Reading The Pictures: Camp David, Oslo, Now This

(That's the actual size, resolution, everything.)
(I kid you not. There's nothing to click.)
(That's all there is.)

I haven't laughed so hard in weeks. Need I say ... anything at all?

(Of course, you've probably already read accounts of how negotiators for the Palestinians and the Israelis -- encouraged by those skillful, yet ingeniously non-interventionist diplomats in the Administration -- worked through the night to hammer out an agreement before the non-summit began. Finishing just eight minutes before Bush's opening remarks, both sides agreed to promise to get started to begin to figure out how to proceed on a final solution to those fundamental issues that are yet to be defined.)

But the picture, the picture!

In an absolutely brilliant gesture, newswire photographer Jason Reed of Reuters offered this visual commentary, and last word on the embarrassment in Annapolis.

... Just grand.

For more of the visual -- including George Bush's latest M.O. -- visit BAGnewsNotes.com.

(caption: U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice makes closing remarks at the Mideast Peace Conference in Annapolis, November 27, 2007.)

Comments

[MagisterLudi]

"Any Middle East solution starts with the withdrawal of Israelis from the occupied territories."
This simply betrays a infantile understand of how politics of the world work.
Nothing STARTS with withdrawal.

The peace can ONLY be achieved when a whole host of issues between ARABS and Israelis. The conflict is not between Pals and Israel.
This is a gross misreading of history.
The Muslims and Arabs in particular consider Middle East their stomping ground. It's EXTREMELY difficult for Muslims to accept a non-Muslim government in ME.

Especially Jewish,democratic, prosperous and most importantly and powerful.
Most Arabs don't give a flying f#$ck for Palestinians. Palestinians are seriously oppressed in Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait etc. many have been expelled from various many Muslim countries. Jordan killed off thousands of Palestinians for their attempted coup d'état.
Therefore, if Arabs are willing to make peace with Israel, peace will be achieved and settlement with Palestinians is a part of that total solution. This also includes the resolution of the refugees collectively punished by Muslim states ONLY as a trump card against Israel.
Therefore, Arab/Israel negotiations with Palestinian and US participation in the only road to peace.

[godlessclif]

Reagan had less to do with the Central European Revolution than Louis XVI had to do with the American Revolution.

"King George III! Tear down that CornWALLis!" ...Louis XVI

[flanardiente]

I too have many liberal friends who are vehement in their support of the Palestinian cause. I like to remind them that the Crusaders maintained a presence in that land for nearly 200 years. Be patient, I tell them. The Arabs know this. Realistically, of course, there's no way the Palestinians are going to get rid of Israel without killing all or most of the Jews. Sooner or later, they will. For some reason, this doesn't seem to make my friends any happier.

[Moonbeam51]

The term "final solution" in this story is incredibly inappropriate.

[mamacat]

Pres. Bush finally decided to try to do something that might be constructive, even if only in the grand scheme of things, and over the long run.
Now, if he can just turn his back on his habit of using dirty-tricks on everyone who dares to deal with reality instead of Bush's cocaine-haze view of the world.

[mommamia526]

As for the picture: Condel cut down to size?

[OrangeSam]

This picture is a perfect reflection of the shrinkage of American diplomacy, kinda like the gonad shrinkage of an athlete on anabolic steroids.

[Beaux510]

I'm fully aware that this is a feeble attempt by Bush to salvage some sort of historical positive that can be engraved on a plaque in front of his one-book Presidential "Libary", but would it be better to just do nothing?

Everyone screams about Israel's crimes, the continuing circle of violence and a need to bring peace to the region, but the moment someone actually gets most of the involved parties in the same room talking, the effort is derided as a sham and pointless by all of those same people crying for progress. Typical.

Any talking between those parties is a step in the right direction, I don't care who got them to the table.

[ReasonIsMyReligion]

I love it.

There's no "there" there.

I forgot which American DIP-lomat said, after visting the Sinai in the 60's or 70's, if memory serves, "I can't believe one side wants to fight for it, and the other side just doesn't give it back."

[lankasphinx]

There is enough documented history for all and any factions to find something to back up their arguments. Until a little humanity and compassion comes in at grass roots level it will never be solved. And each generation has enough angry and committed young people to keep perpetuating the conflict. I don't think there is a solution to this. There will always be conflict. The guilt the Israelis feel and the anger the Palestinians have will just feed off each other. Perhaps if we encouraged less arms and got them to do it the old fashioned way it would at least slow things downl. (I'm thinking slingshots and asses' jawbones). Oh, and a little less black-and-white from all sides probably wouldn't hurt either. But none of this will probably happen..... It goes back to before the Roman Empire - they couldn't sort it out, and they were a lot smarter than the average American "diplomat"....

[horseface]

Until the Isrealis get their heads out of their asses, there will not be peace or justice in the Middle East.

[hawkeye58]

"Thus there is only solution: Palestine is Israel land and all Palestinian Arabs must be sent back to the countries of their origin."

If someone said this in reference to the Jews from Europe and elsewhere living in Israel, you'd be screaming anti-semitism.

[Hubert]

Spot on. Mini Condi dwarfed by a background of darkness. Alone. Persevering. Filled with hubris. Preaching to an absent choir.

One year from now this photograph will find its place in the album that stores momentos of America's transparent attempts to support Israel's conquest of Palestine.

America alone.

[NChooseK]

Not to tell you your business, Michael, but this was already covered by Princess Sparkle Pony, Condi's greatest chronicler, with additional information about ancient statues known as herms.

[shades3]

There are enough people who think that the conflict in the Middle East could be solved if just one sensible person, like George W Bush for example, would bring the two leaders together and quote Rodney King, "Can't we all just get along?" and all will be well.

I guess it's just so simple, much like President Bush, that nobody, for the last SEVENTY YEARS, ever thought of that.
After the magical trick that Ronald Reagan pulled off, simply by saying, "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall", and down it came and peace resulted, what could be simpler??

After he gave his little speech, Bush just couldn't get out of there fast enough.
The mind boggles.