Winning The Future In Egypt (Ongoing...)

Team Obama delivers another 'WTF' moment in Egypt, with Hillary Clinton saying Mubarak needs to go and the US special envoy saying his "continued leadership is critical".  The Times papers this over as best they can:

The latest challenge came Saturday afternoon when the man sent last weekend by President Obama to persuade the 82-year-old leader to step out of the way, Frank G. Wisner, told a group of diplomats and security experts that “President Mubarak’s continued leadership is critical — it’s his opportunity to write his own legacy.”

But just before his remarks, Secretary of State Hilary Rodham Clinton gave a strategy overview that stood at odds with that assessment. At a minimum, she said, Mr. Mubarak must move out of the way so that his vice president, Omar Suleiman, can engage in talks with protest leaders over everything from constitutional changes to free and fair elections.

It is hardly the first time the Obama administration has seemed uncertain on its feet during the Egyptian crisis, as it struggles to stay on the right side of history and to avoid accelerating a revolution that could spin out of control.

The mixed messages have been confusing and at times embarrassing — a reflection of a policy that, by necessity, has been made up on the fly. “This is what happens when you get caught by surprise,” said one American official, who would not speak on the record. “We’ve had endless strategy sessions for the past two years on Mideast peace, on containing Iran. And how many of them factored in the possibility that Egypt,” and presumably whatever dominoes follow it, “moves from stability to turmoil? None.”

This is what hapens when you get caught by surprise?  For heaven's sake - this is what happens when too many people are talking to the press instead of to each other.  I am highly confident that if the adversary were Sarah Palain or Mitch McConnell the mesage coordination would be airtight.

The Times engages in a bit more damage control here:

Just hours before offering her correctives of Mr. Wisner, Mrs. Clinton made the case at a gathering in Munich that the entire process would take time, and must be carefully managed. “Revolutions have overthrown dictators in the name of democracy,” she reminded her audience, “only to see the process hijacked by new autocrats who use violence, deception and rigged elections to stay in power.”

Hmm, thse were in her remarks.  What else did Ms. Clinton say in what seems to be the ensuing Q&A?

I think it's important to support the transition process announced by the Egyptian Government, actually headed by now Vice President Omar Suleiman...

Tea leaf readers might have considered that to be a clue as to her view on Mubarak's ongoing role.  Here is another (my emphasis):

And at this point, where President Mubarak has announced he will not stand for reelection, nor will his son, where he has given a clear message to his government to lead and support this process of transition...

If I were to parse this diplo-speak, I would read it to mean that she believes that Mubarak has (or ought to) instruct his goverment to negotiate, not negotiate himself.

Well.  There is no doubt that Clinton and her special envoy were not on the same page.  The only issue is, why couldn't Obama and Clinton communicate the message to their own special envoy that the page had been turned? 

Per the WaPo, Ms. Clinton's coded message was heard but not welcomed in Egypt:

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, speaking at a defense conference in Munich, urged opposition leaders not to reject talks out of hand and warned that the alternative could be a takeover by radicals.

Some opposition figures interpreted her comments as a step back from President Obama's call Tuesday for Mubarak to begin a transition from power "now."

"If the message coming now from Washington is that Mubarak can continue and his head of intelligence will lead the change, this will send the completely wrong message to the Egyptian people," ElBaradei said in an interview Saturday night. Suleiman served as Mubarak's intelligence chief for two decades before being named vice president as the crisis unfolded last week.

...In her remarks in Munich, Clinton called on the government to take further steps. But she also warned that if the transition is not carried out in an orderly, deliberate way, there are forces "that will try to derail or overtake the process, to pursue their own specific agenda" - an apparent reference to the Muslim Brotherhood - "which is why I think it's important to support the transition process announced by the Egyptian government, actually headed now by Vice President Omar Suleiman."

And a bit on Wisner:

In addition to Clinton's remarks, the perceived dissonance in the administration's message Saturday was exacerbated when Frank Wisner, a former diplomat dispatched by Obama last week to help ease Mubarak from power, said that the Egyptian president should stay in his post for the near future.

"President Mubarak remains utterly critical in the days ahead as we sort our way toward the future," Wisner told the Munich conference via video link from New York.

A senior administration official expressed chagrin at Wisner's comments, which he said were "self-evidently divergent from our public message" and "not coordinated with the United States" government. "He's a delightful man," the official said. "But he's doing his own thing."

Winning the future.  One forehead smack at a time.

Comments

[narciso]

I was going over the testimony of Stephanie Sullivan, sacrificial lamb to the Senate intelligence committee, and I was struck that
she didn't expect 'this level of detail' to the question, What did you tell the President
and when?

[RichatUF]

So the Obama Administration had a policy half dedicated to propping up the Mubarak regime and half dedicated to delivering Egypt to the MB.

The country is in the very best of hands.

[narciso]

President Splunge, and no, 'he's not being indecisive'.

[bgates]

The man who in 2009 in Cairo said, "So let me be clear: no system of government can or should be imposed on one nation by any other" was now dictating to Mubarak the kind of government Egypt should have and when it should have it.

That's awesome, Clarice. Now how do we get that juxtaposition to O'Reilly in the next 5 hours?

[Ranger]

http://www.practicalstate.com/2011/02/05/saturday-live-blogging-egypt/>BobS linked to the new WaPo story on what's going on:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/05/AR2011020501707.html>In Egypt, Muslim Brotherhood reverses course, agrees to talks on transition

It contains this:

CAIRO -- Egypt's new vice president announced a fresh list of political concessions Sunday after meeting with opposition groups, including a plan to amend the constitution and guarantees to honor freedom of the press and communications.

Of course, those are the exact same concessions that the government announced around the middle of last week. What's new is the actual formation of the committee to write the new ammendments, but the process is exactly what the government said it wanted.

Also, any doubt that the total Cluster Frak of mixed messages on US policy is what finally broke the opposition's will not to negotiate while Mubarak was still in office? (ok, that's not really a question).

Real question, though, why the hell is anyone in the press even still talking to ElBaradei?

The opposition coalition that he supposedly speaks for has completely abandonded the position he is still espousing, so it doesn't seem like he actually speaks for anyone but himself any more.

[matt]

is it right and proper to greet JOM'ers on the WTF in Egypt with the traditional Middle Eastern greeting of Mekaleka Hai Meka Hiney Ho?

In honor of President WTF's masterful foreign policy coup (once we actually find out what it is through Minitrue) I am going to get out the fez and double breasted, put on my rose colored glasses, and celebrate the 1953 Revolution.

King Tut hats for everyone.

[narciso]

Proof you really can't even work around this level of inanity, in the LUN

[Danube of Thought]

Best one yet, Clarice. I had already cut, and was about to paste here, the same paragraph bgates quoted above. Maybe I'll do so later in the thread, just to hammer it home.

[Extraneus]

So why doesn't Mubarak tell Obama to shut up and mind his own business? I don't remember who suggested it in another thread, but something like "Maybe we'll give you a timeline for transitioning our government when you give us a timeline for closing Gitmo."

As he is supremely qualified to do, Obama has betrayed another ally who'll remain in power, thus turning a "friend" into an enemy. Great job, fool.

[Danube of Thought]

as it struggles to stay on the right side of history

How about struggling to remain on the side of the United States and its interests for once, for the love of Christ?

[MayBee]

The man who in 2009 in Cairo said, "So let me be clear: no system of government can or should be imposed on one nation by any other" was now dictating to Mubarak the kind of government Egypt should have and when it should have it.

Exactly, clarice. Thanks for pulling that quote bgates (and DoT).
Dictating to Mubarak now leads one to wonder why we weren't dictating to Mubarak *then*, telling him to straighten up and fly right before all of this happened.

[Ranger]

I am highly confident that if the adversary were Sarah Palain or Mitch McConnell the mesage coordination would be airtight.

Maybe, but Barry has been very distracted this week having Justin Bieber drop by the oval office and also planning his Superbowl party. Its all about priorities.

[Thomas Collins]

The Obama Administration's approach to Egypt is an Emily Litella on steroids approach. While Emily kept her never minds to once a week, the Obama Administration is never minding on a daily basis with respect to Egypt.

[Ranger]

Well, based on this, its all over but the crying in the White House:

http://www.practicalstate.com/2011/02/06/from-egypt-a-statement-from-suleimans-office-on-the-meeting-with-opposition-groups/>BREAKING From Egypt: Statement from Suleiman’s Office on the Meeting with Opposition Groups

[sbw]

Let's see. What is the thought of the day worth repeating? Oh, yeah:

The man who in 2009 in Cairo said, "So let me be clear: no system of government can or should be imposed on one nation by any other" was now dictating to Mubarak the kind of government Egypt should have and when it should have it.

[Extraneus]

Cheney Calls Mubarak a Good Friend, U.S. Ally

[RichatUF]

I hope this sticks around..."the almost-hero of Altgeld Gardens". Perfect.

Wow TM's #2 on the memeorandum side bar.

[clarice]

The pharoah and the gnat, a story of our time.

[Ranger]

From the (future) hit musical "Obama"

Don't cry for me Altgeld Gardens
The truth is I never cared
about asbestos, your crappy tenements
You served your purpose
Now keep your distance
You served your Purpose
Now keep your distance

[RichatUF]

I'm trying to recall how many statements Obama made regarding the street protests in Iran-was it maybe 2, "the world is watching" as the Iranians gunned down the protestors.

[glenda]

Clarice, my favorite..

The "American Idol" was the best comparison of the 2008 election I have heard, yet. :)

and this clown is nothing but the antithesis of RR. The media and their government employers who repeat Obama is becoming Reaganesque are as bad as Hamas, MB--repeating the lying company line.

Obama has done nothing the last fortnight except scare our allies and suckup to our enemies. A leadership vacuum that puts the world in danger.

[Rick Ballard]

Ranger,

It appears to me as if this was an unintentional explosion. I've read that Suleiman (as head of Egyptian intelligence) was surprised by the twitter mob, as was Israeli intelligence. It's probable that the MB was surprised as well - they didn't get their mullahs in the minarets, howling for blood, in a timely fashion. Additionally, the MFM didn't have their props and photos in hand prior to the twitter mob assembling - no tear jerking tales of Egyptian desaparecidos hauled off in the black of night by security forces, not even any good file footage of Egypt's desperately poor. The template just wasn't ready and the utility of twitter mobs in a country as poor as Egypt seems to be very poor. The Soros tie in which Rocco cited plus the WaPo giving editorial space for the dirtbag to chastise and direct BOzo in public are worthy of some thought. The twitter mob may have self ignited this time but it provides evidence of a method of generating chaos that will be undoubtedly used in the future - under more careful direction.

[Extraneus]

"There is a reason why a lot of diplomacy is conducted in secret. There are good reasons for there to be confidentiality in some of those communications. And I think President Mubarak needs to be treated as he deserved over the years, because he has been a good friend," Cheney said at an event commemorating the centennial of President Ronald Reagan's birth.

[clarice]

Fabulous, Ranger. Glenda, you are too generous.

[glenda]

Never, Clarice..what's cooking this week?

[Frau Steingehirn]

matt, Jambi would be a better face for this problem than those from our administration.

"So why doesn't Mubarak tell Obama to shut up and mind his own business?"

Yesterday Henry Kissinger said that very thing in diplomatic terms. Neil Cavuto said, "You mean he (Obama) should shut up?"

[Ignatz]

--as it struggles to stay on the right side of history--

--How about struggling to remain on the side of the United States and its interests for once, for the love of Christ?--

Cause at bottom the left is marxist? Marxists consider history cast in stone and inevitable, whereas the USA not so much.
And they sure don't love Christ.

[Ranger]

Hmmm... Looks like Typepad eat my post Rick... Just wanted to say yes, all that sounds dead on.

[MarkO]

Clarice, Great job.

[Frau Steingehirn]

What's wrong with Rick Moran--First Dude envy?
LUN

[Frau Steingehirn]

clarice - too dang many keepers in your latest.

[Enlightened]

Happy Superbowl Sunday All!!!

I'm curious - was this person already discussed? I guess this explains the "internet" coverage the opposition is getting in Egypt-

[Captain Hate]

Wow TM's #2 on the memeorandum side bar.

Rich since those change I assume you're referring to LUN.

O/T: I'm sure I reflect the feelings of all Redskins fans over a certain age in congratulating #55 Chris Hanburger in making the pro football HOF.

[Jack is Back!]

Rahm, I blame it on Rahm. It was he who convinced Obama/Axelrod/Plouffe not to allow a crisis go without using it to your advantage. What he didn't tell them (because he wouldn't know anyway) was how to handle what is happening in Egypt. The old Foreign Policy hands like disparate beings such as Cheney, Kissinger and Biden understand that Mubarak with all his warts is our ally and a settling influence in the ME when things turn against us and Israel. He is also a secularist in the one of the most anti-Christian and Israel (Judism) countries on earth with the largest population in the ME. But, NOOOOOO, were going to do this the Carter way with a little Alinsky upgrade. Mubarak is making our POTUS look like the unskilled, lazy, narcissist he really is and this should be scaring the beegeebers out of everyone including the NY Times.

OT: Lots of new photos on the kid's blog. We spent hours it seems downloading and uploading on a pretty strong signal but still not the same as back home. Thanks from Frederick for all the kind words.

Go Pack!

[Dennis D]

Lets be honest. Hillary is the most overrated politician or diplomat in America and may be the worst Secretary of State in American History. She can't even get the Swiss to hand over Roman Polanski.

[sbw]

Happy Birthday, JIB! ... or do I have to say ¡ʎɐpɥʇɹıq ʎddɐɥ because you are in the southern hemisphere?

[clarice]

Glenda, today I hope to master the art of making fougasse--a lovely sort of flat bread from Provence. I'm making a couple of different recipes to test out which I like best. One batch will be filled with sundried tomatoes, olive oil, herbs and grated lemon. The other with onion, herbs,oil cured black olives and blanched diced bacon .

[Porchlight]

Happy 100th Birthday, President Reagan! You are missed more than ever.

This sticker went on the car this morning:

[clarice]

HB, JiB. (I suppose if spies read this they'll imagine it's some kinda weird code.)

[ER White]

The One That Started It All: The 1958 NFL Championship Game (Take The Poll!)

http://www.practicalstate.com/?p=5342

Cheers

[Chubby]

Clarice, I read this morning, at the JP as I recall, that Iran has just banned all cooking programs that feature foreign recipes.

[Justin Bieber]

It was like so much fun visiting Daddy in the White HOuse. We played bury the potato in Moo-Chelle's garden. Sooooo awesome.

[Danube of Thought]

On the morning of the day he died, he was the greatest man alive. (One of the Powerline guys wrote that, but I've often stolen it.)

You could say that about Washington and Lincoln, but no other Americans.

[Ignatz]

--I'm sure I reflect the feelings of all Redskins fans over a certain age in congratulating #55 Chris Hanburger in making the pro football HOF.--

In my former life as a Raider fanatic I could still appreciate talent and character and always had a soft spot for Redskins like Hanburger, Billy Kilmer and Sonny Jurgensen.
The Over The Hill Gang earned its respect. Too bad they were always one play short of glory.

[Uncle BigBad]

An Obama quote from not long ago explains all his failures, even the ones to come:

“I think that I’m a better speechwriter than my speechwriters. I know more about policies on any particular issue than my policy directors. And I’ll tell you right now that . . . I’m a better political director than my political director.”

Read more: http://dailycaller.com/2010/08/24/barack-obama-its-all-about-me/#ixzz1DCoeUkny

[Ranger]

Clarice,

To be honest, I've had that little ditty in my pocket for a while now. Saw Evita on the stage and thought it would be a perfect vehicle for an Obama Mock Opera.

[Rocco]

More on Soros

Top 5 Revolutions Backed By George Soros

[Captain Hate]

Iggy, it's a damn shame what delusional ownership has done to both our franchises. I don't know who has it worse; probably the Skins because Alice Davis can't live forever. Much as I liked George Allen he always seemed to have certain quirks that kept him from taking a team all the way to the top. His turning Long Beach State around may have been his greatest accomplishment; unfortunately the Gatorade shower after the final game may have been the cause of his death.

[daddy]

While waiting for the todays big game (Tarheel's versus Florida State) and also that Football Game, was reading something about the Oscar nominations for Best Picture. That led me to look at the list of recent Best Picture Winners. The last one I actually watched was Shakespeare in Love, (1998) and only at home on TV. Saw about 30 minutes of the end of Titanic (1997) in Japanese on tube but thankfully I had to go to work so I won't count that one either. The last one I saw at a Theater was Braveheart ((1995). Here's a list of the last 15 back to Braveheart:

2009- The Hurt Locker
2008- Slumdog Millionaire
2007- No Country For Old Men
2006- The Departed
2005- Crash
2004- Million Dollar Baby
2003- The Lord of The Rings (Return of the King)
2002- Chicago
2001- A Beautiful Mind
2000- Gladiator
1999- American Beauty
1998- Shakespeare in Love
1997- Titanic
1996- The English Patient
1995- Braveheart

Any other JOMer's out there as movie illiterate as I am?

[DrJ]

daddy, I'm probably worse than you in this regard.

[Cecil Turner]

It's interesting that Memeorandum linked this post to the AP story about Cheney's comments rather than the NYTimes one about the diplomacy snafu. (And it was up to number one when I last checked.)

Cheney certainly appears to be correct about taking measured steps, and the obvious ramifications of the comments coming out of the White House. It's hard to see how stoking the protests helps anyone. And I particularly liked this bit:

By Friday, it was clear that Mr. Mubarak would not go gently, which led to the third iteration of the White House policy.

If you change it three times in as many days, I don't see how you can call it "policy." It's more like "a stab" (in the dark or in the back; take your pick).

In any event, one thing stands out from this mess: "stability" is not a strategy . . . especially in the Mideast.

[Frau Steingehirn]

Thanks, Rocco. It's good to see it all in one article.

Daddy, I know *of* the films but I haven't seen a one you mentioned. I did *read* The English Patient.

[clarice]

I just noticed that the editor without notice to me had inserted Zelaya when I had said Honduras..big difference which I have asked him to correct.

[Jack is Back!]

Iggy,

I was living in the DC area during the George Allen regime. I remember how he traded Marlin McKeever for Jack Pardee and Diron Talbert, and others from the Rams. Then he went out and go Kilmer, Boyd Dowler and Ron McDole. We were building Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Plant and the crafts for the most part were DC locals but a few Baltimore locals like the Boilermakers and Tin Knockers. Every Monday after a Skins win (which back then even under Lombardi was a rarity) some wise guy would get on the Tannoy and start singing Hail to the Redskins which just annoyed the hell out of the Baltimore guys. Remember this was at a time when Johnny U was still damn relevant and he had that stud John Mackie.

"Those were the days my friend
We thought they'd never end
We'd sing and dance forever and a day
We'd live the life we choose
We'd fight and never lose
For we were young and sure to have our way.
La la la la...
Those were the days, oh yes those were the days"

[Ignatz]

--Much as I liked George Allen he always seemed to have certain quirks that kept him from taking a team all the way to the top.--

Yep. Still something old school and mythical about him though; he was one of those guys whose character transcended the sport he was in.
The odd thing was as a Raider fan, despite the three Super Bowl wins, it still felt something like being a Viking or Redskins fan because the lost opportunities seemed to overshadow the wins.
I better remember the titanic struggles and heartbreaking losses to Pittsburgh and the Dolphins year after year, both of whom I hated but respected, and then the worthless Broncos, with whom I managed the former but never the latter, than I do the wins.
I suspect it's easier to be a fan of perennial losers like the Cubs than a once great franchise that is now just a joke.

[Rocco]

With regards to the Oscars, I'm rooting for "The Fighter." Irish Mickey Ward is a close personal friend of mine and all of the prison scenes were shot where I worked.

[Ignatz]

--Any other JOMer's out there as movie illiterate as I am?--

Daddy,
I haven't seen any of em in a theater and only watched one all the way through on TV; No Country For Old Men. Saw a bit of Braveheart and Lord of the Rings but not enough to know what was going on.

[Jane (get off the couch - come save the country)]

daddy,

I saw "A beautiful mind". I think the next movie I saw was last night when I watched "social network",

So yeah, I'm there too.

[PaulV]

No one thinks Obama's plan is to protray Muslim Brotherhood as a stooge of the evil west?
TIC

[bgates]

I think that I’m a better speechwriter than my speechwriters. I know more about policies on any particular issue than my policy directors. And I’ll tell you right now that . . . I’m a better political director than my political director.

Read more about that Obama quote here.

[daddy]

Darn it, already upstaged in my movie ignorance by Frau and DrJ.

And here I was thinking that 15 years was gonna' make me a contender. Bummer:(

[Leather Bawlz]

Stability is an illusion, even in the west. Balance is an overused term most people visualize as a trait to be worked while standing still.

Both virtues are best applied in movement.

Of course, all of the hoopla about Egypt has the world taking its eye off the birdie. And the birdie most important in the region is Saudi Arabia. Iran wants to surround the Saudi's with its Arab shia proxies. It doesn't need Egypt to do so. Egypt is gravy to the Shia.

The lynchpin in the Shia strategy is surrounding Saudi Arabia and taking her down lox stock and bagel. The Saudi's are fighting for their lives against the rebels in Yemen, to the point of flying air strikes against rebel positions in Yemen with the blessing of the teetering Yemeni government.

All the while, the media ignores the rest of the region to scoop up sound bites for their wishful thinking about democracy and "hope". Zero is speaking out on Egypt because *IT DOESN'T MATTER* Suleiman is going to crush the opposition and squeeze blood out of the turnip. And this retarded sentiment about the people loving the military....and that Suleiman will blow that if he comes down hard with the military....driving the damsel-like Egyptians in the street into the clutches of the evil MB---- it's nonsense. As are the "polls" saying the Egyptians want sharia to rule their country. They are a 5,000 year old civilization that was more than Islam has ever been, even at its peak 550 years ago.

The Egyptian street will follow whomever brings in the wheat. Muslim Brotherhood hasn't been able to do that. Nor is it a priority. Hamas has brought in cash for shopping malls, so they have demonstrated an ability to deliver wheat. Smoke and mirrors mostly due to President Zero's "stimulus" hornswaggle. (Yes. That money went to many different front groups for Palestinians. You'll read about it in five years.)

Here's what Suleiman told the opposition: "Behave or you will be receiving a one-way helicopter ride over the Mediterranean." That is what happened in Tunisia.

And while I am at it, here is why President Zero can shoot spit wads at Mubarak: the American Farmer leads the world in wheat production. Mubarak needs to keep feeding his people if he wants to keep Islamic fascist maniacs from stirring the pot.

President Zero is sitting on top of the greatest nation the world has ever known. But it is like he is a snot nosed fourteen year old joy riding in daddy's Caddy. Not a good idea. He'll crash. I guarantee it. And it will be a party in the USA like no one has ever seen before the day that it happens.

[Ignatz]

--Those were the days, oh yes those were the days--

Yeah, in 35 years aging men like we are now will be recalling when men were men and old school players like Brady and Manning had their titanic duals, unlike the ballerinas their kids will be watching.
Blanda, Jurgensen and Unitas will be ancient, mythical guys who the old geezers Captain and Jack and Ignatz down at the nursing home dimly jibber about between naps.

[jimmyk]

Daddy, I see about two movies a year. This year it was "Winter's Bone" and "The King's Speech." I did see "Slumdog Millionaire." The last winner before that was "Beautiful Mind."

[Ranger]

So the real question now is how Obama deals with his failure to influence events. As I recall in Honduras, they basically sulked and refused to acknowledge reality until the new president was sworn in. Since Mubarak looks like he is sticking around until his terms ends in November, it looks like it will be a long sulk in the White House.

[glenda]

clarice..thanks..I can smell the French countryside and see Sunflowers, now! Bread has to be my favorite, but the processed loaf--no!

Dick Cheney looks improved at the Reagan Library..his words and determination never falter..hope he gets his transplant :)

I have to go Packers,CH--my brother,Greg has on his cheesehead in heaven--if someone drops a pass from Pitt it just might be involved..hee..He was a GB fan from Texas since early 60's--kinda dangerous, here in Cowboy country. I Love Texas, but the Cowboys have not been "America's Team" since the Tom Landry days.

[Manuel Transmission]

OK, all you military historians:
The Marines just did the 21 gun salute for Reagan. At the end of the sequence, they loaded an additional shell and then removed it. Is that to show they had more ammo then needed?

[Ignatz]

BTW, JIB, that is one precocious little Master JiB you've got there.
I've seen considerably worse travel writing in Nat Geo Explorer and Conde Nast by supposded pros.

[Captain Hate]

Iggy, the Raidazz/Steelers matchups in the 70s were some of my favorites of all the time I've been watching football. Madden's guys were the only ones that would match them shot for shot. That was back when the AFC ruled the roost so the Super Bowl was a relative letdown.

[Jane (get off the couch - come save the country)]

I agree Ignatz. Master JIB is doing a heck of a job.

[Rick Ballard]

Rocco,

Thanks for another good link. It might be helpful for folks to read Massa Soros Commands to His Boy in the Oval Office for a better understanding of the triple Lutz performed by the President of the United States.

[Captain Hate]

As I recall in Honduras, they basically sulked and refused to acknowledge reality until the new president was sworn in.

Imo the performance of Bammy, Muffer and the State Dept quislings was even worse in Honduras in terms of undermining a country that was following the words of its constitution. The major difference is that it happened in a country that wasn't located so strategically. It's really to the credit of the people of Honduras that they stood tough against the community organizer.

[jimmyk]

I'm no big fan of Mubarak, but as a practical matter we have to take what we can get in the Muslim world. Think of what message Obama's backstabbing sends to all the other leaders who try to stave off the religous fanatics and be friendly to U.S. interests: Thanks very much, but if you get into trouble, it's adios.

[Janet]

BTW, JIB, that is one precocious little Master JiB you've got there.

Totally agree!...and Happy Birthday to you too!

[Captain Hate]

LOL Rick.

Although American power and influence in the world have declined, our allies and their armies look to us for direction.

Who is that "us" that Soros is referring to? Get the hell out of my country, tool.

[Ranger]

Via BabS' blog, the MB is trying very hard to distance themselves from Iran:

839PM: MEMRI Blogs that the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt made this statement: “In response to statements made by Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in his February 4 sermon, i.e. that the uprising in Egypt was an Islamic awakening inspired by Iran, the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt said that the protests in their country were not Islamic. The Muslim Brotherhood added that the protest is a joint effort by Christians and Muslims as well as by elements from across Egypt’s political spectrum.”

That must have been painful for them to say.

[Jane (get off the couch - come save the country)]

Boy that was a heck of a speech by James Baker!

[Rocco]

YW Frau and Rick...from Rick's link

The Muslim Brotherhood's cooperation with Mohamed ElBaradei, the Nobel laureate who is seeking to run for president, is a hopeful sign that it intends to play a constructive role in a democratic political system.

The only things the MB will construct are bombs aimed at Israel. Maybe someone will nominate the MB for the Nobel Peace Prize now? I can't believe the words Muslim Brotherhood and Nobel laureate are used in the same sentence!

[What? Me Fat?]

Babbling Baugh over the bowl,
Slingin' sammy hash inna mouf.
===============

[Chubby]

Gladiator was one of my all time favorite movies.

especially the soundtrack

[Chubby]

Now We Are Free

from Gladiator

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CppQF_nwn8

[MaryW]

Daddy

I have seen 2003- The Lord of The Rings Return of the King) but I really like Tolkien. I may have heard some of the others. With kids it is possible to be in the same vicinity and not watch the movie.

[Janet]

Me too Chubby....just sent that song to Soylent on a movie music mix cd.

[narciso]

Happy birthday, JiB, Moran has displayed this clueless streak, he doesn't show on Blog talk
radio

[Danube of Thought]

No Country for Old Men.

[Ranger]

Via Hot Air Headlines... Another day, another policy:

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2011/02/white-house-pushes-for-change-in-egypt-soon-but-not-too-soon.html>White House Pushes for Change in Egypt Soon -- But Not Too Soon

Senior administration sources tell ABC News that the president is trying to thread the needle -- not pushing Mubarak out too soon, before the constitution has been changed to allow democratic reforms, while making it clear that it's untenable for him to try to stay until the September presidential elections.

Untenable for whom? At this point not Mubarak. Oh, and by the way, its going to take at least 3 months to get the constitutional changes implimented. So, now the White House is cool with Mubarak sticking around until June or so?

The only players this is untenable for, is the Obama clown show.

The Obama administration is also conveying to opposition parties that they cannot sit on the sidelines demanding Mubarak's resignation before they agree to participate.

Wow, a bold statement of leadership made a full day after the first opposition parties had already started talks with the government.

White House officials say that a number of scenarios for a way forward in Egypt are being discussed, and they caution against reports where each new scenario "is anointed as the definitive way forward," a senior official says. "It's still a very fluid situation and lots of difference scenarios are being put forward by the Egyptian government, the opposition, us," and other nations.

In other words, ignore the fact that there is already a broad agreement between the government and the opposition to move forward on constitutional changes... according to the White House, 'this aint over until we say its over!'

Note to Barry, the train has left the station. You missed it. Try not to be late for the next one.

[hit and run]

Happy Birthday JiB!

...

Posted by: sbw | February 06, 2011 at 01:02 PM

That was well done,sbw.

[bunky]

Gladiator soundtrack well worth buying.

"What we do in life, echoes in eternity."

[Chubby]

Lucky Soylent Janet.

[caro]

From the bgates link above.

Kruger and Dunning proposed that, for a given skill, incompetent people will:

1. tend to overestimate their own level of skill;
2. fail to recognize genuine skill in others;
3. fail to recognize the extremity of their inadequacy;

Bammy's photo belongs on that page. Thanks for putting a name on that syndrome.

[Thomas Collins]

Happy Birthday, JiB.

[Danube of Thought]

Jeez--a guy just e-mailed Insty with this jewel from Madison in Federalist #62:

"Another effect of public instability is the unreasonable advantage it gives to the sagacious, the enterprising, and the moneyed few over the industrious and uniformed mass of the people. Every new regulation concerning commerce or revenue, or in any way affecting the value of the different species of property, presents a new harvest to those who watch the change, and can trace its consequences; a harvest, reared not by themselves, but by the toils and cares of the great body of their fellow-citizens. This is a state of things in which it may be said with some truth that laws are made for the few, not for the many.

"In another point of view, great injury results from an unstable government. The want of confidence in the public councils damps every useful undertaking, the success and profit of which may depend on a continuance of existing arrangements. What prudent merchant will hazard his fortunes in any new branch of commerce when he knows not but that his plans may be rendered unlawful before they can be executed? What farmer or manufacturer will lay himself out for the encouragement given to any particular cultivation or establishment, when he can have no assurance that his preparatory labors and advances will not render him a victim to an inconstant government? In a word, no great improvement or laudable enterprise can go forward which requires the auspices of a steady system of national policy."

Probly couldna said it better my own bad self.

[clarice]

well, the fougasse came out very well--delicious even and the article's been corrected. Apparently the proofreader decided the editor and author (me) were wrong in comparing a country (Honduras) to a man (Hosni), without paying attention to the substance. PHeH

[Captain Hate]

Moran's getting hammered in the comments.

[hit and run]

Love the Pieces,Clarice.

Your title: "The Incredible Lightness of Obama" . . . and this sentence:

The rulers of Egypt have a stake in its continued existence which supersedes Obama's adolescent moral preening.

Jogged my memory.

Lightness . . . preening.

Hmmm,if someone wanted to,he could google "the unbearable lightness of preening" just to see what came up.

[daveinboca]

Frank Wisner asked me to be his political officer in his first ambassadorial posting [to Zambia]. He is the finest FSO I've ever worked with personally, including Dick Holbrooke and Peter Tarnoff, two titans of the Vietnam era.

The midgets in the White House at the moment are utterly baffled by REAL WORLD realism and continue their silly infatuation with GWB's global idealism [all the while calling GWB the "root of the problem."]

Wisner has more integrity in his pinkie finger than Hillarious ClyntOOn has in her entire wide-load body. Let's see how the thimblewits in the Obimbo regime react to a dose of REALPOLITIK.

[Uncle BigBad]

The Kruger-Dunning effect describes not only Obama, but several Kennedys as well, esp:

Makes you believe you can ski better than you actually can, and

Makes you believe you can pilot a plane at night even though you haven't had night-flight training.

[Janet]

and from the preceding paragraph in Federalist 62 - (one of my favorite quotes)

"It will be of little avail to the people, that the laws are made by men of their own choice, if the laws be so voluminous that they cannot be read, or so incoherent that they cannot be understood; if they be repealed or revised before they are promulgated, or undergo such incessant changes that no man, who knows what the law is to-day, can guess what it will be to-morrow."

[narciso]

Well we don't look highly on Holbrooke, here DiB, but you would know better than I about that,

[matt]

Feliz compleanos, JiB! Or if in Stanley, hip, hip, hoorah, old son.

In the Honduran mess, we sided with Zelaya and the government stood firm and we cut off aid for @ 6 months or so.

The November 2009 elections had been scheduled long before, and a conservative, Lobo, was elected. Zelaya was holed up in the Brazilian embassy, and Lobo allowed him to leave for the Dominican Republic.

The U.S. skulked back in with our tails between our legs.It is notable that the Wikipedia article contains as much on public opinion polls in Honduras as any of the other subdivisions, somehow conferring legitimacy upon Zelaya.

Another Sally Field moment. They really, really liked Zelaya even though he was another caudillo waiting to pounce. Leftist caudillos are okay.