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Palestinians see Obama as agent of change

MARK MACKINNON

From Wednesday's Globe and Mail

Latest comment posted at 6:28 PM EST 29/07/08

Many find hope for a new U.S. approach to the region in the Democratic candidate's politics and heritage ...Read the full article

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  1. Aldous Huxley from United States writes: Too bad Americans won't vote for him...
  2. Joseph Bloggins from Canada writes: Aldous Huxley from United States wsays 'Too bad Americans won't vote for him...'

    Nor should they. Obama? Nobama.
  3. Rain Couver from Canada writes: Any agent of peace is welcome. Forgive me if I am a little pessimistic.
  4. Peter Walker from Canada writes: Look out, Obama is out to save the rest of the World from themselves!!
    Never mind the cost to the USA and to all the other Countries - including Canada - that have to help sort out the mess that he is obsessed with!!
  5. Captain Pugwash from Canada writes: If Obama's such a strong supporter of Israel yet refuses to go to Beijing for the opening of the Olympics I wonder how he justifies Israels weapons sales to the Chinese?
  6. Cliff Pallette from Kearney, Canada writes: If my taxes go up because of this man's desire for peace, I'm against him. Let's hope that America is willing to remain committed to spending future generations money on war, rather than risking present dollars on peace.

    There's an entire economy that needs war. Please, please don't give peace a chance!
  7. Prairie Boy from Canada writes: Aldous Huxley Aw c'mon, how can you not vote for a man that is going to fix the mid-east but it will take 2 full terms, 8-10 years. :)
  8. who's your daddy from Canada writes: All the world can hope for is a logical, reasonable , honest and justifiable American foreign policy. Good luck but don't bet on it.
  9. A. McDonough from Canada writes: Given the Palestinian vision for peace, I think they were happier when a short man with a moustache was vying for power. The Grand Mufti of Jerusalem was certainly enamoured with that vision of peace.
  10. E. Biggs from Canada writes: The best thing that the Republicans can hope for is an Obama victory and after he has thoroughly screwed things up the Dems won't get a snift of the White House for decades.

    Obama and Polosi and Read what a nightmare combination.
  11. The Bull from Canada writes: I can't think of a better endorsement.

    go death cult, go!

    if obama wasn't so creepy, it'd be funny.
  12. Michael Sharp from Victoria, Canada writes:

    Hussein goes to Palestine.

    That'll sell.
  13. E. Biggs from Canada writes: He was just visiting his relatives so what is the big deal.

    Cousin Hussein
  14. Philip McRae from Vancouver, Canada writes: When the Palestinians finally ever do anything to raise up themselves as a society and leave off being the Arab dupe. They can have a voice. Otherwise who cares what the mooch on the ME corner with their hand out thinks about anything. They're not in the game as a bona fide player. It's enough the world has to feed and clothe them and see to their medical needs. No body wants to hear them playing at statesmanship. If they want to do that they should do it legitimately and declare themselves a state and accept the responsibilities that follow such a declaration.
  15. Mark Stone from Detroit, United States writes: Nothing will change no matter who's voted in. The US is a plutoarchy and there is an agenda. Speaking of Hussein, it's a shame Sen. Obama didn't go and visit the remains of the Golden Mosque of his namesake in southern Iraq. That was a foolish destruction of a masterpiece...incredible building.
  16. Globefollower From Canada from Canada writes: Go to his website and checkout his "n Israel"section, and his Israel fact sheet - http://www.barackobama.com/issues/foreignpolicy/#onisrael. I do not see any evidence of a significant change in policy. Nor do I see an "On Palestine" section on his website.
  17. Roop Misir from Toronto, Canada writes: Obama, Osama, Umama, Hussein or anyone else can make any difference in the region unless the Palestinians are prepared to live in peace with the country whose map is not even depicted on their version of the area's map!
  18. Stephen Harrington from Toronto, Canada writes: Wow, someone's comment was "Nobama." I expected a little more elevated discussion on the globe site.

    What's important about the international perception of Obama is that it will give him a chance to convince the world that the US can change. That there is hope for US-centric world. That characteristic should not be easily dismissed.
  19. Jennie MacCrae from Ontario from Canada writes: Obama has good intentions, he is Americas only hope of becoming a civilized country. Sadly, Israel will not let this happen, while the Palestinians want peace, Israel wants power. All the power to Obama, he has my vote.
  20. The Wight from Canada writes: Judging from the first 15 posts, there are at least 15 ideologues that see a potential President to the left of them and think that no good can come of it. How sad. Left of these RW maroons means the center.
  21. Proud Canadian from Canada writes: The article states:

    "... Mr. Obama has even won the unwelcome endorsement of the militant Hamas movement, which controls the Gaza Strip and is branded a “terrorist” organization by the U.S. State Department.
    "

    A gift to the Repulicans for sure. What more needs to be said when the Terrorists are backing him.
  22. SB from Ontario from Canada writes: Since Obama is seen and portraying himself as an Agent of Change I think he should suggest changing the electoral process by making the US elections like a reality show but more in a World setting where everyone on this planet can text or call in to vote for their choice of the leader of the next so called free world. It is only fair that people around the World decide who should be the next US President since whoever is elected gets to arbitrarily decide the fate of those peoples lives by invading/mingling in to their countries affairs.
  23. Aaron Stroessner from The BorderLands, United States writes: It's about time that we give P.M. Harper a chance to solve the Middle East crisis.
  24. free thinker (you get what you pay for) from not far from here, Canada writes: Stephen Harrington from Toronto, Canada writes: 'I expected a little more elevated discussion on the globe site.' You must be new here, welcome!
  25. Paul Byer from Canada writes: Glad to see Obama hasn't had to dodge the sniper's bullets on the tarmac like Hillarity and Chelsea did when they went overseas.

    This man does talk a great story though. Only time will tell. Maybe he will be the Moses of the 21st century that he portrays. Personally I have a problem with him using Canada on the free trade issue to lie to the voters in the U.S., immediately admit the lie to Canada, and then expect Canada to be a blind conspirator in the covering of the lie in order to get him elected. Not a man of my choice. He blew that one early and I have a hard time giving him credibility in the rhetoric on this trip. That said , I don't have a vote in the matter, so he really doesn't have to give a Reverend's 'damn' about me.
  26. Titus Andronicus from Canada writes: The Wight from Canada writes: Judging from the first 15 posts, there are at least 15 ideologues that see a potential President to the left of them and think that no good can come of it. How sad. Left of these RW maroons means the center.

    ===============================

    LOL. Witnessing that 'March of the Stupids', I thought I had stumbled on a NewsMax forum instead of the Globe.

  27. Joe Calgarian from Calgary, Canada writes: The headline should read 'Half of Palestinians are as equally deluded as half of Americans'.
  28. too old from Canada writes: Not to worry Obama is not far enough left for Polosi, Read and company and she will undermine him soon enough.

    Obama still has to deal with reality and the establishment and if he gets too far out they will cut him down to size. If you don't know how to work within the system you have no hope of changing anything. System wins every time.
  29. Rain Couver from Canada writes: "Captain Pugwash from Canada writes: If Obama's such a strong supporter of Israel yet refuses to go to Beijing for the opening of the Olympics I wonder how he justifies Israels weapons sales to the Chinese?"

    >>You might need to revise that comment. The Israelis intended on selling some military equipment to China, namely advanced radar detection, but when the Americans asked nicely not to, the Israelis ceased and desisted before anything was actually delivered. A very good thing as well since shortly after, China and Iran, in a combined effort, test launched some new rockets.

    "The Wight from Canada writes: Judging from the first 15 posts, there are at least 15 ideologues that see a potential President to the left of them and think that no good can come of it. How sad. Left of these RW maroons means the center."

    >>I would thank you for not lumping me in with NeoCons since I abhor their politics. I am just expressing my pessimism at any peace in the middle east since neither part is willing to make the very painful compromises necessary, namely, Israel immediately stopping their settlement development and the Palestinians giving up any chance at a right of return or the destruction of Israel. Until the reality of these conditions are understood, there will be no peace. If Obama is able to be the agent of enlightenment and change, so be it, all the power to him and I will forever be grateful. However, considering his spotty foreign policy and some of the people whom he has surrounded himself with and subsequently had to distance himself from, I am not nearly as optimistic as those Obamaniacs who don't see past the veil of pretty words and catchy sound bites.
  30. sur. kai from london, United Kingdom writes: "Palestinians see Obama as agent of change" Why not? They (Palestinians) see him as Muslim agent in White House, without anybody firing a shot, so we will have a Mosque in the White House where muslims who come to visit Obama can pray there(In White House) especially Palestinians. So you Americans be prepared, and vote Obama.
  31. The Bull from Canada writes: obama is the emptiest suit ever.

    it's like watching a rock star lip sync a live performance.

    "we are the change we are looking for", he says.

    hilarious.

    but he can count on the "votes" of Torontonians!

    yay!
  32. The Work Farce from Canada writes: Look at the poor Palestinians. Every time Obama shakes a leg crumbs fly out of the cuffs of his trousers. And the Palestinians scramble for the tiny morsels of hope for change. The crumbs they are a changin'. If Obama is an agent of change, I'm the reincarnation of J Edgar Hoover. Like Obama is campaigning on the right just so he can rule on the left. Right? It's an old Islamic trick, Right? Not really, folks. The cuffs on Obama's trousers are a dead giveaway. No leftwinger has worn cuffs on his trousers in the history of the world. In fact, no leftwinger ever wore trousers. Not only does Obama have little bits of pate, caviar and truffles in his cuffs, but that's where he keeps his insurance policies. If you're going to Jerusalem be sure to wear some insurance policies in your cuffs. Spare some change, Mr. Obama? Politicians doth make beggars of us all. Some folks can choose to change their trousers but some can't change their underpants despite many many rants.
  33. MR. oz from Canada writes: maybe the palestinians ahould try to get obama to become their leader! I am certain that the Amercans can exist without him!
  34. The Wight from Canada writes: rain couver:

    "I would thank you for not lumping me in with NeoCons since I abhor their politics."

    If it makes you feel any better, I specifically thought about excluding you by name, but was posting on the way out the door to work and had to fire it off as is or be late. I assumed that since we so often end up on the same page that you would know I wasn't referring to you.
  35. The Wight from Canada writes: The Bull:

    "obama is the emptiest suit ever."

    Define "empty suit".

    I've got three standards:

    a) corporate donations
    b) consistency of message
    c) education and experience

    On the first, Obama blows McCain away.

    On the second, it's vastly closer, but watching McCain pull two utterly unbelievable flip flops for votes with two groups he hates (Bushites and the Evangelical preachers) puts him behind in my books. McCain also constantly gets reminded of "his" stances in the middle of speeches by his handlers/advisors. Age or stupidity aside, that's unforgivable.

    On the third, McCain supposedly has more experience, but how much experience do you actually get when you show up for work 1 day in 8? Obama's actually showed up at work more in the nearly four years he's served than McCain has in the last 10 years.

    On top of that, dumb people don't learn from experience and can have reams of it without anything positive to show at the end. Smart people only need a little bit before they learn. I'll put my money on the Magna Cum Laude from two Ivy League schools rather than the guy who came fifth from the bottom of his class, thank you very much.

    Given that many of their policies are actually close (Obama supported McCain's immigration bill, for example), why would you settle for McCain? Obama's not the face he's selling, sure, but neither is McCain, and an objective comparison of the two is like night and day.
  36. josef nix from United States writes: Oh, ye infidels to the North! Have ye no faith, no credence, no belief? Who among us can longer doubt that you can't be all things to all people all the time? Seriously, though, and that's hard to be at this three-ring circus ring led by the media, it has been good to hear some folks who know a naked emperor when they see one. I'm an Ah-murr-icon and I DO get to cast a vote in this mess. JENNIE MACCRAE FROM ONTARIO--he has your vote? Y'all got a polling place up that way or are you doing mail in like so many of Israelis wanting power? Sorry, Honey, but if he's our "best hope" of becoming civilized, we're in deeper you-know what than I thought. THE BULL FROM CANADA who wrote "like a rock star lypsincing the lyrics" OOO! Wish I'd said that. Can I borrow it? What's the difference between Obama and Lincoln? Lincoln was born in a log cabin. Obama was born in a manger. Am I a McCain fan? Good L-rd, no. He's a Republican and that's enough to make him a mortal enemy. Besides, I'm a couple of decades younger than he and I'M ready for the geriatrics ward. I'm from one of "those" Southern families. I know an elitist snob when I see one. I know an elitist snob parvenue when I see one, too, and I know what this latter will do given the opportunity, i.e., Jennie, "the power." G-d forbid! We're not in Kansas anymore, Toto, so it's off to see the wizard!
  37. Captain Pugwash from Canada writes: Rain Couver - I don't need to revise any of my comments, revisionist history is a slippery slope. After Russia, Israel is currently the second largest supplier of weapons to China today.
  38. sidney Goldberg from writes: Captain Pugwash perhaps you should get information from some other source because Rain Couver is correct. Israel was indeed going to sell military equipment to China and the US said no. They do sell Microsoft, Mac and many other companies computer chips and other computer technology. Some of your Arab friends actually buy those parts as well through the back door. The United States largest trading partner is China. Richard Nixon opened the door to doing business with China. Regan became best buddies with Gorbechev. Bush seems to be a close personal friend of Putin and has also held hands with the Saudi King. Guess what we proud Canadians also do business with many people throughout the world. Some we love and some we tolerate. Olmert and Abbas meet on a regular bases, although an invitation to visit home for dinner will not come anytime soon. Hamas talks to Israel through Egypt and Hezbolah through Turkey. I give Barak Obama credit that he understands that concept. Should Israel ever disapear you will losing a good friend your computer and all the newest technology that they come up with to improve it. Sydney Joel Goldberg
  39. Troubled Youth from Everywhere, Canada writes: A driver is stuck in a traffic jam going into downtown Chicago . Nothing is moving north or south. Suddenly a man knocks on his window..       The driver rolls down his window and asks, 'What happened, what's the hold Up?'  'Terrorists have kidnapped Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, Oprah Winfrey, Rosie O'Donnell, Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton. They are asking for a $10 Million ransom. Otherwise, they are going to douse them with gasoline and set them on fire. We are going from car to car, taking up a collection.' The driver asks, 'On average, how much is everyone giving?'        'About a gallon.'
  40. David Johnston from Canada writes: Troubled Youth, great joke. What I find to be even more hilarious however is that Europeans and Middle Easterners say they hate US interference in world affairs, but all of a sudden, a potential President of that same country is the only hope for world peace. What a pathetically hypocritical world we live in.

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