tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8776899.post2961828203914363256..comments2024-03-06T03:15:58.539-05:00Comments on <b>THE NEW REFORM CLUB</b>: The Trouble With TalkingHunter Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14961831404331998743noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8776899.post-68860042027173227692008-04-21T22:21:00.000-04:002008-04-21T22:21:00.000-04:00Perhaps, James.But if Hamas wanted peace with Isra...Perhaps, James.<BR/><BR/>But if Hamas wanted peace with Israel, they'd already have peace. Ask Egypt and Jordan.<BR/><BR/>The problem with legitimizing those who don't want peace is that every agreement is just the beginning of the next negotiation.<BR/><BR/>"Good faith" is a legitimate requirement for entering into negotiations. Neville Chamberlain and Adolf Hitler is a tired analogy by now, but apropos.<BR/><BR/>Carter dishonors his ex-presidency and his nation. He is the "toddler." Negotiations between adults require good faith.Tom Van Dykehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07121072404143877596noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8776899.post-83495363410203800262008-04-18T14:26:00.000-04:002008-04-18T14:26:00.000-04:00It just adds to their legitimacy (which is precise...<I>It just adds to their legitimacy (which is precisely what he means to do).<BR/></I><BR/><BR/>What problem was ever solved by refusing to engage with all parties with power in the situation? Complaining about "giving Hamas legitimacy" ignores the fact that they were freaking elected -- their own people gave them legitimacy. Unfortunately, the Palestinians don't vote according to the wishes of American bloggers. You can either ignore part of the power dynamic or acknowledge it and try to work within it.<BR/><BR/>But what you're advocating is acting like a bunch of toddlers. "I'm going to hold my breath until poopy-head Hamas goes home!" Stupid and dangerous. Which, come to think of it, sums up the Right's national security strategy.James F. Elliotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16747033407956667363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8776899.post-6310498480942488152008-04-17T10:07:00.000-04:002008-04-17T10:07:00.000-04:00Yeah, that's just nonsense on stilts, James. What...Yeah, that's just nonsense on stilts, James. What kind of influence? When he meets with the nutters in the region, it makes the front pages of all the news outlets, that's how much influence he has. It's true that there probably aren't very many Americans who will vote "according to Jimmy", but when an ex-Pres and Nobel Laureate does or says something, people listen. And, maybe more importantly, it opens the door for others to follow along. Now that JC has met with Hamas, don't you think Europe will begin to push to include them in the "peace process"? It just adds to their legitimacy (which is precisely what he means to do).Michael Simpsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10987298276951380726noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8776899.post-67506567575506966862008-04-16T16:55:00.000-04:002008-04-16T16:55:00.000-04:00As an ex-US president, he confers a certain legiti...As an ex-US president, he confers a certain legitimacy on those he faces as equals.Tom Van Dykehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07121072404143877596noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8776899.post-22953294915345894832008-04-16T13:23:00.000-04:002008-04-16T13:23:00.000-04:00What kind of influence does Jimmy Carter have, rea...What kind of influence does Jimmy Carter have, really? No one, and I mean no one, liberal or conservative really gives fig one what Jimmy Carter does or thinks. He has no substantive power.<BR/><BR/>What a tempest in a chipped teacup.James F. Elliotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16747033407956667363noreply@blogger.com