Should Netanyahu Cancel His Speech?

[emperus]

Searched for "Netanyahu" and didn't see any threads on this topic. What do you guys think about Boehner inviting Netanyahu's to speak to Congress? Do you think he should cancel? Do you think Netanyahu was out of line. I personally wonder what the chorus would be saying if Pelosi did anything like this.

http://www.cnn.com/2015/02/09/politics/israel-netanyahu-speech-congress/index.html

 

[unixwizzard]

last time I checked, Congress does not need permission from the President or anybody else to invite someone to speak before them.

 

[Cozarkian]

Not enough options in the poll.

Boehner should have asked the State department to extend an invitation, but there is no need to cancel after the fact. Obama also could have handled it better, expressing regret that he can't meet with him because of the upcoming election without all of the whining.

 

[emperus]

last time I checked, Congress does not need permission from the President or anybody else to invite someone to speak before them.

I believe the President is responsible for all Diplomacy.

 

[emperus]

Not enough options in the poll.

Boehner should have asked the State department to extend an invitation, but there is no need to cancel after the fact. Obama also could have handled it better, expressing regret that he can't meet with him because of the upcoming election without all of the whining.

I believe Obama nor the State Department wanted him to come. That is why he went through Boehner.

My question is why should any foreign leader get a say in how our Congress votes?

 

[Fern]

I believe the President is responsible for all Diplomacy.

Correct. However this isn't "diplomacy".

This is about sanctions. Sanctions are done by Congress.

I don't understand the WH's prissy fit over this. I would understand if it was about diplomacy. E.g., Like a Congressional delegation going to visit a country we have suspended diplomatic relations with etc. This is completely different. Israel is an ally etc. No negotiations regarding Israel are to be held. Congress asked, and BN agreed, for him to come over and give his thoughts/info on the Iranian nuke issue.

Besides, Obama knew in advance he was coming. Umm, he hasn't been here yet and the Obama admin has been bitching about this for weeks.

I would also guess the State Dept knew. I would think the Israelis are going to need diplo visas to visit. Who knows who all they are bringing.

Congress has authority over who they invite to address them. I've never heard of this Presidential approval thing before.

Given the several times Obama has proceeded without Congressional approval (giving away the 5 AQ prisoners, bombing Libya etc) it's more than "rich" that he bitches about this.

If Obama doesn't want to meet with him, fine. But these juvenile hysterics are over-the-top.

Fern

 

[ivwshane]

The standard US policy is that there are no speeches/meetings from world leaders when an election is coming up. We do this in order to maintain some semblance of impropriety of not meddling in other countries politics.

The moron bhoener once again shows he's unfit to hold his position and continues to be one of the worst speakers of the house in history.

 

[Fern]

-snip-

My question is why should any foreign leader get a say in how our Congress votes?

He doesn't "get a say".

They asked him to come over and testify about Iran and their nuke program.

Congress has some decisions to make regarding sanctions.

Fern

 

[kage69]

I'd prefer it if he canceled his stay, maybe perform something of an apology by taking that worthless idiot Boehner with him. Bibi and the Israeli ambassador are actively involved in trying to subvert American foreign policy, while John of Orange is assisting them like the dutiful obstructionist asshole he is. How can anyone support these cockholsters?


I think Mr. Unger puts it quite well. http://www.forbes.com/sites/rickung...rael-may-have-made-a-fatal-political-mistake/


John Boehner, official frontrunner for Douchebag of the Decade.

 

[Fern]

The standard US policy is that there are no speeches/meetings from world leaders when an election is coming up. We do this in order to maintain some semblance of impropriety of not meddling in other countries politics.
-snip-

I've never heard of this "policy", but understand it's why Obama could choose not to meet with him. Obama doesn't like him and wants him to lose.

The Iranian issue is now. BN has been in office quite a while. I would think his opinion is well formed by Mossad's etc intelligence on the matter, agree with it or not. Want to meet with the new guy too if BN losses? Fine. But he will be new and much less up to speed.

Fern

 

[rudeguy]

I believe the President is responsible for all Diplomacy.

And Congress is responsible for passing laws.

Obama bypassed that how many times?

 

[CitizenKain]

Telling Netanyahu to get fucked is the best response.

 

[Fern]

Wanted to add that there may be some more behind the scenes stuff. I've heard even some conservatives complain about Dermer, the Israeli Ambassador. I'm not sure what role he played in this, but have heard complaints that he is not helping with US/Israel relations even though that is his job.

Fern

 

[MongGrel]

And Congress is responsible for passing laws.

Obama bypassed that how many times?

Probably fewer than Dubya did to be honest.

Haven't been following those lately.

 

[rudeguy]

Probably fewer than Dubya did to be honest.

Haven't been following those lately.

Me either but it sounded good.

 

[CitizenKain]

And Congress is responsible for passing laws.

Obama bypassed that how many times?

Still 0.

 

[kage69]

Wanted to add that there may be some more behind the scenes stuff. I've heard even some conservatives complain about Dermer, the Israeli Ambassador. I'm not sure what role he played in this, but have heard complaints that he is not helping with US/Israel relations even though that is his job.

Fern

Read my link.

 

[IronWing]

Telling Netanyahu to get fucked is the best response.

Yep.

 

[Victorian Gray]

Israelis apparently aren't particularly keen for him to make the speech:

"An opinion poll by Israel's Army Radio on Monday said 47 percent of people think Netanyahu should cancel the address, while 34 percent say he should go ahead with it."

And the govt. is thinking of making some changes as to when/where/how to give the speech:

"As a result, Israeli officials are considering whether Netanyahu should speak to a closed-door session of Congress, rather than in a prime-time TV address, so as to drain some of the intensity from the event, a source said.

Another option is for the prime minister to make his speech at the annual meeting of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee in Washington the same week, rather than in Congress.

"The issue has been under discussion for a week," said a source close to the prime minister's office. "(Netanyahu) is discussing it with Likud people. Some say he should give up on the speech, others that he should go through with it."

http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Po...-after-criticism-Israeli-officials-say-390490

 

[emperus]

I think this is what most troubles me.

From http://www.forbes.com/sites/rickunga...tical-mistake/

But what neither the Speaker, nor those who cannot manage to think beyond their distaste for this president, understand is the truly unprecedented step Boehner has taken by joining with the leader of a foreign nation against his own president.

 

[senseamp]

He should come and properly demonstrate both the dysfunction of the Republican US Congress and the Israeli subjugation of the US foreign policy.
Nothing like Israeli PM disrespecting the elected president of the United States and conducting foreign policy with the opposition Speaker of the House to make it crystal clear.

 

[Newell Steamer]

Polls
But there are signs the controversy is impacting Netanyahu's standing in the polls, with the Israeli media and public voicing concern that Netanyahu is contributing to further strains between Israel and the United States, its closest ally.

An Israel Army Radio poll on Monday said only 34% of Israelis think Netanyahu should go ahead with the address, while 47% think he should cancel. Another poll published by the Times of Israel on Monday showed Netanyahu's party four seats in the Knesset behind Herzog and Livni's Zionist Camp alliance.

So, did Obama pay off the Israeli public?

And, the policy is pretty clear: don't visit so closely before your elections.

But, if the Right is perfectly OK with being Israel's pawn, you go on and bow down to your real master and let him stand on your backs while he uses this to win an election back home.

BTW, Israel has been murdering assassinating Iranian scientists & engineers; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Israeli_assassinations - Israel is pretty far from being helpless here. What is sad, is that we're being played / pushed to take a harder stance against Iran,.. and, I am not sure how and why the Right is OK with being manipulated like this.

 

[Harabec]

Netanyahu is an asshole who has only damaged Israel - he hasn't done a single thing to resolve any issues (internal and external) here but righties keep voting for him even when they're swimming in shit.

Who he meets and what he does is dictated by his mentally unstable wife. This needs to end. We would be better off with a donkey as PM.

That's my personal opinion. Too many years of making this country difficult to live in while not giving a crap. Always "IRAN OMG!" BS and nothing else while we suffer in day to day matters.

 

[cubby1223]

My question is why should any foreign leader get a say in how our Congress votes?

You mean to say foreign leaders have never previously influenced the actions of congress?

Few years ago the President of Mexico spoke in front of congress lecturing us on what shitty laws we have urging change.

But back then Democrats liked his stance, thus it was right that he "got a say" in how our Congress votes.

 

[cubby1223]

I also remember Obama campaigning in Europe for Presidency of the United States.

In other words, "the sky is falling" reactions to Netanyahu speaking in front of congress is partisan at best.

Get over it.