Israeli Double Standard Time
doubleplusundead — ... . Then, I checked on Google maps to see how easy it is to map out a school in Israel. Satellite view. No problem. Then I checked reports of how many kindergartens and schools have been hit by grad rockets. Update: And good job abandoning everything America stands for , Obama! (via Drudge) The incoming Obama administration is prepared to abandon President Bush's doctrine of isolating Hamas by establishing a channel to the Islamist organisation, sources close to the transition team say. I don't think I'm alone when I say "WTF'ing F?!" Posted by: ...

Obama Team Prepared to Talk to Hamas
Conservative Belle — ... From Obama on the conflict in the Middle East: The incoming Obama administration is prepared to abandon President Bush's doctrine of isolating Hamas by establishing a channel to the Islamist organisation, sources close to the transition team say. The move to open contacts with Hamas - which could be initiated through the US intelligence services - would represent a definitive break with the Bush presidency's ostracising of the group. The Guardian has spoken to three people with knowledge of the discussions in the Obama camp. There is no ...

Oh Yippie!... Obama Is Preparing Talks With Hamas
Gateway Pundit — ... Hussein's Baathist Party Leaders have already lined up to hold talks with the Obama Administration without preconditions. Now, the Obama Camp is preparing to hold talks with Hamas killers. Et tu, Izzy? Even Saddam Hussein's henchmen are wanting to hold talks with Obama and hope to take Iraq off his hands with a premature withdrawal. The Guardian reported: The incoming Obama ...

Obama camp 'prepared to talk to Hamas'
Democratic Underground Latest Breaking News — ... Hamas early on in his administration, but he is being urged by advisers to initiate low-level or clandestine approaches, and there is growing recognition in Washington that the policy of ostracising Hamas is counter-productive. A tested course would be to start contacts through Hamas and the US intelligence services - similar to the secret process through which the US engaged with the PLO in the 1970s. Israel did not become aware of the contacts until much later. ..more.. Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jan/08/barack-obam...

OBAMA ADMINISTRATION TO OPEN CHANNELS WITH HAMAS?
THE ASTUTE BLOGGERS — Excerpt from the January 8, 2009, edition of the Guardian, with thanks to Steve, who emailed me the link: The incoming Obama administration is prepared to abandon President Bush's doctrine of isolating Hamas by establishing a channel to the Islamist organisation, sources close to the transition team say. The move to open contacts with Hamas - which could be initiated through the US intelligence services - would represent a definitive break with the Bush presidency's ostracising of the group. ...

Appeasement 101
Babalú Blog: an island on the net without a bearded dictator — Appeasement 101 And so it begins. From the UK Gardian: The incoming Obama administration is prepared to abandon George Bush's ­doctrine of isolating Hamas by establishing a channel to the Islamist organisation, sources close to the transition team say. The move to open contacts with Hamas, which could be initiated through the US intelligence services, would represent a definitive break with the Bush ­presidency's ostracising of the group. The state department has designated Hamas a terrorist organisation, and in 2006 ­Congress passed a law banning US financial aid to the ...

Obama ready to talk to Nazis -- no, wait...
Jihad Watch — ... Not the Nazis, but Hamas. I always mix those two up. "Obama camp 'prepared to talk to Hamas,'" by Suzanne Goldenberg in the Guardian, January 8 (thanks to James): ...

Obama Camp 'Prepared to Talk to Hamas'
The Page by Mark Halperin — ... The Guardian claims the incoming administration will abandon Bush's isolation of the Islamist group to initiate low-level diplomacy. "There is no talk of Obama approving direct diplomatic negotiations with Hamas early on, but he is being urged by advisers to initiate low-level or clandestine approaches..."       ...

Obama Ready to Negotiate With Terrorists Hamas
Stop The ACLU — Wow! So says the Guardian! The incoming Obama administration is prepared to abandon George Bush’s ­doctrine of isolating Hamas by establishing a channel to the Islamist organisation, sources close to the transition team say. The move to open contacts with Hamas, which could be initiated through the US intelligence services, would represent a definitive break with the Bush ­presidency’s ostracising of the group. The state department has designated Hamas a terrorist organisation, and in 2006 ­Congress passed a law banning US financial aid to the group. The Guardian has spoken to ...

‘And He Shall Bring-ith Forth-ith Peace-ith Among-ith The Warring-ith In The Land Of Gazith…’
Pat Dollard | Young Americans — Guardian UK: Obama camp ‘prepared to talk to Hamas’ Incoming administration will abandon Bush’s isolation of Islamist group to initiate low-level diplomacy, say transition sources by Suzanne Goldenberg The incoming Obama administration is prepared to abandon George Bush’s ­doctrine of isolating Hamas by establishing a channel to the Islamist organisation, sources close to the transition team say. The move to open contacts with Hamas, which could be initiated through the US intelligence ...

Report: Obama prepared to talk to Hamas.
Think Progress — ... Barack Obama is reportedly planning to ditch President Bush’s strategy of isolating Hamas, and will instead move to open contacts with the group. “The Guardian has spoken to three people with knowledge of the discussions in the Obama camp. There is no talk of Obama approving direct diplomatic negotiations with Hamas early on, but he is being urged by advisers to initiate low-level or clandestine approaches, and there is growing recognition in Washington that the policy of ostracising Hamas is counter-productive.” ...

Obama to Talk to Hamas?
Firedoglake — ... A very interesting new report in tomorrow's Guardian suggests that the Obama team may take a very different – though secretive – approach to Hamas. Suzanne Goldenberg, the Guardian’s US correspondent writes: ...

Obama camp 'prepared to talk to Hamas'
Democratic Underground Latest Breaking News — ... diplomatic negotiations with Hamas early on, but he is being urged by advisers to initiate low-level or clandestine approaches, and there is growing recognition in Washington that the policy of ostracising Hamas is counter-productive. A tested course would be to start contacts through Hamas and the US intelligence services, similar to the secret process through which the US engaged with the PLO in the 1970s. Israel did not become aware of the contacts until much later. Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jan/08/barack-obam... Good if true. But something tells me ...

Eye-opening stories for Friday (OPEN THREAD)
Sister Toldjah — ... First, the biggie: The Guardian is reporting that Team Obama is preparing to start “low level” talks with Hamas (via ...

Israel defiant?
Israel Matzav — ... the cessation of military activity. The entire situation is absurd since Israel as a member state is bound to obey Security Council resolutions, while Hamas is not. Given that we are eleven days from the end of the Bush administration, Israel can probably continue the operation until then without coming into conflict with the United States. But come January 20, life may be different. Not only will the UN be putting Hamas on the footing of a state actor, so will the incoming Obama administration (Hat Tip: ...

The Same Old Change
Antiwar.com Original — ... in advance when he starts taking those really bold initiatives , but doesn't there come a point when that somewhat dubious strategy becomes suspiciously repetitive? Is he really appointing ...

Newspaper Roundup for Jan. 9, 2009
CNSNews.com Headlines — ... News National CNSNews.com Newspaper Roundup for Jan. 9, 2009 Friday, January 09, 2009 By Susan Jones, Senior Editor Fox News: Group That Funded Rep. Ellison's Pilgrimage to Mecca Called a Front for Extremism The Hill: Conyers s opposition to Gupta is connected to Michael Moore Washington Post: Polygamist leader: Arrest is religious persecution Chicago Sun-Times: Blago seeks to have Fitzgerald removed from case The Guardian: Obama administration prepared to hold low level talks with Hamas Fox News/AP: ...

links for 2009-01-09
FullosseousFlap's Dental Blog — ... (tags: John_O._Brennan) Barack Obama administration 'prepared to talk to Hamas' The incoming Obama administration is prepared to abandon President Bush's doctrine of isolating Hamas by establishing a channel to the Islamist ...

Contact With Hamas Is The Wrong Solution
QandO — ... are out claiming that the incoming Obama administration will eschew the former policy of isolating terrorist groups and instead seek low level engagement with them. Well, that’s not really what the reports say - they don’t refer to talks between a terror group and the US government at any level. In fact, other than stating that Hamas has been "designated" as a terrorist organization, and implying that’s a mistake, Hamas and terror are barely linked (at least in the report cited). At worst they’re referred to as a "radical organization". ...

Obama administration to work with Hamas?
AMERICAblog News| A great nation deserves the truth — If this (UK) Guardian report is true, even indirect talks would be a major change in policy by the US. Clearly the existing approach to addressing the problems in Gaza and the region are failing though enhancing the power of Hamas will come with a cost. More from The Guardian: ...

Larwyn's Link Kerplosion: Reid gets a taste of The Chicago Way
Doug Ross @ Journal — [image] Blame Democrats for the Housing Meltdown : Gateway Pundit Nonie Darwish interview : Family Security Matters Obama administration 'prepared to talk to Hamas' : Guardian (UK) Carter's Arab Financiers : Washington Times Beat Juan Cole in the Weblog Awards Vote Michael J. Totten Web of contracts and donations bind Burris and Blago : MyFox Chicago Obama serves Reid a taste of Chicago Way : Chicago Tribune (John Kass) Is Chrysler a lost cause? : Yahoo! News Italian Union: 'Identify, boycott' Jewish-owned ...

Partners for peace
Belmont Club — If this article from the Guardian is accurate, then Obama has indirectly broken his silence on Gaza. And the message from his camp strongly suggests Hamas will be allowed to survive. The incoming Obama administration is prepared to abandon George Bush’s ­doctrine of isolating Hamas by establishing a channel to the Islamist organisation, sources close to the transition team say. The move to open contacts with Hamas, which could be initiated through the US intelligence services, would represent a definitive break with the Bush ­presidency’s ostracising of the group. The state ...

Let's Dance
The Corner on National Review Online — ... ] Guardian : The incoming Obama administration is prepared to abandon George Bush's doctrine of isolating Hamas by establishing a channel to the Islamist organisation, sources close to the transition team say. The move to open contacts with Hamas, which could be initiated through the US intelligence services, would represent a definitive break with the Bush presidency's ostracising of the group. The state department has designated Hamas a terrorist organisation, and in 2006 Congress passed a law banning US financial aid to the group. The Guardian has spoken to three people with ...

Early Morning Swim
Firedoglake — UN resolution doesn't stop Israel. Appeasement! Blago one step closer to impeachment. The second half of the bailout getting a makeover. Obama introduces the new head of the DNC. But why the snub? Brownie evacuated.  I don't think "liberated" means what Bush thinks it means. Is there a bigger crybaby on the planet?

Obama Camp to Legitimize Terrorist Group
The Jawa Report — January 09, 2009 Obama Camp to Legitimize Terrorist Group Hug a terrorist time! The incoming Obama administration is prepared to abandon George Bush's ­doctrine of isolating Hamas by establishing a channel to the Islamist (designated terrorist) organization, sources close to the transition team say. Apart from the paper's useful idiot of a writer, who seems incapable of wrapping her fat little head around the fact that this is a colossal strategic blunder that will end up making Barry-O looking stupider than he does already, there is nothing good that will come of this. You ...

'Hamas Makes Cynical Use of Civilian Homes'
JammieWearingFool — ... as well as the location of roadside bombs, anti-tank bombs and land mines." Halamish said the map showed that Hamas does not hesitate to use the civilian population in carrying out its terrorist activity. For example, a brown dot is marked next to a mosque, representing a nearby sniper position. Pointing to one sector, Halamish said, "This is a civilian area, and you can see on the map how Hamas booby-trapped the entrance to homes in order to hit" Israeli forces. Knowing all this, President-in-Training Obama is ready to sit down and chat with them. Wonderful. The incoming ...

Obama Picks Blagojevich as Mid-East Envoy
ScrappleFace — ... “I have already spoken directly with Hamas leadership,” said Mr. Obama. “They have agreed to provide housing and office space for Ambassador Blagojevich and his charming wife adjacent to a weapons depot to ensure their safety.” ...

Operation Cast Lead: Day 14
A Blog For All — ... for holding presidential and legislative elections simultaneously. And since the legislative elections are due to be held in January 2010, Abbas is entitled to stay in office for an additional year, he explained. However, Hamas and some Palestinian legal experts have openly challenged Abbas's right to remain in power after the expiration of his term. So, while Hamas is busy attacking Israel and considers Abbas out of a job, none other than President Elect Barack Obama thinks that he needs to open dialog with Hamas . The incoming Obama administration is prepared to abandon ...

Engaging Hamas?
Political Animal — ENGAGING HAMAS?.... As a rule, I'm reflexively skeptical of reports about U.S. policy in U.K. media that haven't been reported by any major domestic outlet. That said, this new report in the Guardian certainly sounds plausible. The incoming Obama administration is prepared to abandon George Bush's doctrine of isolating Hamas by establishing a channel to the Islamist organisation, sources close to the transition team say. The move to open contacts with Hamas, which could be initiated through the US intelligence services, would represent a definitive break with the Bush ...

Time Short
Jules Crittenden — ... Obama transition team signals to Israel they’d better get on with it and destroy Hamas quick. Because Obama plans to reverse the isolation policy and initiate diplomatic talks with the terrorist group. OK, that’s not exactly what the UK Guardian  is reporting:  The incoming Obama administration is prepared to abandon George Bush’s ­doctrine of isolating Hamas by establishing a channel to the Islamist organisation, sources close to the transition team say. The move to open contacts with Hamas, which could be initiated through the US intelligence services, would represent a ...

What Some People Didn’t Learn in Kindergarten
The Mahablog — ... There’s a story in the Guardian that the Obama foreign policy team is planning to talk to Hamas. I don’t have to tell you how the Right is taking that. The ...

TALKING WITH HAMAS
Right Wing Nut House — Word has leaked out that the new Obama Administration will likely open a channel of communications of some kind with Hamas. There is no word whether they plan on opening a dialogue with American Nazis, Kluxers, skin heads, or other groups in the US who also wish to kill all the Jews but I’m sure they will eventually get around to it. After all, what’s good for the goose is good for the gander. Or, what’s good for Jew haters in Gaza should be fine for the Jew haters here. The incoming Obama administration is prepared to abandon George Bush’s ­doctrine of isolating Hamas by ...

Hugh Hewitt: Could There Be Such Stupid People In The Transition?
Townhall.com Blog's TownHall Blog — As I discussed on last night's program, the Guardian reported that sources close to the president-elect's transition team are proposing an outreach to Hamas. This is like proposing an outreach to al Qaeda, and my new Townhall.com column discusses this insanity. Charles Krauthammer's column today focuses on how the crushing of Hamas might be within reach: [T]he only acceptable outcome of this war, both for Israel and for the civilized world, is Endgame B: the disintegration of Hamas rule. It is already under way. This is not about killing every ...

Hugh Hewitt: Could There Be Such Stupid People In The Transition?
Hugh Hewitt's TownHall Blog — As I discussed on last night's program, the Guardian reported that sources close to the president-elect's transition team are proposing an outreach to Hamas. This is like proposing an outreach to al Qaeda, and my new Townhall.com column discusses this insanity. Charles Krauthammer's column today focuses on how the crushing of Hamas might be within reach: [T]he only acceptable outcome of this war, both for Israel and for the civilized world, is Endgame B: the disintegration of Hamas rule. It is already under way. This is not about killing every ...

Obama Would Initiate Communications With Hamas
Taegan Goddard's Political Wire — President-elect Obama "is prepared to abandon George Bush's ­doctrine of isolating Hamas by establishing a channel to the Islamist organisation," sources close to the transition team tell The Guardian. ...

The Bullshit Begins
Balloon Juice — ... Obama transition team members have sent a message through the media today that when Obama takes office in 12 days, he will instruct our intelligence services to open a secret dialog with Hamas. Instead of running scared as they have for the last week or so, all Hamas need do now is hunker down for a few more days and wait for the incoming American administration to save their hides. And, alas, poor Israeli families in Beersheva will continue to suffer under the terrible rocket attacks from Gaza. ...

Sources: Obama Read to Talk to Hamas
PoliGazette — ... Several sources close to Obama’s transition team told Britain’s most left-wing newspaper, the Guardian, that the incoming administration taking steps to break with Bush’s policy of isolating Hamas. The up and coming administration, these sources say, believes that lasting peace can only be achieved by reaching out to Hamas and by establishing a channel to the Palestinian terrorist organization. ...

I dreamed I gave Michelle Obama a peanut butter sandwich in my Maidenform bra...
Blue Gal — ... is Thatcherite, she tells me. I voted and dang that's a very close race, so close my small dose of readers could actually make a difference....CiB is losing by 51 votes. So if you want to do something nice today, there ya go. Vote for Driftglass, too, of course. He's more fierce than nice, but we need that in a blogger. I just sent a dare to Wonkette...can they move one thousand votes in one day? I double dog dare them. PS. Dear Mister President Elect: Talking to Hamas is the very least you can do.

The Abiguity of Talking
Matthew Yglesias — ... Suzanne Goldenberg of The Guardian reports that Barack Obama may be prepared to hold talks with Hamas. Spencer Ackerman says that ...

1/9: Selling The Stimulus
Blogometer — ... of Capitol Hill Democrats? I have no proof that this is the plan but it seems a reasonable possibility and it wouldn't be the first time such a feint was carried out. In my view, Republicans would be best off if they assumed that this was indeed the plan and reacted accordingly by ensuring that the stimulus plan is defined on Republican terms, and not on Obama vs. Capitol Hill Democrat terms." OBAMA IV: Negotiating With Terrorists? Conservative bloggers are blasting Obama after the Guardian reported that his incoming admin. "is prepared to abandon George Bush 's doctrine ...

A More Even-Handed Approach to Israel and the Palestinians?
Comments from Left Field — ... The Guardian reports that PEBO is planning to initiate low-level contacts with Hamas shortly after he takes office: ...

Gates of Vienna News Feed 1/9/2009
Gates of Vienna — ... Obama Camp ‘Prepared to Talk to Hamas’ [Comments from JD: note the tone of the article.] The incoming Obama administration is prepared to abandon George Bush’s ­doctrine of isolating Hamas by establishing a channel to the Islamist organisation, sources close to the transition team say. The move to open contacts with Hamas, which could be initiated through the US intelligence services, would represent a definitive break with the Bush ­presidency’s ostracising of the group. The state department has ...

Open Thread for Night Owls, Early Birds and Expats
Daily Kos — ... and includes the story Obama camp 'prepared to talk to Hamas':  Incoming administration will abandon Bush's isolation of Islamist group to initiate low-level diplomacy.. ...

NUTS AND NOTHING BUT NUTS
Dr. Sanity — ... ) to contemplating direct negotiations with them** are tactics designed to foster the illusion that "they are just like us" and are somehow amenable to civilized discourse despite their severe cognitive impairment and tentative relationship to reality. ...

Facebook Scam, Inauguration Wait, and Media Moments
The Washington Note — ... pretended (as my friend) to be stranded and stuck in London without money and a passport after having been robbed. The hacker succeeded in getting $1000.00 from one of my friend's acquaintances. I'd have the FBI all over this scumbag -- but that's my friend's business. On other fronts, here are a few media moments that may interest some of you: 1. Financial Times comment on Hillary Clinton's foreign policy 2. Guardian comment on Obama administration and Hamas 3. Bloomberg comment on Obama ...

THE PARANOIA AND PROJECTION OF THESE PALESTINIAN NUTJOBS IS SIMPLY INCREDIBLE
Dr. Sanity — ... And these are the people our new Messiah intends to cozy up to in the immediate future--but then, who among those who hate America doesn't the Big O want to cozy up to?) I guess it's the loving and compassionate religious rhetoric that reminds him of his old pastor and mentor. ...

Obama "extending hand" to Hezbollah
Hyscience — First it was Hamas, then Iran, then the Cairo speech to the Muslim world in general, and now its Hezbollah. Obama just can't get over his Muslim roots, even though the terrorists he's "extending hands" to have never shown any inclination whatsoever to do anything but kill Israelis, Americans, and any Muslims that happen to not agree with jihadists. As David Satter wrote at Forbes.com in February of this year, Obama's remarks (at Arabiya) may change the image of America in the Muslim world ...