Shame: Republican opposes Dem plan to cut aid to Egypt
posted at 2:10 pm on May 19, 2006 by Allahpundit
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Reuters plays up the fact that it’s a Democrat who’s taking the hardline here. And you know what? They should:
“When our major aid recipients engage in conduct that flies in the face of our own values then we ourselves are tarnished,” said Rep. David Obey of Wisconsin, the Appropriations Committee’s senior Democrat.
Obey said he will try to cut back the bill’s $1.3 billion in military aid to Egypt — the second biggest recipient of U.S. aid after Israel — when it reaches the full committee. The rest of Egypt’s appropriation was for non-military aid…
Since 1979, the United States has pumped more than $60 billion of aid into Egypt, but many Republicans and Democrats are growing impatient with Cairo over the slow pace of democratic reform…
Rep. Jim Kolbe, the Arizona Republican who heads the foreign aid subcommittee, said he will oppose Obey because Egypt is a “strategic partner” that is “clearly moving toward democracy.” Cutting aid only would make Cairo turn to China and former Soviet countries for its military needs, he said.
Follow Kolbe’s reasoning out to its logical conclusion and see where it takes you. Here’s the latest example of Egypt “clearly moving toward democracy”; you’re obliged to click and read at least the first two paragraphs. And here’s my post from last week on Egyptian policemen clearly moving their feet towards protesters’ democratic ribcages. Follow the link there to Sandmonkey’s blog and check out the photos.
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So, when the main stream media THINKS it is in Democrats favor to take the hard line, they attribute it to them, and otherwise, it’s all the evil Republicans fault. The MSM has been transparent to anyone with half a brain for a long time, which leaves out liberal free thinkers.
NRA4Freedom on May 19, 2006 at 2:17 PM
Why would any sane Republican oppose cutting aid to Egypt? This is getting nuttier by the day! Here is an excellent, related article by Victor Davis Hanson…
http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=N2RlYjRmMGM0NzIyZTA2NjFkZjg2Y2ZjNzI0MjdjMDM=
canvas on May 19, 2006 at 2:27 PM
You are so Funny “NRA4Freedom” with:
“The MSM has been transparent to anyone with half a brain for a long time, which leaves out liberal free thinkers.”
Most of the Main Stream Media (MSM) has progressed to the point of liberal propaganda distribution. The MSM only deviates from that course when it becomes so painfully apparent that they must do something to maintain some sense of creditibility with those that are not paying much attention to their ploy. (Most Americans are too busy).
It would be great for Michelle to give some of her attention to pointing out specifics of the MSM tactics and provide examples of liberal bias. Documenting Liberal MSM Bias may provide clarity on their tactics, some of which we who do pay attention may not be aware of.
omegaram on May 19, 2006 at 2:29 PM
Omegaram, Michelle doesn’t need to. Just click on the newsbusters link on the right side of this page.
p0s3r on May 19, 2006 at 2:32 PM
When will people get it!
The Republican Party is NOT a conservative America first party.
They are political cowards.
LZVandy on May 19, 2006 at 2:39 PM
>”Most of the Main Stream Media (MSM) has progressed to the point of liberal propaganda distribution…”
Now, even if that’s true, which it is, we have to play nice!
NRA4Freedom on May 19, 2006 at 4:08 PM
“Rep. Jim Kolbe, the Arizona Republican who heads the foreign aid subcommittee, said he will oppose Obey because Egypt is a “strategic partner” that is “clearly moving toward democracy.””
Yeah, at this rate, Egypt will be a real democracy by the year four billion six or so.
thirteen28 on May 19, 2006 at 5:05 PM
>”Most of the Main Stream Media (MSM) has progressed to the point of liberal propaganda distribution…”
The recent USA Today story is a perfect example. It was broken by the NY Times last year. But all of a sudden every single major media outlet in the country focuses on it all at once on the exact same day several months later??
Exsqueeze me?
Ashpinctersayswhat?
Not working hand in hand with the Democratic Party are we?
NO! Certainly Not!
I’m Shocked! Shocked to find collusion going on here!
venmax on May 19, 2006 at 5:23 PM
Why worry so much about aid to Egypt when we’ve poured billions out to the Palistinians? Money the Palis use to conduct their war on our only TRUE ally in the middle east, Israel.
Rowane on May 19, 2006 at 5:42 PM
I support the reduction of foreign aid in general. We could use the money here. I don’t mind aid to Israel, but apart from them we should examine each case of aid individually. Democratic countries (do we give aid to any, other than Israel?) get first dibs. Dictatorships get zero, as do any nations, governments, or nations with governments that have terrorist ties or sympathies.
And certainly, not a dime for the Palestinians. Let the Islamic world pay for them.
Bellicose Muse on May 20, 2006 at 12:01 AM
“Strategic partner” translates into “We need to keep bribing them forever for making ‘peace’ with Isreal.” Sorry, but I agree that the GOP has become spineless; a sign of letting the power get to them.
Start by cutting the aid in half; tell them to release the peaceful protesters and quit beating on them and we might starting sending money again. Continue as you are and the rest gets cut next month.
Mike O on May 20, 2006 at 10:05 AM
Sorry; didn’t close my tag
Mike O on May 20, 2006 at 10:06 AM
There is no justification whatsoever for the U.S. doling out foreign aid to ANY mideastern or Muslim nation until its leaders AND its people denounce terrorism and APOLOGIZE FOR 9-11! To date, not one has.
Idiocy like this is why is it quite likely that not only will Hillary or her ilk capture the White House, but also carry a majority in the Senate and House. And that would give the Hollywood nut cases not only an ear, but a voice in our policymaking — just as they had under Bubba and co-President Hillary.
Liberal loons in republican clothing are fanning the flames of doom and defeat.
ForYourEdification on May 20, 2006 at 1:56 PM
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