Opinion
Obama just doesn’t get it
Shaul Rosenfeld
Published: 16.06.12, 14:23
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1. Other than have a childish temper tantrum, there is nothing
spyguy ,   seattle usa   (06.16.12)
that can be done. After Shaul Rosenfeld stomps his foot and holds his breath until he turns blue, then maybe he will act like an adult and realize there is NOTHING the US or Israel can do about the people in the ME removing colonial governments and replacing them with Islamic governments, NOTHING. All people get to choose how they govern themselves and if Israel does not like the result, TOUGH. The days when the Brits and later the US could impose their will on others is LONG GONE.
2. Maybe Obama gets it EXACTLY ?!
michael redbourn ,   Arad Israel   (06.16.12)
3. Democracy sabotaged
BritIsh mother ,   UK   (06.16.12)
...by Western hegemony in cahoots with Arab dictators. Determined to prevent democracy from getting a foothold both work to destroy democracy in the ME. Read John Rees in Counterpunch if you need that explaining. He was right on Afghanistan. He's right on this too.
4. Fortunately...
Maurice ,   Montreal   (06.16.12)
...there are also the Geert Wilders of this world!
5. Dilemma
Bertram ,   London, UK   (06.16.12)
I fully acknowledge the real concerns at the prospect of the political ascendancy of fanatical, fundamentalist religion. Yet, it is a dilemma for those who subscribe to democratic principles. Historically, international posturing, or worse, armed intervention, has unleashed savage resistance from those who would wish to repel the imperialist invader (witness Afghanistan and Iraq). I know that there will be talkbacks invoking the dangers of appeasement and accusations of naivety, but the only way forward, in an era of potential mutual destruction, is intellligent and careful diplomacy.
6. Good article!
Shimon ,   Cincinnati, USA   (06.16.12)
Well written, as well. The liberal dreamers are as dangerous as the Neocons were in theirs. It'd be nice to find a no nonsense kind of candidate... but that's just not happening. Tom Friedman ... well, his time will be over too.
7. Egypt is likely to follow the Algerian way.
Jules   (06.16.12)
8. Its their plan
Jem ,   Melbourne   (06.16.12)
They know what they are doing, surrounding Israel with a Muslim brotherhood neighborhood to play in.
9. Not really..
Elie Abitbol ,   tThornhill   (06.16.12)
What a difference a day can make.. Mr. Rosenfeld is right !
10. oh, c'mon ...
dan kaplan ,   usa   (06.16.12)
... are you saying that uncle tommy (friedman) is wrong ? the world's smartest man ? oh, c'mon.
11. left 'gets it'
moron ,   galut   (06.16.12)
allying itself with islam to keep influence globally as its bankruptcy has become obvious as it runs out of other peoples' money
12. More likely, Obama is agent of Radical Islam.
Chaim ,   Israel   (06.16.12)
There are only two possible explanations for Obama's fawning before Iran and Radical Islam. Either he is too dumb to understand the aims and danger of Radical Islam. Or, more likely, he is an agent of Radical Islam.
13. Friedman is an IDIOT and so is anyone who listens to him!
John   (06.16.12)
14. Beware of the
Dan Yadin   (06.16.12)
Beware of the so called nuclear deal being hatched by the pro-muslim Obama, anti-semetic Europeans & their cunning stooge Catherine Ashton to pull the wool over Israel's eyes. They are more concerned about saving their economy by delaying an Israeli attack with prolonged time-wasting talks with Iran, which enables Iran to build a nuke secretly & facilitate the 2nd Holocaust easily. Its clear Israel has to help itself, not trust others, attack NOW !
15. Have U perchance thought that Obama,Friedman ARE COOperating
Alan ,   SA   (06.16.12)
with these scumbags?
16. #12 Chaim - I would say the latter
BEN JABO MACHAL ,   ISRAEL   (06.16.12)
That's why he has gone to great expense to conceal his school record, which link him to organizations that he wants hidden from open view
17. I think he does get it
Gee ,   Zikron Yaakov   (06.16.12)
Odumba is not stupid or naive. Hateful and anti-Western yes, but not the former. He has done absolutely everything to harm any sort of liberal train of thought and empower Islamic Fascism, which he does know from first hand experience.
18. Name one "mistake" Obama made that weakened Islam's advance?
tom ,   tel aviv   (06.16.12)
Why not state the obvious: he is perfectly aware of his steps and they point only in one direction.
19. Oh yes he does ,...
split ,   US   (06.16.12)
...and will for 4 more years, get used to it ,...
20. us interests
grigory ,   usa   (06.16.12)
How about old roman foreign policy: "divide and conquer". Message to new "democratic" regimes is to go with what us tells them. to traditional arab regimes "you do what we tell you, or the mob will take over. The message to Israel is that the US will keep all those regimes in check and Israel is following the orders from the US.
21. With fools like Carter and Obama
Avi ,   USA   (06.16.12)
When you have complete incompetent boobs running the White House, the world is the only one to suffer. By the way, both of these idiots had hope and change as their theme.
22. So what?!? Religious extremists run the agenda...
Gunnar ,   Moscow, Russia   (06.16.12)
...in all Middle East countries. Even Israel, where the settlement lobby has hijacked the whole country.
23. to 13
(06.16.12)
which is the more idiot the saying or the listening . i think if the saying is idiot the listening must be not , i like to listen to evry one even if he is idiot as far as i can recognize as listinening after saying and saying after listening as if it is a circle
24. I'm glad he doesn't ;) ,...
split ,   US   (06.16.12)
It looks like the rest of civilised world doesn't get it either because it shares Obama's approach not the neocon warmongers and AIPAC puppets ,...
25. childish and enotional article based
Eli   (06.16.12)
on temper not reality.
26. Islamists Stampede
mimi jacques ,   oob,usa   (06.16.12)
Mr.Rosenfield is correct in recognizing that one size does not fit all. If one had had a say in 1945-46 how to make world more peaceful/democratic when establishing UN- all nations had to have laws separating vhurch/mosque/etc before being admitted. Laws insuring that no bribes/nepotism Laws for equal access to basic education. Then perhaps 'democracy had succeeded. Before Tahrir Sq.- people attending the univ. of Cairo told reporters that thugs/criminals were paid monies to infiltrate masses demonstrating for Cairo Spring and cause mayhem. T.Friedman has the world flat-for others it is almost round
27. brilliant analysis!
tiki ,   belgie   (06.16.12)
28. Friedman blindsided once again
DavidM ,   USA   (06.16.12)
For years Thomas Friedman has appeared on television shows as an oracle who sees what others can not see. No matter how often he is proven wrong he remains a featured player in the mainstream media. The "facebook kids" Mr. Friedman saw in Tahir Square have fled in exile or been forced into silence. Don't expect Mr. Friedman to admit error anytime soon.
29. Obama DOES get it. His mandate is
Harry Wright ,   UK   (06.16.12)
to work against America and destroy it from within. He was HAND-PICKED and groomed to do so. His personal details are well hidden to prevent discovery before his mission is accomplished. He knows what he is about and is assisted every step of the way. He is protected 100% by a powerful cabal to the extent that he is untouchable. Every bungle is smoothed over.
30. "Obama" does not get it"
Isaac Shladovsky   (06.16.12)
Space does not permit correction of the many inaccuracies, to say the least, in your article, yet another futile attempt to discredit the president of the US. The article provides yet another opportunity for ignorant and hateful commentaries against Obama. Time for a reality check with your psychiatrist, sir.
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