Right track: Obama to Host Netanyahu, Abbas

By GottaLaff

I'd love nothing more than for First Black President Obama to strut his foreign policy stuff and succeed where nobody else could:

Surprise announcement from the White House: President Obama will host a trilateral meeting on Tuesday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. This meeting will be preceded by bilateral meetings between the president and the two leaders.

"These meetings will continue the efforts of President Obama, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and Special Envoy George Mitchell to lay the groundwork for the relaunch of negotiations, and to create a positive context for those negotiations so that they can succeed."

MSNBC tweeted:

While this won't be a Peres-Arafat moment, it is a photo-op that indicates the Mideast peace process might be on track again.

As has been hinted at for weeks, the WH has officially added a 3-way meeting with Netanyahu and Abbas to its sked nxt week.

Of course, the big unknown: whether Abbas can speak for all Palestinians.

Robert Gibbs on Iran + on Palestine, spars with Helen Thomas + more

By GottaLaff

Watching Robert Gibbs on CSPAN 2 right now, is getting lots of questions about President Obama's reaction to Michael Jackson's death. Global warming? Not so much, as Gibbs noted.

But wait! Someone just picked up on a new subject... Ir... Ira... Iran! Yeah, that's it.

Gibbs:

President Obama is taking pains not to interject himself into Iran equation.

Hear that, J Sid McC?

Helen:
Carter said people in Gaza treated like animals. Reaction?

Gibbs: I haven't seen the statement, but that comprehensive peace can bring security to all the Middle East. Hopes for opportunity for Palestinians, wants powers to come together.

Helen: He doesn't speak of Palestinians right to exist. Do they?

Gibbs: Absolutely, Helen. [Refers back to Cairo speech.] Repeats stability, security, opportunity for everyone line.

Helen: Repeats.

Gibbs: We'll pull the Cairo speech...

Helen: I'm talking about other things. He doesn't speak of Palestinians

Gibbs: Go back and look at his comments. He's very clear on this.

Chip Reid asks if Obama "more forceful" words gave Iran ammo.

Gibbs responds: "Interesting 180 on your question earlier in the week." ...He's done what he needs to do to make sure he doesn't become a foil for the Iran regime.... He spoke out forcefully against violence from the very beginning. Obama will continue to speak out. Events will have to play out.

WSJ: Merkel called for recount. does O agree?

G: thats's for the Iranians to work out.

CBS Q on climate bill, did Prez O make any calls?

Gibbs: He's made a few calls.

Q: Prez threatened to veto defense appropriations bill. Still stand?
A: Absolutely. Gates has a robust plan that makes sense for the future. He and others recommended veto.

Q: Schumer said a comprehensive immigration bill in order. Naturalization and border security in same package?
A: I haven't talked to them about that. Verifiable systems to check employees when hired, borders, pathway to citizenship, that's comprehensive reform.

STOP THE PRESSES!
Q: Did Obamas ever meet Michael Jackson?
A: I don't think so.

Q: Any announcements planned on gay issues? DOMA and DODT.
A: No.

Q: Another Michael Jackson question. Oy. Why no written statement?
A: I thought I do a pretty good job. There wasn't gonna be a statement, I asked Prez O today, and as his spokesman, I passed that on to you.

Q: Bill Press, health care reform. Who's driving this train, re: public option?
A: Prez O set his priorities, said it's a long negotiation. Believes public option provides important choice, competition. Both committees are working on his goals.
Q: Will Prez say no bill w/o public plan?
A: Lots of twists and turns till bill gets to desk. He's been clear. Over 100 amendments from Rs have been adopted in committee. Ds and Rs are working together to further some of those goals.

David Corn: DOMA case.
A: Filed by solicitor general of this admin.
Q: Who has O spoken to about Iran. Experts.
A: Don't know of anyone in particular he's spoken to.

I'll stop here.

Obama Coordinated Stance Against Israeli Settlements

Finally.

"For the first time in America's decades of jousting with Israel over West Bank settlements, an American president seems to have succeeded in isolating the settlements issue and disconnecting it from other elements of support for Israel," reports Haaretz.

In fact, when Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu came to Capitol Hill last month "after being pressed by President Obama to freeze the expansion of West Bank settlements, he was 'stunned,' Netanyahu aides said, to hear what seemed like a well-coordinated attack against his stand on settlements. The criticism came from congressional leaders, key lawmakers dealing with foreign relations and even from a group of Jewish members."

Meanwhile, the Jerusalem Post reports an Obama administration official thinks "an arrangement that works" can be hammered out with Israel on the settlement issue.

Video- President Obama Meets with President Abbas of Palestinian Authority

Seymore Hersh "Cheney Told Israel Obama Is Pro-Palestinian"

Here's the video of Sy discussing what Gotta wrote up here.

Dick Cheney Undermined Obama After Election

By GottaLaff

The Nation of Dick undermined President Obama. Why, who would ever suspect the Big Dick would do anything like that?

According to the New Yorker, former Vice President Cheney late last year portrayed then President-elect Obama to Israel's leaders as a "pro-Palestinian," who would not support Israeli efforts in Gaza.

In private comments, Cheney also referred to Obama as someone who would "never make it in the major leagues."

There now. That just proves how much the DickHead cares about America.

Obama calls Middle East leaders

To work, to work.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – In his first calls to world leaders since becoming President, President Obama called the following Middle East leaders this morning, according to a senior administration official: King Abdullah of Jordan, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.

Joe Plumber: Media Shouldn't Report War

Too sad to be as funny as it deserves. G-d forbid people have "opinions" on war. I really didn't think he was this stupid.

[Laffy Note-- Blog title addendum: Media Shouldn't Report on Joe the Cretin.]

Obama Would Initiate Communications With Hamas

I can already hear the howling from the right, but it seems plain to a sane person that if what you're doing ain't working, try something else.

President-elect Obama "is prepared to abandon George Bush's ­doctrine of isolating Hamas by establishing a channel to the Islamist organisation," sources close to the transition team tell The Guardian.

"There is no talk of Obama approving direct diplomatic negotiations with Hamas early on, but he is being urged by advisers to initiate low-level or clandestine approaches, and there is growing recognition in Washington that the policy of ostracising Hamas is counter-productive."

Sarkozy brokers plan between Israel/Palestine

Just announced on MSNBC, they called it a "plan", didn't come out and call it a ceasefire. Who's making fun of the French now? More details when I get it.

Update-

JERUSALEM - A government spokesman says Israel "welcomes" a proposal from France and Egypt to end fighting in the Gaza Strip.

Mark Regev says Israel could accept the proposal if it halts "hostile fire" from Gaza and includes measures to prevent Hamas from rearming.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy said Wednesday that Israel and the Palestinian Authority accepted the proposal. Israeli officials will not confirm that.

The precise details of the proposal remain unclear.

The Daily Show covers Israel/Palestine

The Daily Show With Jon StewartM - Th 11p / 10c

Strip Maul

Barack Obama Interview
John McCain Interview

Sarah Palin Video
Funny Election Video

I'd include the David Gregory interview if there was any substance to it, but there wasn't. Funny how the comedian ends up being the most "fair and balanced".... again.

Pro-Palestinian activists demonstrate outside Obama home

Have to say that if you're going to protest, outside that house sure beats outside the White House, especially this time of year.

Obama's Hawaiian protesters

By GottaLaff

What's to protest? He's not even in office yet. Here comes another pool report:

About a half-dozen demonstrators had assembled near the security checkpoint fronting the entrance to the $9 million rental home where Obama and his family are staying.

Some carried signs urging Obama to address U.S. Foreign policy when he takes office.

Wait, what? They actually feel it necessary to get the next U.S. president to address U.S. foreign policy? Like he wouldn't already include that as a top priority?

Silly me. ::smacks forehead:: I nearly forgot who's been in office these past 8 years.

Ann Wright, a retired Army colonel, wore a T-shirt that read: "We will not be silent" and carried a sign that read: "Change U.S. foreign policy. Yes we can."

Wright, 62, of Honolulu, said the demonstrators represented various groups, including her organization Veterans for Peace.

Other signs read "War Is Terror" and "Free Palestine."

Dems picketing Dems. There's something awfully healthy and free speechy about that. Here's their wish:

"We call on President-elect Obama to place the resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict at the top of his list of priorities of his new administration."

Why not... Bush placed it at the bottom of his, and look where that got us.

Gaza Explodes: Bush Administration and President-elect Obama Responses

Palestinian Makes Obama Bagel for Candidate Visit

By Paddy


But what do they call the schmear?

Palestinian Baker Makes Obama Bagel in Honor of His Upcoming Visit

Palestinian baker Nasir Abdul Hadi is so grateful Barack Obama is making time to visit the West Bank that he has named a bagel after him.

The bagel is baked with cherry tomatoes and mint and is on display Tuesday at Abdul Hadi's bakery in downtown Ramallah.

The presumptive Democratic nominee for U.S. president is spending a few hours in this West Bank city on Wednesday, as part of a Mideast tour. Obama's Republican challenger, John McCain, did not visit the West Bank during a recent trip.

Friday Links

Alot of rumblings about John McCain this morning, none of it sounding very good.

Bush asks Saudis to increase oil production

Iraqi refugee finds life in U.S. harder than foreseen

USA Today: In Final Contests, It's All About Momentum If leading pledged delegate counts and the seating of Michigan and Florida delegates are the determining events for the nomination, what are the last few contests for? Bragging rights, momentum and symbolism.

Bin Laden: Palestinian cause fuels war

Ex-Army Corps consultant indicted in Katrina bribery case

NY Times: In South, Black Turnout May Challenge the G.O.P. The sharp surge in black turnout that Senator Barack Obama has helped to generate in recent primaries and Congressional races could signal a threat this fall to the longtime Republican dominance of the South, according to politicians and voting experts.

18 'Awesome' Imaginary Worlds

Vitamin D deficiency linked to breast cancer in new study

AP: GOP Abandons Bush on Food, Energy Issues WASHINGTON — President Bush's calls for fiscal responsibility received scant notice this week on Capitol Hill. Fellow Republicans had something bigger on their minds — high prices for groceries and gasoline in an election year that is looking increasingly bleak for their party.