What Dean said about the Middle East that did NOT get coverage.

[madfloridian]

This is from yesterday. It was a press release. I have noticed that even the press releases from the DNC are not getting news coverage now. Usually they did at Yahoo, sometimes at Google, but not much lately. This is from the DNC website, so I am quite sure in light of the anger today it is ok to post it all.

I have seen our good Democrats blasted all over here because they are mostly doing what they have to do. We have the luxury of saying things in a freer way. They really don't.

http://www.democrats.org/a/2006/07/dean_statement_23.php

Dean Statement on Middle East Violence
July 25, 2006

As the international community and United Nations pursue an end to fighting in the Middle East, Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean today called on the Bush Administration to increase its efforts in the region to ensure that any agreement protects Israel from terrorism and missile attacks from Lebanese territory, and to ensure the safe and quick evacuation of Americans who are trying to leave Lebanon.

"The international community can no longer allow Hezbollah to terrorize Israelis as well as the people of Lebanon. Any resolution that leaves terrorists in place is unacceptable.

"Hezbollah's invasion of Israel for the purpose of murdering and abducting Israeli soldiers across the international border between Lebanon and Israel launched a crisis that inflamed an already dangerous situation that began with the firing of rockets into Israel from Gaza and the kidnapping of another Israeli soldier.


"All countries, including Israel, have the right and responsibility to defend its citizens from terror. All pressure must be brought to bear to ensure the safe return of the soldiers and to end rocket attacks on Israel.

"Lebanon must be freed from outside influence from those who use its territory to bring harm to its people. The international community must do all it can to support Prime Minister Saniora and ensure the long-term success of Lebanon's democracy. At the same time, the United States should take the lead in the international community to support international humanitarian and reconstruction aid for Lebanon as soon as the hostilities are over.

"While we condemn Hezbollah and other terrorists for deliberately targeting civilians, we call on all sides to do all they can to protect innocent civilian life.

"At the same time, those in the international community who genuinely desire to see peace in the Middle East must hold Iran and Syria accountable for funding, arming and supporting terrorists.

"We also must not lose sight of the terrorism sponsored by Hamas, which like Hezbollah refuses to recognize Israel's right to exist and calls for its destruction.

"Hamas knows what it needs to do to move the Palestinian people closer to peace: release the soldier kidnapped from southern Israel, recognize Israel's right to exist, renounce and end violence and terror, and accept previous agreements between the Israelis and Palestinians.

"Democrats will continue to oppose direct funding of the Hamas-controlled Palestinian Authority while seeking to alleviate suffering through humanitarian aid.

"While the announcement of Secretary Rice's trip to the region next week is an important first step, the fact remains that the Bush Administration has failed to substantively engage in the very difficult arena of Middle East peacemaking over the past six years. President Bush must continue to actively step up U.S. engagement in the Middle East. Only with sustained American diplomacy and the resumption of direct negotiations will the people of the Middle East find the peace they long for and deserve.

"Refusing to engage while talking tough and ignoring international problems is not a foreign policy. We must have a foreign policy that is both tough and smart.


"We must also ensure that American citizens who are now trying to leave Lebanon are able to do so as quickly and safely as possible at no financial cost to themselves or their families.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the innocent victims of the recent violence, and for the safe evacuation of Americans seeking to leave Lebanon."

[patrice]

1. Are all Palestinians Hezbollah or Hamas?

Why can't anyone ever say something as strong in support of Palestinians as they do in support of Israel?

[madfloridian]

2. This letter.

September 10, 2003

The Honorable Howard Dean
P.O. Box 1228
Burlington, VT 05402

Dear Governor Dean:

We are writing to respond to your comments on the Middle East at a recent
campaign event and in Tuesday's candidate debate and explain why we believe
it is wrong to say the U.S. should "not take sides" in the
Israeli-Palestinian dispute.

American foreign policy has been - and must continue to be - based on
unequivocal support for Israel's right to exist and to be free from terror.
The Palestinians have at best been ambivalent about their willingness to
accept Israel's existence and from Yasir Arafat on down they have promoted
or acquiesced in the use of terrorism as a tactic in their struggle. It is
unacceptable for the U.S. to be "evenhanded" on these fundamental issues.

All of us want a genuine peace process to succeed, and all of us accept the
legitimacy of a Palestinian state once the Palestinian leadership and people
recognize Israel's right to exist as a Jewish state and not only renounce
the use of violence but at last take action to dismantle the terrorist
infrastructure inside the Palestinian Authority. Time and time again, the
Israeli people have shown their willingness to take risks for peace. But
they will only do so with the knowledge that U.S. support for Israel will
not waver.

It is important for America to help facilitate a peaceful resolution of the
conflict, but in playing this role we must be true to our values and make
sure that all parties clearly understand our policies. This is not a time to
be sending mixed messages; on the contrary, in these difficult times we must
reaffirm our unyielding commitment to Israel's survival and raise our voices
against all forms of terrorism and incitement.

Sincerely,

Howard L. Berman
Nancy Pelosi
Robert Matsui
Steny Hoyer
Martin Frost
Nita Lowey
Tom Lantos
Edward Markey
Chet Edwards
Ben Cardin
Steve Rothman
Steve Israel
Gary Ackerman
Barney Frank
Rahn Emanuel
Adam Smith
Anthony Weiner
Chris Bell
Adam Schiff
Hilda Solis
Robert Menendez
Shelley Berkley
Robert Andrews
Joseph Crowley
Jose Serrano
John Larson
Ellen Tauscher
Dennis Cardoza
Patrick Kennedy
Linda Sanchez
Harold Ford Jr.
Brad Sherman
C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger
Alcee Hastings


http://www.house.gov/berman/letter_new.html

[patrice]

5. I am seriously disappointed.

Whatever we believe about Palestinian culpability, we have to deal with how THEY see themselves and Israel and we don't have to abandon Israel to do that.

This letter contributes to their perception that there is no one for them but Hezbollah and Hamas. Are they supposed to just spontaneously change?

[madfloridian]

6. Not sure what you mean.

When Dean said we should be "evenhanded" and not take sides, this is the letter he got.

I agree with you basically, but I just think our Democrats are getting blasted unfairly here for things they just can no say and survive politically.

[patrice]

7. I am disappointed in those who signed this letter.

I misunderstood you; I thought you were supporting them.

These false dichotomies are going to be the "death" of us all yet.

[madfloridian]

8. Not supporting them. Just trying to understand.

They are in a very difficult situation. I have a feeling there is so much more going on than we know about.

I wish they could state their real views, but obviously they can not.

[patrice]

9. The money needed to campaign is the problem.

There are many Americans who don't approve of what Israel is doing; they don't necessarily give money to candidates.

Similar to Evangelicals, the Jewish lobby is well organized and funded.

We NEED public campaign finance.

[madfloridian]

10. That is exactly Dean's view...exactly. That's what he is doing at the DNC

His goal is to change the party structure and reform campaign finance.

If enough people, say a million, gave 20 a month that would be 20 million a month to operate on and support candidates throughout the states, plus the presidential election.

It will take time because people not willing to fund it yet. Maybe someday.

[patrice]

11. I'm giving.

I was an early supporter of Democracy Bonds.

[madfloridian]

12. Thanks, I'm glad.

I wish they could be for both sides, but I think things are far too dangerous right now. Bush has screwed the world.

[Name removed]

3. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Sparkly]

4. I have no problems with ANYthing Dr. Dean has said on this issue. nt

[madfloridian]

13. I think our Democrats are in a bad position.

I think more is going on than we know. I just did a search on Lebanon, and hard to discriminate truth and propaganda.

[Sparkly]

15. Absolutely. I think whenever we're on the outside looking in,

given global communications now, we'll see at *least* two sides to everything. (There are still pro-Serb websites contradicting everything the rest of the world saw, experienced, wrote etc. about Kosovo.)

Same thing here. There are spokespeople on every side of this on American TV, giving alternate stories about the very same events. Some things (like the bombing of the UN facility) may never be fully resolved.

You're right -- it is very hard to know what's going on.

But I do think Dr. Dean is handling the party position just fine.

[Clarkie1]

14. That's an excellent statement. Only one thing I would add...

would be criticism of the administration for failing to aid the Lebanese government, and leading the international community in aiding the Lebanese government in rooting out the Hezbollah militia and thus potentially preventing the current crises from developing in the first place.

[freakinoutinaz]

16. I agree with Dean completely...

There's not a word in his statement I would change.

[Cha]

27. Let me Welcome you

to DU, freakinoutinaz!

[madfloridian]

17. Only soundbytes get coverage in the news.

And then they twist it. Palm Beach Post reporter had a big headline saying Dean compared Harris to Stalin. But he didn't, you see. He said she should not have been campaign manager for Bush and in charge of elections here, that this was not Russia and she was not Stalin.

Our media is pathetic.

[Armstead]

18. I liked him better when he emphasized the need to be an honest broker...

He got into a spot of trouble during his campaign when he said we need to take a balanced view between Israel and the Palenstinians.

But that's tyhe stance we should be taking, instead of automatically absolving Israel and ignoring the grievences that lead to the spread of terrorism and extremism.

[oc2002]

24. I agree, but we will never be an honest broker and everyone knows it.

Because there is not one politician or party that can take on the Lobby AIPAC and survive.

Although, it is the right way to go.

[LSK]

19. why does Dean have to say anything??

He should only say that he hopes that the violence ends soon and that the World should get BOTH parties to talks.

[madfloridian]

20. What Maliki said and what Dean said...thanks to Newshounds.

http://www.newshounds.us/2006/07/27/fox_trashing_dean_for_maliki_comments_ignores_statements_made_by_maliki.php

[blm]

21. The media has been doing it alot lately - cutting entire sentences out

that keep their words in greater context. I've noticed it because they're doing it to all the lefty Dems.

[oc2002]

22. Dean is being almost unanoumasly ignored by the media these days.

The word is out. The MSM does not want to give Dean any coverage, unless it is to embaress him.

[madfloridian]

26. You may be right. A guy named Harpootlian...

I heard that some guy named Harpootlian, I think, SC, former chair of state or national, not sure....said that he was supportive of Dean's efforts but get this....

He said he should not be on shows like Meet the Press, and mentioned the Sunday shows. I need to find that statement.

He was one of Dean's severest critics during the primaries, I remember.

About the same time I heard they were telling Dean that the Sunday shows should be for the 08 group. Not sure where that went, or what...but Dean ain't been on any Sunday shows lately.

[madfloridian]

23. Bush has allowed someone with close ties to Iran to be Iraqi leader....

I wonder if Dean could have been pointing that out? You think?

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/20/world/middleeast/20shiites.html?_r=2&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

"“The Israeli attacks and airstrikes are completely destroying Lebanon’s infrastructure,” Mr. Maliki said at an afternoon news conference inside the fortified Green Zone, which houses the American Embassy and the seat of the Iraqi government. “I condemn these aggressions and call on the Arab League foreign ministers’ meeting in Cairo to take quick action to stop these aggressions. We call on the world to take quick stands to stop the Israeli aggression.”

The comments by Mr. Maliki, a Shiite Arab whose party has close ties to Iran, were noticeably stronger than those made by Sunni Arab governments in recent days. Those governments have refused to take an unequivocal stand on Lebanon, reflecting their concern about the growing influence of Iran, which has a Shiite majority and has been accused by Israel of providing weapons to Hezbollah, the Lebanese Shiite militant group."

I guess since the Republicans are blasting Dean and our side is all well, that he must be someplace in the middle?? Or what do you think.

The RNC wants an apology, I hear. DU wants an apology as well. Interesting.

[Cha]

25. Wow! Imagine something like

this not getting coverage! Thanks, mf..once again your investigating has unearthed some gems.

"Refusing to engage while talking tough and ignoring international problems is not a foreign policy. We must have a foreign policy that is both tough and smart."

[madfloridian]

28. That was a good statement.

Thanks for the comment. I am getting concerned that DNC press releases are not getting publicity like they did.

Meanwhile I accidentally saw a portion of Ann Coulter on Hardball, and Tweety acting like a fool.

Good Lord, what is happening to this country.

[Cha]

29. I would say tweety is irrelevant..

And that she/he/it thing has lost its shock factor.