Dodd and Kerry accomplish more in 2 Hours than Bush in 6 Years

[Blaukraut]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Statement of Sen. Kerry and Sen. Chris Dodd on Today’s Meeting with Syrian President Assad

Damascus -- Earlier today Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Senator John Kerry (D-MA), both senior members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, met with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus for over two hours. The following is their statement:

“As part of our fact finding trip to Syria, earlier today we met with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. The conversation was open and direct and covered all the major issues confronting the region. As senior Democrats on the Foreign Relations Committee, we felt it was important to make clear that while we believe in resuming dialogue, our message is no different: Syria can and should play a more constructive role in the region.

“We conveyed our strong belief that only concrete and verifiable actions by the Syrian government would help convince Americans that Syria is willing to change course.

“Specifically, we told President Assad that in our view, key issues include:

Controlling Syria’s borders with Iraq, verifiably and concretely working to stop the flow of funds, insurgents, and weapons into Iraq.
Ending the supply of weapons and funds to Hezbollah, Hamas, and other extremist organizations, using its influence to press for the release of Israeli soldiers currently being held by Hezbollah and Hamas, and working to elicit a commitment by Hamas to accept Israel’s right to exist.
Respecting Lebanon’s territorial and political sovereignty and independence, complying with UN Security Council Resolution 1701, and fully cooperating with the ongoing investigations into the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and member of Parliament Pierre Gemayel.
“President Assad indicated that he was willing to seek common ground and explore issues of mutual interest.

“We concluded our meeting by urging President Assad to consider taking concrete and verifiable actions that will validate his expressed view that Syria supports a stable and sovereign Iraq, a two state solution to the Arab Israeli conflict, and a stable Lebanon.

“We concluded that our conversation was worthwhile, and that the Baker Hamilton Commission’s recommendation of resuming direct dialogue with Syria should be pursued. We intend to debrief the Administration in hopes that they will see the merit of this approach.”

[Democrafty]

1. LOL!

The subject is funny because it's true.

[HappyWeasel]

27. ....wow.

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

32. Just to play Devil's Advocate...

how many people in this country haven't accomplished more in any given two-hour period than Bush has in six years?

Seriously, though, Sen's Dodd and Kerry have shown just how diplomatically bankrupt this administration truly is.

[HappyWeasel]

41. errrrrr....yeah.

The ferret probably has done more in 2 hours than Bush has done in six years.

[rodeodance]

2. thanks Senators

[theoldman]

3. It takes balls to be able to talk to your perceived enemy.

If my wife and I did not talk to each other, we would never be able to resolve any problems. BTW, for you single people, all married people have problems, some more, some less.

[Straight Shooter]

17. It takes perspective, too. Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.

The men engaged in those discussions are no fools. The fool is in the Oval Office, still swaggering and spitting out rhetoric like cheap tobacco.

[Miss Chybil]

20. I knew an old Mafioso who used to say...

"You keep those who can hurt you most, the closest to you." I always thought of this in "horse-sense." If you don't want a horse to kick you, you have to stand right next to him. But, what would Bush know about horses?

(FYI - I used to work in a jail. I really don't hang around with the Mafia.)

[LittleClarkie]

19. So how many years of detente has it been so far with you and the missus?

Someone on the radio called it that years ago, and I still think it was clever as hell.

[ginnyinWI]

37. good point--which should be repeated

I believe it's true: a bully usually turns into a coward when he has to actually confront a formidable foe. Bush is a bully and he's too scared to talk to our enemies. He's chicken! (pass it on.)

[JNelson6563]

4. That's what happens when you send adults

:toast:

[karynnj]

5. This really looks like what needed to be done

If Syria follows though and takes actions in accordance with these points, it could really move things forward in spite of Bush.

great job! Senators Kerry and Dodd

[blm]

6. This is the THIRD time Assad has shared with Kerry how he is willing to help and

I certainly hope Bush will listen now that Kerry and Dodd will have a little more power than they had before and because the ISG just happens to agree with THEIR view of diplomacy with key regional leaders.

[Blaukraut]

7. I wouldn't count on it, blm

He is already making noise about not intending to follow the ISG report. He most definitely won't listen to Kerry and Dodd, which is truly unfortunate for him, because he could salvage what little legacy he has left by finally doing the right thing.

[blm]

8. Well then let the country and the world hear his smallness and obstinance

yet again if he chooses to discount what the senators have learned from the region's leaders.

[kimmerspixelated]

9. Excellent.

Of course, I'm not surprised by the best actions of our real prez! I bet lord pissypants hates the idea of Kerry and Dodd stealing the show-what ya wanna bet?

[thingfisher]

10. Agreed!

I can't imagine Dubya ever sitting down with Assad and saying anything remotely sensible. Its a lot easier to call for more troops.

[zulchzulu]

11. Snatching another war out of Chickenhawk Chimpy's little hands...

Well done, Senators.

[IndyOp]

24. You could make a new Kerry 2008 bumper sticker -

EIGHT MORE YEARS!

Since he won't have gotten to serve his first 4 (2004-2008), he could serve 2008-2016.

I mention this because of the bumper sticker in your sig line.

Of course we could do the same with Big Al, too.

:hi:

[ginnyinWI]

38. I LOVE your signature pic! Well said! n/t

[mzmolly]

12. Kerry and Dodd, putting a deeper dent in the PNAC agenda.

Gotta love that! It's about time "someone" in this Government started actual diplomacy.

:toast:

[globalvillage]

13. Excellent interview on npr.

Sen. John Kerry Meets with Syria's President


Day to Day, December 20, 2006 · Sen. John Kerry met today with Syria's president Bashar al-Assad after a weekend visit in Iraq. Sen. Kerry talks with Alex Chadwick about his Middle East tour and the war in Iraq.

Listen here:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6653164

edit also at johnkerry.com

http://blog.johnkerry.com/2006/12/21st_century_security.html

[karynnj]

14. This is an incredible interview

His comments on the problems in the region both explain the enormous problems, but do suggest that diplomacy will help. The answer to the last question on Bush's not wanting Senators there was wonderful.

[blm]

15. Is there a transcript?

.

[globalvillage]

16. I haven't seen one.

You should listen, though. Awesome interview. I particularly liked at the end when he explained that the Congress is co-equal and he hoped the admin would listen to what they come back with.
If I find a transcript, I'll post it.

[globalvillage]

50. Found one.

http://www.johnkerry.com/news/articles/newsarticle.html?id=107

[Blaukraut]

18. thanks for the interview link. Worth a listen! n/t

[zulchzulu]

23. MP3 of NPR interview

If you're interested:

MP3/ 4:56

[Pierzin]

47. thank you ! thank you! thank you! for the link!!!

But oh God, CNN didn't run this clip, they were too busy talking about Donald and Rose this am!

Jesus, Mother Mary and Joseph, please God someone rescue us from the Bush Administration!

[blm]

48. and this corporate media who insists on protecting the Bushboy.

.

[beachmom]

26. Wow -- just listened. What struck me was how he talked very plainly

of the "interconnected" crisis in the M.E., but his voice was so calm, that you felt like he had it covered. If he were president, I wouldn't feel so powerless and frustrated about the whole situation. In fact, I would feel safer about the world. He sounded like the president, actually.

[zulchzulu]

35. He IS the President!

:bounce:

[babylonsister]

21. So nice to see reasonable men involved! nt

[Old and In the Way]

22. Sad they need to do the pResident's job.

And to think that we could have had Kerry running things if 59MM voters had used their brains when they voted in 2004.

[beachmom]

25. That's the way to get the ball rolling, Senators

We really have an impressive bench on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, don't we? I also can see our new freshman senator to that committee, Jim Webb, to be very pleased with the work Kerry and Dodd did on this.

[wisteria]

28. I would bet kerry and Dodd make a good tag team. Way to go guys! n/t

[ginnyinWI]

39. I like that idea

Kerry for president, Dodd for vice-president. That ticket would inspire the people who want improvements in our foreign relations, that's for sure.

[ladym55]

29. Diplomacy

What a concept! And Kerry sounding like someone with a brain--oh, wait, he's ALWAYS had one, unlike the Current Occupant.

Everytime Condi sneers that we don't talk with our enemies, I want to scream. HELLO? THOSE ARE THE PEOPLE YOU NEED TO TALK WITH!!!

The mess in the Middle East is all interrelated. Too bad Georgie is too dumb to get that.:banghead:

[Felinity]

30. So what is Faux News reporting?

Let me guess--something about Jane Fonda?

[MetaTrope]

31. Wasn't Susan Lindauer committed to an asylum for doing this sort of thing?

Kerry and Dodd had better watch for admin officials carrying straitjackets...

[beachmom]

33. As members of the Senate, a co-equal branch of the government,

what they did here was perfectly legal and not unprecedented. Plus, considering Condi gave Dodd a list of questions for the Syrians, for which she wants him to report back with the answers, this whole right wing attack on them for talking to Syria is pure hogwash.

[blm]

34. There's that little thing about doing their DUTY as leading Foreign Policy senators

in a government that is supposed to have a balance of power.

[NoSheep]

36. Thank you for postin this. It really made me feel better.

Yesterday was hell after reading this quote:

W. had just finished saying: " . . . and it's important not to mistaken our resolve with impuning credibility, into compromise our definitions (the Constitution's not a death sentence, you know?) before they attack our liberties, but I've always believed since strength is in America's heartbone and its spine searching out all those things it doesn't know yet. For instance, if we could fight them there, we could fight them anywhere. Understand?"

Oh god I hate it when he opens his gaping hole.
:-(

[blm]

40. He really doesn't have a clue what he's saying. This is pure BLATHER.

.

[femrap]

42. I believe that W has a deep-seated, extreme and

over-powering FEAR of sitting down and having a face-to-face discussion with anyone who he perceives as not agreeing with him 100%.

We've heard the stories of how the staff hates to give him any type of bad news.

I think this is a FEAR that W has had his entire life. I believe his fear is that if he sits down with his perceived enemy, that enemy will see that W is simply a poseur, a fake, an idiot, an imbecile, a person who is all talk and no action....a complete and utter sham.

He will never sit down and negotiate because of this great fear he has. NEVER.

Can't the BFEE get him into some Rehab program....and spare our country the next 2 years? Just like Mel Gibson, Foley, etc. The man is an insane dry drunk.

[LuckyLib]

51. Fear may be some of it, but it's fear of unscripted and unprogrammed events.

* simply can't function without backup, a pre-selected audience, and the little black box on his back. Having to actually negotiate with "furriners" would be completely beyond his intellectual capability. He simply can't do it. If it's not a photo-up with cue-cards, it won't happen. We are now witnessing what many of us knew from the beginning: a severely impaired individual is residing at the seat of US leadership. Whether due to brain biochemistry, genetic syndromes, or latent alcoholic destruction of brain tissue, we are up shit creek in a chicken-wire canoe.

[lebkuchen]

43. Bush accomplished something?

What?

[EC]

44. Every war ever fought was ended with talks

not battleground wins and defeats...there were always talks leading to agreements - compromises - ending in treaties....GROWN-UPS KNOW THIS...what is little lord pissy-pants waiting for? Does he think winning means wiping out all the enemy? So who is the enemy he thinks have to be wiped out? All Iraqis?

[blm]

45. You used the key words - grown ups.

.

[Pierzin]

46. Scarborugh, actually called Bush delusional!!!

What the hell can we do about this moron in the White House???? It is NOT FUNNY, it is catastrophic.

He is not equipped for this job, and he never was. I listened to Thom Hartmann this am, and it was obvious he is operating in under a post-traumatic stress disorder mentality, trapped in his own bubble.
Under a post 9-11 propoganda lie, which he has convinced himself of, he sounds like a hard-liner. Isn't there something we can do to rescue the international reputation of the USA by getting him certified as insane????

[wisteria]

49. kick!