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Omaha Steve

(99,073 posts)
Wed Mar 4, 2015, 08:47 AM Mar 2015

Midlanders call Netanyahu speech ‘moving,’ ‘historic’


http://www.omaha.com/news/nebraska/midlanders-call-netanyahu-speech-moving-historic/article_6b7748df-fadf-5923-940c-02fc6066d15e.html

POSTED: WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015 1:00 AM
By Joseph Morton / World-Herald Bureau

WASHINGTON — While some Democrats blasted Tuesday’s speech by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the address received a warm reception from lawmakers representing Nebraska and western Iowa.

Rep. Brad Ashford, D-Neb., said Tuesday that he agrees with Netanyahu’s concerns about the nuclear deal that is reportedly taking shape between the Obama administration and Iran.

Ashford said the United States needs to get tougher with Iran and insist that it change its behavior before agreeing to an easing of sanctions or a lifting of restrictions on its nuclear activities.

“We have to keep nuclear weapons out of the hands of the Iranians,” Ashford told The World-Herald. “I stand with Israel. They’re our greatest ally, our strongest ally in the Middle East.”

FULL story at link.

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NaturalHigh

(12,778 posts)
1. I didn't watch the speech.
Wed Mar 4, 2015, 09:01 AM
Mar 2015

In fact, I'm not even sure what was said. I agree with Congressman Ashford about keeping nukes away from Iran, though.

tridim

(45,358 posts)
2. What's the deal with all the weird new words this morning? Midlanders?
Wed Mar 4, 2015, 09:10 AM
Mar 2015

Lived in the Midwest all my life and I've never heard that term. I think they just made it up.

Brickbat

(19,339 posts)
10. The World-Herald has often used the term "Midlands" and "Midlanders" as a catchall to describe
Wed Mar 4, 2015, 10:31 AM
Mar 2015

people from Nebraska and Iowa.

Fred Sanders

(23,946 posts)
3. Posting of yet more explanations for the not at all treason from the GOP. And new propaganda terms...good to know.
Wed Mar 4, 2015, 09:48 AM
Mar 2015
 

leftynyc

(26,060 posts)
4. As much as it annoys
Wed Mar 4, 2015, 09:54 AM
Mar 2015

so very many DUers, Americans are firmly on the side of Israel. The numbers don't lie and these reps are doing what they're supposed to do: represent the people in their districts/states.

http://www.gallup.com/poll/181652/seven-americans-continue-view-israel-favorably.aspx

This poll actually surprised me. It appears Bibi is MORE popular with both Democrats and Republicans since 2012.

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/netanyahu-favorability-speech


One day DUers will realize they comprise a small minority even within the Democratic party.

BeyondGeography

(39,284 posts)
5. Weak
Wed Mar 4, 2015, 10:03 AM
Mar 2015

The President is trying to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon and do it peacefully. That's in everyone's interest, I think. Opposing Netanyahu's attempts to short-circuit the process and play to the baser instincts of our democracy is not opposing Israel.

 

leftynyc

(26,060 posts)
8. I thoroughly approve
Wed Mar 4, 2015, 10:22 AM
Mar 2015

of what the President is attempting to accomplish and think Bibi is contemptible. Meanwhile, I see even people here at DU and certainly at other progressive sites who cannot distinguish between Israel and Bibi. And I think that's what is in play with those polls.

BeyondGeography

(39,284 posts)
9. They haven't been listening to the President
Wed Mar 4, 2015, 10:26 AM
Mar 2015

He's being as even-handed as he can. I agree that simplistic views on this are a problem here.

DanTex

(20,709 posts)
7. It's becoming more of a partisan issue. The rise of Islamophobia since 9-11 has a lot to do with it
Wed Mar 4, 2015, 10:10 AM
Mar 2015

Split into parties, you can see the big jump in GOP support since 2000.


Basically, Republicans want war with Iran, and they don't like Arabs and Muslims, so they don't care about and are probably even supportive of Israels record as a systematic human rights abuser. And red state Dems go along with that, in part, as you say, because their districts are conservative.

There are a number of issues where the US is firmly to the right of the rest of the world. Israel is one of them.

However, interestingly, this latest Boehner stunt may have gone too far. It helped Obama's approval rating, and by an 18-point margin voters disapproved of the invite.
http://www.politicususa.com/2015/03/03/americans-rally-president-obama-approval-jumps-5-points-netanyahu.html

 

leftynyc

(26,060 posts)
11. I saw that poll and it
Wed Mar 4, 2015, 10:39 AM
Mar 2015

mirrors the TPM link I provided. Americans think the invitation was a republican stunt but it doesn't appear to be effecting numbers on approval for Israel. What I also find interesting is that even with a fall off of those who sympathize with Israel among Democrats (more than made up for with a rise from Republicans and Independents) that isn't translating into sympathy for the Palestinians who have a 17% approval rating among all Americans. The fall off seems to be a plague on both their houses kind of thing.

jwirr

(39,215 posts)
6. I think it is interesting that Bibi said nothing new and nothing really different from what the
Wed Mar 4, 2015, 10:08 AM
Mar 2015

president is saying - it is the method used to reach the goal that they differ on. Bibi thinks war is the only means, the president thinks it is worth trying diplomacy first. I agree with the president.

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