by Christi Parsons
ST. CHARLES, Mo. -- Rudy Giuliani today described the current terrorist threat against the U.S. as "existential," but argued that Middle Eastern nations could one day be American friends through stronger cultural and economic ties.
Marking Veterans Day with a town hall meeting in this suburban St. Louis community, the Republican presidential candidate called for stronger relations aimed at moving the region toward modernity.
"There's an existential threat to this country," Giuliani said. "And if you can't at least face up to it, I don't think you can lead this country."
"We should be engaging -- commercially, culturally –- with all those in the Arab world that want to do business with us," Giuliani said, "whether it's Jordan, or Kuwait . . . or countries that aren't friends yet but aren't sponsoring terrorism."
Giuliani said some Americans may be uncomfortable with Arab leaders who aren't speaking out against terrorism more strongly, but, he said, "You'd have to live there to understand why."
"Let's get them more engaged with American commerce, American culture," he said. "And we begin that movement toward being modern countries."
The U.S. must be "very much on the offense" against terrorism, Giuliani said, but "on the other hand, we should be open to engaging people commercially, culturally . . . We can help move them in a direction where we can be friends."
During the question-and-answer period of the meeting, Giuliani singled out a man wearing the uniform of a local veterans' group. The man told the former New York mayor that he served in World War II, in the Pacific theater.
Perfect example, Giuliani said.
"Our enemies in World War II are now our best friends," he said. "Not only did you win . . . but America handled it in such a way that countries that were our mortal enemies" are now friends.
"I believe exactly the same thing is possible with all these countries," Giulian said. "Some are enemies . . . I think all that can change over the course of twenty or thirty years."
That won't come about just from "wishing for it," he said. "It doesn't come from holding hands and singing about it."
Pointing to the veteran, he said, "That is the ultimate patriotism."







Comments
Does this mean Giuliani is endorsing Obama?
Posted by: crafty b | November 12, 2007 1:54 PM
Giuliani: "Fight "Existential Threat" by Winning Friends"
Winning friends? is that why Rudy hired a Neocon- Allstar team that only Dick Cheney could love to work for his campaign?
http://www.thecarpetbaggerreport.com/archives/13262.html
Rudy's idea of foreign policy is the same as BushCo's, it's his way or the highway, bombs away"
http://www.rudy-urbanlegend.com/
Posted by: John E | November 12, 2007 2:09 PM
More maniacal meanderings from John E.
Good words from Rudy.
Anyway, both parties actually have been trying to engage Arab nations, from Egypt to Jordan to Kuwait to Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Turkey.
And, whether the Left wants to admit it or not, most Iraqi people are warming to the U.S and working with us. Same for many Afghan folks. There are only a few Arab countries not friendly to the U.S.: Syria, Iran, Somalia, Yemen, Sudan. The U.S., under Bush, has even made strides with one-time foe and terrorist supporter Libya, though I still wouldn't trust Khadafy and the sooner he is gone, the better.
Posted by: John D | November 12, 2007 2:43 PM
Good words from Rudy.
Posted by: John D | November 12, 2007 2:43 PM
Lil Johnny Quacksalot,
We got "good words" from George W. Bush in 2000, we ignored his past actions and we trusted him and look at where that got us.
Rudy is a liar:
http://therealrudy.org/radios
http://www.villagevoice.com/news/0732,barrett,77463,6.html
Rudy is a crook:
http://www.crooksandliars.com/2007/11/08/breaking-news-bernard-kerik-indicted/
Posted by: John E | November 12, 2007 3:04 PM
John D-
Please try to learn the difference between "Arab" and "Islamic". Many of the countries you name are not ethnically Arab.
Posted by: AJF | November 12, 2007 3:04 PM
Does this mean Giuliani is endorsing Obama?
Posted by: crafty b | November 12, 2007 1:54 PM
I swear you took the words out of my mouth!!! Haha...
http://www.rudy-urbanlegend.com/
Posted by: Logic Prisoner | November 12, 2007 3:26 PM
Must I somewhat agree with John D? Ohh, okay..
Good words from Rudy, a Republican who actually pushes the idea of talk and trade instead of bombs away in the name of terror, is somewhat refreshing. I must also agree slightly with John E that Rudy is on the record as pro-bombing Iran and I think that is simply excessive sabre-rattling at this point, Iran knows the score, with israel and the US staring at it under a microscope.
But in all honestly, my future-looking concerns lie outside the middle-east, namely the slowly eroding 'friendship' with China and Russia. Imagine if you will China and Russia signing a non-agression pact, China's military, populace and monetary holdings coupled with Russia's endless natural resources and revamped military goodies (built and purchased with the revenues from $90 barrels of oil purchased by us at the pumps with our "my right as an American to drive a Hummer" dollars)
Imagine China (you know its inevitable) retaking Taiwan, which we have sworn to protect, and voila, WWIII.
While we hammer away at our "success" in Iraq, we continue to pay through the nose willingly for oil, funding Putin, Chavez and all sorts of n'er do wells.
Throw a little Pakistani instability, mix in some pro-China North Korea, and suddenly Iran doesnt look quite so alarming and the billions spent in Iraq not so productive. Imagine that same amount of money having been spent on alternative energy research so we can wean off oil and let the "oil despots" of the world find some other source of their income which they use to build the very weapons we will and are threatened by.
Only in America. We focus so hard on that which divides us and lose sight of that which can destroy us. A credit card nation with god on its side, never mind the debt or the dead.
These comments include input from the 4 family members who have served, soldiers are realists, not politicians. Ask our military to consider fighting China over Taiwan and see what the opinion is.
With gratitude to vets on this day, and scorn to those who would put them in harms way with political gains or macho posturing in mind.
Erick
Posted by: erick | November 12, 2007 3:42 PM
Guliani is advised by the biggest Neocon of the them all, Norman Podhertz, who is an ultra Zionist and has no qualms about using our young American men and women to achieve the cause of Zionism on the back of an ill-informed presidential candidate. Our veterans died for American ideals and spreading those ideals to other nations. Our veterans did not sign on to consolidate the power of Israel in the Middle East. Judge a man by those who surround him.
Posted by: the truth | November 12, 2007 4:27 PM
John D-
Please try to learn the difference between "Arab" and "Islamic". Many of the countries you name are not ethnically Arab.
Posted by: AJF | November 12, 2007 3:04 PM
AJF please forgive John D for not learning the word Persian, or studying geography. He's challenged... or is that handicapable???
Handicapable HVAC
People stare when I go by
And I stare back.
They only know what they are able to see,
Not understanding the real me.
I'm John,
Handicapable,
Handicapable John D,
That's me.
Then they are put in a position
Where they must confront me.
The situation is awkward for them,
Sometimes awkward for me.
I'm John,
Handicapable,
Handicapable John D,
That's me.
We learn about each other
And they begin to understand,
That I only want to be accepted
Just as I am.
I'm John,
Handicapable,
Handicapable John D,
That's me.
They see that I can't say Persian
Just the way I am.
Then they try to figure out
Why that might not be true for them.
I'm John,
Handicapable,
Handicapable John D,
That's me.
http://hvac-talk.com/vbb/
Posted by: Logic Prisoner | November 12, 2007 5:13 PM
Posted by: Logic Prisoner | November 12, 2007 5:13 PM
Logic P,
Lil Johnny got canned from his HVAC job, he's pimping electrical products nowdays:
http://www.ecpzone.com/publication/bio.jsp?contribId=109&pubId=3
Posted by: John E | November 12, 2007 5:36 PM
Logic P,
Lil Johnny got canned from his HVAC job, he's pimping electrical products nowdays:
http://www.ecpzone.com/publication/bio.jsp?contribId=109&pubId=3
Posted by: John E | November 12, 2007 5:36 PM
John E do you have the link to his blog? I could use a good laugh!
Posted by: Logic Prisoner | November 12, 2007 6:10 PM
Oh Little, Unemployed Johnny E: You see I did something you aren't capable of: Moving Up. You know, more money, higher position, more responsibility. Unlike you and the rest of your loser buddies, i don't stay home and live off mummy and duddy.
Hmmm, then I'm told many of the countries I sited are not ethically Arab? Tell that to the Saudis, those in Bahrain and Qatar, the Jordanians and Kuwaitis.
And, gee, folks the Saudis, Egyptians, Jordanians, Syrians, Pakistanis, et al largely don't practice Islam. I guess that'll be news to those folks.
So, let's see now. You ignorant losers have no idea what borders Cuba or that Havana is considered a Gulf of Mexico coastal city; that Middle East countries are largely not Arab nor Islamic. BC thinks the Dominican Republic is in Central America.
No wonder you folks are so damn miserable. Your stupid beyond belief and none of you have jobs. I know, it's Bush's fault. Get a life and get a clue, folks!
Posted by: John D | November 12, 2007 7:52 PM
John E, Log Pris,
I thought John D, Bruce, Paulo, were all 'journalists'??
Posted by: C.Morris | November 12, 2007 9:36 PM
John D-
What on earth are you talking about? Do even have a clue?
Pakistan, Turkey, Iran. Sudan and Somalia are not ethinically Arab nations. You refered to them as such.
As to your new assertion-
"And, gee, folks the Saudis, Egyptians, Jordanians, Syrians, Pakistanis, et al largely don't practice Islam. "
Let see-
Saudi Arabia: 100 % Muslim
Egypt: 94% Muslim
Jordan: 92% Muslim
Syria: 90% Muslim
Pakistan: 97% Muslim
http://www.religionfacts.com/islam/places/by_country.htm
Now if you are saying that even though the vast majority of the people profess Islam, but do not actively follow it's tenants, I would ask you to provide some documentation for that, but than I know you never have documentation, and just make up your "facts" as it suits you.
John D: 100% Ignorant.
Posted by: AJF | November 13, 2007 9:43 AM
Ok, AJF, you keep thinking those "Muslim" countries are not Arab, nor are they Islamic.
Also, roadkill brain, let's look at Sudan. What is happening there?
Well, perhaps the NY Times can help. Sudan, not ethically Arab? This says otherwise. While Arabs are fighting Arabs there now, much of the strife are Arabs killing ethnically African people there:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/03/world/africa/03darfur.html
Or how about Somalia?
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article1400655.ece
Wow, and countries like Syria and Libya are called "Arab countries."
Now, let's look at the whole Muslim, Islam debate:
http://www.crystalinks.com/islamic.html
And the very first sentence from that link:
"Islam is the world's second largest religion with a following of over one billion people called Muslims."
Hmmm, Islamic people are called Muslims. Hmmmmm?
Really, once again you Loons on the Kook Left show you have no knowledge on anything but how to be absolutely the dumbest people in the history of mankind. And, oh, also the worst mankind has to offer.
Posted by: John D | November 13, 2007 11:09 AM
Ok, AJF, you keep thinking those "Muslim" countries are not Arab, nor are they Islamic.
Also, AJF, i see you have that reading and comprehension problem most of you Loons suffer from. Let's look at my COMPLETE comment, not the cut and paste of AJF:
"And, gee, folks the Saudis, Egyptians, Jordanians, Syrians, Pakistanis, et al largely don't practice Islam. I guess that'll be news to those folks."
You see AJF, I am saying that is those countries don't practice then that is NEWS to them, meaning they do, dingbat!
Also, roadkill brain, let's look at Sudan. What is happening there?
Well, perhaps the NY Times can help. Sudan, not ethically Arab? This says otherwise. While Arabs are fighting Arabs there now, much of the strife are Arabs killing ethnically African people there:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/03/world/africa/03darfur.html
Or how about Somalia?
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article1400655.ece
Wow, and countries like Syria and Libya are called "Arab countries."
Now, let's look at the whole Muslim, Islam debate:
http://www.crystalinks.com/islamic.html
And the very first sentence from that link:
"Islam is the world's second largest religion with a following of over one billion people called Muslims."
Hmmm, Islamic people are called Muslims. Hmmmmm?
Really, once again you Loons on the Kook Left show you have no knowledge on anything but how to be absolutely the dumbest people in the history of mankind. And, oh, also the worst mankind has to offer.
Posted by: John D | November 13, 2007 11:35 AM
"Ok, AJF, you keep thinking those "Muslim" countries are not Arab, nor are they Islamic."
John D-
John You are now arguing with yourself on the Muslim Vs. Islamic arguement.
Muslim is a religious term. It means a follower of Islam. It is synonymous with "Islamic"
"Arab" is an ethinic term, not a religious one. "Arab" and "Islamic" are not synonyms.
People in Pakistan follow the religion Islam. That makes them Muslim or Islamic. However they are not of the Arab ethnicity. Therefore Pakistan is not an Arab country, contrary to what you have stated.
Posted by: AJF | November 13, 2007 12:01 PM
Really, once again you Loons on the Kook Left show you have no knowledge on anything but how to be absolutely the dumbest people in the history of mankind. And, oh, also the worst mankind has to offer.
Posted by: John D | November 13, 2007 11:09 AM
Still breaking out the second grader style rants. AJF your wasting time trying to educate know it all John D. He's just an old, angry, republican loser. Pay him no mind.
Posted by: Logic Prisoner | November 13, 2007 3:42 PM