Obama meets with Afghan president

who was sworn in on the koran

Um..the alternative universe just called, they want their Koran back.

and they said they miss you and they want you to come home.

Here, here!!! and my name isn't muslim, either.

I sincerely believe that this young [46 years old] Sen. Barack Obama, if he win the White House, he will put all on the line to defend the principles and value that make our greatest nation United States of America.

well, bush put all on the line to ruin your country, going to need someone to reverse that.

What have you been drinking?

Tastes damned good, happy. How's yours?

Sen, Barack Obama is a man of candor and humor and directness who's comfortable with resposibility and know how to lead our great nation and the world

I'll give you the candor and humor argument. He's got McCain beat on that point for sure.

As for directness... Direct how? I can't think of a good example.

As for comfortable with responsibility and knowing how to lead our nation... He's a very young, junior senator who, in my opinion, did and said just the right things and was lucky enough to succeed. He has displayed very few leadership skills besides being able to gather people around himself with fancy rhetoric.

That's just the way I see it.

how do we know you're an American, jsmith, smiths a common name, you might have made it up.

How dare you presume someone is not American based on their name. That just shows a lack of intelligence on your part and makes anything you say from here on in not worth listening to.

You don't appear to be very bright about the makeup of the united states multicultural population, what makes you think anyone cares what an ignorant person has to say?

basically you embarrass yourself with your conduct.

discussions they were never invited into.

Did someone invite you?

LOL. You really think that the troops wanted to be there? Sure SOME did but did you think the media would show the hundreds who were forced to show up walking back to their barracks? Obama is far from what the troops want and his fake slide to the right does nothing to hide who he really is

Can you cite proof that 'hundreds were forced to show up?" or that "Obama is far from what the troops want"? You certainly can't speak for ALL troops and have any credibility.

Can you prove anything to the contrary? I am betting one of us knows more soldiers than the other and they want. And I never said ALL, you did. These dog and pony shows happen all of the time and sadly troops get used as pawns for politicians. Lets not act like Obama or his cronies are fans of the military. His TRUE policies( not the ones hes flip flopped to) show who he really is.

As a 21 year veteran of the military, let me explain how this works. When you are active duty you cannot criticize,demonstrate against, or even openly speak your mind against the President. It's called insubordination and you can go to prison for doing so.
Never in my 21 years was I forced to attend a gathering by a Senator on a fact finding tour. It seems to me if these troops were forced to attend an Obama event that would show that the military supported Obama.

fiore,
We already have learned that he picks who he wants around him at camera time.
This will all be censored, edited stuff. I say that because of the fact that the media are so gushing to him they sent there 3 anchor persons with him.
Don't forget to vote like the media instructs you.

Racist comment by an morally empty commentator. Are you trying to racially divide the men and women in the military. We went through your kind of racism before, and in the military it won't be tolerated. Why? because on the field of battle, you don't know what color of hand you may need to save your butt. You are an OLD SCHOOL KLANSMAN. How sad.

What is nuts is the poor military. They beat the enemy in less than a week and they are still over there. I think Iraq should have paid whomever they wanted to rebuild the place with their oil revenue. I think having the military to act as police for the contractor, whom is not even American anymore, is silly.

Joe, you have never brought up the race issue when President Bush or McCain are surrounded buy all white troops. White troop are called great American patriots while black troops are a publicity stunt. You need to start being honest with your self, all trip to a war theaters are publicity stunts. Here is another fact, you would have a problem with Obama if he did not go just as you do for going and if he become President your going to blame him for the high gas prices, mortgage problems, high unemployment, outsourcing, high food cost, etc.

Compare to the grim looking faces of the men and women in uniform ordered to stand behind Cheney while he's slumping sideways over the podium and grimacing and saying real inspiring things like: you'll stay and you'll fight til you're dead dead dead, and I don't even want to see a shot of your coffin when you come back.

Fiore you're being way too nice to him. Remember, this is the guy that "accidentally" shot his friend in the face. :-P

Can you prove anything to the contrary?

Erm--sorry, when you make allegations in response to an opinion, the onus probandi is on you, Imjinscout.

They beat the enemy in less than a week and they are still over there.

Yeah, smokin' cigars and playin' parchese for five years (less a week), just, y'know, wondering why they're still there. Twiddling their thumbs and pondering the conspicuous absence of "enemies".

agreeable ten....we should make them pay for it if they want us to stay any longer. since we are training their new army and police force they should pay for that as well, since they want us to do that.

Them? Iraqis? They've been "paying for it" from day one of American occupation. Where, exactly, is that money going to come from? Iraq has collapsed, and we collapsed it. It is absurd, at best, to contend that the country we invaded should pony up because we actually did them a favour. How @!$%#ing offensive.

You are right

Heck yeah the media is biased--toward ratings.

You think the media has a liberal bias? Find the media talking about McCain's position changes, and then maybe we'll have a deal.

Why is it people say the media is biased only when they don't agree with the article? I've never heard of any Republicans condemn Fox News slant reporting.

nothing better to do than to follow every word out of this man's mouth....how biased the media is.....

Maybe they just can't help themselves--mahybe they like him.

What is your point? Why don't you join Rush Limbaugh and write hate speeches for him? Seems like you are looking for a puritan with zero mistakes in his life. People like that do not exist! I am by no means Obama fan, however it seems to me that a person who does not come from rich elitist background may do far better job of being president than your choices.

Again! Clogging up the board with useless slimy rhetoric. Talking(endlessly) loud and saying nothing.

I agree with Marie. It states Comment:, and not write a book.

Gullible Americans will never wake up for this elections. Maybe when America goes down the tube with Obama president, they may see the light. It just may be too late to recover. Why didn't the gullible Americans listen to Hillary Clinton months ago. Go ahead, VOTE for Obama you'll get your butts taxed to death. Osama Bin Laden's goal is about to be fulfilled; to bring America down with poor economy and a president whose "distantly related" to him.

Osama Bin Laden's goal is about to be fulfilled; to bring America down with poor economy and a president whose "distantly related" to him.

....lol?

Hey was your brain engaged when you sat down to type this stuff or did you copy paste all of it. :)

True Democrat (I don't agree but that's another story).
Oh great......now half the people here have to scroll down forever just to get a chance to answer a post. and the other half lost interest---

Geez o man.....take a breath!

Osama Bin Laden's goal is about to be fulfilled; to bring America down with poor economy and a president whose "distantly related" to him.

LOL Yeah, instead of crashing planes into buildings, Osama Bin Laden sat around in his circle of advisers and said "Hey, guys, let's take down the US by screwing up their economy."

I don't know about Osama Bin Laden's educational credentials, but I doubt very seriously that he's been schooled in the theory of economics.

And, FYI, the economy is poor and the sitting president is a Republican with no relation to Osama Bin Laden whatsoever. Your statement does not compute.

The president however is a firm friend of the bin laden family. He was dining with one the day before 9/11. sorry to let reality cloud you peoples rightwing fingers flying across the keyboard, insult ridden pathetic attempts to represent anything other than your own inability to think for yourself. BTW I'm not an Obama supporter but if I was going to vote, some of the subintelligent stuff on this thread would certainly sway me to vote for whoever you're not voting for. Just so i wouldn't be tarred with the same all noise/ no signal brush.

The anti-obama folk seem to be nothing more than noisemakers. like those clacking whirley things used at sports matches. If you had an argument I'd be inclined to take you more seriously but all you seem capable of is substandard slurs, insults, wailing about doom and childishness in general.

ppfftt.

True Democrat: What you have just posted is True B.S.

There are different kinds of "stupid" . We all know plenty of people who are book smart but have no idea how the world works.

And don't bring race into this . it has nothing to do with the color of his skin but rather the content of his heart which is in question. He is very shallow and easy to see through.

Content of his heart? I think we should look at the content of the presidents blood stream, and make sure it isn't oil! Or we would look at his skeleton, and I bet you Halliburton build it! I could go all day.

We have people who elected Bush telling us about character?

Jlee
First, I do not believe we have the best two choices out of 300 Million. IMHO, Condi Rice would be better than both of them.
We don't know how many of the accomplishments claimed for obama were earned and how many given or supplemented.
We do know that he lives in a million and a half dollar house, has at least a million dollars in a tax free account.
We know that his angry wife was given a doubling of pay when he was elected to Illinois govt. We also know her employer then got grant of, I think, a million dollars.
and he's only beginning. Guard your wallet.
Now, go ahead and hide behind that old, tired, racist thing that doesn't work anymore. That's the flag to throw when you don't have a good point to counter with.

Tennesse,
He's not running against Bush. He's runningh against McCain.

Same thing to me. McCain's solution to paying off the debt is not to pay it. Lets cut taxes and that will pay it? Sorry, but we pay over 400 billion in interest alone for our debt. To me, McCain is a patriot, but he isn't doing anything with a tax cut besides getting votes. It doesn't help the American public and doesn't strengthen the dollar. Then he talks about a flat tax! That is really called a regressive tax because it's worthless nature for paying anything off. Anyway, I vote for the Democrats' economics. I know, someone will mention give away (welfare), but it's fine when that is my only problem. I don't like giving it away to Iraq! Help your fellow Americans first instead of Iraq before you start complaining about it!

Actually you are incorrect. If you study macro economics and the history of the US on such matters you will learn that when we have tax cuts we actually bring more into the coffers of the US government through taxes. Though this seems paradoxical, it is especially true of capital gains taxes.

How do you think that works? Well, when we keep money in the hands of those who would otherwise pay large capital gains taxes, they invest it in new businesses which employ people (who pay income taxes) and the companies make a profit (which profit is taxed) and in the end when profit is distributed to the owners of say an LLC they also pay taxes.

Barak Obama was confronted with this fact in one of the debates. The (liberal) moderator asked him why he is in favor of raising (almost doubling) capital gains taxes when lowering these taxes actually brings in more tax revenues. He hmm'd and haw'd in his usual off teleprompter fashion then stumbling forward said, "fairness." Seems he kind of weakly stated that he basically didn't think it was fair for some to have more money than others so we should take it away even though those very people, if allowed to keep their money would prosper many others through jobs created.

This man, Barak Obama, does not understand economics and should not be allowed near the White House in this time of economic crisis.

Maybe we should find a person who ran a baseball team to help Obama. lol

Are you taking your macro online? University of Phoenix? There isn't any way possible you can take in less money and have more. I am sorry, but you don't have to take macro to be able to add. Trickle down effect? That is such a joke, and the regressive tax structure is noted in every tax book made to man. People who want to succeed in life create jobs, and not because you are given a tax free cash cow. Work like normal Americans, pay your tax, and don't expect to be given anything special because you have money. You have to pay tax to be an American, sorry. You sound like a Reagan fundamentalist. He sold everyone on that stupid idea in the 80's. It almost ran us right into a recession in the early 90's.

scott once again, if you can't mediate a MSNBC thread don't seed it. You are responsible for this pollution.

Experience, you say? Why if the man has no 'experience' are both bush and mccain moving toward Obama's positions on Iraq and Afghanistan?

What is his 'record of nonsupport?" He has voted for every war-funding bill, because of the troops, that has come up for a vote in congress. He feels the war in Iraq is a drain on our resources and economy to say nothing of what it is doing to the military as a whole. Before the pentagon, bush or mccain said one word, Obama was advocating that more attention be paid to Afghanistan because it is the real war on terror and due to the increasing insurgence there. Generals on the ground have asked for more troops and evidently Obama was listening to them.

When mccain manages to get us into Iran (with or without Israel), too, and the middle east really becomes a cauldron, then you and your friends/family can wonder who is truly the most 'dangerous' man.

Jaxs! Get an education. PLEASE!

McCain and Bush aren't moving toward Obama's positions. The situation in Iraq if moving toward the intended conclusion of the Bush policy which is political stability that allows us to continue (we are already doing this) to draw down on our troops since the surge was such a great success and we now have tribal leaders on our side kicking out foreign insurgents and al queda from their tribal areas.

This week was especially a land mark on the path this administration set for winding down the war. That is the Sunni support of the central government and pledge of support and participation. This is the BIG landmark that the surge was pointing toward and it is happening right before our eyes.

TO: True Democrat:

First of all true democrats, please remember that one of the unique quality of living in a democracy is the right to express oneself according to one's beliefs system and not dictated by another. NOW, lets examine your claim that Obama did not put his hands over his heart during the Stars Spangle Banner, it is not required or customary for one to put their hands over their heart during this song---it is required or customary to put one's hands over their heart during the Pledge of Allegiance recital to this country. Of which there are photos that illustrates Obama hand is over his heart during the Pledge of Allegiance which is quite appropriate although still not mandatory in a country that prides itself on freedom of expression.

We as Americans and TRUE DEMOCRATS, must grow up in our thinking. President Bush wores a flag pin and probably places his hand over his heart when he hears any tune that remotely reminds him that he is in America, however this same man and all his OUTWARD expressions VIOLATED THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES AND MANIPULATED THIS COUNTRY INTO AN UNJUST WAR FOR POLITICAL REASONS AKA OIL. Blood for oil. THIS SAME PRESIDENT HAS GIVEN PEOPLE IN HIS ADMINISTRATION (KARL ROVE AND OTHERS) A FREE PASS TO SNUB AT CONGRESS AND CHALLENGE THE FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF DEMOCRACY THAT DICTATED THROUGH THE CONSTITUTION (OUR BEDROCK AND BLUEPRINT TO KEEP US A FREE NATION) THAT THERE IS TO BE A BALANCE IN POWER BY THE JUDICIAL, EXECUTIVE AND CONGRESSIONAL BRANCHES SO THAT NO ONE OF THE MAJOR THREE ENTITIES WOULD EXUDES MORE POWER THAN THE OTHER. HE CONTINUES TO VIOLATE THIS FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLE THAT IS DOING MORE HARM TO THIS COUNTRY THAN MOST AMERICANS REALIZED.

I say this to remind us that we must stop using superficial outward nonsense to measure a man credentials that is running for the highest office in the land for the current administration demonstrated that he was and still is slowly turning this country into a ground for dictatorship for he has lived and functioned as if this administration was above the law. Grow up in your thinking for patriotism can not be detected by how someone places their hands over their chest, but can only be measured by how someone endorse and embrace the very principles of democracy IN SIDE OF THEIR HEART WHICH ULTIMATELY DICTATES THEIR ACTIONS. THIS IS TRUTH AND I HOPE THOSE MATURE ENOUGH WILL BEGIN TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS FACT FOR THE SAKE OF THIS COUNTRY.

We must rise to cease thinking in elementary terms and begin thinking like men and women of sound judgment and of a sound mind.

Putting your hand on your heart during national anthem does not make you a true patriot. Your actions for the good of your country makes you a patriot. By the way, the biggest spies for Soviet Union were born Americans who were supposed to be great patriots, however they turned out to be the great traitors.
Toady's politicians do not seem to be very patriotic by selling our country to the highest bidder and no amount of patriotic gestures will hide the fact that actually they are traitors.
The definition of a traitor is someone who does great harm to own nation in war or to nation's economics in peace.

True

You put your hand over your heart when saying the Pledge of Allegiance and sing, if you are able, the National Anthem. Since you are STILL worried about that, you must be concerned about the flag pins, most of which are made in China which is just another reminder of what the so-called patriots in business and government have done to this country.

Agree with you except the last sentence. The rest of what you said gets the point across better.

There are people in politics, within the governemnet organizations and working for the New York Times who should be facing life in prison with hard labor if not a firing squad right now for the damage they have done in releasing information for personal agends.

Enough over this flag pin (made in China) and hand over the heart crap. Did Bush and McCain put their hand over their hearts when the stood before the American people and out right lied? These War Criminals wear flag pins and put their BLOODY Hands over their hearts all the time, while they send your friends and family members to a useless war based on lies for OIL!

First of all lets address the "hand over your heart" matter. The National Anthem has been played at every baseball, football, us sports events. Tons of events. I would be hard-pressed to find even as little as dozens of people with their hands on their hearts. Caps in hand--yes. Tears in the eyes, yes. Singing along, yes. My husband and I are TRUE PATRIOTIC AMERICANS and we place our hand over our hearts at the Pledge of Allegiance, but have never done so for the National Anthem--never did. Never for one moment have I questioned my own or anyone else's love for this county.

You need to focus on real issues. No value in that one.

Richardson and Clinton have their hands on their heart. But not Obama.

Old news. We're talking about Obama in Afghanistan here. Stick to the topic, ok?

More B.S. from a so called True Democrat who is actually a Republican neocon. He can't debate the issues (i.e. the topic of this thread) so now it's the he's a Muslim rant over and over and over. Truly disgusting.

Colin Powell is a man of honor and as such is steering clear from corrupt and rotten to the core present day politics. His name was tarnished by Bush administration in the drive for Iraq war that was based on pure lies. I am sure Colin Powell will never forget nor forgive this fiasco.
Obama may not be the perfect man, show me who is perfect out there, nevertheless he has the ability to organize. This country need a leader who can organize this out of control nation and put it back on it's track. This country need another Franklin Roosevelt to repair the damage done during the days of reckless politicking.

Actually, "Republic" is the proper description of our government, not "democracy." (from below noted source)

A republic and a democracy are identical in every aspect except one. In a republic the sovereignty is in each individual person. In a democracy the sovereignty is in the group.

The distinction between our Republic and a democracy is not an idle one. It has great legal significance.
The Constitution guarantees to every state a Republican form of government (Art. 4, Sec. 4). No state may join the United States unless it is a Republic. Our Republic is one dedicated to "liberty and justice for all." Minority individual rights are the priority. The people have natural rights instead of civil rights. The people are protected by the Bill of Rights from the majority. One vote in a jury can stop all of the majority from depriving any one of the people of his rights; this would not be so if the United States were a democracy. (see People's rights vs Citizens' rights)

In a pure democracy 51 beats 49[%]. In a democracy there is no such thing as a significant minority: there are no minority rights except civil rights (privileges) granted by a condescending majority. Only five of the U.S. Constitution's first ten amendments apply to Citizens of the United States. Simply stated, a democracy is a dictatorship of the majority. Socrates was executed by a democracy: though he harmed no one, the majority found him intolerable.

Notice that in a Democracy, the sovereignty is in the whole body of the free citizens. The sovereignty is not divided to smaller units such as individual citizens. To solve a problem, only the whole body politic is authorized to act. Also, being citizens, individuals have duties and obligations to the government. The government's only obligations to the citizens are those legislatively pre-defined for it by the whole body politic.

In a Republic, the sovereignty resides in the people themselves, whether one or many. In a Republic, one may act on his own or through his representatives as he chooses to solve a problem. Further, the people have no obligation to the government; instead, the government being hired by the people, is obliged to its owner, the people.

The people own the government agencies. The government agencies own the citizens. In the United States we have a three-tiered cast system consisting of people ---> government agencies ---> and citizens.

The people did "ordain and establish this Constitution," not for themselves, but "for the United States of America." In delegating powers to the government agencies the people gave up none of their own. (See Preamble of U.S. Constitution). This adoption of this concept is why the U.S. has been called the "Great Experiment in self government." The People govern themselves, while their agents (government agencies) perform tasks listed in the Preamble for the benefit of the People. The experiment is to answer the question, "Can self-governing people coexist and prevail over government agencies that have no authority over the People?"

Actually, the United States is a mixture of the two systems of government (Republican under Common Law, and democratic under statutory law). The People enjoy their God-given natural rights in the Republic. In a democracy, the Citizens enjoy only government granted privileges (also known as civil rights).

True Democrat! How are you any different than Rev. Wright ,et.al?

Obama just can not be trusted.

Birds of a feather, flock together.
If it looks like a duck walks like a duck, chances are it's a duck.

Who has obama spent his life with, including his angry wife.?

Bush can be trusted? He wanted to call Kerry out because Bush stated he wouldn't support our troops. Bush failed to mention the troops support bill had a 10 billion dollar no bid contract to Halliburton. This company is not suppose to receive a no bid contract because they are under investigation for fraud. They already found an added 10 million dollar fuel bill that never existed (intermediate accounting, volume 12). What about our weapons of mass destruction? How about congress not getting the information because Bush used an executive order? Someone needs to tell that moron that it only covers people, and not a cover-up. Anyway, Obama can't be trusted, but you voted for Bush. I'll take my chances, because he couldn't be near as bad as Bush.

True- Do you have anything but talking points up your sleeve? They're really getting tiresome and don't do anything but lower the level of discourse in this country to what someone's middle name is.

Who has obama spent his life with, including his angry wife.?

"Associate yourself with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation; for 'tis better to be alone than in bad company."

-George Washington, Rule #56 of The Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation

I agree with Abby. Why not a TRUE Democracy ?

Obviously you've never served or you would understand. The VAST majority of the military do not support him.

BTW hes not there to support the troops. If he were he would have been there long ago. He's there to appear that he cares. His views of the world show that not only is he lving in fantasy land but he has no clue how a soldier thinks or what they sacrifice

Im

Once again, he has been to Iraq. This was his first trip to Afghanistan. No matter when he went, you would be complaining about it. Voting for all the war-funding bills has the appearance 'that he cares' about the troops. I read, maybe here on Newsvine, that he is getting more donations from the troops than mccain. Prove that 'the VAST majority of the military do not support him.' You cannot know how the 'VAST majority' feels about anything.

Why would the troops support anyone, like mccain, who has voted against a GI Bill or other things that support the troops. Check his record.

fiore,
Like riding a Harley. If I have to tell you, youwouldn't understand.

Who says he is beloved by the troops. These are young kids and he is a celebrity. They will flock around any celebrity and want their picture on TV or You Tube.

I have spoken with many many returning soldiers from Iraq and I have yet to find one who will vote for Obama. They are proud of what they have accomplished in Iraq--rebuilding schools and building girls schools for the first time ever, hospitals, and gas stations to keep Iraqi's from their previous 24 hour wait in line for gas at pumps Saddam had let fall into ruin.

These guys think the surge was the best thing yet and allowed them to win! Now we are seeing how successful the whole operation has been with the Sunni coming out of the woodwork to complete the establishment of the government. All is as this administration has said it would be if we would be patient.

Boy has Obama changed his tune from when he said the surge wouldn't work. He now congratulates the troops for making it work and says "as I said" this surge would work. This is the day of video cameras Obama. We have your words and it isn't pretty.

To see a side by side of Obama's Iraq claims when he was trying to get the nomination and appealing to his leftist base and now that he has to appeal to a broader spectrum check out johnmccain.com. There is an amazing and illustrative video. A debate of sorts between Obama (then) and Obama (now). What a crass liar and how totally unprepared to work in international relations or be the commander in chief.

Most of you probably saw the poll recently that 73% of America feel John McCain is more qualified to be commander in chief than Obama. Now they are in a virtual tie, I imagine that statistic prodded Obama to go to the middle east.

By the way, where does he get off offering Maliki continued support from the US. He has NO authority to make such a promise. He will have us in Afghanistan for 100 years.

My neighbors' son say they DO love Obama!!

Perfect definition! No other comment is necessary.

J LEE 303275, You have said it all beautifully. However, please note, you can't argue with an idiot. He doesn't ever know when he has lost the argument. He just repeats the same junk over and over again, because that's all he knows. So Sad.

Marie, That's what has been said about talking to you via this forum.

JLEE, I like that comment about the Supreme Court! That whole ordeal was just astonishing. Its amazing the fight everyone put up and how politics reared it's ugly head to corrupt our voting system. Poor John Adams would have rolled over in his grave if he knew what the republicans pulled in that election. Anyway, good comment!

All the Soldiers I talk to are pretty pist at McCain betrayal of his own service men
:O and they really really do not want him in office.

SEE COMMENT 16.5 re our military's feelings.

J Lee: Amen!

My Grandfather was a Minister and accomplished many good things as well as help many people along the way. As he grew older he became more stressed and altered his original goals. He became less tolerant of differences and of people in general. To the family who loved this man we were much more forgiving than those who only saw only the last part of his life. I wonder if this could be the case with other people including other Ministers?

His many, many 'hate America and hate white people' sermons is a very good indicator that he is full of self pity and is self serving

many, many sermons. How many of his sermons have you watched?

You need to check your facts. over fifty percent of the people do not think he is presidential material. They don't poll all of america. Only a select few.

Obama is not fit to be even dog catcher and he had better stay away from my dogs.

I hope Obama becomes President for no other reason than all you so called rabid patriots will have to accept your losses and get behind him because of the office he holds rather than his politics, just like you barked at all the 'Bush-haters' for being unpatriotic.

I can't wait for your. "Well he's not my choice but I respect him because he's the democratically elected leader of the greatest nation on earth. God Bless America, and I guess I have to add God Bless Obama"

That will be swell to hear. If he does win are you capable of this or do you hate America?

Palestine is an excuse. It gives no group legitimacy to claim their acts are based in the plight of Palestine since even Palestinians are divided on wiping Israel out as an excuse to not form a state that can help its people improve their situation.

Obama will be visiting the West Bank while he is in Israel, it's already been reported that he will.

Honestly, if he skipped Palestine I wouldn't blame him. It's a hella dangerous place.

LOL it is not. I am an American who does volunteer work in the West Bank, and not once have I ever had any problems nor felt threatened. The people there have always treated me with kindness and complete respect.

Palestine isn't yet a state, its' a territory. It still after 60 years has not been able to give up its revenge and form a legitimate government. Besides, Obama can not risk being met with celebration.

Obama will be visiting the West Bank while he is in Israel, it's already been reported that he will.

LOL. Palestine elected a sovereign government. Just because it's Hamas, we refuse to recognize its legitimacy. I mean, there it is, the perfect example of a Terrorist State™ for Bush & Co. to harp on, and they refuse to recognize the damned thing!

Can someone translate Steve's comment?

Happy to. For some reason he spelled "opposition" as "oppression", than declared Obama will raise your taxes, never drill for oil, is a Marxist, and has done nothing.

What do you plan to do about all the money we're borrowing from China, my fellow Steve? Is it supposed to magically appear while we fight a war AND lower taxes? How is offshore drilling, which won't help us for at least five years, going to do any good? And what proof do you have that Obama is a Marxist?

I think he meant "oppression."

Well that would sure be a curious thing to say. Since the Republicans are the ones against abortion, gay marriage, and in some ultraconservative positions, even against the presentation of two viewpoints on the radio, it's odd to me that the Democrats would be the "oppression party." Hell, which is it that spies on you without a warrant? Which is it that made the President's database of your phone numbers and e-mail addresses beyond civil prosecution?

So, I assume you agree that McCain's trips to Canada and South America were also photo ops, right?