The biggest news of the year, possibly

The American media has finally, finally begun reporting on the Greek/European economic mess. Last evening, CBS had a report from Brian Williams on it. It was brief but it was something. Then, today, NPR had a story. There just hasn't been near the coverage of the story that there should have been, given both the size of the story and its ramifications. But big as that story is, the one story that will be far bigger than that is reflected in the report out today that the UN formally announced that it believes--has proof?--that Iran is working on making nuclear weapons. All bets are now off. With this declaration from the UN, that Iran is doing work specific to make nuclear arms--whether it's true or not (I suspect it is)--it's war for Israel. Or at least it means Israel will attack Iran and likely very soon.. I don't think we have any other conclusion but that it will mean war for the Middle East. As Margo Channing so aptly said in the movie, "All About Eve", "Fasten your seatbelts, it's going to be a bumpy night." For the world, however, it will at least be a bumpy year, once it begins. Link: http://www.cnbc.com/id/45214845/UN_reports_Iran_work_specific_to_nuke_arms

On Palestinian Statehood

There seems to be one hugely overlooked issue that needs to be addressed on Palestinian statehood and I don't see it mentioned in the conversations. It seems clear that the Palestinian statehood issue could possibly be considered IF, if they officially recognize Israel's right to exist and follow that up with no longer bombing Israel and Israelis. Then and only then, I think it's obvious, the possibility of a Palestinian state can be evaluated and considered. Link: http://www.google.com/#sclient=psy-ab&hl=en&source=hp&q=new+york+times+palestinian+statehood&pbx=1&oq=new+york+times+palestinian+statehood&aq=f&aqi=g-v1&aql=1&gs_sm=e&gs_upl=3093l10488l0l10708l36l21l0l0l0l1l1075l6006l0.7.7.3.2.7-1l20l0&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&fp=dc9b7cc97129edc0&biw=1440&bih=727

President Obama breathes: Republicans upset

Any more, this is the headline I expect to see one of these mornings.

Today, it's this:

GOP blasts 'dangerous' Obama speech

and this:

Romney: Obama 'threw Israel under the bus'

And I thought this might happen, too, what with President Obama's speech yesterday, since he expects Israel to do some  things, too, in order to have compromise and peace in the Middle East.

The President called on Israel to compromise with the Palestinians--for shame!--and go back to the borders before the 1967 war over there.

It seems reasonable enough, I think, for what that's worth.  But far more importantly, apparently these people who are upset think we are to expect or demand nothing of Israel in order to obtain peace.

Apparently it's supposed to be the Palestinians and Arabs--singularly--who do the "giving" on issues over there and Israel isn't supposed to give an inch or compromise in any way.

Sure, I think the Palestinians have to recognize Israel's right to exist, first and foremost, but after that, the Israeli's need to see that the Palestinians need a place to call their own, as well, and that all of them will have to learn they need to--dare I suggest it?--coexist.

And check out presidential candidate Newt Gingrich's response to the speech for ridiculous rhetoric:  Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich called it "the most dangerous speech ever made by an American president for the survival of Israel."

That's just silly. If Newt weren't running for Congress, he wouldn't say a thing about the speech--or he'd praise it.

The fact is, it's all about compromise and that's what's needed here.

It won't happen, likely, but that's what is needed.

The rest of the--sane--world for the most part praised the speech as forward-thinking and challenging.  

Was it perfect?  

No, certainly not.  

Did it have merit?  

Absolutely.

To close, I'll leave you with a link to an article that's much more rational and balanced in its appraisal of the speech:  

Obama's Middle East speech missed 'historic opportunity,' say many Arabs

Thanks for the blackmail, Mr. Netanyahu

I love the way Israel blackmailed us this week to give them warplanes, so they wouldn't build more homes in the Gaza.

Nice.

Good friend.

I'm so glad we give this good friend so many millions of dollars.

My thought was, instead of having them blackmail us to stop the additional settlements, we play hard ball and tell them--meaning it--that if they began the additional settlements, we'd withdraw all financial support until they a) cancelled them and b) sat down to earnestly discuss a true, long-lasting, meaningful peace with the Palestinians.  Meantime, tell the Palestinians the same thing--they have to sit down and earnestly work out a peace deal or 1) no financial support of any kind (if, in fact, we give them any) and 2) they must no longer officially call for the elimination of Israel.

But no one asks me.

Enjoy your weekend, everyone.

Link:  http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2010/11/14