As skeptical I am about what President Obama says versus what he does, I tend to agree with what he is suggesting happen between Israel and Palestine, making two states live side by side. National Public Radio's website featured a story on President Obama's meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas last Tuesday at the United Nations. In an excerpt from the article, President Obama discusses what he would like to foresee happen with the two parties:
"The time has come to re-launch negotiations without preconditions that address the permanent-status issues: security for Israelis and Palestinians; borders, refugees and Jerusalem. The goal is clear: two states living side by side in peace and security a Jewish State of Israel, with true security for all Israelis; and a viable, independent Palestinian state with contiguous territory that ends the occupation that began in 1967, and realizes the potential of the Palestinian people." (http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113156405)
It's good that he says he wants to actually do something about the entire situation, instead of just saying things that allow everyone to just scoot by without addressing the real issues at hand. This reminds me of a book I read last year in POL 155 by Joe Sacco entitled Palestine. This comic-type book was basically an autobiographical account of Sacco's trip to Palestine, interviewing many Palestinians and Israelis alike. His words and his drawings were very graphic and detailed, which helped impact the story in reader's lives. I hope to see some kind of resolutions develop and get signed by both parties in the near future.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Thursday, September 24, 2009
President Obama speaks to UN Gen. Assembly
While I was on break today, I was able to watch President Obama address the United Nations. Every major news channel was broadcasting this event; if you missed it, here's a link to fill you in on what happened: http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0909/Obama_at_the_UN.html.
I thought it was pretty neat to watch the president speak at the UN, mostly because it reminded me of my trip to New York for Model United Nations this Spring. President Obama discussed many things he has seen the United States partake in, in addition to initiatives he wishes to take in the next few years of his presidency. I think he really pushed to separate himself from the previous administration in every way possible, pointing out differences left and right. He also discussed his hopes to bring our troops back from the Middle East once governments are stabilized and are able to effectively take care of their own countries. President Obama went further to note his wish for a nuclear-weapon free world and plans to help disarmament efforts. This was exciting to me due to the fact that I worked as a part of the General Assembly 3rd Committee, on the topic of Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament. Resolutions we came up with at NMUN were similar to some of the things President Obama touched on during the speech.
To actually see all the heads-of-state fill the room and watch the president speak was just incredible, but nothing compared to the events that occurred after President Obama was finished. The Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi not only postponed his own walk up to the podium as the next speaker, but went way past his alloted time and spoke for over an hour and a half on things that according to abc.com, seemed pulled together last minute (http://abclocal.go.com/kfsn/story?section=news/politics&id=7030025). I wish I was able to watch the entirety of his speech, but I followed up online with what he mentioned. It just seemed ridiculous that so many delegates got up while he was speaking and left the chamber. Also, he criticized the Security Council by calling it the "Terror Council", which is even more outrageous. I don't think you can be an acclaimed "king of kings" (of Africa) and publicly criticize the United Nations in that manner. It isn't professional, nor respectful.
In any case, President Obama stated his ideas on foreign policy with the Middle East, and I hope to keep an eye on his word to make sure he stays on top of things.
I thought it was pretty neat to watch the president speak at the UN, mostly because it reminded me of my trip to New York for Model United Nations this Spring. President Obama discussed many things he has seen the United States partake in, in addition to initiatives he wishes to take in the next few years of his presidency. I think he really pushed to separate himself from the previous administration in every way possible, pointing out differences left and right. He also discussed his hopes to bring our troops back from the Middle East once governments are stabilized and are able to effectively take care of their own countries. President Obama went further to note his wish for a nuclear-weapon free world and plans to help disarmament efforts. This was exciting to me due to the fact that I worked as a part of the General Assembly 3rd Committee, on the topic of Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament. Resolutions we came up with at NMUN were similar to some of the things President Obama touched on during the speech.
To actually see all the heads-of-state fill the room and watch the president speak was just incredible, but nothing compared to the events that occurred after President Obama was finished. The Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi not only postponed his own walk up to the podium as the next speaker, but went way past his alloted time and spoke for over an hour and a half on things that according to abc.com, seemed pulled together last minute (http://abclocal.go.com/kfsn/story?section=news/politics&id=7030025). I wish I was able to watch the entirety of his speech, but I followed up online with what he mentioned. It just seemed ridiculous that so many delegates got up while he was speaking and left the chamber. Also, he criticized the Security Council by calling it the "Terror Council", which is even more outrageous. I don't think you can be an acclaimed "king of kings" (of Africa) and publicly criticize the United Nations in that manner. It isn't professional, nor respectful.
In any case, President Obama stated his ideas on foreign policy with the Middle East, and I hope to keep an eye on his word to make sure he stays on top of things.
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