Letters to the Editor
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Wow. That photo of her makes me mad.
Am I the only one disturbed by the image of Pelosi in a hijab? Let's look at this rationally she is not a Muslim, claims to believe in women's equality and yet voluntarily and likely without protest dons a sign of not just the social submission of women before men but an absurd superstition (to believe that a supposedly omnipotent god cares whether you wear a little peice of cloth over your head), a superstition which in Syria and elsewhere in the world is forced upon girls and women through at best socialization techniques and at worst out-right threats fo violence, includign rape.
But 'she's in a mosque' you'll say. Again why visit a place where sexist practices and likely sex segregation are practised (if women are allowed to attend active services at all)? I was in Indonesia once and they had a sign in English which ostensibly bared women menstruating from enetering a Hindu temple on Bali. I decided a place with rules like that was not worth visiting and am no lesser for it. It is one think to show decorum in a place of worship, but it is another to check your basic human dignity at the door.
Kudos, Nancy. You were there to talk international reations (I guess - I'm not sure why memebers of Congress go abroad) and managed to stab women worldwide in the back. This kind of mindless betrayal of women's equality out of 'respect' is a glaring sign of what is wrong with a modern liberalism dominated by multiculturalism and moral relativism as opposed to universal progressive values.
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Victoria?
Someone wrote a really stupid letter and signed your name. To the actual author: would it have been better to make the visit with a middle finger extended? Not made it at all and let the Bushites continue their path to whatever new hell they are taking our country? What exactly is your "point"?
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Considering...
... that Bush's idea of diplomacy is to massage the shoulders of the female German Chancellor, it is nice to see an American traveling overseas and showing some sensitivity to local cultural mores.
When Bush was running for office, this is what he said (2000 Presidential debate vs. Al Gore).
It really depends upon how our nation conducts itself in foreign policy. If we're an arrogant nation, they'll resent us. If we're a humble nation, but strong, they'll welcome us. And it's -- our nation stands alone right now in the world in terms of power, and that's why we have to be humble.
Looks like Bush should have appointed Pelosi with her headscarf to be ambassador to the UN instead of John Bolton with his ridiculous-looking wig that made such a laughing stock of the US.
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Elections have consequences
A consequence of the last election is apoplexy on the right. That seems only fair. I've been apoplectic for more than 6 years now. It's definitely about time that I get to enjoy a little apoplexy on the other side of the now much wider divide. Let the entertain continue. Ms. Pelosi, you go girl.
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Victoria
I think President Bush has a job for you in the state department. He likes your my-way-or-the-highway sense of diplomacy. He also likes your belief that Congress is an irrelevant body. "I'm not sure why members of Congress travel abroad." Go read the Constitution.
And by chance you do happen to perform any historical research, look up some of the horrible things the Catholic church used to do. Acceptance of that religion in America changed it world wide.
Countries change from within. There is nothing your self-righteousness can do to change Syria. Take Iraq for example. We can sacrifice all the troops George Bush wants to in order to implement a governing style we desire, but if the Iraqi's aren't on board, well, I guess that's just a waste of American life.
Our acceptance of that religion in our own country, and summarily weeding out the bad elements, will be what changes that religion world wide. See all chrisitan forms of religion as an example.
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@victoria L..
My word. I'm with Tangerine. You didn't REALLY mean that shrill nonsense, did you, Victoria L.?
You must be a very difficult person to deal with, is all I can say. Did it ever occur to you that Pelosi is engaged in DIPLOMACY??? When you're engaged in DIPLOMACY you do as the romans do, within limits.
Tangerine. You're right. That was a very stupid post with Victoria L.'s name on it.
C'mon Vicky. You can do better than that.
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And what if
Dennis Hasert traveled to North Korea to engage in shuttle diplomacy while Clinton was in office, undercutting Madeline Albright? I don't understand where the Speaker of the House has the authority to conduct diplomatic missions like this, regardless of her political affiliation.
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Hypocrisy Isn't Pretty
If the right-wing noise machine is apoplectic about Nancy Pelosi's trip to Syria and her wearing of a head scarf, I can only imagine how many drugs Rush Limbaugh would have to take to calm himself down at the sight of George W. Bush kissing and holding hands with the Saudi king ... in Texas no less.
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Came across a quote attributed to Abraham Lincoln today which seems relevant to current U.S. policy abroad:
"No man is good enough to govern another man without that other's consent. "
Sounds about right.
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Her engagement with Syria
comes off as naive at best. She basically put words in Olmert's mouth. Conason mentions criticism from CNN and WashPost...are these now tools of the Bush administration?
"Why she expressed optimism about eventual peace talks between the Syrians and the Israelis remains to be seen."
Perhaps it's because she has no idea what she's doing.
Before you tar me with the usual "if you don't toe the liberal Bush-hating line, then you obviously are in bed with Bush," I'd be saying the same thing no matter who the Speaker was or the President was. Does the Speaker have the right to do this? (Maybe she does...I'd like to know if any precedent was set.) How would it look if Carl Albert, Speaker while Nixon went to China, decided to visit Mao instead?
What's next? The State Department writing bills for Congress?