Townhall.com’s Washington Beat
By Katie Pavlich
May 24, 2011
ISRAEL ON THE FRONT LINES
It’s been a rough week for the Middle East peace process as President
Obama has called for Israel to retreat back to it’s 1967 borders. Obama
suggested the bold move in a major Middle East policy speech Thursday
and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu immediately rejected the
idea in a written statement, in the Oval Office after a long meeting
with Obama Friday and again in a speech given to a joint meeting of
Congress Monday. In his remarks, Netanyahu acknowledged that the only
way to gain stability moving forward is to develop lasting peace with
the Palestinians. He called for two separate states, one Jewish and one
Palestinian, pointing out his understanding that Israel will have to
give up some Jewish ancestral land for peace. However, Netanyahu
stressed that peace cannot ever be achieved unless Palestinian
President Abbas denounces Hamas and recognizes Israel’s right to exist.
He said peace has not been achieved because the Palestinians have not
accepted the idea of a Palestinian State next to a Jewish State.
Netanyahu said Israel has always accepted Palestinians’ right to exist.
“Its time for President Abbas to stand before his people and say, ‘I
will accept a Jewish state,” he said. “Israel will not negotiate with a
Palestinian government backed by the Palestinian version of Al Qaeda.”
Netanyahu also expressed extensive gratitude toward the United States
by saying thank you for America’s support, especially in tough economic
times.
STILL NO BUDGET FROM THE SENATE
It has been 755 days since the U.S. Senate has passed a budget and it
looks like the days will continue to tick on by as budget negotiations
continue to break down. Republicans are getting fed up and wrote
Majority Leader Harry Reid a letter this week expressing their
frustrations, calling out irresponsible budget requests and reminded
him of the message voters sent to Washington during the November 2010
election cycle. There are less than six months until the end of the
fiscal year, time is rapidly running out for a budget to be passed. I
don’t recommend holding your breath.
OBAMA MAKES STOP IN IRELAND AND LONDON
This week, President Obama visited Ireland and got in touch with his
“roots.” That’s right, Obama has “close ties” to Ireland as his great
great great grandfather was born there in 1830. Obama was welcomed to
the lucky green country with open arms as he tried to impress Irish
youth through his “winning the future” campaign rhetoric. The President
even ended his speech by saying “Yes we can,” in Gaelic, which may not
have been so lucky because his limousine bottomed out after the event
and got stuck for nearly an hour as spectators watched. Obama is now in
England where he met with the Queen and will engage in policy talks
with the Prime Minister later in the week.
CAIN, PAWLENTY JUMP INTO PRESIDENTIAL RACE
Former CEO and radio host Herman Cain and former Minnesota Governor Tim
Pawlenty officially jumped into the 2012 run for the White House this
week, moving from exploratory candidates to presidential candidates
vying for the GOP nomination. Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels announced
he will not run for president as speculation previously suggested,
citing close ties to family as the reason not to run.
LIBYA LEGAL DEADLINE PASSES
The War Powers Act was signed into law in 1973 and states troops cannot
conduct military operations for more than 60 days without Congressional
approval. Well folks, it’s been over 60 days since Obama authorized
military intervention in Libya to stop Dictator Muammar Gaddafi from
spraying bullets among his own people or who are now known as the
“rebels,” and Congress still hasn’t voted, nonetheless approved an
extension beyond 60 days for the operations….and Gaddafi is still alive
as a civil war rages on. President Obama wrote a letter to
Congressional letter this week that implied because the U.S. role in
Libya is limited, Congressional approval isn’t necessary.
WH HIRE NEGATIVE STORY SQUASHER
The latest use of taxpayer dollars to shove Obama propaganda down your
throat, on your dime comes with the White House moving staffer Jesse
Lee from the White House New Media Department into a position of “rapid
media response,” with a goal of squashing, or cleaning up negative
stories about President Obama on the internet. Previously, this
position was funded through the Democratic National Committee, but now
taxpayers will foot the bill to keep Obama’s name in a positive light.
With Obama’s record during his first term, Lee has his work cut out for
him.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaking to a joint meeting
of Congress for the first time in 15 years:
“Thank you for ensuring that the flame of freedom burns throughout the
world. May god forever bless the United States of America.”
Editors Note: Our hearts and prayers go out to those affected by the
tornadoes in the Midwest.
-Katie Pavlich is the News Editor for Townhall.com
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