A "Manufactured" People

Watching ABC's World News Tonight, you'd think former House Speaker and latest Republican frontrunner Newt Gingrich had come away with a big win from the latest GOP Presidential debate the night before. Gingrich recently characterized the Palestinians as "a manufactured people" as the GOP contenders jockey for position in who can appear strongest in their support of Israel. Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney tried to dial back the harsh tone set by Gingrich's comments, instead criticizing President Obama's public declaration of restarting Israeli-Palestinian territorial negotiations to be based on the 1967 borders.  Romney may have a point, since these parameters should be presented in meetings between negotiators. Obama's very public statement only served to anger Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu.  At the same time, the GOP characterization of President Obama as "un-Presidential" in dealing with Israel has a hollow ring compared to the Gingrich comments at the debate. He not only restated his "manufactured people" comment in stronger terms.  This time Gingrich also labeled Palestinians as a group of terrorists.  This may serve as "red meat" for hardline conservatives, but any President who spoke like this would be a danger on an already volatile world scene.  By his supposedly historical perspective, Israelis, Iraqis, South Africans, Swiss and even Americans could be considered "manufactured people."  The premise is as outrageous as his blanket assertions about all Occupy Wall Street protesters.  It is sad how this divisive person is gaining traction.