She says "exotic" in the context of "perception." People like Pat Buchanan use the term to foster the perception.
I thought this was one of her better columns.

Posted at July 20, 2008 2:46 AM in response to Maureen Dowd: Some Americans may wonder what Obama is doing in Europe when we can't pay for gas

Dave Bowman,
I appreciate your response. I agree with some of the facts and opinions you cite, such as the PLO being secular. However, the PLO, founded by Arafat of Egypt before the 1967 war and the occupation was always dedicated to the total extermination of Israel.
I do agree that Israel has not only made tactical mistakes, but moral ones. However, I again wonder to what extent to you think that anyone besides Israel is culpable. If so, who and why, and doesn't that need to be part of the conversation?
Hezbollah may have some rapport with some of Lebanon, certainly exacerbated by Israel's mistakes, but hardly all. The "strategic" takeover of West Beruit you refer to, wasn't that by force of arms against the regular army? It isn't like the whole of Lebanese society wants to be run by Hezbollah.

Posted at July 20, 2008 2:40 AM in response to Lieberman, Engel and Others Endorse Hagee Conference: Is Right-wing Anti-Semitism Okay?

legalalien,
Thanks for your comments. I do wonder whether it is fair or accurate to say that only Israel is setting the tone for brutality. There is a long history here, and there is certainly gratuitous cruelty coming from Arabs, mostly towards Jews and Westerners, but also in their own internal fights.
I agree with you that the 2006 Lebanon war was a mistake, and didn't intend to suggest it is the moral grounding. But what about the longer history of Lebanon, and the recent involvement of Hezbollah/Iran/Syria? Is that all the fault of Israel/US? Are the motives of Hezbollah etc. to foster any kind of freedom and independence of a multi-religious country in Lebanon, as Lebanon used to be?
I disagree that comparing the "parity" of numbers of victims is meaningful. If Israel suffered greater numerical losses (as its enemies wish) would you change your opinion on the "right and wrong" and political dynamics?
I'm not defending cluster bombs, but what about Hamas, Hezbollah, PA etc. launching rockets from densely populated civilian areas (into Israel civilian areas) where any response is likely to incur civilian injuries? Hiding among civilians is against the Geneva Convention, and just common sense. If Israel does nothing, the rockets continue.
I'm glad you are for peace for all. It's important to sound the notes that should unite us.

Posted at July 19, 2008 5:52 PM in response to Lieberman, Engel and Others Endorse Hagee Conference: Is Right-wing Anti-Semitism Okay?

I agree that the title alone is praiseworthy. The post itself lives up to it, and is a very enjoyable and succinct analysis. Thanks.

Posted at July 19, 2008 1:43 PM in response to Shecky McCain's 'Straight-Talk' Shtick

Ellen, Thanks for the link to Two Men in a Jeep. Very interesting and pertinent. But I assume you are not saying that Jerusalem should be divided with physical barriers like Berlin was, or Jerusalem was when Jordan had the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
To me, it seems like if there is some kind of peace, and a two-state solution, the two sides can work out local control issues.

Posted at July 19, 2008 1:34 PM in response to Obama: Clearing the Mideast Slate

I realize that the post was about the supposed anti-Semitism of the Right, but does anyone want to comment on what's going on in Lebanon? Hezbollah, for Syria and Iran, is destroying a multi-religious relatively progressive country. Over the past few years, the Prime Minister and then some legislators have been killed to paralyze the government. Christians have been harrassed. Syrian troops finally left, but the influence of Syria and Iran grows through Hezbollah, which isn't shy about using force. That's the context of this latest "hero's welcome" of a child murderer.
This is detrimental to the peace desiring Arabs in Lebanon, and the region, including the Palestinians.
Also, while I am not as frequent a commenter as many others, I have to say that the personal comments, from all sides, detract from the attempt to learn something from each other. Sure, some people here appear only interested in stating their views, not in considering changing them in any way. I'm not writing for those people. I am hopeful some people (including myself) can consider different perspectives.

Posted at July 19, 2008 1:27 PM in response to Lieberman, Engel and Others Endorse Hagee Conference: Is Right-wing Anti-Semitism Okay?

Before I comment on Hagee, please bear with me on something else. Maybe I've missed it, but I've been reading TPM the last couple of days, and didn't see Mr. Rosenberg comment on the prisoner "swap" with Hezbollah. There would seem to be much to comment on, and if I did miss it, I apologize in advance.
A child-murderer was released to the adoring crowds of Hezbollah and supporters, who have been taking over Lebanon by force. Christians have been marginalized (not many Jews in Lebanon, and virtually none left in Arab countries.) Israel was given the corpses of two young soldiers kidnapped in 2006.
Also noteworthy is that until a few days ago, the parents/fiance, etc. of the the young soldiers thought they were still alive. The Palestians/Hamas/Hezbollah don't bother to allow Red Cross contact with prisoners, provide information on their health, etc., even though required under all relevant codes. Israel allows even murderers and terrorists in its jails to have contact with the outside world, and be accounted for. I don't see Amnesty International sustaining any kind of protest about the mistreatment by Arab countries on Israeli prisoners. Mr. Rosenberg, have you spoken up about this long-standing practice? I hope you have, and would appreciate being directed to what you have said. Now would be a good time to visit or re-visit this topic.

OK on Hagee. The concern about him has some merit, but the presentation is incomplete. He has disavowed the 20 year old Hitler remark (and gretz provides useful context).
Actions speak louder than words. Hagee has done many good things that are clearly in Israel's interests. It seems that to some, if you aren't largely critical of Israel, then you must be anti-Semitic. Mr. Rosenberg simply concludes that certain policies of Israel, supported by Hagee, are destructive of Israel, and then ties that to the biblical prophecy. If I'm Israel, I favor those who help me in this life, as compared to those who claim to know my interests better than me, and want to force to into compromises of my security and stability.
That's not to say that I agree with all of Israel's policies. In fact, I have serious disagreements with the continuing occupation, and think that most of the settlement lands should be given to the Palestinians. But while almost every Arab state remains technically at war with Israel, while Hamas/Hezbollah call for the destruction of Israel (i.e., no borders at all), then I tend to want to balance that by supporting Israel, and balance criticism with perspective and context.
Just listing a Hagee comment, and then concluding that a list of mostly or wholly Jewish names are willing to support right-wing anti-Semitism doesn't advance the discussion. In my view, it diminishes the reality of anti-Semitism, which, sadly, occurs frequently (even if not every single time it is claimed to).
As for the column's reference to Jimmy Carter, let me try to bridge my two topics here. When Carter talked to Hamas in April, why didn't he ask to see their prisoner, Galil Shalit? Why didn't he at least ask Hamas to deliver a note to him, and deliver his response? How about a current photo, and a statement of his health (or whether he is even alive)? Carter said he would bring up the issue, in an effort to appear "balanced." But he did nothing substantive. (Of course, his proposed "solution" to the Gaza mess went nowhere once the media coverage for him and Hamas was over. I won't even get into the millions of Arab petrodollars funding Carter.)
So if you read this, thanks, since I recognize it wasn't completely on topic. It just seemed to me that the cruelty of Hezbollah cried out for comment.

Posted at July 18, 2008 11:19 PM in response to Lieberman, Engel and Others Endorse Hagee Conference: Is Right-wing Anti-Semitism Okay?

The "round up" of news from the West Bank? It looks like only one side of the story, of Israel's transgressions (real and imagined.)
There are two road systems because of chronic attacks on cars with Israeli plates. Abbas isn't doing much to control violence emanating from the West Bank, so Israel has to protect itself. It also has to stop a Hamas takeover. Did anyone here protest when, after Israel completely dismantled all the settlements in Gaza, Hamas took over by force from Abbas/PA? Since then, and even since the "truce," rockets fly to civilian territory in Israel "proper" (behind 1948 armistice line.)
Some of the arguments presented here make every Arab state out to be powerless. History shows otherwise. Is Iran not a real threat? Are there new long-range missiles for peaceful purposes, like their nuclear program? Don't worry, I DO NOT advocate invading or attacking Iran. But Hezbollah, with Iranian backing, is slowly taking over Lebanon, mostly by force. Does anyone care about that? Or is it all the fault of Israel.
There is plenty of information about what Israel does, including in the West Bank. But there isn't much information about what Hamas or the PA is doing. No free press there.
It just doesn't wash that the "Zionist conspiracy" has such a hold on the world. Who has the oil? Who is surrounded by countries that (with two exceptions) have not made peace? Hamas refuses to recognize the right of Israel to exist with any borders at all (1948, 1967).
I happen to think Israel's policy of expanding and enhancing the settlements is wrong, morally and strategically. But the sins and power do not reside only on one side, and to think they do is not a basis to find a solution.

Posted at July 12, 2008 1:54 AM in response to A Typical Day in the Wild West Bank

Mr. Rosenberg:
Do you ever respond to comments on your posts that support your conclusion but that you know to be inaccurate? I mean, tnathan says: "Palestinians including Hamas, Hezbollah, Iran and all Arab countries want peace and offered Israel peace so many times." Really? Not in 1948. Not in 1965, when Arafat (born in Egypt) started the PLO. This was BEFORE Israel occupied part of Jordan (West Bank) and part of Egypt (Gaza). Not in 1991, when the Palestinians cheered Iraq's scud missles going overhead. Except for Egypt and Jordan, no Arab country will even have diplomatic relations with Israel, while they have no problem having relations with other countries, some of which have much worse human rights records (including against Muslims). Remember when Kuwait kicked out 600,000 Palestinians? Anybody care about that? Is it only when Israel does something?
Anyway, as far as pandering goes, Obama isn't aiming at the small "Jewish vote," he's aiming at the much larger "non-Jewish" vote. Most people still support Israel, despite decades now of slanted coverage and petrodollar-funded campaigns in universities, etc. Obama wants to take the edge off of the negative and/or suspicions of the bulk of the country. Fox News, McCain and Co. are trying to portray him as this Muslim radical. His support of Israel runs counter to that.
Finally, while it would be helpful to "solve" the P/I issue, it has never been the source of the Middle East mess, and resolving it will not end the problems there. Osama bin Laden didn't even talk about the Palestinians until the last year or so, as he joined the bandwagon of blame. If U.S. troops are stationed in Saudi Arabia, plenty of Arabs will stay plenty mad at the USA.

Posted at July 12, 2008 1:32 AM in response to To Sen. Obama: When In Israel, Please, No Pandering

I appreciate the responses to my comments by people who disagree. Still, when people say that "Jewishneocons/Zionist hawks" are the deciders for foreign policy and the decision to invade Iraq, it seems to ignore Cheney, Bush, Rice and the other motivations for the invasions (oil, W's daddy envy, empire building). JohnW1141 makes a good point on this.

Posted at July 5, 2008 1:32 PM in response to Time's Joe Klein versus Foxman's Anti-Defamation League on THE NEOCONS! (Plus Clifford May Weighs In)