Posted on Mar 2, 2015
MAJ Senior Observer   Controller/Trainer
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Benjamin netanyahu 2654510k
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to address a joint session of Congress tomorrow. Will his address have an impact on US Mideast policy and the Administration's efforts to reach a nuclear arms agreement with Iran?
Posted in these groups: Foreign affairs logo Foreign AffairsFlag of israel svg IsraelIran logo Iran
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COL Jason Smallfield, PMP, CFM, CM
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- Will PM Netanyahu's speech to Congress have a major impacton US Mideast policy? Unfortunately no for the following reasons:
1. The Obama administration has shown over the past 6 years that it does not work well with others (either US internal or external with US allies) and does not work in a collaborative manner. Unilateral action is the trend both internally and externally.
2. The administration has shown that it will not let facts get in the way of what it wants do. Several examples of this to include but not limited to Obamacare (if you like your doctor you can keep him, if you like your plan you can keep it) and Radical Islam (ISIS is a JV team, we are winning against terrorism).
3. The administration has shown that it punishes those who do not sing from their sheet music (pick any SECDEF over the past 6 years) while rewarding those who do even if they are ineffective (VA, AG). Punishment has various levels of severity ranging from public attacks to termination to merely cutting out of the loop. Want to guess where PM Netanyahu falls within range?
4. Will be interesting to see the administration position on a possible nuclear arms agreement with Iran. Is this a treaty requiring Senate approval or an "agreement" that the administration can pursue unilaterally? I am guessing it will be the latter and not the former.
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SSG Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear Operations Specialist
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LTC Self Employed
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CPO Bill Towart - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4FkNbtkgps
global warming 50 years from now is more important than global cooling vic Israel and Iran in about 7 years after judgement day from IRAN...
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SFC Michael Jackson, MBA
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I don't think the Obama Administration cares what Prime Minister Netanyahu says. It obviously wasn't important for the President or he would have met with him.
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CPO Culinary Specialist
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I can most certainly hope it did not interrupt any time the POTUS might have had to spend with his family. Most surely know his family is much more important, especially in this case. What a backlash he is getting back in Israel, I am happy to see that also.
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CPO Culinary Specialist
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I am so sick of the fighting. The manipulation and even use of the very inner emotions of people to put one against another. The comments I read here are so negative and hurtful. The labeling and pointing fingers at this admin, this religion or that religion or this faith and that faith and then people that call themselves brothers and sisters in arms attack one another instead of talk with and learn to understand one another.

Seems it is easier to answer most times on here with personal attacks instead of information and then listening to one another to understand how that information may or may not be able to be used or improved.

So many this past decade or more, since 9/11 have been so quick to point fingers and then attack. The labeling of liberals, republicans, democrats and haters, zealots, anti-American is even the words used to described the people we take an oath to lay down our lives to protect. This is the uniform, this is the oath, this is the promise.

One thing I was always proud of in the military was this hate had not been so widespread on anything for many years. We had long since learned to allow others the opportunity to learn, grow, advance and flourish as people anybody that was willing to stand, take the oath and even profess to have a very deep loyalty to our country and our countries values. Then turn on one another like Judas at the flash of a silver coin or whatever trinket takes higher value over we as a people. We as a people remembering what this country was built, hard work, honesty, trust, cooperation and compassion. There were down sides of it all, those were and are the qualities we all still have to offer.

We first must look in my opinion inward before we continue down the road of hate and polarization in our military. We all took an oath, if you no longer wish to wear the uniform and uphold that oath, then leave, that is the first and most important issue in all this, what is this doing to our military?

You, me, we, all deserve better than this and none of us should stand for any of the dividing concepts. I am also very sick of the people that use the excuse of "Well they did this, or they did that and all the other comparisons that try and make our own shortcomings the result of someone else control. That is very sad.

Especially in the NCO and Officers represented on this site. If it is any consolation, I would still to this day lay down my life, not for yours, for the values and principles we all espouse. Who the other person is does not matter, protecting the concept of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness seems to be quite a handful right now.

No this is not a lecture, simply an observation of the questions I have been seeing and so many of the replies. The emotional sidetrack that destroys any possibility of constructive discussion is just such a dangerous animal.

My best, as always, I wish the best for all as we travel this journey.
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SSG Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear Operations Specialist
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Wow, way to read a post and then say the exact opposite. It is the unthinking attacks on the president and repeated 'magicians choice" judgments that have driven me from the republican party. It prevents the actual discussion of any issue because it immediately become s about the President, not any actual facts.
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SSG Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear Operations Specialist
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Yes sir,

I should not rise to the bait.I should not rise to the bait.I should not rise to the bait.I should not rise to the bait.I should not rise to the bait.I should not rise to the bait.I should not rise to the bait.I should not rise to the bait.I should not rise to the bait.I should not rise to the bait.I should not rise to the bait.I should not rise to the bait.I should not rise to the bait.I should not rise to the bait.I should not rise to the bait.
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CPO Culinary Specialist
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SSG, I must start writing that on my own wall, and not stop until I am free at last, free at last, thank God almighty, I am free at last. ;)
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Will Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's speech to Congress have a major impact on US Mideast policy?
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CPT Zachary Brooks
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Doubtful with the current administration. I welcome his input however.
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GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad
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LCpl Barney Gaumer
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God be with Israel in the coming months! I already know one fixed wing guy that said he would disobey any order to fire on an Israeli aircraft and then stand-by for his replacement.
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CPO Culinary Specialist
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LCpl, to know and have information of a service member who is planning on willfully disobeying an order in time of conflict and doing nothing, I would hope you are ready to end your career and you free time while honoring and supporting this type of inner service betrayal of the oath you take.

That is called being a traitor. Look it up incase you do not know your job wearing that uniform. Don't want to wear the uniform. get out. We need people that know how to follow an order. There are many links that are positioned in our chain of command with a specific job to question orders and verify and then communicate those orders. That is not done on a case by case basis.

At least in the 60's and 70's we had people that just plain stood for what they believed. Left the service, filed papers, refused to show up and even go to Canada. It is called personal integrity. Those around all of us deserve to know that if nothing else, the person standing next to me has my back.

In war, I do not serve God of any nation. I serve the greater good I have made a pledge. The pledge an oath of my loyalty and integrity. Why not just tell people that you are a traitor if you are going to plot to bring down the chain of command.
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SGT Francis Wright
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I don't think so, but those 56 Democrats will have some explaining to do to their Jewish constituents. Seventyfive percent of Jewish registered voters are Democrat. They will not appreciate the snub.
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SGT Francis Wright
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Like I said the ones that were there; were there because of their constituents. The ones that were there because they like what they do.
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TSgt Education And Training Manager   Afsc 3 F2 X1
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Statistical data often is made to say what people want it to say.
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CPO Culinary Specialist
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I am not Jewish and One of those Democratic representatives I voted for. I will stand with their decision. The reps in my area that were not there were there because of their constituents also. We really are tired of other nations coming here and asking to have my children go and die so they can declare war.

Either work of peace or work for war. He made his choice, I would like to see my kids and grandchildren come home at night and not go to war for someone's religion. That is not in the oath I took. I am not an Israeli citizen.
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SGT Francis Wright
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Chief, you have a right to your opinion. But if our represen- tatives do not get it together we will be at it again. Fighting like our fathers and grandfathers did during WW II. Just goes to show if you don't learn from history, you will be doomed to repeat it. But this time instead of Europe or Asia; it will be in our backyard. Hope I'm wrong, but I think not.
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SSG Program Control Manager
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Netanyahu is making a rather large gamble for very little gain.
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MAJ Senior Observer   Controller/Trainer
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That is an interesting statement, SSG Colwell. Could you elaborate, please?
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SSG Program Control Manager
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On one side of the isle we have the moderately pro-Israel party and on the other we have the fervently pro-Israel party. Why on earth would a smart man risk that by becoming embroiled in partisan politics?
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SSG Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear Operations Specialist
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The primary support for Israel is from Evangelical Protestants. Americna Jews are more interested in social and economic issues. In general they do not support the current government of Israel. The PM risks alienating them by siding with a party they overwhelmingly oppose.
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CPO Culinary Specialist
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So far looks like he is pissing off the very people he wanted to try and impress. The folks in Israel are not happy with this guy. They are even less happy that he came here and ran his mouth. LOL That was as of today in the Israeli news broadcasts. Politics are such an ugly game.
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GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad
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SSG Leonard Johnson
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My main man is right....I don't think I have ever seen such open hostility to a current ally...wow...we invite hajji Bi__h hood here to listen to known murders and we wont address our best ally.....tired of looking like a weak country
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CSM Michael J. Uhlig
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Unfortunately, seems as though party politics will play out......I understand one side (dems) plan on not being there - walking out before he gets there.

Hope the voters take note and send them sorry butts home.....we need more veterans as our elected officials anyway.
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SSgt Geospatial Intelligence
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I see this may be retaliation for members of the President's campaign team going over to Israel & meddling in the elections over there.  It is intriguing to see what he will say.
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CPO Culinary Specialist
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Sorry, they were invited, that was an official visit at the time to help demonstrate the backing of America in their defense and the continued support of Iron Dome. The tit for tat thing ... I really think that if a leader wants to talk with and discuss with another foreign leader, they can pick up the phone. They do it all the time. This is all silliness. Has noting to do with anything and yet, people get all torn apart. Notice the bills that are passing while the emotional storm is going on. This congress is very good at manipulation of emotions while they are working on back room stuff. Both Dem and Rep meet with their money people and their staff and then actually do meet with one another. It really does happen. So crazy the way people get caught up in the daily talking points instead of the reality of any situation.
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SSgt Geospatial Intelligence
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Yup. What i was referencing, though, is that the President's election staff is now over in Israel working FOR Bibi's opponent, actively trying to get Bibi out of office.

But, you're right. Watch what this hand is doing, never you mind what the other does.
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