A few weeks ago Obama and Hillary had a debate in Texas. The first question asked was: "Would you be willing to sit down with Raul Castro, or whoever leads the Cuban dictatorship when you take office at least just once, to get a measure of the man?".

Personally, I don't see anything wrong with the US President meeting with any other world leaders for a little chit chat. I value communication and I don't see a problem with saying, "Sure, I'd meet with [insert name]. I'm not making any promises, but we'll see how things look after a little talk".

Here's a link to the transcript: The CNN Democratic presidential debate in Texas - CNN.com

I was surprised that their different responses and simply put Hillary said there would be some conditions for her to meet with him and Obama didn't have those same conditions. I think Obama was right when he said, "Because the problem is, if we think that meeting with the president is a privilege that has to be earned, I think that reinforces the sense that we stand above the rest of the world at this point in time. And I think that it's important for us in undoing the damage that has been done over the last seven years, for the president to be willing to take that extra step."

Are conditions here acceptable? How do you feel about any world leader saying to another, "I'm only going to meet with you if do [fill in the blank]?" What world leaders would it be acceptable to say that to?

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I agree with Obama. It seems to me that meeting with them is the way to get them to do what we want, or what is right.

Like he says, we're not making them promises. I mean, you could sit down with somebody and say "Stop fuckin' your peeps."

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"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
Matthew 5:9

I disagree that Obama said he had no conditions...he just changed the word to "preparations"... (emphasis mine)
He double-talked.

I think its viable but I would want a little something fist, like maybe they stop jamming the voa subsidiary broadcasting out of miami? Simple not overtly concrete regard acing in..but something, before flying down there to talk with raul, which may be seen as just a blessing of the current regime in place to continue....I am not sure some folks realize that in a state with absolute control over the media, visits like this are twisted to mean exactly what the rulers of such wants them to mean and does have an effect......

We meet with the house of Saud for Christ's sake. What do they give us in exchange for that?






(rhetorical question)

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"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
Matthew 5:9

While cleaning out the garage a few years ago, I came across one of my fathers old books, "The Arrogance of Power" by Senator William J. Fulbright published in 1966.

Here's a link to a quote Senator J. William Fulbright on the Arrogance of Power, 1966
he's talking about Vietnam in 1966, but he could be talking about Iraq today.

While reading that book, it felt as though the author had written it with the benefit of hindsight, I kept checking the title page and that date of 1966 never changed.

In it he talked about engagement with the Soviet Union and China as the course of action that would most quickly defuse the cold war, because engagement brings trade and cultural exchanges and reduces tensions, which lessens the power of the hawks on both sides, and creates the conditions where real change can occur and enemies can become partners in peace.

Engagement with Cuba and North Korea will defuse the situation faster than any other course of action, and that means meeting with Castro and Kim, and going from there.
This guy, derided by Republicans as "Senator Halfbright", was brilliant, and history has unfolded in a way to reinforce everything he said.

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“The thought of his being president sends a cold chill down my spine.”

Senator Thad Cochran, Mississippi (R)
on McCain

“I decided I didn’t want this guy anywhere near a trigger.”
Senator Pete Domenici, New Mexico (R)
on McCain

“My anger did not help my campaign ... People don’t like angry candidates very much.”

McCain on McCain

Brilliant? I guess his support of racial segregation was brilliant too. Fulbright was rabid hypocrite and had no leg to stand on.

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Success is measured in blood; yours or your enemy's.

oil? :/

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I don't think he double-talked.
Having an agenda is very diff. then having conditions.
If you are having a bussiness meeting with a competitor, both sides will have an agenda ie things they want to talk about, human rights etc

Having conditions is like saying I won't talk to unless you agrree with me ahead of time.
IMO two completely diff things