Pelosi to Syria
It’s not exactly “Nixon to China” — it just doesn’t have the same ring to it — but I don’t see anything wrong with the Speaker of the House engaging in dialogue, bipartisan dialogue, even with a rogue state like Assad’s Syria. The White House opposes her visit because it opposes such dialogue generally. This is seen on the right — and particularly on the blogospheric right — as appeasing the enablers of terrorism. Which is to say, it is being spun that Pelosi is a supporter of terrorism.
As Steve Benen points out, in a must-read post that explains in extensive detail just how foolish Pelosi’s critics are (yet more evidence that conservative blogs may be getting everything wrong this year), some on the right are referring to Pelosi’s visit not only as “repulsive” but even as an act of “treason”.
Which is — not to put too fine a word on it — stupid.
Keeping open the lines of diplomatic communication — that is, talking — is a good idea no matter the context, but it is especially important given the quagmire in Iraq, rising tensions with Iran, the recent war between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, the threat of international terrorism emanating from the Middle East, and, of course, the ongoing warmongering in the White House.
For Bush, this is about power and control. He wants all of it and concedes nothing. But the Democrats won last November in large part because of Bush’s own failed policies, and, whether Bush likes it or not, Congress (even a Democratic one) also represents the American people and their interests — in fact, much more directly than the president does.
No one should expect Pelosi to come back from Syria having resolved anything, but at least, at the very least, she is doing what Bush should be doing, and should have been doing all along, but refuses to do, and has been refusing to do all along.
opinions powered by SendLove.to
29 Responses to “Pelosi to Syria”
Why would we be surprised that this is called treason?
So far, everything except supporting Bush in every particular has been called exactly that.
I oppose it because we’re not qualified to negotiate with Syria.
Of course it is not treason, but that does not mean that she should do this. Talking about sending mixed messages. In essence you’re saying “we’re divided”. That’s not a good way of dealing with, yes, one’s enemies.
Also: didn’t Pelosi refuse to say something about the hostage situation? Hmm.
Again; the treason charge is ludicrous, those who call it like that should be held accountable, but I don’t think that it is wise for her to go there either.
Yes well I suppose when Condi Rice went to Damascus there was no “dialog”. Condi just sat there and tapped her toes all day scowling at the “terrorists”.
No, the republicans are just crapping their pants that speaker pelosi will come having made progress. Never mind people dieing everyday because of republican incompetence.
Maybe you’re not Holly, but Speaker Pelosi is.
A large part of diplomacy, perhaps the largest, does not involve grand geo-political schemes, but the simple act of establishing face to face contacts with those of other nations, something routinely ignored by this administration.
Being able to put a face on the other end of the phone, or communique, is an invaluable element in resolving disputes and finding common ground.
It also makes it next to impossible to demonize and dehumanize one’s enemies and rivals, another thing the current administration likes to do.
A refusal to even talk to anyone, even one’s worst enemies, is to admit no hope for progress.
And a wise hobbit once said, while there’s life, there’s hope (and need of vittles, too).
Citizen Kang,
The question arises about the correctness of a legislator being the one to initiatve diplomatic connections. All that Speaker Pelosi can tell them is to not negotiave with the Bush Administration because they can get a better deal from the Clinton/Obama/Edwards adminstraiton in 21 months.
What else can she hope to accomplish beside making all negoatiation with the executive branch of the U.S. Government for the next 21 months pointless.
Of course, Speaker Pelosi is the same person who is wants Rep. Lantos to be in charge or dealing with Iran. Something that the Iranians will refuse to do.
No this is NOT rhetoric, it is FACT.
[Never mind people dieing everyday because of republican incompetence.]
I challenge anyone to prove it is not fact! There is no “negative to prove”, so prove me a positive PLEASE!
Right! I suppose all these people are dieing everyday because of republican “Competence”. Tell me how its part of the “plan” there rightwingers. I, no THE WORLD would like to know!
Let’s also not forget that its only treason if you’re a Democrat:
“Republican Reps. Aderholt and Wolf are currently visiting Syria. According to a congressional official on Rep. Robert Aderholt’s (R-AL) staff, Aderholt and Rep. Frank Wolf (R-VA) are currently visiting Israel and Syria.”
I’m sure all the rightwing blogosphere is up in arms over their treason as well?
Speaker Pelosi’s vist to Damascus is not an “intiative”. Condi Rice was just there and failed. All she has to do is sell out Bush to the Arabs for a meager agreement. Thats fine with me!
I have no problem with Pelosi going to Syria.
In fact, I say we send all 534 remaining members of Congress to visit Syria.
What the hell, thrown in the five Resident Commissioners as well.
Around 200, Assad will either kill himself or cede Syria to Israel just for peace and quiet.
That is the way to win negotiations; you use the most pompous, self absorbed, own voice loving force in the world. The U.S. Congress. Really, how many people do you know that enjoy giving 2 hour speeches about fish hatchery subsidies to an empty room.
Actually, I don’t even know why we need a military when it would probably be more effective to release our politicians and pundits on offending nations. Let them invade the news sources of our enemies. Let them perverse the air waves with 30 second one-sided shouting matches. Forget shock and awe – mass nausea and frustration – that’s the ticket.
If she coordinates with State so that mixed messages are not sent and if she reiterates our policies on terrorism, Syrian involvement in Lebanon, etc., then it might have value. If she’s there for her own agenda or to work against the President then she should definitely not go. It will be interesting to see what she says on camera while shaking Assad’s hand.
cfpete- Oh my Snark Snark you make funny! Why not just save ticket fare and SEND BUSH AND CHENEY? The Whole World will applaud the guillotine and we will be better off with Pelosi as President!
Yes white,
Sorry for introducing a bit of levity.
Not everyone has your mastery of the illogical syllogism.
“Of course it is not treason, but that does not mean that she should do this. Talking about sending mixed messages. In essence you’re saying “we’re dividedâ€?. That’s not a good way of dealing with, yes, one’s enemies.
Also: didn’t Pelosi refuse to say something about the hostage situation? Hmm.”
Syria is an enemy? Funny where was I when this was declared other than that rediculious “axis of evil” speech, which pointed at N. Korea,Iran, and Iraq as those countries. If Syria is an enemy then why isn’t Bush doing his usual whining to the UN (that he hates) for sanctions against Syria, or in usual Bush format attacking them militarily? Because he doesn’t get to declare whom is an enemy, that would be why. Your personal bias towards Syria doesn’t set policy…thank goodness.
Pelosi wasn’t in Iran she was in Syria whom has nothing to do with the “hostage” situation. I think we’d all be alot better off letting England and Iran setlle this difference without being the kids trying to egg them into a schoolyard fight like trolls.
cfpete-Right. Tens of thousands die and you make “levity” of the situation. What the hell they’re just Arabs right? I don’t find it appropriate. God forgive me I might at some point, but not today. Pictures of dead children has that effect on most people, but apparently not on you.
The world is seeing how a true democracy works. George Bush does not have sole discretion in foreign policy matters. Congress is fundamentally involved and has no obligation to parrot the administration’s position in public.
This is the same tension that allowed George Bush to confront Musharraf of Pakistan recently – threatening that the Democratic Congress might cut off funds if he didn’t start cracking down on the Taliban in his country. Good-cop bad-cop is just reversed in this case.
Mikef,
I believe that you are giving too much credit to the third world, one party dictatorships. It is much more realisitic to believe that they see “real democracy” as weakness than as something that they should be worried about.
I wonder how they see peanut subsidies attached to a military spending bill: “real democracy” or weakness?
On mixed messages.
Given the Bush admin’s penchant for foreign affairs failures I suppose a mixed message might be in order. The message being that everyone in the US is mindlessly dedicated to delusional cowboy diplomacy. (Man, am I on an alliterative tear or not?)
I think that might be a good thing for people to hear.
Gee white,
Not only am I racist, but apparently; I also don’t care about dead children.
What’s next, if I don’t support the war in Iraq I am a traitor.
Your mastery of the illogical syllogism is equal to Bush. You are a king among pundits and politicians the world over.
Sorry, I didn’t know that being cynical about politics in general put me on the same level as Hitler. Or, perhaps, that is just a badge reserved for those that disagree with you.
I will make sure to show no levity or disagreement with your opinions in the future.
I certainly don’t want to be called a racist and a baby killer.
We should remember that Ms Pelosi is not going alone. She is heading a BI-PARTISAN
group.
They will not be negotiating any deals, and I’m sure the State Dept gave them plenty of background information.
Not everything is a crisis!
cfpete-Well you haven’t read much or you would have clearly understood that I am against this stupid war and very much for pulling out the troops.
Now, just where was it that your communication failed? Somewhere between “levity” and your condemnation of SOMEBODY trying to find an END to this war?! Because if I have made error, I will most certainly apologize.
Look I am just sick and tired of “My Fellow Americans” making amusement of, and, or, minimizing or otherwise sidelining the constant NEVER ENDING slaughter of innocent civilians every damn DAY while our “greatest military in the world” accomplish SQUAT and our President and his party LIE about progress that NEVER happens!
I truly cannot understand how you people can remain calm while this horror continues. Hundreds of SPECIFICLY INNOCENT people are slaughted every day. We invaded Iraq so WE are RESPONSIBLE FOR PROTECTING THESE PEOPLE.
So do it or get the hell out and leave them alone and stop with the stupid political gymnastics. YOUR INVASION FAILED MR. PRESIDENT.
White Agent -
Do you ever proofread? Your typos and other errors get in the way of your message. Here’s just one example, from your latest post:
“…people are slaughted every day.” Of course, you mean “slaughtered.”
Go to the NRO website, or Weekly Standard. I’ve never seen a single typo there. You may not agree with their politics, but at least linguistic incompetence doesn’t discredit what they’re saying. In your case, it does, and in spades. And yes, when our President misspeaks, it discredits him, too.
White,
I condemned no one in particular, just the second oldest profession in general.
Cynicism about that profession can be traced back to Athens. So I believe I’m in pretty good company. Which begs the question, what have we been doing for the past 2500 years. We can send these messages through the ephemera on the wondrous intertubes after writing them on these magical changing glowy things. Yet, our politics remain much the same.
To quote John Kenneth Galbraith, “Politics is not the art of the possible. It consists in choosing between the disastrous and the unpalatable.�
Much the same as it was then, it is now.
As for my levity, I will again use the rather self effacing words of another greater than myself. “Humor is the only test of gravity, and gravity of humor; for a subject which will not bear raillery is suspicious, and a jest which will not bear serious examination is false wit� Aristotle. In other words, to question my levity is your right and duty. To deny it outright, begs the question of your sincerity.
I’m wondering how much Pelosi’s trip has to do with the new WH policy of discouraging talks between Syria and Israel. If she went there on a fact-finding mission to work towards reversing that policy, it might be interesting. Also, if I’m not mistaken around the time that the ISG released its report, strongly recommending that we talk to Syria, several convoys from Congress of both parties visited the country.
Well our Dutch kid is truly on a roll isn’t he?
Lashes out at Pelosi while not realizing there were already GOP lawmakers visiting Syria.
Whining about British comics and linking to idiotic commenters doing the same without bothering to point out what exactly bothers him about the comic.
And of course, hiding under his bed and refusing to respond to those who point out that he really hasn’t a clue what he’s whining about.
Priceless Mikey.
Washington is so like high school. Reputations are ruined while everyone cluck clucks in their little cliques about appearances, while rarely digging deeper. If it looks bad enough and enough people find out about it, perception becomes reality. Plus you have the different cliques jockeying for popularity.
This is the very example of what is wrong with the lefts perseption of the world. The left thinks that everyone in the world is just like them, and can be talked to and reasoned with. Well, sorry to burst your pie in the sky bubble, but these lying muslim leaders will never be satisfied with or convinced of anything with just talk. They only respond to some form of punishment to change their evil ways. (Syria is correctly regarded as one of, if not thee top supporters of terrorism). So her visit is meaningless and is only being used as a ploy to undermine the President. It may not be treason, but it is shameful. And it is the very reason people think Democrats are soft on security. And, by the way, the Republicans who visited Syria probably had a different message than Ms. Pelosi.