups, or halt incitement. Despite the fact that Israel also fears to see Abbas toppled it cannot commit national suicide to make Ms. Rice happy.
Israeli intelligence believes that what Abbas lacks is the will and the commitment, and not the firepower.
Though this is surely a friendly President, our support is not an open ended invitation to pressure Israel on security issues.
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I AM DEEPLY CONCERNED AND UPSET WITH SOME ACTIONS OF THE ISRAELI GOVERNMENT IN PREVENTING LEGITIMATE DISSENT BY THOSE WHO OPPOSE DISENGAGEMENT.
What the government is doing in targeting individuals with yarmulkes or orange clothing (as documented by the letter sent to the Prime Minister by OU President Steve Savitsky) violates all tenets of civil rights. It is encouraging a kulturkampf from which the nation will not soon recover.
Read the op-eds of Haaretz to see the vile and hate spewed against the religious Zionist communities.
The right to protest peacefully and the right to wear political or religious garb that is not an incitement is fundamental to a free society. If and when PROTESTERS cross the red line then those individuals who do so, must bear criminal or civil responsibility. However to prevent citizens from demonstrating or from wearing clothing that symbolizes a movement, because it might lead to their crossing that line is undemocratic.
