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Getbig Main Boards => Politics and Political Issues Board => Topic started by: 24KT on June 08, 2009, 01:39:18 PM
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Looks like another Obama foreign policy victory
clearly his speeches across the Arab & Muslim world are having an impact. :)
Pro-west coalition claims victory over Hezbollah
Lebanese-Canadians celebrate voting results after massive turnout
June 08, 2009
Michael Slackman
New York Times
(http://media.thestar.topscms.com/images/cf/a8/5de597c24ad78ed2b743aa41300b.jpeg)
A flag-waving supporter of Christian politician Samir Geagea celebrates
after his "March 14" coalition won in Lebanon's election June 7, 2009.
Photo credit: Steve crisp / Reuters
BEIRUT – Lebanon's pro-Western coalition declared victory early today, in a hotly contested election that had been billed as a showdown between Tehran and Washington for influence in the Middle East.
Preliminary results, reported on Lebanese television, showed the alliance, known as the March 14 coalition, had managed to preserve its majority in parliament – representing a significant and unexpected defeat for Hezbollah and its allies, Iran and Syria.
Lebanese-Canadians rejoiced last night as the results trickled in throughout the evening.
"The achievement is this went peacefully," Elias Bejjani of the Lebanese-Canadian Coordinating Council told the Star, adding that as many as 400 Canadians may have travelled to Lebanon to vote in the tight race.
The coalition victory appeared to have been aided by nearly unprecedented turnout. Preliminary results showed about 55 per cent of the 3.26 million registered voters cast ballots. Lebanese television reported that the March 14 coalition, a predominantly Sunni, Christian and Druze alliance, held at least 67 seats out of 128 in parliament.
Though the Hezbollah-led challengers appeared to lose, Hezbollah itself – a Shiite political, social and military organization that is officially regarded by the United States and Israel as a terrorist group – will continue to be one of Lebanon's most powerful political forces. The biggest disappointment might well have been the election of retired Gen. Michel Aoun, who appeared to preserve his bloc of seats but left the Christian constituency divided.
The election was an early test of U.S. President Barack Obama's efforts to forge Middle East peace. A win by Hezbollah would have boosted the influence of its backers Iran and Syria and risked pushing one of the region's most volatile nations into international isolation and possibly into more conflict with Israel.
Former American president Jimmy Carter, in Beirut to monitor the elections, expressed hope that the United States, Iran and other countries will recognize the results "and not try to interfere in the process."
The interest in the contest was so high that, throughout Lebanon during the day, people waited up to four hours to vote with many, including the elderly and the infirm, standing in the sun and in packed hallways.
"There is the fate of the country this time," said Mireille Fiani, 45, as she stood crushed up against a crowd inside a school to cast her vote.
The voting was largely peaceful, with complaints of long waits at polling stations from voters, many of whom had to travel across the country to cast their ballots.
Army troops in armoured personnel carriers and trucks took up positions on major highways, part of a 50,000-strong security force deployed for voting day. Even before the race began, it was marred by charges of unprecedented vote buying.
The majority party in parliament gets to build the next government, and set the direction of national policy.
Even with the majority expanding its base by a few seats, there will likely still be the need, analysts said, to bring the opposition into a national unity government.
Lebanon remains a polarized nation that needs stability if for no other reason than to deal with its foreign debt of $50 billion (U.S.).
Official results from the election were not expected until later today, but late yesterday the winners were already celebrating by shooting in the air, setting off fireworks and driving around in honking motorcades.
"I present this victory to Lebanon," Prime Minister Fuad Saniora said on television after stations projected his pro-Western coalition was winning. "It is an exceptional day for democracy in Lebanon."
The leader of the largest bloc in the pro-Western March 14 coalition, Saad Hariri, said early today in a televised speech that he extends his hand to the losing side "to work together and seriously for the sake of Lebanon."
He urged supporters to celebrate without provoking opponents.
The outcome was also welcome news for Saudi Arabia and Egypt, which back Hariri's March 14 alliance – the date of a 2005 rally against Syria's military presence in Lebanon.
Bejjani, of the Lebanese-Canadian Coordinating Council, told the Star's Jasmeet Sidhu, the results were crucial for all Lebanese.
"Especially for the Lebanese who came to Canada, they are still very much attached to their country. We were glued to the news," he said.
Charbel Barakat, a 55-year-old Mississauga resident, agrees.
"I'm relieved at the results. The Lebanese proved again that they are not pro-terrorist, but pro-democracy," said the former Lebanese army officer.
"For the 12 million Lebanese living outside of Lebanon, it's important to know the fate of Lebanon and the future of Lebanon. We may have a different citizenship now, but we want Lebanon to stay a free and sovereign country," Barakat said. "We are very happy with the result."
With files from Associated Press
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Decent, now if he would only leave Iraq, Afghanistan and the other 130 or so countries we occupy.
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How in the world is that a victory for Obama?Did he campaign there?Because of one speach its now proof that its THE CHOSEN ONE who brought about that win?Wow,the next thing you will be telling me is that he saved 150,000 jobs so far.The myth of Obama continues.
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Victory. ::) His international butt kissing has accomplished nothing so far. He has succeeded in making us look like a bunch of sissies.
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Victory. ::) His international butt kissing has accomplished nothing so far. He has succeeded in making us look like a bunch of sissies.
News Flash: when we don't bomb and kill other people, they like us more.
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News Flash: when we don't bomb and kill other people, they like us more.
Who is us? You're not even an American anymore. In terms of "we Americans," I could care less if people like us more. Big deal. And of course some folks will like you more if you're a suck up.
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Decent, now if he would only leave Iraq, Afghanistan and the other 130 or so countries we occupy.
More retarded shit from our resident pseudo-scholar.
Yes, let's leave every base we occupy. The world will be fine after. All peaceful. The Chinese and Russians won't fly into those power gaps left by us or anything. ::)
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Who is us? You're not even an American anymore. In terms of "we Americans," I could care less if people like us more. Big deal. And of course some folks will like you more if you're a suck up.
I am not an American anymore? How is that? Are you drunk? You are a terrible Christian, self-righteous, indifferent to people's suffering and overly concerned about other people's sex lives. If people like us more that means there is less danger for us as well.
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More retarded shit from our resident pseudo-scholar.
Yes, let's leave every base we occupy. The world will be fine after. All peaceful. The Chinese and Russians won't fly into those power gaps left by us or anything. ::)
Never have claimed that. As for this argument, I say let them, they will go broke too. No empire withstands the ravages of time and the costs required to maintain it.
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Never have claimed that. As for this argument, I say let them, they will go broke too. No empire withstands the ravages of time and the costs required to maintain it.
Sorry, the world doesn't work like that. No country is going to up and leave every base they occupy so another country can fill the power gap. Are you really that delusional? Don't answer. It's rhetorical. You are the same guy who lied about being an academic.
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I am not an American anymore? How is that? Are you drunk? You are a terrible Christian, self-righteous, indifferent to people's suffering and overly concerned about other people's sex lives. If people like us more that means there is less danger for us as well.
If carrot, apple, pear juice makes you drunk, then yes. :) You don't live here, don't pay taxes, and hate America. You even called yourself a "half" American.
Obama's butt-kissing tours have not made us safer. To the contrary, his repeated apologies and revisionist history makes us weaker IMO.
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Sorry, the world doesn't work like that. No country is going to up and leave every base they occupy so another country can fill the power gap. Are you really that delusional? Don't answer. It's rhetorical. You are the same guy who lied about being an academic.
Never lied. I always used it in the sense below:
1: a member of an institution of learning
2: a person who is academic in background, outlook, or methods
3plural : academic subjects <has no interest in academics>
I suppose if I do do a PhD I will finally get the approval of our resident 21 year old know it all...that might just make it worth it. ::)
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If carrot, apple, pear juice makes you drunk, then yes. :) You don't live here, don't pay taxes, and hate America. You even called yourself a "half" American.
Obama's butt-kissing tours have not made us safer. To the contrary, his repeated apologies and revisionist history makes us weaker IMO.
Half-American was meant in metaphorical sense. I have a passport and vote. That suffices. Revisionist history. Funny. Are you referring to our 1953 coup that is a well known fact? What is revisionist about saying we did it? We did do it.
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Never lied. I always used it in the sense below:
1: a member of an institution of learning
2: a person who is academic in background, outlook, or methods
3plural : academic subjects <has no interest in academics>
I suppose if I do do a PhD I will finally get the approval of our resident 21 year old know it all...that might just make it worth it. ::)
You're an English teacher. ;)
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You're an English teacher. ;)
Will I have your permission after I have published something and gotten my PhD to call myself an 'academic'?
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Half-American was meant in metaphorical sense. I have a passport and vote. That suffices. Revisionist history. Funny. Are you referring to our 1953 coup that is a well known fact? What is revisionist about saying we did it? We did do it.
I'm referring to the president saying Islam did much to contribute to the development of our country and calling us one of the largest Muslim nations in the world.
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I'm referring to the president saying Islam did much to contribute to the development of our country and calling us one of the largest Muslim nations in the world.
Oh. Yes, well politicians must lie and fib all the time, your hero, GW did that quite often.
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Who is us? You're not even an American anymore. In terms of "we Americans," I could care less if people like us more. Big deal. And of course some folks will like you more if you're a suck up.
That's hilarious coming from you. You're one of the biggest suck ups on these boards.
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Oh. Yes, well politicians must lie and fib all the time, your hero, GW did that quite often.
No, they don't have to lie and fib all the time.
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No, they don't have to lie and fib all the time.
So why did Bush?
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That's hilarious coming from you. You're one of the biggest suck ups on these boards.
That's hilarious coming from the most disliked person on these boards. :)
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No, they don't have to lie and fib all the time.
No, their lying and fibbing is certainly not deontic in nature but they do say that an honest politician is an oxymoron.
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That's hilarious coming from the most disliked person on these boards. :)
That's pretty easy to become when you're not a suck up. :D
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No, their lying and fibbing is certainly not deontic in nature but they do say that an honest politician is an oxymoron.
Not an oxymoron at all. Some lie. Many do not. There are a lot of honest politicians.
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That's pretty easy to become when you're not a suck up. :D
Whatever you say ad hominem queen. You're like the Wicked Witch of the East. :)
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Whatever you say ad hominem queen. You're like the Wicked Witch of the East. :)
Actually, ...that's Ms. Wicked Witch of the North to you! :-*
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Actually, ...that's Ms. Wicked Witch of the North to you! :-*
Wicked Witch of the North.
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what 'revisionist history' from obama?
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I love politicians, really. Get to take all the credit when something goes in the US's favor and blame the last administration when it doesn't. It's almost like being a weather man, partly cloudy? partly sunny? ;D
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I love politicians, really. Get to take all the credit when something goes in the US's favor and blame the last administration when it doesn't. It's almost like being a weather man, partly cloudy? partly sunny? ;D
hahahaha good comparison
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I love politicians, really. Get to take all the credit when something goes in the US's favor and blame the last administration when it doesn't. It's almost like being a weather man, partly cloudy? partly sunny? ;D
Except it was the last administration that insisted on democratic elections, ...and they got Hezbollah & Hamas
This admin insists on dialogue and commonality, gives speeches all over the Arab world, and gets a pro western coalition. I can see him de-radicalizing muslims throughout the Arab world, and appealing to moderates to come forward. Something so many people forget, is moderate muslims are just as scared of the radical extremists. They KNOW how screwed up and off the mark these guys are, whereas the majority of us are only assuming it.
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Except it was the last administration that insisted on democratic elections, ...and they got Hezbollah & Hamas
This admin insists on dialogue and commonality, gives speeches all over the Arab world, and gets a pro western coalition. I can see him de-radicalizing muslims throughout the Arab world, and appealing to moderates to come forward. Something so many people forget, is moderate muslims are just as scared of the radical extremists. They KNOW how screwed up and off the mark these guys are, whereas the majority of us are only assuming it.
you simplification of such a complex issue is pretty funny...to you obama speaking means the world will become democratic, ppl will lay down their arms and join together as one. Its just not that simple jag, nobody forgot that the majority of the muslim world is peaceful. I dont think we need to assume anything jag weve all seen the videos, seen the photos of dismembered and disfigured women etc...
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Except it was the last administration that insisted on democratic elections, ...and they got Hezbollah & Hamas
This admin insists on dialogue and commonality, gives speeches all over the Arab world, and gets a pro western coalition. I can see him de-radicalizing muslims throughout the Arab world, and appealing to moderates to come forward. Something so many people forget, is moderate muslims are just as scared of the radical extremists. They KNOW how screwed up and off the mark these guys are, whereas the majority of us are only assuming it.
The Arab world, hmmmm. They have been fighting for the last 2000 + years, if not some other area of the world, then each other. You act like terrorist just appeared out of thin air when Bush was president where there were non before. Got news for you, these assholes will still be fighting someone long after our bones have turned to dust. The Sunni hate the Shia and vica versa, and the Wahbi just hate everyone. But they can all agree on hating the jews. Did you ever stop to think, how is it that just about everybody over there is armed to the teeth with AK47's and RPG's, but no food. All the oil money going into the ME but 99.9% of the population is dirt poor, why is that? Because .1% of the population controls the weath, and how do they keep themselves in power? Well thats easy blame all their problems on Isreal or America. Yeah they see how screwed up the radicals are ::), if that was the case they would do something about it. Bin Laden has what a 20 million bounty on his head, no one has turned him in.
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Who is us? You're not even an American anymore. In terms of "we Americans," I could care less if people like us more. Big deal. And of course some folks will like you more if you're a suck up.
Yeah, who needs Allies to help us get treaties (THAT ARE IN THE U.S.'s INTERESTS) ratified, or have friends and allies come to our aid should we be in a trade war or military war. Fuck 'em all, we don't need 'em.
Let's act like a proud Republican American "Bum" that doesn't speak nicely to our friends and show appreciation for their cultures or divergent points of view. Instead, we should be arrogant and belligerent to get what we want. Threaten our foreign adversaries with war without bothering to attempt to negotiate peace. After all, peace and diplomacy are for pussies.
You know, we should adopt the HIGHLY successful strategies of the Bush Administration where we were just about universally despised and considered arrogant and stupid by the whole world.
Yeah...that's the what that damn Black President of ours should be doing!!!
::) ::) ::) ::) ::) ::) ::) ::) ::) ::) ::) ::)
It's not "sucking up" if you have all the power, yet you act humbly to make those around you (ie., other countries) feel like they are listened to and respected. Ultimately the U.S. will get what it wants with the cooperation of others around the world.
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Yeah, who needs Allies to help us get treaties (THAT ARE IN THE U.S.'s INTERESTS) ratified, or have friends and allies come to our aid should we be in a trade war or military war. Fuck 'em all, we don't need 'em.
Let's act like a proud Republican American "Bum" that doesn't speak nicely to our friends and show appreciation for their cultures or divergent points of view. Instead, we should be arrogant and belligerent to get what we want. Threaten our foreign adversaries with war without bothering to attempt to negotiate peace. After all, peace and diplomacy are for pussies.
You know, we should adopt the HIGHLY successful strategies of the Bush Administration where we were just about universally despised and considered arrogant and stupid by the whole world.
Yeah...that's the what that damn Black President of ours should be doing!!!
How'd that work out for yas btw? That's must've been a real shot in the arm for your multi-trillion dollar surpluses?
::) ::) ::) ::) ::) ::) ::) ::) ::) ::) ::) ::)
It's not "sucking up" if you have all the power, yet you act humbly to make those around you (ie., other countries) feel like they are listened to and respected. Ultimately the U.S. will get what it wants with the cooperation of others around the world.
"Nothing is so strong as gentleness,
...nothing so gentle as real strength." --Old Indian Proverb
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How'd that work out for yas btw? That's must've been a real shot in the arm for your multi-trillion dollar surpluses?
It didn't work out at all, but since we can't have this damn Black president overseas apologizing for the U.S. - even though he never used the word "apologize" in any of his speeches - we need to go back to the great FAILED approach of George Bush and be arrogant and imposing!
Just because it failed doesn't mean we proud republicans can't continue utilizing it. We repubs are prepared to continue to lose national elections for 20-40 years if that's what it takes to get back to being hated everywhere on the planet!!!