Finally someone in the white house is using something that hasn’t been used in over six years DIPLOMACY.

Yeah I was a little surprised that up here in Canada, the Globe and Mail first did not report that Republicans went to Syria just opreviously and then a few days later an editorial in the paper scolded Pelosi for her visit - difficult not see it as some form of zionism of out national paper - the ed-in-chief send his kids to religous school.....

Greg Bacon said what needs to be said; so I’ll just repeat his entire post, in case anyone missed it:

Pelosi was lied to by Olmert about his alleged “peace” offer.  The only “peace” Israel wants is: a piece of Jordan; a piece of Syria; a piece of Saudi Arabia; a piece of Iraq and a piece of Lebanon.

How can the most vicious, war mongering nation on the earth--Israel--truly know anything about peace?

Israel doesn’t want peace
By Gideon Levy

The moment of truth has arrived, and it has to be said: Israel does not want peace. The arsenal of excuses has run out, and the chorus of Israeli rejection already rings hollow. Until recently, it was still possible to accept the Israeli refrain that “there is no partner” for peace and that “the time isn’t right” to deal with our enemies. Today, the new reality before our eyes leaves no room for doubt and the tired refrain that “Israel supports peace” has been left shattered.

It’s hard to determine when the breaking point occurred. Was it the absolute dismissal of the Saudi initiative? The refusal to acknowledge the Syrian initiative? Prime Minister Ehud Olmert’s annual Passover interviews? The revulsion at the statements made by Nancy Pelosi, the speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, in Damascus, alleging that Israel was ready to renew peace talks with Syria?

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/846420.html

Pelosi obviously believes that her disagreement with White House policy should be argued in Damascus rather than in the U.S., since this disagreement was the obvious message of her trip.  At the root of her new role as self-appointed U.S. ambassador to Syria is the belief that direct negotiation is always the preferred policy towards any country, no matter how heinous its crimes or how unwilling it is to act in good faith.  I imagine she’d be happy to negotiate with Bin Laden or the late Abu Musab al-Zarqawi if she’d had the opportunity.  No matter their public calls for the destruction of the US and Israel, their responsibility for the deaths of thousands of our people, and their ideologically driven goal to establish a global Islamist state; in Pelosi’s world, everything is negotiable and everything can be solved through talk.

So, now Pelosi has offered Syria a backdoor to sidestep official US policy which she happens to disagree with.  Not only did she misrepresent Israel’s position, but she effectively undermined that of the U.S.  Her actions are totally out of line, and you can bet that she’d have been the first to cry fowl if the Republican speaker of the house had taken similar action under Clinton.

In other words, she’s the perfect future Democrat candidate for President.

Palosi is a disgrace !! could you imagine her coming to the rescue to be Commander in Chief in a national disaster, were both Bush and Cheney are taken out??
having her in charge after a massive attack would be a nightmare !!

whats with her eyes? is she geeking or what!! lay off the speed Nancy !!

PS- and the plastic surgery!!

Our government shouldn’t be wasting time on labeling each other, it should be doing its job. They should try to improve this country and the world. At least Pelosi is trying to communicate with the Mid-Eastern leaders. The US needs to join together with the rest of the world leaders in figuring out a multilateral and economically sound way of ending terrorism and Mid-East tensions. One of the most effective ways is to end global poverty.

Our leaders need to not abandon Iraq, but support its growth and the growth of other undeveloped countries by funding the UN Millennium Development Goals. According to the Borgen Project, just 0.16% of our federal budget is spent on poverty reduction while $340 billion has been spent on the war. Of all wealthy nations, we contribute the least percentage. We need to redirect our funds to programs that will work to combat the conditions that foster extremism.

The Syrian-Pelosi-White House pissing contest reminds me of my airline pilot days when first officers argued about when to take command of their jetliner—most certainly when the captain became incapacitated at the controls.

Using that analogy, while Speaker Pelosi does not enjoy a position of command authority, she obviously feels the way I did when flying with a hung-over, alcoholic four-striper.  The difference is, President Bush can kill hundreds of thousands of innocent people, not just a plane full.

Good for Nancy!

Hugh E. Scott, editor of King-George.biz—the only website with hardcopy proof of White House corruption.

The Syrian-Pelosi-White House pissing contest reminds me of my airline pilot days when first officers argued about when to take command of their jetliner—most certainly when the captain became incapacitated at the controls.

Using that analogy, while Speaker Nancy does not enjoy a position of command authority, she obviously feels the way I did when flying with a hung-over, alcoholic four-striper.  The difference is, President Bush can kill hundreds of thousands of innocent people, not just a plane full.

Good for Nancy!

Hugh E. Scott, editor of King-George.biz—the only website with hardcopy proof of White House corruption.

War is indeed the lowest form of human behavior.  But it makes a small group wealthy beyond recognition.  Speaker Pelosi threw a wrench into the plan of the neocons, embarrassing and exposing them as the weak, corrupt leaders they are, who have tried desperately to convince the American people that somehow war will keep this country in a position of power. 

Now that Iraq has been destroyed and the oil reserves remain, only sane people must realize that all players in the Middle East and the world must come together or destroy beyond the wildest imagination. 

Is it possible that the world leaders can talk to each other instead of nuking one another?  A tragic expression of unmet needs must be aborted by those who still believe in diplomacy and human redemption.

Thank you Madame Speaker for doing your job and verifying the Iraq Study Groups assertions and for investigating issues yourself. Heaven knows we don’t get accurate information from the administration. Interesting that airplane sizes and trips were never before mentioned if a Republican was House Speaker.....

“Today Clinton rests at a spa in the Caribbean while Nancy checks on the weave of various Middle Eastern carpets.”

John,
And you think the Republicans are poor schnooks counting their coupons and shopping exclusively at Wal-Mart.  Oh, you’re disappointed that only the rich run for office—-well, instead of bad mouthing Democrats, why don’t you propose public financing—if candidates received equal funding, and if there were weekly debates, the voters could really learn about the issues and the politicians running for office. 

So don’t blame the democrats—-blame the dishonest political system, which creates the money bags that are running this government.

Why is everyone applauding Speaker Pelosi’s actions?  She overstepped her bounds as Speaker (something which all branches of government at all levels are doing these days) and inaccurately portrayed Israel’s stance!  She blatantly LIED to the dictator of Syria and the leader of Israel called her on it.  There was nothing ethical, moral, or PROFESSIONAL about what she has done.  She deserves to be impeached just as much as anyone else.

You might enjoy this posted by Jilly at On Our Radar blog:

Check out the AP picture with the Truthdig article. Doesn’t Saudi Arabia’s Sheik Saleh bin Humaid look a lot like the Guy Fawkes mask in the movie, V for Vendetta?  Remember, remember the 5th of November!

Ms Palosi did not harm our country, one must remember that the USSR was once the evildooers and now they are our friends.

Palosi is not making any mistakes larger than what McCain did when he went to Iraq, all he did was just show how stupid he is, you can say the war is being won, but it is not and pretty soon they will have to say that behind a screen so no one can see their faces as they try to lie to the american people who are just tired of all the waste this administration has produced.

THIS ADMINISTRATION SHOULD BE IMPEACHED, NOT JUST BUSH BUT CHANEY ALSO, BECAUSE HE OUTED A CIA PERSON, WOULD HE HAVE DONE THIS IF SHE HAD BEEN A MAN AND A REPUBLICIAN.

MADDER THAN A WET HEN, FROM Vancouver, Washington

Nancy does not speak for the Administrations’ foreign policy, nor did she honestly speak for Israel.  She did nothing to help the United States and nothing to help in the middle east.  The trip gives her “credentials” in foreign policy(hardly) but she did get a deal on persian rugs.  Since she has an adams apple, she probably does have the cajones to make policy for our country.

Irag is down, never to rise again, and the only remaining perceived threat is Iran, which can be attacked only while Bush is in office. Whereas the neo-cons never concern themselves with the consequences to the U.S., they are somewhat worried about regional reactions following an attack on Iran. This is where it becomes useful for Tom-AIPAC-Lantos to orchestrate and escort Nancy Pelosi around key neighborhood countries, charming and calming as she goes, something Condi Rice tried to do without success.

Every piece of pawn, with or without their concurrence, is useful to the neo-cons. Their single miscalculation may be that ordinary Americans are not as stupid as they think we are.

Let’s not get too heated and sectarian about Nancy Pelosi and her visit to Syria, shall we? We’re dealing with serious subject here - war and peace in the Middle East. Personally I don’t care much about her politics or how wealthy she is, as long as her motivation is to pull us back from more wars, that could so easily get way out of hand. There is a dangerous policy vacuum in the White House, and what little strategy they do have is incredibly dangerous, reckless and counter-productive. “War is good for the United States”, seems to be their mantra.

Apart from war they don’t have much else to say in Bush’s White House. This is recogized deep within the ruling elite in the United States. Bush is becoming a liability to “American” interests over the whole world. Therefore it’s necessary to bypass the loons around Bush and find an alternative way forward.

At least Pelosi visiting Syria showed that the Syrians weren’t monsters with horns and tails. Even this is a kind of progress and may make it more difficult to strike them militarily. Maybe the next visit will take her to Iran? She would be welcomed there like a queen.

The US and the world need to get real:  there will be no progress in Mid-East and world peace until people start thinking rationally and in the interest of human survival in this world, not the imaginary next, and the world supply of oil is depleted.  Religion and Greed, stupid!

I believe it is very brave what speaker Pelosi has tried to do but the media will fry her for the effort.  The people will be turned against her by the propaganda machine and she will suffer for it.  I wish the American people would make the effort to find out the truth but it is to easy to stay informed by watching the BS MSM.

PELOSI WHAT?
Why is she bothering with this?  And her trip “helped the cause”?  What cause?

Why isn’t she impeaching the criminals in the White House? 

Now THAT would help the cause for true freedom and justice in the world—by not allowing world-class criminals to go impune and immune to prosecution and impeachment.

“Dick Cheney told Rush Limbaugh that he believes “a significant portion of the Democrats,” including Pelosi, are opposed to the Iraq war and “prepared to pack it in and come home in defeat, rather than ... support a policy that will lead to victory.”

I wish that fat fool Cheney would shut up!  Bush and Cheney cheated their way to the White House in 2000, and 2004; only to make their corporate buddies a bundle. Diplomacy is NOT an option; peace does NOT make war profiteers rich.

The void in leadership in Washington is immense.
A small voice out of the white house commands “attack attack” and the nation says why? And at what cost? And for what reason? Any leadership would be welcome. Will someone please take control. Two years of a nation adrift could be a disaster. Especially with incompetent people like Bush, Chaney and McCain around.

MY HATS OFF TO NANCY PELOSI SOMEBODY NEEDS TO STOP THIS WAR AND WHEN ARE BUSH CHENEY AND THE REST OF HIS THUGS GOING TO PRISON?

No surprise at all when Bush/Cheney dynasty and their servants such as Limbaugh...accused Nancy Pelosi’s trip to Middle East. But who cares ? except those who used to lick their boots or accept their favors. Regarding Limbaugh this guy’ll never open his mouth when he is in need of “drug”. Poor him !

Dang guys.  Didn’t you read the Iraq budget bill?  Or is there no issue with Exxon and Shell gutting Iraq’s only viable revenue for reconstruction?  I think truthdig is having an identity crisis.  Why bother spot-lighting people like Goff, Hedges and Kucinich?  You just go back to sleep at your master’s feet.  Weak.

Nancy Pelosi is - no more and no less - a wealthy elitist utterly self-absorbed and with the fact that the Democrats honored her with the Speakership. How in God’s name is it that paramecia like Clinton and Pelosi emerge as leaders in the Democratic Party? The party of the people? Spare me. Today Clinton rests at a spa in the Carribean while Nancy checks on the weave of various Middle Eastern carpets.

While I certainly support the idea of a need to engage Syria and Iran diplomatically, the fact finding to which Pelosi’s station limits her was clearly exceeded with the report she offered to the Syrian head of state on an Israeli peace offer. And she turned out to be wrong. She can neither arrange for an end to the war in Iraq or to avoid making our policy in the region look flawed. Pelosi is the definitive schlemeil. She should limit her next visit there to shopping for the baubles that so facinate people of her depth. And the American people need to begin thinking about just how inevitable they really want to make a Democratic victory in 2008.

John Lowell

Thank goodness Nancy Pelosi has the orbs to step up where the Bu$h group falls flaccid. It’s good practice too for when the P and his little VP are criminated and she charms the ♀val ☺ffice.

Is Pelosi working for the US or for Israel? Who cares if she can broker a peace agreement with Syria. We are not at war with Syria. Israel doesn’t want peace anyway, as is plain as day. Israel wants to dominate the region.

If Pelosi would only agree to impeach Bush and Cheney, then she could be president, and then her views on the middle east would actually matter. Pelosi didn’t just defy Bush; she defied AIPAC. Ironically, now that they’re mad at her she could actually have an independent voice.

Pelosi, do your job, and get us out of Iraq. Upwards of 654,965 (392,979–942,636 confidence intervals) have died (as of last summer) as a result of the invasion. It’s probably up to a million by now. For NO FUCKING REASON. We did set up permanent US military bases, so we are ripe to attack Iran and later Syria and Saudi Arabia. Why do we need to be there? We are told that we need to be there to defend “our” interests in the Middle East; it’s pretty damn clear who “our” refers to.

Unbelievably, it seems that we have restarted the spiggot of oil pipelines, cut off since the 1948 creation of the state of Israel, from Iraq to Israel, and now Israel has a contract to supply the oil back to the US occupation in Iraq. Here’s the link:

http://english.aljazeera.net/English/archive/archive?A rchiveId=1940

So, I guess Pelosi just got fired in her new job working for Israel, and now she needs a new job. Any takers?

“The notion that members visiting Syria and having discussions (is) a unique Democratic strategy to undermine the Republican administration is absurd on it face,’’ Lantos said”

More than absurd, it’s an admission by the Republican administration that they and their policy of not bothering with any kind of real diplomacy is a monumental failure. And the biggest single reason they have failed so miserably to make their “hit and hurt first” aggression pay off.

By their own mouths they daily prove what failure is.

Kudos to Speaker Pelosi ! 
Her heroic and thoughtful efforts to engage middle eastern nations in dialogue will do wonders toward encouraging peaceful, global coexistence.  I am just so very proud she is an American and represented this once great nation in way that reflects thoughtfulness, kindness and integrity.  Not like the obtuse, petulant behavior of president bush and his cohort.

Anyone who wants to send Speaker Pelosi a note of thanks and encouragement may do so at the internet site, “The Gavel”.  I encourage you do so.