Bachmann again

[takoma]

Now she's criticizing Obama, not for abandoning the Bush policy of spreading democracy, but for not totally reversing it: http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/09/bachmann-arab-spring-caused-the-rise-of-radical-elements.php. I suppose she thinks she is being pro-Israel?

Were any of you watching the crowd in Tahrir Square rooting for Mubarak to prevail?

[Anonymous]

There's nothing the US could have done about Mubarak and while I didn't like Obama's handling the situation, it was best to just stay out of it. Anti-American sentiment is growing by leaps and bounds there, and if (when) we veto the vote on a Palestinain state, it's going to be disasterous. I dont think any of our politicians has a clue. Bachmann, Obama, or anyone else.

[Anonymous]

Sorry for the typos.

[jsteele]

I think many of our politicians have clues, but are unable to act on their knowledge due to domestic political constraints. Bachmann, on the other hand, really has no clue. The US stood by Mubarak until it was obvious that he had no chance of remaining in power. Then, the US engineered the takeover by a pro-US junta. It was US pressure that resulted in Egyptian special forces rescuing the Israelis from their embassy last week.

I actually don't expect any significant fallout of a US veto of the Palestinian resolution. Every Arab that will be upset by it already hates US policy. It's what they expect. The rest of the Arabs don't give a crap about the Palestinians. Though, I do admit that Egypt is the one country in which the veto may actually have an impact. But, the army will control the situation (with no international criticism of human rights violations in the process).