wassertiefe2m

Apparently not... :(

Apparently not... :(

Obama is a smart guy, he must have a sensible reason for not talking to Hamas - I just can't find one... Was hoping somebody from here could explain...

Obama is a smart guy, he must have a sensible reason for not talking to Hamas - I just can't find one... Was hoping somebody from here could explain...

tda says:

"

Granted the points you have made hold merit, and the U.S. could and should hold talks with Hamas, but first, Hamas must recognize Israel as a “State”, along with assurances that Hamas will not carry out their stated, past, belief regarding the destruction of Israel.

The Hamas' charter calls for the destruction of the State of Israel and its replacement with a Palestinian Islamic state in the area that is now Israel, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip. Although Hamas claims its conflict with Israel is political and not religious, the organization has been described as anti-Semitic, a charge the organization itself rejects.  (source: Wiki)

"

Ahmedinejad doesn't recognize Israel's right to exist and also talks about wiping it off the maps. Yet Obama is willing to talk to him "without pre-conditions". So why not also to Hamas?

tda says:

"

Granted the points you have made hold merit, and the U.S. could and should hold talks with Hamas, but first, Hamas must recognize Israel as a “State”, along with assurances that Hamas will not carry out their stated, past, belief regarding the destruction of Israel.

The Hamas' charter calls for the destruction of the State of Israel and its replacement with a Palestinian Islamic state in the area that is now Israel, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip. Although Hamas claims its conflict with Israel is political and not religious, the organization has been described as anti-Semitic, a charge the organization itself rejects.  (source: Wiki)

"

Ahmedinejad doesn't recognize Israel's right to exist and also talks about wiping it off the maps. Yet Obama is willing to talk to him "without pre-conditions". So why not also to Hamas?

tda says:

"

I feel it’s proper for Senator Obama to meet with Iran, since Iran is a country and Hamas is an organization, which according Wiki here, is a terrorist organization with no representation in the United Nations.

"

Yet, look at my argument above about brokering a peace deal - not possible without Hamas being involved. Just because Hamas doesn't have a UN seat doesn't make them less important a player in the region than say Ahmedinejad. Jimmy Carter tried to find some way of resolving the issue by integrating Hamas. They have to be held accountable for political decisions that will affect their fellow citizens instead of their just using military solutions.

tda says:

"

I feel it’s proper for Senator Obama to meet with Iran, since Iran is a country and Hamas is an organization, which according Wiki here, is a terrorist organization with no representation in the United Nations.

"

Yet, look at my argument above about brokering a peace deal - not possible without Hamas being involved. Just because Hamas doesn't have a UN seat doesn't make them less important a player in the region than say Ahmedinejad. Jimmy Carter tried to find some way of resolving the issue by integrating Hamas. They have to be held accountable for political decisions that will affect their fellow citizens instead of their just using military solutions.

ms_mercedes_2003 says:

"wassertiefe2m, what should bother you is the double talk that John McCain is doing. They have a video where he said they have to talk to Hamas. The Republicans talk to Iran too. The record can prove that as well. They talk to countries they deem as terrorists. The media don't give you all the facts. You have to learn to do more research on these candidates. They will say anything to fool the people to win. It is all about distorting your opponent positions on key issues to win vote. That's why Bush was elected again in 2004 because the American People was fooled by him distorting his opponent position using Karl Rove's dirty tactics. When will the American People get wise to the same old lies to win an election?"

Don't get me wrong. I'm not against him talking to Iran, in fact I find it sensible and I know the Republican election machine is ruthless. But McCain's distorting aside and just sticking to the argumentation: Why only talk to Iran? I'd find it even more sensible to ask Hamas to sit at the table so that they also have to take on responsibility for decisions instead of simply being against everything. After all, they were elected by the Palestinian people and every Middle East expert will tell you that peace between Palestinians and Israelis will not be achieved without Hamas being involved in any peace process. So why not also talk to them if you're already willing to also talk to other foes?

ms_mercedes_2003 says:

"wassertiefe2m, what should bother you is the double talk that John McCain is doing. They have a video where he said they have to talk to Hamas. The Republicans talk to Iran too. The record can prove that as well. They talk to countries they deem as terrorists. The media don't give you all the facts. You have to learn to do more research on these candidates. They will say anything to fool the people to win. It is all about distorting your opponent positions on key issues to win vote. That's why Bush was elected again in 2004 because the American People was fooled by him distorting his opponent position using Karl Rove's dirty tactics. When will the American People get wise to the same old lies to win an election?"

Don't get me wrong. I'm not against him talking to Iran, in fact I find it sensible and I know the Republican election machine is ruthless. But McCain's distorting aside and just sticking to the argumentation: Why only talk to Iran? I'd find it even more sensible to ask Hamas to sit at the table so that they also have to take on responsibility for decisions instead of simply being against everything.

After all, they were elected by the Palestinian people and every Middle East expert will tell you that peace between Palestinians and Israelis will not be achieved without Hamas being involved in any peace process. So why not also talk to them if you're already willing to also talk to other foes?

There is one question that has been bothering me after McCain attacked Obama on this and I wonder if he has a point: Obama wants to talk to Iran and other enemies of the USA without pre-conditions. Why is he then not willing also to talk to Hamas? What is the difference between Ahmedinejad and Hamas? The only I can think of is that the former sponsors terror, the latter executes it. Why talk to the sponsor, but not the ones actually executing terror without pre-conditions?

There is one question that has been bothering me after McCain attacked Obama on this and I wonder if he has a point: Obama wants to talk to Iran and other enemies of the USA without pre-conditions. Why is he then not willing also to talk to Hamas? What is the difference between Ahmedinejad and Hamas? The only I can think of is that the former sponsors terror, the latter executes it. Why talk to the sponsor, but not the ones actually executing terror without pre-conditions?