Terror Networks Find Refuge In South America

After cutting ties with Israel, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has become an open supporter of Hamas and Hezbollah. The authors of a new book, “The Threat Closer To Home: Hugo Chavez And The War Against America,” notes that besides the monetary support, Chavez is also providing a safe refuge for these terrorists.

The U.S. State Department still believes that Iranian operatives were behind the two terrorist attacks in Buenos Aires - the 1992 bombing of the Israeli embassy and the 1994 bombing of the AMIA Jewish Community Center.

Chavez recently welcomed Russian warships to his country, and has frequently visited with Fidel Castro and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. There is growing fear among U.S. allies that Hezbollah is establishing a growing number of terrorist cells in South America.

Let’s see how Obama’s policy of meeting without preconditions, described during the campaign, holds up to the reality of international terrorism and diplomacy. 


Link to complete article written by: Sholomo Shamir, Haaretz Correspondent.

I Thought “We Only Have One President At A Time”

While it seems a bit humorous to see the press corps continue to ask President-Elect Barack Obama questions related to the economy, Israel, national security, the federal bailouts, and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the usual response has been, “We only have one president at a time.”

Obama is right “we only have one president at a time.”

But if “we only have one president at a time”, and President George W. Bush is that president, why did Obama meet with Mexican President Felipe Calderon on Monday to discuss matters such as regional security and immigration policies?

In addition, when several Democrats criticized the release of the additional $350 billion in federal bailout money, Obama on Tuesday “vowed to veto any move to block the money.”

If Obama is willing to discuss with a foreign leader issues related to the porous border, drug violence, trade treaties, and the economic situation facing our two nations, while also vowing to veto a measure when he hasn’t even taken the oath of office yet, why can’t he provide insight on the current middle eastern conflicts or our current economic situation?

Although the press never tires of asking and getting the same answer from Team Obama, Americans deserve more from the President-elect than cherry-picking questions and dodgy answers. This isn’t the campaign anymore, Obama should not be given a free pass on selectively participating in the national dialogue.

I guess “we only have one president at a time” when it is convenient for Obama.