“This is not a battle between different faiths, different sects or different civilizations,” Mr. Trump said. “This is a battle between barbaric criminals who seek to obliterate human life and decent people, all in the name of religion. People want to protect life and want to protect their religion. This is a battle between good and evil.”
More interesting--and promising--is the joint creation of, in the NYT's words, of a "Terrorist Financing Targeting Center to formalize longstanding cooperation and search for new ways to cut off sources of money for radical groups." And the Saudis, the primary and well funded Wahabist missionaries, have created a Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology.
During his campaign, Trump floated the idea of putting mosques in the US under surveillance while calling for a "total shutdown" of Muslims entering the US "until our country's representatives can figure out what the hell is going on".
His words shocked many Americans, with Trump's detractors noting that the US Constitution prohibits religious discrimination.
"I think Islam hates us.There is a tremendous hatred there. We have to get to the bottom of it," Trump said in a March 2016 interview with CNN
They hailed the announcement of the intention to form the strategic Middle East alliance in the city of Riyadh. A number of countries will take part in it in order to achieve regional and global peace and security.
The leaders hailed the efforts of Arab and Islamic countries in facing terrorism and the exchange of information among them over foreign fighters and their operations in terror organizations. They also expressed their satisfaction with working with the legitimate Yemeni government and the Arab coalition fighting terrorist groups seeking political vacuum in the country.
The gatherers welcomed the readiness of a number of Islamic countries to join the Islamic Military Coalition to Combat Terrorism in order to provide a reserve of 34,000 soldiers to back the counter-terrorism operations in Iraq and Syria if needed, said the Riyadh Declaration.
They praised the deal that was addressed during the Riyadh summits over the weekend that tackled cutting the financing of terrorism and the establishment of a center dedicated to this purpose. The center will be based in Riyadh.
So after inventing “fake news”, America’s crazed President on Sunday gave the world’s Muslims a fake speech. Donald Trump said he was not in Saudi Arabia to “lecture” – but then told the world’s Islamic preachers what to say, condemned “Islamist terrorism” as if violence was a solely Muslim phenomenon and then announced like an Old Testament prophet that he was in “a battle between good and evil”. There were no words of compassion, none of mercy, absolutely not a word of apology for his racist, anti-Muslim speeches of last year.
Even more incredibly, he blamed Iran – rather than Isis – for “fuelling sectarian violence”, pitied the Iranian people for their “despair” a day after they had freely elected a liberal reformer as their president, and demanded the further isolation of the largest Shiite country in the Middle East. The regime responsible for “so much instability” is Iran. The Shiite Hezbollah were condemned. So were the Shiite Yemenis. Trump’s Sunni Saudi hosts glowed with warmth at such wisdom. And this was billed by CNN as a “reset” speech with the Muslim world.
Muslims in places like Iraq and Afghanistan seem divided over the speech--hopeful that maybe something will be done to effectively combat terrorism but confused this Muslim "reset" is coming from the guy who wants to ban Muslims and fight "radical ISLAMIC terrorism."
Quote: First lady Melania Trump did not wear a headscarf when she greeted the king of Saudi Arabia on Saturday. Neither did President Trump's daughter, Ivanka, or any of the other women in Trump's delegation.
That's not uncommon, illegal or even particularly impolite. While Islamic women are required by sharia law to cover their heads in public, there's no such expectation for western women. And King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud greeted Melania Trump warmly at the airport, even shaking her hand — again, something forbidden between unrelated Saudi men and women but allowed for foreigners.
So none of this would be an issue, except for the fact that President Trump himself made it one — when Barack Obama was president.
In 2015, President Obama and first lady Michele Obama visited Saudi Arabia to mourn the death of King Salman's brother and predecessor, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz al Saud. Michelle Obama wore loose, head-to-toe clothing, but did not cover her head.
Quote:"Many people are saying it was wonderful that Mrs. Obama refused to wear a scarf in Saudi Arabia, but they were insulted," Trump tweeted. "We have enuf enemies."
Other high profile western visitors — including German Chancellor Angela Merkel, British Prime Minister Theresa May, and first ladies Hillary Clinton and Laura Bush — have also eschewed the headscarf in their visits to the kingdom.
There is a similar flap over whether Trump bowed right after he received his medal from Salman. The alt right especially does not want to see their hero on an "apology tour."
I do think Melania and Ivanka can be genuinely popular in Saudi Arabia. Both are very FEMININE business women. But there are so many pictures of them on the internet which are "pornography" by Saudi standards. I wonder how each side handles that? This picture of Ivanka is no big deal here, but you could not send this through the mail in Saudi.
I have noticed that many on the Right often jump on political etiquette and protocol in a manner which suggests they foresee serious, long term consequences for behaviors like wearing a headscarf (or not) and bowing. But a phone call to the leader of Taiwan or a statement like "of course we should have taken the oil" is regarded as inconsequential.
The Israel reception will be interesting as well. Like the Saudis, they know Trump is their guy. They will want a public show of unity. But the Israeli press is not like the Saudi. They can call BS when they see it.
The Pope and Trump appear to disagree majorly on everything from climate change to poverty. That meeting will be interesting too.
(05-21-2017, 10:39 PM)Dill Wrote: There is a similar flap over whether Trump bowed right after he received his medal from Salman. The alt right especially does not want to see their hero on an "apology tour."
I do think Melania and Ivanka can be genuinely popular in Saudi Arabia. Both are very FEMININE business women. But there are so many pictures of them on the internet which are "pornography" by Saudi standards. I wonder how each side handles that? This picture of Ivanka is no big deal here, but you could not send this through the mail in Saudi.
I have noticed that many on the Right often jump on political etiquette and protocol in a manner which suggests they foresee serious, long term consequences for behaviors like wearing a headscarf (or not) and bowing. But a phone call to the leader of Taiwan or a statement like "of course we should have taken the oil" is regarded as inconsequential.
The Israel reception will be interesting as well. Like the Saudis, they know Trump is there guy. They will want a public show of unity. But the Israeli press is not like the Saudi. They can call BS when they see it.
The Pope and Trump appear to disagree majorly on everything from climate change to poverty. That meeting will be interesting too.
Remember how the right got their tighty whiteys in a bunch when the FLOTUS bared her arms or didn't dress "properly" during a vacation flight?!?!
Good times....
Your anger and ego will always reveal your true self.
Quote:President Trump urged leaders of Muslim countries to stand up against what he calls "Islamic extremism" on Sunday, adopting a tough stance on terror that nonetheless attempts to soften the anti-Muslim rhetoric of his campaign for president.
The use of that terminology appears to be something of a compromise: During the presidential campaign, Trump criticized President Obama for refusing to utter the words "radical Islamic terrorism" — a phrase Obama said would alienate the Muslim allies that the United States most needs to combat terrorism.
In an ornate conference hall in the Saudi capital, and speaking to a group of leaders from 50 Islamic nations, Trump called on Muslims to confront "the crisis of Islamic extremism and the Islamist and Islamic terror of all kinds."
That means "standing together against the murder of innocent Muslims, the oppression of women, the persecution of Jews, and the slaughter of Christians," Trump said at the Arab Islamic American Summit.
“Religious leaders must make this absolutely clear: Barbarism will deliver you no glory – piety to evil will bring you no dignity,” Trump continued. "If you choose the path of terror, your life will be empty, your life will be brief, and your soul will be condemned."
Calling on people in Middle Eastern countries to decide what kind of future they want for themselves and their children, Trump said, “a better future is only possible if your nations drive out the terrorists and extremists. Drive them out. Drive them out of your places of worship. Drive them out of your communities. Drive them out of your holy land, and drive them out of this Earth."
But Trump also rejected the "clash of civilizations" rhetoric espoused by some of his more nationalistic advisers. His chief strategist, Stephen Bannon, has called Islam "the most radical religion" in the world and warned of a "major shooting war" in the Middle East.
"This is not a battle between different faiths, different sects, or different civilizations," Trump said. "This is a battle between barbaric criminals who seek to obliterate human life, and decent people all in the name of religion... This is a battle between good and evil."
I like his approach.
I also get a giggle out of the bully softening his approach when in front of the people he was gonna give it to.
And then took money from them.
And so did his daughter.
MAGA!
#hooklinenadsinker
Your anger and ego will always reveal your true self.
(05-21-2017, 10:39 PM)Dill Wrote: There is a similar flap over whether Trump bowed right after he received his medal from Salman. The alt right especially does not want to see their hero on an "apology
(05-22-2017, 07:00 AM)GMDino Wrote: Remember how the right got their tighty whiteys in a bunch when the FLOTUS bared her arms or didn't dress "properly" during a vacation flight?!?!
Good times....
No. I did get sick of hearing about her arms though.
“History teaches that grave threats to liberty often come in times of urgency, when constitutional rights seem too extravagant to endure.”-Thurgood Marshall
I was reading an article that interviewed some people in the Middle East regarding Trump's speech. There seems to be relief on the softening of the rhetoric, they like that he's saying he wants to step away from their affairs, but then many just see it as business. Boosting the power of the Saudi Royal family and an wallet of the U.S.
Also, given the source of funding for terrorism that is Saudi Arabia, I find it interesting that he focused on Iran as doing these things while standing in Riyadh.
All in all, I had a low bar of not being too offensive, and he met that for me. So, yay?
"A great democracy has got to be progressive, or it will soon cease to be either great or a democracy..." - TR
"The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little." - FDR
(05-22-2017, 08:41 AM)oncemoreuntothejimbreech Wrote: You could just leave without saying a word like those Notre Dame students. You could learn a lot from them.
LOL I don't want Bfine to leave. I want him to "protest" any poster he does not agree with.
Liberal types need to have more sympathy for Trump defenders. These are rough times for those guys, and they aren't getting better.
I know Democrats will neither nominate nor elect to the presidency a misogynist who knows nothing about government and swims in outlandish conspiracy theories, but imagine how tough it would be to defend such a person week in and week out.
Wait, nevermind. Democrats would not defend such a person.
(05-22-2017, 12:18 PM)Belsnickel Wrote: I was reading an article that interviewed some people in the Middle East regarding Trump's speech. There seems to be relief on the softening of the rhetoric, they like that he's saying he wants to step away from their affairs, but then many just see it as business. Boosting the power of the Saudi Royal family and an wallet of the U.S.
Also, given the source of funding for terrorism that is Saudi Arabia, I find it interesting that he focused on Iran as doing these things while standing in Riyadh.
All in all, I had a low bar of not being too offensive, and he met that for me. So, yay?
Add to that that apparently he read the speech without spitting on himself so "he sounded presidential."
That bar has been set so low for him I can't believe how infrequently he reaches it.
Your anger and ego will always reveal your true self.
(05-22-2017, 12:18 PM)Belsnickel Wrote: I was reading an article that interviewed some people in the Middle East regarding Trump's speech. There seems to be relief on the softening of the rhetoric, they like that he's saying he wants to step away from their affairs, but then many just see it as business. Boosting the power of the Saudi Royal family and an wallet of the U.S.
Also, given the source of funding for terrorism that is Saudi Arabia, I find it interesting that he focused on Iran as doing these things while standing in Riyadh.
All in all, I had a low bar of not being too offensive, and he met that for me. So, yay?
The Iran comments were very troubling for me. I am concerned that he might be creating pretexts for scotching the Iran deal. That would ramp up regional tensions, and I am pretty sure Iran would respond by saying "no more negotiations, sanction us all you want." And then build a bomb. They could do it inside a year, if they decided, and no one could stop them. Then the Saudis would have to have one.
Other fallout would be that after the painstaking work of getting France, GB, Russia and China to all cooperate, they too would have had enough. The US would be branded an unreliable partner. This would make America great for Trump's base, but not for the rest of the world in which the US economy is embedded.
The Iran comments could have been just talk for the base. A lot of tough sounding words would keep them on board while the adults in the room would keep him signing off on confirmations Iran is keeping its word. But it is hard to tell how the talk will affect real players in the Middle East, including the Iranian leadership.
Finally, people in the region know where Salafists got the funding to expand. Egypt is the largest Arab country, and while many there will cheer the US backing of Saudis, they will also understand the intimate connection between SAUDI financing and groups the US calls terrorists. Particularly troubling for many Sunnis will be the Saudi agreement to designate Hamas a terrorist group. For moderate or "liberal" forces in Egypt, Iran, Lebanon, and Jordan, I don't see how any of this could be good news. The US is again on the side of dictators, not democracy. That makes me wonder if the new Saudi/US initiatives for combating terror financing and social media will work since the new configuration of alliances seems to strengthen one of the primary social forces that produced terrorism in the first place.
So strange--the only Trump advisors I would rate as competent enough to understand risks in the Middle East are Military or Intel. That means Trump will be hearing fewer competently formulated policy alternatives for the region as the political terrain shifts over the next three months.
Here’s what just happened: Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu were about to leave a scheduled press availability — the room was already filled with noisy chatter. Trump and Netanyahu are called back for one last handshake photo. The press gaggle, as it always does, continues to shout out questions, even though it seemed the time for answers has ended. Netanyahu calls out, “Intelligence cooperation is terrific!”
Then Trump offers up his own off-script pronouncement. “Just so you understand,” he says, quieting the press, “just so you understand — I never mentioned the word or the name Israel in conversation. Never mentioned it.” As he’s talking, a clearly horrified Netanyahu’s eyes dart everywhere.
“They are all saying I did,” Trump continues, unaware. “Never mentioned the word Israel.”
But actually no one had said Trump used the word “Israel.” The reports only said that during a visit in the Oval Office, Trump had casually discussed highly classified intelligence with the Russians that, it turns out, had been from Israel — and thus shouldn’t have been disclosed to the Russians without getting Israel’s permission first.
The horse is out of the barn, but Trump would like EVERYONE to know that he has closed the barn door.
For years, Mr. Netanyahu has sought to make common cause with Sunni Arab nations to counter the Shiite-led Iran, while managing the Palestinian dispute as a subordinate issue. But as Mr. Trump arrived in Jerusalem after meetings in Saudi Arabia, the president indicated that he and those Arab states see an agreement with the Palestinians as integral to that new regional alignment.
“On those issues, there is a strong consensus among the nations of the world — including many in the Muslim world,” Mr. Trump said after a meeting with Reuven Rivlin, who holds the largely ceremonial position of president of Israel. “I was deeply encouraged by my conversations with Muslim world leaders in Saudi Arabia, including King Salman, who I spoke to at great length. King Salman feels very strongly and, I can tell you, would love to see peace with Israel and the Palestinians.”
Mr. Trump added that line to the remarks prepared for him, in effect tying the future of the anti-Iran coalition to the Palestinian issue despite Mr. Netanyahu’s longtime efforts to unlink the two.
This should overshadow the Intel scandal.
Is this just a matter of Trump agreeing with the last knowledgeable person he spoke to, or does this portend a real policy re-alignment in the Middle East? Not to mention a shift in priorities/preferences regarding allies?
![[Image: 4CV0TeR.png]](https://i.imgur.com/4CV0TeR.png)
![[Image: bfine-guns2.png]](https://i.ibb.co/YBkDQJV/bfine-guns2.png)
![[Image: giphy.gif]](https://media0.giphy.com/media/1kwsTjL8BNqlszNtnCE/giphy.gif)
![[Image: IT-job-site.jpg]](https://www.henrymakow.com/upload_images/IT-job-site.jpg)
