Blaming Syria and Iran

I think the root cause logic makes a lot of sense but Bush, Blair and others are still looking at the leaves and aren't getting close to the trunk let alone the roots. What is the root cause of Hezbollah, or dig even deeper and look for still other root causes. This is classic bait and switch politics rather than diplomacy, more of the same from an Administration and western leaders who care far too little about the citizens of the world. Peace is built and war destroys it.

We must go for the triggering cause of the recent Middle East violence along with root cause. As a true and peaceful Muslim, I deeply condemned any terrorist acts wherever it occurs and whoever it commits and pray for innocent victims that killed in the recent attack both by Israel and Hezbollah and militant groups.
I became very shocked when I came to learn the terrorist bomb attack in Mumbai, India and my hate and only for hate those who carried this inhuman acts by killing more than two hundreds innocents.
Habibullah Mizan
Third Year student of the International Relations Department,
University of Dhaka,Dhaka-1000
Bangladesh.
E-mail: mizandeshi@yahoo.com
Cell:0152328436

I think the previous comments about the real root cause are accurate. Could it posibly be that Hezbollah took those Israeli soldiers to show solidarity with occupied palestenians. And didn't they also state they wanted to swap prisoners that Israel is holding. Right or wrong these are still legitimate causes that explain the conflict. Bush seems to be trying to explain Hezbollah's ability to engage Israel in conflict rather than their reasons for wanting to engage Israel.

Re: Jethro H.

Whatever you say Jethro... as long as in the end there is no more syria and iran. They talk the talk but in the end, they get their ass kicked time after time. I hope Bush will have enough balls to end this cat and mouse game once and for all.

The root of this all is USA and bush its self…

The root cause is not Hezbollah, one could say it's Israel using the cover of their beliefs to muscle into a land they were not living in, pushing aside the people who were living there whose beliefs are not the same. Then insisting that all recollection of all the events that lead up to today be forgotten except the ones that shows Israel in an innocent light only protecting itself. Until all parties acknowledge each and every act that was perpetrated on each people, there will be no honest discussion of the root causes.

over the years i have watched israel give up land for peace it didnt work i support isreal but this is age old family despute dateing back to bible day! we are getting closer to the end time jesus is comeing back and after he takes his church out this world it will be destryoed by fire ready or not here he comes!

Where is the evidence that Iran and Syria are behind the Hezbollah attacks? Is it filed away with the "evidence" that Iraq's WMD were secreted in Iran after the invasion?

If everyone agrees that Syria is to blame, then why is Israel being allowed to hit Lebanon? Most of the dead in Lebanon are civilians. Israel is fighting the wrong people; killing for killing’s sake.

On another note, why is it illegitimate to capture Israeli soldiers in order to ask for your own prisoners back? It's not like Israel was going to return Arab prisoners by peaceful means.

Hey Jethro H...you sound like the typical left wing tree hugger...always giving advice and finding fault but never having any solution to anything...I think it's great that Isreal is finially standing up to the suicied bombings and other B S thats going on in the middle east...they should very well stand up for themselves and attack Hezbollah, Hamass and all the other terrorest groups that don't desirve any of the rights that they claim should be theirs.

Sometimes on the road to piece you will find holes in the road.It is my belief that not only do we need to fix these holes. We should also eliminate the cause of them.War with Iran and Syria not to mention Korea would strech our troups abilities.So what I guess I am tring to say is lets start traing some troops and making some bombs.

Really what are the root causes then? I thought you were going to enlighten us for a minute Jethro H.......... Irans Leadership sure appears to be a large contributor to the middle east crisis. Please tell us more....

Again we must not, as history emphatically instructs, excuse rogue behavior againts domocracys who are at first attacked, repeatedly. Hand ringing and self destructive searching for the 'root of root causes' is unproductive after all has been said and done. Peace at any cost is a death wish childish fantasy. J.I.Mayer

I must say I agree with Jethro. Bush wants to get to the root causes of all this conflict? Or, does he just want us to think he does. I think the nail was hit on the head with the words "leaders who care far to little about the cicizens of the world."
When it comes down to it from a common mans point of view what is this war really about? Is it about Oil? Is it about greed? Is it about pride? Do any of us really know.
In trying to keep up with current events and put some meaning or sense behind the big question "WHY?", it is simply mind boggeling at best. All I seem to note is one contradiction after another from our "world leaders" Piticularily our own President Mr, Bush.
From a personal stand point I think the man has some alterior motives at play here. We can only speculate to his true intentions.

Looking for the "root cause" is just a euphymism for blame. Bush and his cronies want to clearly place blame for war on someone they can villify and then assist in destroying. Hamas, Syria, and Iran have always been for them the "root cause" so if they can point to one of these "roots" being involved in violence and drag the other "roots" in with accusation and innuendo, they will have accomplished their purpose--the targeting of enemies for elimination. This kind of disgusting war-mongering is, unfortunately, all we can expect from from our bully-boy president who has as much interest in world peace as he has in confessing to any and all of his crimes against humanity. In the wake of such dire threats to world peace, all Bush can seem to think of to do is drag us closer to global confligration.

It seems to me there are more "root causes" than just the fact that there are terrorist elements seated around Israel and possibly backed by Iran and Syria.

Let's take a step back and look at what's happening: Israel is turning the kidnapping of a few Israeli soldiers into a full-scale regional war. Is the reaction proportional to the incitement? It appears to be more emotional than rational -- if those soldiers had been merely killed instead of kidnapped (as has happened many times before), we'd still be at status quo, wouldn't we? Instead, hundreds of people, many if not most civilian bystanders, have already been killed in reaction.

And is it legitimate for Israel to invade sovereign Lebanon? The latter has committed no act of aggression itself. The Lebanese government is, in fact, US-backed, and PM Siniora has called for a peaceful resolution to the conflict. This seems a bit like the US invading Canada because there are al-Qaeda cells operating there. An imperfect analogy, admittedly, but it does lend some perspective.

I think Bush needs to call for a ceasefire, and soon -- or the whole planet could be sucked into our next world war.

It seems to me there are more "root causes" than just the fact that there are terrorist elements seated around Israel and possibly backed by Iran and Syria.

Let's take a step back and look at what's happening: Israel is turning the kidnapping of a few Israeli soldiers into a full-scale regional war. Is the reaction proportional to the incitement? It appears to be more emotional than rational -- if those soldiers had been merely killed instead of kidnapped (as has happened many times before), we'd still be at status quo, wouldn't we? Instead, hundreds of people, many if not most civilian bystanders, have already been killed in reaction.

And is it legitimate for Israel to invade sovereign Lebanon? The latter has committed no act of aggression itself. The Lebanese government is, in fact, US-backed, and PM Siniora has called for a peaceful resolution to the conflict. This seems a bit like the US invading Canada because there are al-Qaeda cells operating there. An imperfect analogy, admittedly, but it does lend some perspective.

I think Bush needs to call for a ceasefire, and soon -- or the whole planet could be sucked into our next world war.

Betting is now open. Do we attacking Syria or Iran next? I think we have pretty much run dry on the WMD excuse. So this war comes at a good time for the Bush gang.

Isresl you go stop these rotten terror groups at all cost if needed and do not worry what any one says this is for your rigth to survive i am and american Italian and would figth beside you to stop these animals keep on doing what you are doing you have the full support of the americans and her real true allies we will always be there for you (%100) support wise arms ,money and political your freind and fellow brother (Michael A Porretta)

Im not surprized by the current situation at hand, finaly we see, yet again, the thought process along with a little luck, behind President Bush's "plan". Remove all terrorist threats, including those governments who support them and the world becomes a better place to live in. Its that simple.

Force is not a solution to this problem, use force and see the world ten years down the road, far dangerous and insecure then it is today, more than 50 years have been passed since Israel was created forcefully, decades of use of force, but where are we standing today, walk on the same path and the situation would be more worse 50 years down the road. Do the justice, admit the mistakes done since the world war II, accept that the oil is in hands of muslims and world is dependent on them and has to recognize their bargaining power, if not, then this won't stop, our future is bleak with 5 dictators at UN, bring democracy to UN

The root cause of all this is the fact that Syria and Iran and Egypt and their ilk refuse to acknowledge the right of the State of Israel to exist. The rockets fired at Israel came from Gaza, which the Israelis gave up not long ago. The rockets fired at Israel from Lebanon came from that portion of Israel that Israel gave up. These terrorists don't want peace. They will fire at Israel and then retreat to hide among the civilians and when Israel fires back they say "Look at what they do."

Don't take my word - check the site www.memri.org.

Everybody has a side. Why can't the indiscriminate killing be stopped? It's wrong to kill innocent civilians. Period. It is so depressing that no one can stop the killing. Is this the way to settle disputes? Should we let school children war it out despite the collateral damage? "Root causes" is a chicken-egg conversation. Is the world ever going to take away Israel's land? Will young people throughout the Middle East ever be brought up to believe that the Palestinian people have been robbed of their birthright and holy lands? What can I tell my six and four year olds to explain this never-ending horror?

I wanted to comment on johns statement..The root of the problem is the usa and bush. Way to go John..there's some real indepth thinking if I ever heard it. Actually...That kind of thinking IS the problem.As far as that remarkable comment from Jethro H...Lets just go back to prehistoric days and give the whole danm region back to the dinosaurs. Lets not think of how we can work on the future...lets just keep throwing salt on the wound.

Wake up people,

The root cause of all this is ISRAEL.....

that is it. Nothing else....

There was no terorist attaching Americans before Israel occupied Palestine...

Read and read and learn...

The real cause is-was and always will be ISRAEL...

B"H

After the so-called "Palestinians" overwhelmingly voted for Hizbollah/Hamas, I don't see how anyone can still believe it is possible to have peace with them.

The fact is, the ability of Israel's enemies to wage war must be utterly destroyed. That means NOT giving them a sovereign state, not only on Israel's doorstep, and certainly not from Israeli land that has been extorted from us by deceit and murder.

Yes, it's a good thing that the world appears to support our right to defend ourselves. But we have to realize that their ultimate goal is a return to the wellsprings of the demonic Osloian fantasy from which all the current chaos arises. And it is the continued return to that same folly which is the real engine powering the perceived "cycle of violence."

Until the thinking changes, and a realization of the real "root-cause" of the problem, there will be no cessation of that violence.

Actaully, a quick search on Google provides a much more nuanced perspective than that provided (for the most part) by the American media. This article's title doesn't come close to squaring up with the reality of sentiment identified in the world press. Thank God for the internet...

These problems began in 1947 with the creation of Israel on land that was occupied by people who were brutally and ruthlessly forced off of their own land - which they had lived on for generations.
The very quote of Ben-Gurion (a founder of Israel) tells mucH;
"We must do everything to ensure they [the Palestinians] never do return." Assuring his fellow Zionists that Palestinians will never come back to their homes. "The old will die and the young will forget." David Ben-Gurion, in his diary, 18 July 1948, quoted in Michael Bar Zohar's Ben-Gurion: the Armed Prophet, Prentice-Hall, 1967, p. 157."

“The most spectacular event in the contemporary history of Palestine - more spectacular in a sense than the creation of the Jewish state - is the wholesale evacuation of its Arab population which has swept with it also thousands of Arabs from areas threatened and/or occupied by us outside our boundaries.” Moshe Shertok-latter Israeli Foreign Min-in a letter to Goldmann, 15 June 1948 "

Look at what Moshe Dayan himself said:
"Jewish villages were built in the place of Arab villages. You do not even know the names of these Arab villages, and I do not blame you because geography books no longer exist, not only do the books not exist, the Arab villages are not there either. Nahlal arose in the place of Mahlul; Kibbutz Gvat in the place of Jibta; Kibbutz Sarid in the place of Huneifis; and Kefar Yehushu'a in the place of Tal al-Shuman. There is not one single place built in this country that did not have a former Arab population."
-- Moshe Dayan, addressing the Technion (Israel Institute of Technology), Haifa. Quoted in Ha'aretz, 04/04/1969
"
So - if we really want to contemplate "root causes" it becomes immediately obvious.

It seems that one (1) Israeli life is worth 100 Palestinain (or Lebanese) lives. In the eyes of Bush and Blair, these Palestians are just "collateral damage."

It also seems that Israel has a god-given right to seize and hold 78% of Palestian lands, to create bantustans in the remainder, and to treat non-Jews as third class citizens.

It seems Israel has a "right" to drop American-made boms at will, from American-made aircraft, "arrest" and murder those who resist. Yet when the Palestinan defend themselves the capture of Israeli soldiers is labelled as "kidnapping."

Sorry, your joking right? Wasnt the ceasefire broken off because israel artillery shelled a family on tyhe beach at Gaza? Oh how you guys forget that.Everyone is tottally begin ignorant of all the innocent civillians the jews have killed and suddenly focusing on what hamaz and hezbollah have done. Israel has 9000 people in their jails with no charge, they kill innocent people everyday and nothing gets done. Hamas and Hazbollah kill military targets and everyone whinges. Goes to show what democracy does to people. Israel is getting what it deserves. If only this got posted, it wont because it doesnt suit this papers viewpoint.

The interesting thing here is that everyone but Jerry in this conversation seems to think that there is a possibility of peace if 'this' happens or 'that' happens. What is going on in the Middle East is a result of corruption from multiple countries, not just the United States, because of our sheer greed and dependency on the oil, of which that area only has 30% of the world's resources. Plus, hate and prejudice can eventually be let go, but when you combine those with religious teeth and radical manipulation of beliefs, you get a deadly problem that will NOT go away until everyone is dead. I am a religious person myself and even I recognize that you cannot reason with religion. It is always right and deplomacy will never sway a person's true faith. People think the Bible is just a fictional tale. Read about how it talks of Israel and Palistinians. They knew for thousands of years that there would never be peace. You think that's going to change anytime soon? Get real people. Wake up and look up cause He's commin!

First of all, Israel is a nation state. Lebanon, Syria, Iran, Iraq are nation states. The terrorist groups are non-nation state bad actors. They don't have rights as those that have national sovereignty. Their cowardly purpose is to infiltrate and destroy sovereign nations that oppose their "Islamic" religious states (named above + others) in the world. The terrorists are formed, sanctioned, paid for, and fanatisized by these same nations to violently and unlawfully wage war cowardly, from the sidelines, one suicide bomber at a time.

Give the nation states what they deserve for sponsoring terrorism. Take the war to them. Finish the terrorist ideology by waging the war in their countries, not in Israel, America, England, or Spain. The war against innocents must be stopped. The war that must be finished is the world war against the proponents, harborers, trainers, finaciers, and "front-men countries" of non-national and therefore illegitimate, violent, religious, fanatic, extremist, terrorists everywhere. They want war, so let's give it to them... and don't stop until they are oblitorated.

Really Jethro H. --- It's all Bush's fault? Is it his fault that Mr. Hussain refused to comply with the numerous U.N. agreements? What were all the "or else"s supposed to refer to? "Or else" what? We don't like you anymore? President Bush had/has the courage and determination that President Clinton did not. He finished the job (removing Sadaam from power) that was begun by the Gulf War which was started by Sadaam. Mr. Hussain has no one to blame for his troubles but himself. I realize that this sounds grossly simplistic, but cant't "those" people (Israelis, Palestinians, Syrians, etc. etc.) just play nice and get along? WHAT is the problem?!

Jacques Collin you stupid shit, the president of iran wants any non muslims to wear insignia showing theyre catholic, jew, hindu...............geez sounds like hitler u stupid shit

The "root" causes lie not in the recent events, but rather in the original 1948 partition of the British Mandate. The UN made bad land appropriation decisions that immediately plunged the region into a war that has lasted for 58 years. The Arabs (the term Palestinians did not exist then) found themselves uncomfortably displaced, while the Israelis were given a divided territory that was militarily indefensible.

The struggle for balance has lasted for almost 6 decades, and I'm afraid there is no solution in the near term, especially while the international body we have in the UN is just as inept and toothless as they were in 1948. Israel's military strength, will to survive, and moral high ground against terrorism constitute the proverbial "irresistable force", while the Arab mindset and culturally engrained right to "resistance" is, in turn, the proverbial "immovable mountain".

We've seen this situation before across the millenia, just think of the 700 year conflict in the Balkans that still has not been fully resolved, having resulted from artificial territorial divisions between the Ottoman conquests and Yugoslavian unification.

Of course Syria and Iran (and formerly Iraq) are helping the Arab cause, but this is not a root, rather a lingering symptom of the prolonged conflict.

In this current age, no body/nation any longer posesses monopoly over the use of force. We can only talk about the level of destruction one nation or an organization's weapon can cause when faced with adversity. Therefore, to be conspiciously silent because Isreal currently has the military upper hand in this current stalemate against Lebanon is to imply that the "24" or so Israelis who have been killed are not as significant as the over 100 Lebanese killed.

If this theory is true, it barely defeats the purpose for which Israel is at war in the first place - to secure release of only two soldiers.

Steven Rogers.

The reckless disregard for innocent civilian lives stemming out of the current US administrations is beyond comprehension. President Bush remarks about the "root cause" are the furthest from reality on the ground. His lack of knowledge and moral guidence is narrowlly clouded by his religious conviction.
This policy of "We are rightous and they are evil" will only lead to disasterous consequences the world has yet to see coming.

ROOT CAUSE IS ISRAELI CONTINUOS MASSACRE OF PALESTINIAN CHILDREN. 1 BILLION MUSLIMS KNOW ROOT CAUSE.

Israel has never wanted peace with its Muslim neighbors. Israel left Gaza so it could steal half of the West Bank and all of the Palestinians water resources. Israelis intention has never been and will never be to live in peace with its neighbors. Israel intention will always be to steal land from Muslim countries it perceives as weak and to try to slowly kill off as many Muslims
as it can kill off. If Israel wanted peace The Arabs offered full peace with the Muslim world in exchange for Israel to leave all the land it stole from Muslims since 1967. Facts is the only reason Israel has military superiority over its Muslim neighbors in due to trillions
of both military and monetary aid received from Christian America and Christian Europe
Fact is unfortunately billions of Muslims helplessly watch as Israel commits massacre after massacre of Palestinian children. The tide is slowly changing. American economy is about to collapse Insallah very soon. France, Russia, England, and Germany are becoming Muslim. The Muslim nations are getting stronger and stronger. one day--Insallah very soon- a Muslim leader will rise and completely destroy all of Israel and kill every Jew in Israel to finally end the terror Israel has caused the Muslim world. Please do not try the typical Jewish attempt to brainwash as the Jews have done to Christians with lies about the Arabs. 1 billion Muslims
know the actual facts about how Jews brainwashed the retarded Americans about Arabs. The only reason Christians are totally brainwashed with the lies told to them by the Jews is because according to the brainwashed Christian THE JEW IS THE GOD OF THE CHRISTIAN AND THE CHRISTIAN WILL DO ANYTHING AND KILL ANYONE TO PLEASE HIS JEWISH GOD

Although it is natural to wish to find the root-cause of this issue, and ultimately those to blame, this won’t bring about what is immediately needed. Without a ceasefire this conflict will continue to escalate. More countries will be drawn in, more warships marked in place, and more lives will be lost. All of this destruction will accomplish nothing. At the end of this the Hezbollah will still exist, Israel will still be in conflict with its neighbors, and tension will continue to rise with Iran.

Attempting to undo history will solve nothing, but taking responsibility for the future may just save thousands of people who at this moment are destined to die. Everyone must support the leaders calling for a ceasefire if we expect to stop this before it gets much worse. This conflict requires a demonstration of the strength of rationality, not military power.

Israel has been the root of most unrest in the middle east for the past 50 years.. The US supports it and likes it that way (for it always gives us a reason to intervene and take over on behalf of this country that offers nothing in return other than a strategic geopolitical location).. Maybe one of these countries will just sink that troublesome nation into mediterranean and we will finally have peace in the middle east.

What a surprise! The religious nuts think this is apocalypsorific! The Iran haters think this is clear evidence of Iran's fault. Same with the syria haters. Is there anybody out there who isn't just going to spot nonsense? And for all "let's get rid of" crowd, I understand, I really do, you are tired of all your old war tapes and want something fresh to watch, but can't you just go play with minatures or something?

Israel can't "take out" Iran, or Syria or even Hezbullah, and they can't "take out" Israel either. So, come back in a year or two and we'll be just about where we are now, except with a bunch more dead people. Nothing's going to change.

People are focusing on one event, and seem to not be seeing the big picture. I think if you look for root causes, you are basically looking for root causes why the U.S. should take over the entire Middle East. There was no valid reason to invade Iraq, other than that Bush and his party wanted an excuse for a war in that country. In a certain sense, the Middle East always preserved a relative stability, in spite of the fighting among the countries. Iraq is not more stable than it was before - the difference is now that its stability is now controlled by the U.S., whereas before it was controlled by the Baath party. Is that what the goal is for Iran and Syria? Is the stability and responsibility for their countries going to be taken out of their hands and placed in the hands of the U.S.? Good luck.

Those who are in authority over schoolyard bullies have different courses of action they can take: they can mount a constant, time-consuming, expensive guard to monitor and interrupt the situation; they can issue statements condemning the bully; they can issue statements condemning the reaction to the bully; they can kick the bullies out of the school. What can the victim of a bully do? He can whinge and cry and run away or he can fight back. Israel is in a small corner of the world and, to their credit, has chosen to fight the bullies whose stated aim is to kill all the "Zionists," which is the extremist propaganda code word for Israelis and anyone else who doesn't agree with them that Israel has no right to exist. I pray every day to my God who is the exact same God of the Israelis, the Muslims, the Christians and, indeed, all other people, to enter the hearts and minds of us all and replace hate with understanding, compassion and mercy. But do not confuse those things with the justice, not revenge, that God's will demands.

India who suffered terrorist attack should also take the same decision like Israel. Its high time to show those coward mujaheedeens that there is a price to pay for what they are doing. India should inhesistantly attack Pakistan and crush it. All the condolenses and regrets are just cover ups, deep inside i'm sure that pakistan leaders are happy that the attack succeeded. It is them who back the terorrist both financially and ideologically.

Bravo for Israel and please avoid attacking civilian
targets, as Israel is not a coward mujaheedeen organisation.

I believe the root cause has truly been identified. Iran and Syria supporting hezbollah and then they in turn carry out the war front actions.

Just like Al Quaida and the Taliban. All are Guerilla warfare organizations developed and supported by countries that have an agenda to keep their people under thumb while growing wealthy themselves. All the while doing it in the name of Allah.

in response to ytba's comment:

the same can be said about the US and the fact that _almost_ a majority voted for him again..

thus, shouldn't our ability to wage war should be utterly destroyed.. do you really think that the US is not involved in this? no idea that it's just a ploy to give reason to invade iran?

its identical to the way the administration used al-qaeda and afghanistan to invade iraq (for acts of terrorism the administration sponsored nonetheless)....

its seems that in recent stories all tha attention is shifting from lebanon, to the "suspected" sponsors of hizbollah... we sponsor israel.. lets just make it WW3..

as far as i'm concerned.. let the farce continue.. if you israel wants to lose soldiers and civilians over 1 captured soldier (no other country has ever gone to such lengths).. let the fighting stay between the two parties and within the two nations where it is going on..

It seems that we all tip toe around the basic issue as through we don't want to face what the muslim of the world have called this worldwide conflict. Their holy war. It appears that until this root (their doctorine of kill everyone who does not share in their faith and renounce all other)cause is addressed we will never have peace. As loving God fearing Christian's we have trouble understanding why someone would want to take anothers life. If we can not or will not admit along with the true muslims the truth, that this teaching is wrong and need to be renounced by all there will be no peace but an all out war to keep one religion from trying to wipe out all other religions. Such a sorry state of affairs. My God bless us all.

Bus is the sole responsible party with his invasion of Iraq which brought the Arab World out of their closet.

The root cause of this current conflict is international injustice to palestinian genuine right as we know due to the help of American money
and military support Israel is killing innocent civilians not only in palestine but in lebanon too
Israel has occupied the 78% area of palestine by force and Golan hills from Syria but it is very odd when President Bush says that Iran and Syria,and Hizbullah are the root cause of the conflict.I say to the world leaders be bold and have a courage to decide the present complicated
issue of Middle East with sincere justice and merit.Make the earth a paradise not hell as America and Israel under the umbrella of fake democracy have been trying for decades to make muslims and budhist [as US has dropped atom bombs on Heroshima and Nagasaki in 1945]the fuel of nuclear weapons.Let live them and be alive.

geez, there are a lot of left wing women with mens names in this comment block.

Ladies, the real root cause of this conflict is the lack of honor and general aggressive and violent nature of the followers of "the religion of peace" aka. Islam. Hitorically, the people of the middle east region understand nothing but violence and show of force. Like wild animals, they will not pay any mind to anything that they do not fear.

Just compare the nation of Iraq under Saddam, to Iraq now. Under Saddam there was order and peace between Shia and Sunni factions. Remove Saddam and replace him with American soldiers who have "rules of engagement" and the country goes to hell. AK47s and RPGs come out of basements and closets and they all start fighting each other.

Israel is right to try to instill this fear in them, as this is the only way for them to stop the seemingly never ending attacks by "militant groups", which are puppet armies of cowardly Arab nations.

There is a reason these groups are attacking Israel as opposed to the nations that sponsor them, and that reason is simple: Israel would crush all of them, simultaniously, in a matter of months. Given that fact, I see no problem with Israel going after these cowards where ever they are housed, where ever their funds and weapons come from and where ever they get their logistical support. If that spans multiple nations, so be it. If the followers of the "religion of peace" don't wish this upon their homes, then it is up to them to root out these "few terrorists and criminals" that are "hiding within their populations."

A few points:

It must be made clear that Hezbollah has nothing to do with the Palestinians. Palestinians were Arabs that were in what is now called Israel when the latter, backed by the UN, declared it's independance in 1948. Those Arabs (mainly their descendants) want that "Israel" back. Hezbollah has nothing to do with that. They live and always have lived in Lebanon, not in Israel. That said, there is no possible way to legitimize their current and past actions against Israel.

As for the argument that they have a right to attack Israel to gain the release of prisoners. Israel did not go into Lebanon to take prisoners. Rather, it arrests Hezbollah terrorists while they try to enter Israel. I understand Hezbollah is upset about that, but just because some of your people are jaied you don't have the right to attack. Does the UK have a right to attack the US to gain the release of its nationals jailed in the US?

As for the argument about the response not being proprtionate. Israel was attacked, totally unprovoked. The Israeli army is a monster; one of the best in the world. Start up with a lion and face the consequences.

As for the question why Israel is bombing Lebanon and not Syria or Iran. The attacks on Israel are originatinf from Lebanon; that is where Hezbollah is based. That is what they are trying to stop. And bear in mind that Israel is bombing only Hezbollah interesets. They said they will not bomb Lebanese interests if the Lebanese army does not attack their planes.

As far as what's the proof that Syria and Iran are bhins Hezbollah. Simple - just ask them. And the laser guided missile that hit an Israeli ship was made in Iran, and were the missiles that hit Haifa.

A few points:

It must be made clear that Hezbollah has nothing to do with the Palestinians. Palestinians were Arabs that were in what is now called Israel when the latter, backed by the UN, declared it's independance in 1948. Those Arabs (mainly their descendants) want that "Israel" back. Hezbollah has nothing to do with that. They live and always have lived in Lebanon, not in Israel. That said, there is no possible way to legitimize their current and past actions against Israel.

As for the argument that they have a right to attack Israel to gain the release of prisoners. Israel did not go into Lebanon to take prisoners. Rather, it arrests Hezbollah terrorists while they try to enter Israel. I understand Hezbollah is upset about that, but just because some of your people are jaied you don't have the right to attack. Does the UK have a right to attack the US to gain the release of its nationals jailed in the US?

As for the argument about the response not being proprtionate. Israel was attacked, totally unprovoked. The Israeli army is a monster; one of the best in the world. Start up with a lion and face the consequences.

As for the question why Israel is bombing Lebanon and not Syria or Iran. The attacks on Israel are originatinf from Lebanon; that is where Hezbollah is based. That is what they are trying to stop. And bear in mind that Israel is bombing only Hezbollah interesets. They said they will not bomb Lebanese interests if the Lebanese army does not attack their planes.

As far as what's the proof that Syria and Iran are bhins Hezbollah. Simple - just ask them. And the laser guided missile that hit an Israeli ship was made in Iran, and were the missiles that hit Haifa.

I think Dr. Levine was on track with his analogy of al Qadea cells operating in Canada. Let's take this a few steps furthur.

Now assume these al Qaeda cells operate out of Windsor, Ontario and they are lobbing rockets into Detroit. Next assume, the Canadian gov't is doing nothing (or can't do anything) about the bombing

Would you expect the US Gov't to sit back and do nothing or send the military in to end it all - even if it means innocent Canadians will get killed?

Why do all islamic commentators date the start of the conflict to 1947? Israel existed before just about all other nation states on the planet. In its present location. What they need to do is read some primary school history.
Jews have been prevented from living in Israel by islamic regimes since Mohammed invented Islam, based on the Jewish and Christian religions, several hundred years ago.
Before that Israel was destroyed by Italians Greeks, Syrians and Iraqies.
This all started when a guy called Mohammed decided to destroy the religion that he drew his ideas and inspiration from: Judaism. Read the Koran he says so.
So would the 1 billion islamic people in the world stop feeling sorry for themselves. You stole Jerusalem now its back in the hands of its owners. Stop bullying a global minority of less than fifteen million.
You are the evil ones. Let us be, or you may discover the difference between hydrogen and neutron bombs. It is the only answer to an oppressed minority, especially a very clever one.
Back off. By the way leave the Hindus and the Christians alone too. Go back to school.

A lot of people blame Israel for taking back land that belonged to them historically and occupying it since WWII. Now, zoom out of the Middle East region, do you hear regular news stories about run of the mill citizens in the "West" blowing up mosques, acquiring weapons to harm and destroy, or killing/kidnapping Muslims on the street because they do not assimilate? No. I'm proud of that fact and it is something that only countries with separation between church and state can claim.

If the global community gets together and rids these countries of their thug/cleric leaders, democracy might be possible in a few generations and benefit our descendents. Otherwise we can tolerate the madmen and let them do their thing and wonder when the next undereducated young man is going to blow up himself along with a host of innocent victims. This is a building period, this is the work or capital investment for a more peaceful future.

The real cause of this is that George W. Bush is rubber stamping anything that Israel wants. Their cowardly attack on innocent civilian, their taking of prisoners of people not charged with a crime.

They torture them, humiliate them in ways too terrible to describe here. This has been going on for quite a long time. Let us look back on our American experience with how we treated Native Americans. Try to image how a government and people, who for the most part bear the burden of the horror of what we done and are determined to never let such a thing happen again. Right?!

Now George W. Bush rubber stamps anything that Israel does or wants. Then we hear verbage such as "hostiges" taken by Palestinians and other verbage such as "arrests made" when we refer to Israels illegal invasion of of land that they have no right to.

What is even more sad is that Israel never regrets crimes that it carries out on innocent people. They are never referred to as "racist" or "...another Hitler..."

It seams that Israel is immune from crimes agains humanity in the eyes of George W. Bush and his dim-witted supporters.

Has the enslavement of Afro-Americans taught us nothing?! Do our laws the forbid Americans from committing these crimes against women and children have no meaning for our so-called ally, Israel.

We continued to hear recycled stories about the holocaust, but what about the one that our nation is allowing Israel to commit agains other people.

It is time that we stopped supporting Israel! Let them learn from their mistakes, instead of encouraging them down the wrong path.

If we continue to speak of only war and bloodshead that that will surely be our destiny. Apart from the fact that this is not America's war, why are we supplying Israel? Israel and those in America that support it, have brought this country to an all-time low in the eyes of the world, that at one time loved America and our people. Now, look at the mess that we are in.

My suspicion is that this will not get printed, because it points to the real "root cause" of the propbem.

Is it our destiny to suffer this great war, because we failed to learn from the WRONGFUL MISTAKES of the past?

1) Syria and Iran may be complicit in the current violence, if the Israeli and US charges that Hezbollah's missiles were supplied by those two nations are true. It is certainly not a good thing that these countries are using munitions and technology to maintain and/or increase violence and instability in the region.

2) Israel is the largest recipient of US foreign aid, and historically the largest recipient of US military aid. The percentage of US foreign aid going to Israel as military aid has been increasing steadily since 1998. Therefore, as much as Syria and Iran may be complicit in making the conflict possible, the US is dollar-wise more complicit. Israel is by far the militarily superior power in the Middle East, so the arms race in the region will be driven by the firepower benchmarks set by the Israeli Defense Forces. Hezbollah can never hope to match that, but it will continue to work toward it.

3) The weapons the US provides to Israel include helicopter gunships, warplanes, anti-tank missiles and other weapons that are used - in contravention to US law - in Israel's offensive operations in the West Bank, Gaza and now also in Lebanon.

4) Since the US claims to support democracy in the Middle East, and in Lebanon and Gaza in particular cases, it cannot support the waging of war against governments elected in what the US itself has certified were relatively free and fair elections. So, why then did the US veto the UN efforts to halt the conflict? The US is deliberately encouraging, or at the very least looking the other way, to cross international borders, inflict civilian casualities and destabilize a democractically elected government, all "collateral damage" for the effort to destroy Hezbollah.

5) The current US inaction (= complicity) in the conflict is very damaging to longterm prospects for peace, which means that it will adversely affect US security by generating more extremism within Israel and within the Arab and Islamic world. It is also likely that US taxpayers will bear a tax burden in the continued arming of Israel, the eventual rebuilding of Lebanon, Gaza and the West Bank. It also makes the achievement of stability in Iraq and Afghanistan more difficult, and helps boost the position of the theocratic government in Iran. Not to mention that it cannot improve our economic situation, because conflict in the region may eventually disrupt the flow of oil, and even if it doesn't, will certainly increase the price of oil.

A great deal could be accomplished by passing legislation requiring at least 50% ethanol in our fuel. Oil prices would collapse. Iran would be quickly relegated to sending bags of rocks instead of expensive missiles to Hezbollah.
American farm families would enjoy expanded markets.
All the current hotspots, Iraq, Iran, Venezuela, Nigeria, Syria, Lebanon would suddenly no longer occupy nearly as prominent a position in our foreign policy. The exception being North Korea but we would be far better postioned to deal with them.
The one thing we cannot do is create chaos in countries like Iraq while clutching tenaciously to an oil driven economy. This policy has only proven to quadruple the price of oil which allows regimes like Iran unlimited financial resources to build terrorist armies (like Hezbollah). WE have in fact, through our policies, financed terrorism. This needs to stop!

The Mideast conflict has several reasons for their wars. Israel, since it;s inception has been extremely biased in it's granting of citizenship and requiste perks. The Arab population is slowly being turned to a Jihad movement through their educational system, while capatilizing on a segment of the Muslim religion.
It is only a matter of time until we will be fighting with this element and we had better be ready for it. We can do it now fairly easy, the longer it grows the harder it will be to eradicate.

The root cause is the forcable confiscation of settled land, evicting the current residents, and then treating their fury as demonic possession. For the root cause of that, see history, which is largely concerned with such actions.

Yes, Hezbollah does not want peace with Israel. Neither does Iran nor the general populace (as distinguished from political institutions) of Moslem lands - the alleged "House of Peace". But it is not Jew-hatred that drives this hostility, it is Europe and particularly England and its outlyers Canada, Australia, and us. It is hostility to a British imposed, and America sustained, colony for the Jews of Europe and incidentally the rest of the world. The Jews suffer for it because they live on the land unjustly handed over to them by The West.

The local Arabs (who were not yet "Palestinans") remembered the Crusader States and resented the British occupation after WW I, and the promise of England (before 1920) to make the land a Jewish homeland. The post-WW II execution of that intention made matters even worse. Israel is a colony for European Jews, given by England and the other European governments to the lately decimated (by Europeans) European Jews. The native residents of the "land of Israel", living in exile for more than a generation now, have been transformed into "Palestinians" by the realization that they will need the status of a nation to survive as a people.

Also, it is a religious state, a Jewish state. Judaism is given special priviledge, and it is a state aim to keep Israel Jewish. This requires preventing the surrounding people from peacefully moving into Israel or they would vote out the national religion. So Israel has a "Jewish Israel" policy similar to Australia's old "White Australia" policy.

Hezbollah was organized to get rid of what their analysis showed as the root cause of all this: the State of Israel. But behind Israel are Europe and America, and Hezbollah is militarily helpless against them, as are the rest of the Moslem lands.

So what do people do when their land has been confiscated, themselves evicted, and no known military force is competent to drive the invaders out? Nasty stuff. Make them miserable if they won't go. Maybe, if you can keep them miserable enough long enough, they will go back to where they came from. What better way to make a populace unhappy with where they are than random bombings of public places? Add an element of Middle Eastern culture (not approved by the Moslem religion), and you have suicide bombers bravely giving their lives that their people might someday regain their stolen property.

Innocents are killed, true, but that is true of any sort of warfare.

But in regular war, civilian deaths are accidents - "collateral damage".

The generals know there will be "collateral damage" when they begin a campaign. Civilian deaths are no accident, they are an inevitable part of war itself. We decide to kill innocent people by deciding to prosecute the war by modern means. We believe that the final victory is worth the sacrifice of innocent civilians who just happen to be in the path of the killing machine.

So does Hezbollah. It's just that they only recently acquired enough rockets to wage a weak conventional war. Before, they could do nothing but terrorize the populace of Israel with suicide bombings. Now they can do it like the big boys.

This is the excuse of all who initiate wars: we don't want to do this, but you made us. It protects the aggressor, the insurgent, and the terrorist alike against the guilt inherent in murder.

My solution: there is no "solution". Humanity has often got itself into situations that it could not get itself out of. We can only manage the present state of injustice, and keep trying to reduce its prevalence. Delaying tactics are good, provided that deeper rectifications are being carried out as well. That means politics, cultural contacts, and diplomacy - talk, talk, talk.

A few points:

It must be made clear that Hezbollah has nothing to do with the Palestinians. Palestinians were Arabs that were in what is now called Israel when the latter, backed by the UN, declared it's independance in 1948. Those Arabs (mainly their descendants) want that "Israel" back. Hezbollah has nothing to do with that. They live and always have lived in Lebanon, not in Israel. That said, there is no possible way to legitimize their current and past actions against Israel.

As for the argument that they have a right to attack Israel to gain the release of prisoners. Israel did not go into Lebanon to take prisoners. Rather, it arrests Hezbollah terrorists while they try to enter Israel. I understand Hezbollah is upset about that, but just because some of your people are jaied you don't have the right to attack. Does the UK have a right to attack the US to gain the release of its nationals jailed in the US?

As for the argument about the response not being proprtionate. Israel was attacked, totally unprovoked. The Israeli army is a monster; one of the best in the world. Start up with a lion and face the consequences.

As for the question why Israel is bombing Lebanon and not Syria or Iran. The attacks on Israel are originatinf from Lebanon; that is where Hezbollah is based. That is what they are trying to stop. And bear in mind that Israel is bombing only Hezbollah interesets. They said they will not bomb Lebanese interests if the Lebanese army does not attack their planes.

As far as what's the proof that Syria and Iran are bhins Hezbollah. Simple - just ask them. And the laser guided missile that hit an Israeli ship was made in Iran, and were the missiles that hit Haifa.

Hizballah has been amassing 13000 rockets in southern Lebanon over the years with an unknown quantity of long range missiles carrying large amounts of explosives ready to attack Israel. It is time now to remove the terrorist threat from the entire area and render it ineffective. Whether you believe collateral damage is unacceptable, a necessary evil or a fringe benefit, you cannot deny the fact that this accomplishment will restore calm in the area. The Lebanese should be grateful to Israel for cleaning up their mess.

This forum has been awash with all kinds of ideas about the root-cause for the escalation of violence. How about the root-solution? Eradication of terrorism on all levels? As long as logical dishonesty and thick-headedness will prevail in the discussions amongst world leaders, we will have to suffer this inability of taking care of business. We know now that the murder of hundreds of commuters on buses and trains and the injuries of thousands will not move the head of states to change their rhetoric. I wonder what will and I hope none of us will ever find out but I am afraid this hope is misplaced.

This is all starting to play out as an US versus them argument. How it all started is irrelevant after a certain point.

How much is the US willing to defend Israel if another country joins in on the war and invades Israel?

How far is Israel willing to push forward in attacks on Hezbollah?

Remember previously made comments by Iran's government about "wiping Israel off the map".

We had a questionable peace prior to Hizbollah attacking Israel. The root cause in simple language was the attack on Israel. To bring peace to the region again unfortunately many lives will be lost until Lebanon can take charge of their borders again and prevent missiles from their land being sent into Israel. Lebanon is charged with this problem to avoid future destruction of its territory.
This problem could have been avoided had they paid attention to the UN bill requesting them to eliminate terrorists occupying their southern border.

Omar & Jim are right, Larry is a war-mongering religious fanatic, most likely Baptist. I mostly agree with Uche, but I realize that there will NEVER BE such an honest discussion.

Remember how these "States" were formed; 1949, by the USA & the UK, as "Spoils of War" (WWII) and FOR the good of Such Companies as British Petroleum to Plunder. NONE of these "States" bore the chosen governments "OF the People".... They were forced into the servitude of those corrupt families that would assist us in taking their oil.

As for Jerry, Learn how to Spell before the Rapture....afterward, can I have your car?

Hey Eric S., I was in Iran when the revolution started and during the Hostage Crisis (USN). Do YOU remember what they were "Revolting" against? I do, it was the US Installed Government of Shah Riza Pahlavi (Jerry, I may not have spelled that right). So you, Eric now know a little more about Root Cause.

Hey Rich! Nice Name, but WE (The USA) in many cases, create these terrorists. We have the fancy weapons systems to share with those who would do our bidding, but these others must use whatever weapons and tactics they can get their hands on. This will not stop until they can live on their own land with their own governments on their own terms.

Yes, Israel Itself defends lands it has taken during past conflicts, and they were ousted from that land before WWII. They never really established their own boundaries and Government prior to WWII, they were more like a wandering Band. Do they deserve their OWN Soverign Land? Yes, but not at the expense of every other country in the region. If Isreal AND Palastine have REAL soverignty over their own affairs (I do not think it's possible) then we will have SOME semblance of peace in the region...

Just as God's first Brothers Killed each other Cane and Abel), I expect it to continue forever. Our Only Hope is to Contain it (Border Fences anyone?).

Tit for tat reprisals is no way to win a war when you are fighting for your own survival. Every offense must be revisited upon the enemy 100 fold if ever an end to conflict shall be reached. Negotiating for the release of prisoners only validates the enemy's tactics and invites more operations in kind.

Perhaps this incident will motivate the Lebanese people to rise up and say 'Hezbollah does not speak for us' and disallow their future operations from Lebanese lands.

As for root causes, make no mistake that this is totalitainism vs. liberty. Every inch that is ceded is just another inch that will have to be re-fought and won in the future.

Peace through victory. Victory through surrender.

If the global community gets together and benefits the people of Iran and Syria by finding truly pro-democratic leaders, a democracy which separates Church and State might be possible in a few generations and benefit everyone's descendents. Otherwise we can tolerate the madmen, as we have been doing, and let them do their thing and wonder when the next undereducated young man is going to blow up himself along with a host of innocent victims. This is a building period, this is the work or capital investment for a more peaceful future.

A lot of people blame Israel for taking back land that belonged to them historically and occupying it since WWII. Now, zoom out of the Middle East region, do you hear regular news stories about run of the mill citizens in the "West" blowing up mosques, acquiring weapons to harm and destroy, or killing/kidnapping Muslims on the street because they do not assimilate? No. I'm proud of that fact and it is something that only countries with separation between church and state can claim.

the west is becoming more and more aware that islam cannot co-exist with other religions. it is blatantly clear that islam and the interpetation of the koran has no place for christians or others not of islamic faith.
so we in the west have to declare islam a terrorist organization and ban it.
we are normally a liberal peoples and let others preach and have freedom of religion but when it endangers others and has zero tolerance and respect for other religions then they must be banned. the truth is very evident and is sipping out and we in the west are becoming increasingly smarter and will not stand for thhis islamic revolution to continue in our countries. we will drive them out.

the west is becoming more and more aware that islam cannot co-exist with other religions. it is blatantly clear that islam and the interpetation of the koran has no place for christians or others not of islamic faith.
so we in the west have to declare islam a terrorist organization and ban it.
we are normally a liberal peoples and let others preach and have freedom of religion but when it endangers others and has zero tolerance and respect for other religions then they must be banned. the truth is very evident and is sipping out and we in the west are becoming increasingly smarter and will not stand for thhis islamic revolution to continue in our countries. we will drive them out.

BS"D

John A, get your historical house in order!

Here are some facts...

Your assertion that Israel's "Zionist" dream is a modern one that displaces the fictitious "Palestinians" demonstrates your profound ignorance of history.
"Contrary to popular belief, Jewish settlement in the land of Israel and Jewish presence was continuous even after the Roman exile."
from: http://www.zionism-israel.com/maps/Jewish_communities_700.htm

"No doubt, some Arabs have lived in the area of the Mandate of Palestine for many centuries, but not as many of them as had the Jews. What is more, Jews had lived in Arab lands since times preceding Islam itself. And yet, these Jews in Arab lands were never regarded as citizens of the Arab lands they lived in and were unceremoniously expelled in the years subsequent to Israel's establishment."
From: http://peace.heebz.com/palestinians.html

Here an objective Muslim takes down some of the Arab propaganda against Israel...
http://www.aish.com/jewishissues/israeldiary/A_Muslim_in_a_Jewish_Land.asp

The following is a VERY comprehensive website. If you don’t have time for the other links, this one should dispel most of the lies.
http://www.geocities.com/palestiniansarelies/OccupationSayWhat.html

Here are a few more links that will hopefully set your thinking straight...
http://www.masada2000.org/historical.html
http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=26932
http://mideastoutpost.com/archives/000096.html
http://arabterrorism.tripod.com/FAQ/palestine.html
http://www.israelwhitepaper.org/
http://www.think-israel.org/fraudhistory.html
http://www.factsandlogic.org/index.html

If you have come to your conclusions because of what you have read in the media, you should know this...
http://tampabayprimer.org/index.cfm?action=leftNav&drill=antiIsrael

Unlike others, I think that Israel is the root cause of all the turmoil. Israel has held Lebanese/Hezbollah fighters for 20+ years. It makes sense to go and get something that Israel will bargain for. There isn't going to be a military solution to this conflict. Israel will bomb Gaza/Lebanon, and Hezbollah will reciprocate. There will be hundreds maybe thousands of civilian deaths on both sides. There is only one solution, and that is diplomacy. The US should encourage Israel for a cessation of military activity, and indirectly have Syria/Iran reciprocate with Hezbollah and Hamas. Then an exchange of prisoners should take place. If Syria and Iran are pulled into the conflict, it is quite possible that the government of an American ally in the middle east may fall to an uprising.

This has to be the number-ONE-statement of the year,Bush was quoted as saying (The US cannot tell Israel how to run their military).So I guess its alright to kill innocent people' Well he does an excellent job of telling everyone else how to run their military and goverment. In order to give someone advice (you have to be honest and tell the truth. (LIKE WMD IN IRAQ)And you have to be willing to keep a clean house. And not be willing to tolerate the corruption we have in this country.If you are. caught stealing a loaf of bread to feed your hungry childen you can get up to 10 years. But if you steal millions (you were probably under stress and sent to mental hospital for a few months) I think maybe the DIXIE CHICKS are smarter than we think. The US & England have one thing in common. We have HECKEL & JECKEL better known as Bush & Blair one lies and the other swears to it. I wonder if they sometime share the same bedroom.We are faced with a very serious problem in the Middle East but accusing each other of whos right or wrong will not solve the problem. Leave out the politis and work on a solution and stop all the killings. VANCE LEBEOUF

The real root of the cause is just plain Zionism. Zionism is the oldest surviving Social Darwinistic ideology and is stemmed from the same root that gave birth to Nazism and other prejuducial movements in Europe. According to Zionists, Jews are the ultimate humans on earth because they are the chosen ones and therefore have the right to do whatever they want. Zionism is evil and is the basis to the creation of the state of Israel. Fortunately, not all Jews are Zionists.

If Israel really wanted peace in the region, they would go back to the borders alloted to them by the United Nations and the British. But they don't want peace. They keep building settlements and destroying Palestinian lives to resurrect a 2,500 year-old empire the size of West Virginia. Remember Israel tried giving Palestinian land for peace and it worked, until a Zionist killed his Prime Minister. Perfect example of true Israeli peace efforts.

The whole debacle with Hezbollah has to do with Israel's embarrassing occupation of Southern Lebanon that caused them to withdraw 6 years ago. The horrors that the Palestinians are going through was suffered by the southern Lebanese since the 70s. But they were defeated and even went bankrupt because of the rebel group Hezbollah and had to leave and have been aching for revenge for years.

Our government is terrified by extremist Jewish groups here in the US. They are great at lobbying and if a senator or representative votes or speaks out against bad Israeli policy, they will get bombarded and lambasted with remarks of anti-semitism and what not. Their testicles retract at the sight of these groups which have become the most powerful force in Washington today. That is why the President and Congress can barely speak up about it, for fear that they may say something right and be kicked out of office.

Funny how we don't listen to extremist Christians or Muslims, but yet for some strange reason when extremist Jews speak up not only do we listen, we then look for the nearest dark corner to hide in until they're gone. There used to be a strength for justice in this country that has been hijacked and twisted in ways we may never get back.

BS"D

James: said "Sorry, your joking right? Wasn't the ceasefire broken off because israel[sic] artillery shelled a family on the beach at Gaza?"

No, James. Israel was NOT the cause of that explosion.
http://freeisraelnow.blogspot.com/2006/06/gaza-beach-media-un-ngo-pallywood-at.html
http://www.jewishexponent.com/article/3685/
http://www.honestreporting.com/articles/45884734/critiques/Gaza_Beach_Libel.asp

That was just another Placentinian lie, like the one about Israel killing Mohammed Al Durah...
http://www.palestinefacts.org/pf_1991to_now_alaqsa_dura.php
...or like the Jenin "massacre" that even the U.N. said never happened
http://www.honestreporting.com/articles/critiques/UN_Report_on_Jenin.asp
or any one of thousands of falsehoods...
http://lists101.his.com/pipermail/intelforum/2003-February/006712.html
...that the world press eagerly prints without checking first.
http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2006/06/aldurah_jenin_m.htm

The Placentinains are proven liars.
http://www.pmw.org.il/
That is why many of us refer to them as "Fakestinians." That anyone could be so naive as to believe ANYTHING they say anymore at this point is laughable.

Yet, despite the overwhelming evidence, the Leftist MSM continue to provide a free and open conduit for the propaganda sewage that spews from our enemies mouths.
http://www.honestreporting.com/
http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/myths/mf23a.html#q

And the gullible continue to lap it up. Go figure.

Omar asks: "On another note, why is it illegitimate to capture Israeli soldiers in order to ask for your own prisoners back? It's not like Israel was going to return Arab prisoners by peaceful means."

Exactly right, Omar. It ISN'T "illegitimate" to capture Israeli soldiers, if and when you are at WAR with Israel. Doing that is a legitimate ACT OF WAR, and when you prosecute war, what you get back is... WAR. The only peaceful means by which Israel WOULD return Arab prisoners, of course, requires the exact opposite choice: PEACE being a necessary precondition for any peaceful means. Note Israel isn't holding many Egyptian soldiers prisoner? Fine distinctions, I know, but encouraging Arabs to attack while pretending they are not at war, while also expecting Israel to act as if isn't being attacked is... well, you can figure out the rest.

Wow, the left wing hate mongers are running amok in here? It's Bush's fault? Was it Bush's fault in the 1990s too? In the 1980s as well? In the 1970s as well? How about in the 1960s?

No proof that Syria and Iran are involved? Wow, more lefties living in the land that knowledge forgot, I guess.

Bush doesn't care about people? Oh, I love that one!! I guess that explains why we have billions upon billions and spent billions upon billions through our military helping tsunami victims and Pakistani earthquake victims! Of course the lefties will say, Katrina, Katrina!! So far we've spent tens of billions and will be spending tens of billions more. Not to mention that the whole breakdown in NO began at the city and state level.

Israel is to blame? Wow, now we have left-wing Nazis!!

These Lefties blame the U.S. for 9/11, Bali bombings, Madrid bombings, london bombings, and all terror attacks. When will people wake up and realize that in the eyes of the Left, the U.S. is always at fault???

Isn't it obvious. Israel has "leader" with no military experience who within months of visiting Bush, is conducting a war on the flimiest of excuses. Weren't the "kidnappings" done because those military personnel were in Lebannon? Isn't this all just a ploy to bait Syria and Iran into a conflict that will provide a "moral" justification for the Bush to okay an attak on Iran? If Israel hadn't gotten rid of every last shred of it's moral high ground over the last 30 years it could possibly sit down and start talking with Iran and with Syria. But it's obvious they're doing the bidding of the same people who have hijacked the American government. Once both Israel and America stood for justice even countries under the protection of God-now? They are rouge nations it appears.

Barry Cooper thinks that "It's wrong to kill innocent civilians. Period."

Sorry to burst your bubble, B.C., but according to the International Red Cross...

"...not all civilian deaths are unlawful during war. IHL does not outlaw armed conflict, but instead attempts to balance a nation's acknowledged legal right to attack legitimate military targets during war with the right of the civilian population to be protected from the effects of the hostilities. In other words, given the nature of warfare, IHL anticipates a certain amount of "collateral damage," which sometimes, regrettably, may include civilian casualties."
http://www.redcross.org/services/intl/0,1082,0_448_,00.html

The following is by a professor of International Law, and it outlines the crimes of the so-called "Palestinians," and why Israel's targeting of those terrorists and the inevitable accidental killing of some of their civilians in the process is NOT a violation of the law.
http://www.freeman.org/m_online/aug02/beres1.htm

Please, learn the facts before you post.

I totally agree, the root cause must be removed, and I totally agree with the President / King Bush's instance that people have a right to defend what's left of their nation, and a right to live in their homeland. So we need to remove the root cause, let people leave in their homeland, and allow them to defend themselves. Remove Israel and move to a one state solution.

Arabs kill other arabs 100s at a time in Iraq and the arabs don't say boo.

The Israelis get attacked with 100s of Kassams at a time and the world doesn't say boo.

The Israelis finally get their act together (after being hit in Haifa) and the arabs start to scream, why?

Because most moslems anti-semitic and believe (incorrectly) in the superiority and correctness of their religion. When Jesus finally comes there will be a day of reckoning, and praying to Allah won't do 'em much good.

I remember my grandfather's stories about WWII. How the V1 rockets bombarded london, how after joining the british navy his boat was sunk numerous times in the english channel. He never talked about the ones who died but the stories always implied it. People he was with would suddenly drop out of the story. If you asked about them, he would look at the ground for a moment and continue on about something else.

It saddens me to hear Americans who have never experienced the horrors of war who readily call "lets start traing some troops and making some bombs" with no thought to the lives or the families of the troops or the people who those bombs will fall upon.

Nations cannot be rebuilt, the dead cannot be brought back from the grave. Please think with your head and your heart before pulling the trigger.

Bush has gotten the U.S. involved in a conflict that has not been properly thought out...but this is not the point in this current conflict. Israel cannot allow soldiers within its own borders to be attacked and kidnapped with impunity, especially if they're being exchanged for prisoners who were most likely captured while engaging in attacks against Israelis. Dr. Levine's earlier post acts as if the Lebanese government has not allowed (if not openly supported) Hezbollah actively engaging in attacks upon Israel from within Lebanon.

I say, as someone who does NOT support the Bush administration, that Israel's approach is absolutely correct. Maybe the Lebanese gov't will now gather the fortitude needed to disarm Hezbollah.

What do you mean the Jews weren't livng there and now they are muscling their way in? Jerusalem is the holy land for Jews and Christians. The muslims that have controlled the area after INVADING it 12 centuries ago only claim it as a holy land to supplant any alternative for the people there. Why do you think the dome of the rock is on TOP of the temple mount? It was invented as a muslim Holy site to erase a jewish site.

As Rodney King was once quoted as having said: Why can't we all just get along.

I am so tired of the illusions hung on by liberals like you eddie and the others like you. Your post is tired and old. Maybe if you and others like you would put down your bong and lower your stereo, you might notice that there many things occuring that are much more powerful than the "power" you continue to give "Bush and his cronies" as you to waste your energy disrespecting the leadership of our country complaining about him in your ignorance! Only because you languish in the safety of American soil, would you discount the tragities happening throughout the world against inocent people by muslum radicals before Bush became president! Passive does not work in the middle east. I am afraid lighting a candle or hoping it will all go away while you bash Bush, will only lead to more extinct species than just the spotted owl. Kick ass Isreal, protect yourself as we or any other nation with balls would.

Response to Aaron, who says...
"Please think with your head and your heart before pulling the trigger."

Yeah, if I can first kill the guy who is already aiming at me.

There are killers out there, and they have to be dealt with, or you won't be around anymore to pluck the strings of your bleeding heart. If your father, as mine, hadn't fought in WWII, we wouldn't be having this exchange. Instead, nazi's would be goosstepping over our unmarked graves..

There is NO way one can say Israel's reaction is justified. Was a reaction necessary? Yes, what Hezzbolah did was wrong. But declaring war on a state OUR OWN STATE DEPARTMENT said couldn't control Hezzbolah is not reasonable.
The Israelis are being so bold because the biggest player in the game is on their side (like with Saddam 20 years ago) and the money-first Republicans only see Israel as an investment (like with Saddam 20 years ago) and thus could care less when they kill civilians pushed aside to make room for them to begin with-just as long as Israel keeps feeding dollars into their campaigns of course.
Our unreasonable uber-support of Israel caused 9/11 more than anything else, and here we are siding with them again when there actually is reason to hate them. And it's Syria and Iran we should fear b/c they fund Hezzbolah? What stupid logic. We fund Israel more than they fund Hezzbolah and Israel's acts have been more evil than those of Hezzbolah. If we don't stop Israel from being so ignorant, things might start getting ugly on this side of the Atlantic...again.
How could 62 million people be so stupid?

John D....George W. Bush lit the fuse in the Middle East,by starting a unprovoked war in Iraq.
Now the world is trying to figure out how to clean up his mess.This is not a bipartisn issue.

JohnD,
The mid-east conflicts have been around for thousands of years, so you are correct in stating that those problems are not Bushs fault.
I will add, however, while the invasion of Iraq crippled Husseins regime, it has crippled the credibility of the United States in brokering some type of resolution in that region as well.
That sums up the diplomatic front, now for the use of military force.
The Bush doctrine of preemptive action
has proven to be a capricious and unwise move in that it targeted the the weakest country (Iraq) with military force, and by doing so, inhibited(s) our ability to use it again against greater and more dominant forces than Iraq, namely Syria, Iran and to a lesser extent Lebanon. We only have so many troops, our Treasury can not continue to borrow such large sums, and the middle eastern nations will only allow so much U.S muscle to be flexed in the region.
" a tyrannical dictator has been removed..." has been the never-ending chant from the neocons, only after all other reasons put forth for the invasion have been proven faulty at best. Time has proven
that there were much bigger fish to fry in the middle east other than Iraq, and now the removal of Hussein seems superfluous.
Bushs trigger happy application of his doctrine three years ago has severely limited the diplomatic and military options the United States has at its disposal today, and for that Bush is squarely to blame.

Good Afternoon:

This situation in Lebanon is another instance of a classic pattern used by many (Julius C., Hitler, Napoleon, Stalin, Geo 3, Lincoln, LBJ, Bush in Iraq. One claims extreme danger from a pathetic threat only to use massive force and acquire some excellent real estate...for a while. I think we must thank Karl Rove for another amazing strategy to try to get
his Boss re-elected. What is different this time, however, is that nuclear devices are becoming affordable to many thanks to Pakistan, quite a challenge to those that "Don't believe in Evolution, the punishment of the stupid!" The amazing thing about Evolution is that the stupid face....Extinction!

History Fact: Palestine has never been a country. It was controlled by Turker, then Great Britain, and finally divided into two states. The Arab nations first prevented the Palestians from having a homeland. Jordan did not give the Palestians the West Bank. Egypt did not give the Palestinians the Gaza Strip.
Question: When Israel departed the Gaza strip, why didn't Arab states support them by builgind businesses and infrastructure. Why didn't they share a portion of thier oil revenues on helping revitalized a decimated people, instead of spending in on Hamas and thier military.
Answer: Peace will only come when both sides realize that neither will get everything they want. Palestine must become a prosperous, independant nation with close econimic ties to Israel in order for there ever to be a lasting peace.

Hello Bob Mcneil..of all the comments here yours is certainly the absolutly dummest I've ever heard.Over 60% of all people in the palestinian territories were not born there,but were imported from from the surrounding Arab area to assist In the "Struggle".Most of the men are ex-convicts from Arab prisons.This info you can readily get from normal ,peaceful Arabs living in exile in the US.

The Jerusalem Post is reporting that the missiles that are hitting Haifa were manufactured in Syria, not Iran.

You want the root cause?
Blame the British who had control over the area at the end of WWII. Want to go back even farther?
I'm sure you can find someone else to blame.

The point is that you don't need to go back any further than to blame Hezbollah.

Lets face it. There was a peace process in motion.
Hezbollah's actions were purely political in that they were being left out of the peace process and kidnapped the Israel's soliders in an effort to establish a bargining chip.

Unfortunately Hezbollah didn't realize that Israel does not barter or bargin for prisioners.

Just reading the leader of Hezbollah 's comments indicate that Hezbollah is looking to a fight.

There also can not be any denial of Iran and Syria's complicity and support.

The one's you should feel sorry for are the citizens of Lebanon who's country is being blown apart over this.

Isreal is only doing what U.N. resolution 1559 said was to be done. Hezbolla is to be disarmed and that is what they are doing. The lebanese government and the U.N has failed to do so! Do not be misled by the decietful tongues of many media and middle eastern countries governing voices. Isreal is only defending itself and protecting it civilian population. To release thousands of prisoners with blood stained hands for the isreal soldiers is not an option!

Most muslims do not want war only the weak minded who are easily brainwashed by muslim radicals who preach thier own folly filled version of the koran! Many militants are dependant on drugs and live in a bizzare, very dangerous fantasy world!! They are cowards who send in children and young adults to blow themselves up destoying not only the lives of others and thier families, but also destroying thier own families that they leave behind. Isreal pulled out of all the occupied territories recently except for the sheba farms and since then hezzobola, hamas, and other terrorist criminals and murders have moved in and immediatly began thier buildup! And no I am not jewish either!! Its is high time that the radical thugs be cleansed out so muslims can live a normal life once and for all!! For this to happen certain regimes need to be changed as well, for the good of the future of the world!!

O Great Wizard of OZ give George Bush a "BRAIN" both sides are at fault. This has not nothing to do with Iran, and Syria.

And Another Thing

Many seem to be under the illusion that Israel's actions have somehow violated a "cease-fire" that was in place. WHAT CEASE-FIRE????? There was NO cease-fire, except on Israel's part.

"Qassam rockets [FROM GAZA] that landed in the Western Negev by month
12 Sep 2005
8 Oct 2005
4 Nov 2005
16 Dec 2005
0 Jan 2006
1 Feb 2006
49 Mar 2006
64 Apr 2006
46 May 2006
89 June 2006"
http://www.ourjerusalem.com/news/story/perspective-collective-punishment-in-gaza-and-sderot.html

...and, of course, no one mentions that it was the ARABS who burrowed under a fence and attacked Israel FIRST!

Now, go back and take a look at the numbers of rockets again, and how they were on average increasing in numbers. Does that look like a "cease-fire" to any of you?

Israel is supposed to smile and say "Please Mr. killer, I wish you would stop."???

I think not!

HOW COME NOBODY TOLD ME THAT CANADA IS ATTACKING DETROIT..

i say we send it the border patrol to give the e-leagle's food,water and a map to detroit..

TO GAIL STEWART,,,,,BUSH STARTED THE WAR IN IRAQI WITH HIS OWN MANUFACTURED INTELLIGENCE, HE JUMPSTARTED THE WAR, WENT IN WITH TOO FEW TROOPS TO KEEP THE PEACE,BUSH IGNORED MILITARY ADVICE NOT TO GO IN WITH TOO FEW TROOPS , REMEMBER ALL THE CHAOS, LOOTING, THIS IS WHERE THE INSURGENCY REALLY TOOK HOLD,,,,MS GAIL STEWART, BUSH HAS HELPED CREATE MORE TERRORIST THAN ANY MAN, OUR TROOPS IN IRAQI CANT COVER THEIR REAR, ONE BAGDAD SNIPER IS CREDITED WITH 30 KILLS, BUSH JR"S OWN DADDY BUSH SR WARNED HIM NOT TO GO IN IRAQ, WHY DIDNT WE BOMB IRAQ, AND SHUT IT DOWN, MAYBE IT WOULD HAVE BEEN MORE HUMANE, BUSH CARRIES MOST OF THE BLAME, HOW DID THIS DRAFT DODGING AIR GUARD FLUNKIE GET US IN THIS?????

I agree with Dr. Levine's comments. This latest flare up began with the kidnapping of two Israeli soldiers by Hezbollah. Israel responded by shelling Southern Lebanon and Beirut killing civilians and destroying infrastructure. Exactly how do some of you justify this reaction as proportionate or balanced? Over 130 Lebanese civilians dead because of two Israeli soldiers??? And what about the Bush administration's call to enforce the UN resolution passed some years ago to dissarm Hezbollah. If our government was truly fair and objective, they would first enforce the numerous UN resolutions passed against Israel since 1948. But as always and according to our government, Israel will never be held accoutantable for its actions. Essentially, Israel is above international law. But let me assure all of you, Israel and its leaders are not above God's law.

Every government in the world, including our government is corrupt and the so called leaders of our world are only concerned with obtaining power and wealth. These leaders are completely devoid of morality and justice. Peace on earth will only come through God and not by man, especially someone like George Bush or his cohorts.

Most of the comments posted have only proven my long-standing belief that the majority of Americans are completely ignorant of the facts of Middle Eastern history. Americans fail to recognize that Israel was created by Jews carrying out massacares through Palestinian villages and stealing Palestinian land. Generally speaking, the average American knows nothing of history or politics but ask them for the final score of the Cubs game and they respond quickly and accurately. The priorities of most Americans are missplaced. Fun first, educating yourself, absolutely last.

The root cause of this is arab racism, fueled by religious bigotry against Jews and all other non-believers in their violent religion. There is no difference between the facist in Iran, Syria, Gaza or Germany in the early 1930's. They all share a fake politics of victemhood which leads them to a position of genocide and intolerance.

Frankly, anyone who argues against this are enemies of all free people in the world, and are themselves bigoted racist, whether they hide that racism in leftist dogma, religious doctrin, or just because your a racist.

The root cause is simple - it's human nature of the base kind. Every time one person wants something that someone else has and is prepared to attempt to get it by stealing, trickery or force, a thread of actions is begun for the future. Because of the holocost, Israel finally got the homeland for the Jews it deserved. However, by getting that homeland, others feel displaced. What most people do not seem to understand is that Israel cannot lose a war because if it does, then Israel will cease to be. From the comments I have read over the past few years from ordinary people, there are a lot of people who would not mind seeing that happen. However, may I ask who among us would want to see his own country disappear from the map -- and who would not harbour these same feelings of anger and bitterness if that should happen. We humans though are blessed with many things. And two of those things are a tongue and a mind. Peace begins with each person in a special place in their heart --- considering carefully about what one says is also a human ability that we have. Not intending harm is also a human ability that we have. The space between love and hate is very tiny on the open circle - the spark jumps quickly unless checked by the mind. But hate clouds the vision. After people have learned to hate (because I do believe that hate is a learned emotion), how do they learn to undo that learning?

I am amazed at the gaul of Hezbollah, a terrorist proxy of Iran. They fire missiles into Israel for a year from Lebanon and Gaza,and then kidnap Israeli soldiers. After repeated demands from Israel to return the soldiers and stop the missile attacks, Israel finally turns to force, at which time Hezbollah claims Israel to be casuing an 'international humanitarian crisis'. Thats like the guy who kills his parents and throws himself on the mercy of the court becasue he is an orphan!
This world is not a loving, hand-holding place. We experienced the evil, killing groups of the Kmer Rouge, Stalin and Hitler. Hamas and Hezbollah are on the same track, claiming that they alone can interpret Islam and killing any moslems who stand up to them. The rest of the arab world, Jordan, Saudia Arabia, Yemen, Eqypt, Kuwait are all distancing themselves from them. They see the writing on the wall.
Israel has her back against this wall and is finally confronting this evil with true force. The rest of us should support Israel at this time with all of our might.

The Root Cause is that Extremists prevent Jews and Muslims from living together.

God intended people live together in harmony.

Extremists fail this basic test of their proclaimed (Holy) motives.

Apparently, the apologists for Bush, Blair, and the Israeli governments have forgotten the lessons of history -- No Military Power Can Repress a People Forever.

Ask the Roams, the Greeks, the Persians, Charlemangne, etc. Empires Rise, and the subjugated peoples will find a way of resisting.

The corrupt Arab regimes that loot their countries wealth and kiss the feet of Bush, will one day be replaced by democratically elected governments. When that day comes, 300 million Arab Muslims will confront Israel and its US backers.

One that day comes, fantic Islamists will face fanatic christians (Bush or his heirs) and their fanatic Zionist allies.

It will be WW# - the war of the fanatics.

Aaron:

What jibberish. "Americans have never experienced the horrors of war"...What you should have said you moron is: Americans have never experienced the horrors of war on their shores....

Hell I can go down to the local VFW and talk to more people who have had rounds zinging past their heads from: Vietnam, Cambodia, Korea, The Balkans, Irag #1, Irag #2, Panama, Grenada, Afghanistan and a few old timers still hanging on from WWII than whereever the hell your from?

Besides Israel...who in the hell do you think does all of the worlds dirtywork?

You MORON!

You all make me laugh...it's the nature of the beast! animals fighting for territory, mates and our next day's food... do you really think we're above this? arrogance! the stronger more powerful will prevail by dominating the other ... end of story... may the "best animal" win.... if we were truly intelligent, we would have learned to live with each other by now...

You can't search for root causes. You'll drive yourself mad. You have to deal with what's in front of you. You have to accept the gray area. You have to stand in the center and look around.

The problem is fundamentalism, left and right. People who take themselves too seriously often get hurt and hurt others. There is nothing the USA or any country can do to chill a region out, short of offering a vacation cruise incentive program. :-)

If no one is going to sit down from Syria, Iran, or the Palestinian Authority and negotiate with serious intentions, then peace will never come. As long as the twenty-somethings of these nations remain brainwashed that violence is the only answer, as long they believe they have nothing to live for, then there will be no peace.

You can weep for the Palestinians, but the TRUTH is that Arabs and Jews once lived in Israel peacefully under British rule. Even after the Empire pulled out, there was relative peace. You can trace the violence to the formation of the Nation of Israel, but this did not come with a forced evacutation or genocide. It came with hope. Hope for a people who suffered greatly.

No one was forced out of their homes. This is fiction. Iran and Syria turned away from the Palestinian cause, except to fund their violence. They give them no aid, they do not accept them into their countries. The fundamentalist regimes in Iran and Syria need to be shut down, before they kill us all. The nulclear threat is real and MUST be dealt with.

Liberal-minded people don't want to hear this. They believe in a better world. But their compassion overwhelmes logic. I know because I am one of them. Or I used to be.

I also know that Israel is the light of the world. The war which rages in the region is as old as culture itself. And it has everything to do with the difference between right and wrong, and the people who have showed the world the difference for thousands of years.

Aaron, while it's true that this country USA has never experienced the horrors of MODERN war, there is a long history of warfare within these borders. Against the French, against the British (twice), and against each other. The problem is this however, if there had been major aerial attacks against the United States in modern times, very few here would remember it. Many of the citizens here have already forgotten the attacks of 9-11-01 and the thousands who died that day. The forgetting began the on 9-12-01. I heard a caller to a radio program say: "It happened, it's over, can we move on now?"

God help us all.

well its so easy for some of you people to balme just the 2 countries ( SYRIA & IRAN ),for everything that has happened in past few days, what about the unjust and unfair treatment the palestinion people have been receiving from the israelis for the last 50 odd years,you think that what they have been doing is fair,that they walk in to someone elses home land and took over their homeland and then through them out and made them refuges and reduce them to nothing and then keep killing them for any silly excuses, how would you people in the west would feel if somebody forced their way into your country and kick your a%& around and make you leave your home and live on the refuge camps and still get beaten up or kill for one excuse or another,

wouldnt you fight for your homeland and for your selfsteem and asked for the justice ,

so where is the justice and who will give the justice the so call U S A, whos never tired of blameing everybody and anybody,and what is the BUSH POLICY what agendas they have in thier government ,since the BUSH government came in power all he is doing is blameing one country after another ,he went after IRAQ saying that the country possed the chemical & biological & neuclear weapons and is the threat to the world ,they went in and finished the whole country and then what happen ,did they find any eveidence or even a shred of chemical& bilogical & neuclear weapons,ofcourse not and instaed they try to divert the world attention to other countries,like IRAN ,NORTH KOREA,SYRIA,

which country is going to be next and what excuse is MR.BUSH going to have next ,wkae up people and stop blameing one another instaed open your eyes and look around you before blameing others and ask your leaders what are they doing to protect the world instead they are bringing the world to a brink of world war 3,

I feel nauseous!
There is no room for emotion and stupidity, nor hatred with the subject matter at hand.

The facts stand out above the crowd and the stupidity that all you Bush haters and ant-Israeli Jew haters spew forth here is quite obvious.

None of us love war! Most of us dislike violence, and, unfortunately, Muslims the world-over suffer the most because of their brethren’s actions and intolerance.

Get your collective heads out of the sand and out of your butts and face the facts. Ytba is providing you with real hard documented facts and historical data!

Read it! Digest it! Expel your ignorance and become worthy of yourselves and gain some respect for knowing what you’re saying.

I've been watching Bush do his Texas two step trying to elicit a war with Iran and Syria for the past year. The completion of the plan laid out by PNAC in the 1990's.

However Americans are'nt quite as ready to buy into the lies and WMDs this time. The Neocon Israeli cabal at the Defense Department( why did Doug Feith run for cover so fast when the AIPAC spy scandal blew open) will not have an easy time forcing the US to spend its blood and lives on lies in a war with Iran/Syria after Iraq(Niger yellowcake anyone?).

Therefore, Israel starts the war after walling 1.3 million Gazans off w/o food, electricity, or medicine, then abducts and imprisons the democratically elected Hamas government, indiscriminately bombs civilian targets' and expects support when they retaliate.
I have no doubt the war will spread to Syria, then Iran, and a retaliation against Israel will draw in the US. Bush and Israel will get their hearts desires; Mideastern war, chaos, conflagration, and hopefully a land with oil AND water resources controlled by the US, it allies, and Israel. The US Congress will go along because most of our democratically elected representatives owe their allegance to Israel first. Maybe we can remind them we are Americans first this year.

So let us realize , as we opine a world away from this mess, that it will come to us if Bush and Israel have their way.

I dont think that most americans are aware of the pernecious effects of their goverments' foreign policy over the past few decades. Where was America when Sikh/Islamic terrorist were killing scores of people in North India. In the eighties Sikh militants were openly given US visas to travel to the US and learn how to shoot firearms (terrorist training camps in the US). The US goverment didnt do a thing to stop sikh/islamic militants from raising funds in the US to buy arms used for killing innocent civilians. This is despite the Indian goverment's repeated attempts to educate the US goverment about the above events. The US response was pretty much - we dont care. The US turned a blind eye to Pakistan' clandestine nuclear program in the eighties and its (nuclear waepons for missles swap) nexus with North Korea.

Also from the above comments it appears that the bible reading morons screaming 'its end of the world' crap appear to be running the show these days. I wouldnt be completely surprised if Bush and his right wing buddies believe in that nonsense as well.

We offered Iran a deal they couldn't refuse and they can't figure out how to refuse it without admitting what they really want are nuclear weapons. So they start up something else to distract attention from themselves. The Iranian leaders are evil and must be stopped before they act upon their words to wipe Israel off the face of the earth. There has also been a lot of intelligence linking Iran to Al Qaeda and the 9/11 attacks. Once Iran gets a few nukes, 9/11 will pale in comparison.

I read something the other day, can't remember the author or I would attribute it to them....summed up the current (and the past 3 thousand years for that matter) situation in the Middle East. It said, speaking from the Jewish perspective, "We will live in peace, when they love their children more than they hate us." The Muslim terrorists that rule that part of the world are EVERYONE'S problem. Their lives are not worth anything, they have no legitimate cause for their fight, absolutely none, and there will be no peace until WE (I am English/Irish American, attend a Baptist church) rid the world of their kind. These radicals are no more than well-organized gangs. Hammas entered a sovereign nation, killed soldiers and kidnapped soldiers, unprovoked. (don't want to hear the illegal occupation argument, if that is the real reason, then guess what, fight the Israeli's and the winner gets the land, check yuour history books Americans....or maybe the Israeli's could return the land that is in question....Oh, they ALLREADY DID THAT!!!) Then Hezbollah, from Lebanon, entered Israel, killed soldiers and kidnapped two more. That is the action that started this conflict; Israel has every right to defend its citizens, without restraint, just as the US did in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Lebanese gov. must control its borders, by not doing so; they are supporting terrorists that bomb Israel at will from Lebanon. Sadly, this is probably the best opportunity for longstanding peace in the region that has come about in a long time.

Here is why: Syria and Iran are terrorist nations that harbor and provide safe haven to terrorist organizations. BOTH OF THESE COUNTRIES ARE SUPPORTING THE TERRORIST ATTACKS ON ISRAEL. The United States is in a war against terror in Iraq. There are 130k US troops in Iraq, along with all of their support. Israel has opened the second front in the war on terror. The United States of America must stand BESIDE Israel in this fight against our common enemy. Israel may strike Syria for sending in troops or supplying the Hezbollah terrorists. At any rate, Israel has now decided to defend herself in a meaningful way; this is Israel's opportunity to bring the terrorist sponsors to task, NOW. Maybe the best thing to do is take out the Iranian nuclear facilities, if Iran responds militarily the United States can then become involved and end this question regarding WMDs in Iran.

Let me be very blunt. Unlike these hate filled radical Arabs, who lie more than they tell the truth, Jews are not dogs, are not sick people, or cruel to the very core. They do not blow themselves and their families to pieces in protest, BLOWING EACH OTHER UP IN THE STREETS????? (no-one mentions the fatal mental flaw that must accompany such drastic tactics - good luck negotiating with their likes ;). Israeli's do not run through the streets with masks on their faces, ashamed of their vile attrocities, shooting guns in the air as though they are a wild gang without ANY CONSISTENT rule of law THAT BENEFITS THE PEOPLE, NOT THEIR RADICAL LEADERS. They also do not kidnap citizens of other nations, bringing the wrath of another more militarily advanced opponent to their door step, AND THEIR CHILDREN, and then publicly cry "Woe is I" and beg for others to step in and bring negotiators!!! For what!!!! Return their people you crazy idiots!!!! Hamas, Hezbollah, the radicals in all Arab nations, the governments of Iran, and Syria are murderers of innocent westerners, Europeans, and all peaceful people that live with hope in their lives. Good Luck Israel, you cannot negotiate with those that refuse to accept your right to breathe air. Your enemies are ours too and they must be; to steal the phrase of Iran's President, "wiped from the face of the earth."

Bush&Co just want to start WW3 ["Im a war pres!"]... Israel wants to expand their war to grab more land that they believe is theirs???... the US military-industrial complex wants the war to continue so they can make $$$ [they supply all the weapons to both sides??? haven't we seen this before]... the oil lobby wants war too so they can control all that oil in the middle-east before China and/or the EU get it...
And Islam & the ME countries can only defend themselves against these invasions, wars, fraud, stealing, lies, corruption, etc...
Why doesn't the US just learn to negotiate & BUY the oil at a fair price from the ME??? and stop all this cowboy bull....

For those of you who have not figured it out....the current administration has a middle east policy. We do not speak to, or negotiate with terrorists that kill innocent people, chopping off their heads, attacking them at work, in the store, waiting for a school bus. There are no negotiations until they denounce their current views and tactics and agree to "get along" with the rest of the humans on this planet that have just as much right to live as they do. The current policy is to destroy all terrorist organizations, we are in a war, get it, democrats you may as well stop crying and join the fight. Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, Bush I, Clinton....all dealt as middle-men. We appeased the ridiculous right of Arabs to attack Jews. We negotiated. We got the same thing each and every time for out efforts....the current administration has decided to stop putting off the inevitable, deal with the monster in the region by the same terms it seems most comfortable dealing with its enemies....i.e., how many of you can I kill before you see things my way. Guess what, Israel and the US can kill ALL of you. This is the right policy. This will work. This will not take 58 years to end in success.

The Japanese would not have surrendered to the United States if we had sat in the Pacific and lobbed rockets into Tokyo for 58 years. The Germans would not have changed their aggressive behavuour if we had merely cut them off from the rest of the world. We were right to inflict this destruction then, the Israeli's are correct in their strategy, and the United States should help them, and absolutely finish it for them if the Iranians or Syrians directly intervene.

Diplomacy works sometimes. Sometimes it does not. It is a fact of life.

Bush is my president and anything he does
bring security in USA.Our best weapon is support
our president anytime.In Bush we trust.

I think Israel has every right to protect itself and its citizens. If any other country was under attack from terrorist such as this there would be no arguement for retaliation. But now with Israel it always has to walk on kit toes. I say let Israel go in and clean house. This will divide the terrorist into a two front war with Israel and the U.S. in Iraq. This can only come out better for the U.S. in Iraq with terrorist leaving to fight Israel which is what they want to do anyways, they don't want peace!!!

Enough is enough! Too long has Israel borne attack after attack using only kids gloves to retaliate; and even when they do so they are blamed by most of the world for using too much force. Now it is time to take off the golves and get rid of Hezbullah for good. Lebanon was told to disarm them; instead they invited them into government with them. Now unfortunately they must bear the responsibility for their connivance. For the war to stop there must be two conditions met: 1. Return the soldiers alive; 2. Remove hisbollah from Southern Lebanon permanently and disarm them in accordance with UN resolution.

ytba - All of your sources are known pro-israel and even rabid Zionist propoganda sites, most of the information on those (bogus) sites is false, or intentionally incomplete. If you want to be taken seriously, you must provide unbiased sources - yours are only propoganda written by apologists for Israel's every action.
I'm not saying that Israel is always wrong - but according to your sources - Israel is always right - which, of course, it isn't.
When I starting reading your sources, I really wondered if you simply post them here to expose the enourmous propoganda machine that is apparently available to israel apologists - incredible - Herman Goering would be proud.

The root cause of this is ALL mankind is sinful and bent on destruction. Rather than get bent out of shape about the physical symptoms of the things correctly predicted in Matt 24 / Luke 21 (Israel = fig tree which identifies our time since 1948) - I look up and patiently wait the Lord's return. My security is in Christ, who's own Blood covers my imperfections, and brought true peace to my life. Mankind can and will always let us down. Anyone expecting a poltical human solution to this mess would be wise not to hold their breath.

I'm embarassed to be associated with prophecy obsessed Christians who are not demonstrating this peace, but getting caught up in political bickerings. There are no good guys.. only sinners in need of Jesus.

Our only concern as Christians is to remain in fellowship with Him, and focus our energies on letting others know how Jesus brought true joy into our lives.

That's the bottom line.

Let us not forget first terrorists of the region are Jewish and Israelis, the Irgun and Hagannah.
The leader of these later on became the subsequent leader of Israel, David Ben Gurion and Minachem Begin who barbarically bombed the King David hotel and caused lots of suffering to the region. That was in 1948, but the trend continued on.

Back then when Jewish Agency and its military wing took up arms and forced Arabs out of their homes, it was regarded as an "patriotic, zionist cause". Even Britain who had mandate over Palestine at the time seemed to give in to Israeli aggression.

I am sick of this American double-standard and hipocracy. Every time conflict flares up, Bush has only one thing to say "Israel has the rights to defend itself" and blames it on Hamas, Hezbollah or whatever who are just an Arab version of Irgun and Hagannah. Sometimes I wonder whether Bush converted to Judaism, they way his overwhelming support seem to say.

Doesn't other countries have the same right as Israel? Arabs don't just make baseless comments when they say Israel shouldn't exist. Most Israelis hail from European background, many can't even speak Hebrew properly let alone live in someone elses land.

Let me say something, peace will never ever come to Middle-East unless this double standard, and this "Might is right" attitude stops.

To all those leftists posting "it's all america's fault", and "it's bush's fault", guess what? Some of us fellow americans NO LONGER CARE WHAT YOU THINK.

Get on board, or witness the birth of a second civil war in the US.

Frankly, we're done with you.

I'm surprised that anything George W. Bush utters is taken with any credibility. It must be evident to anyone that the man is an out and out disgrace and is in dire need of education in international affairs. Or is he just using the casualties in this conflict to further his own political cause by pandering to the Jewish vote in the USA? Either way, he is a disgrace.

First of all, I as a Christian do not agree with several of the "anti-Jewish" comments above. Be smart enough to tell the difference between Jewish people, and Israeli citizens, and the Israeli government. They all have intersecting points, but they are not all the same group. I think that the poster above, Mr. Pinar Hassam (sp?), has been reading his Al-Qaeda propaganda paper, and his arguments have no basis in fact.

Secondly, what does have basis in fact is this: All Muslims are not terrorists, but virtually all terrorist attacks have been carried out by Muslims. This was ably stated by Ambassador Dan Gillerman. Name me 3 terrorist attacks aimed SPECIFICALLY at civilians (of the dozens we've seen on the international scene, and hundreds within the borders of Israel) that have been carried out by non-Muslims. You can't do it. The majority of attacks directly on civilians have been carried out by Muslim extremists. You can call me "un-PC", or "racist", or whatever, but the facts are what they are. Attacks in Mumbai, London, New York, Washington, Paris, Tunisia, Bali, Khobar Towers, Lockerby, Munich, the USS Cole....all aimed at civilians, all committed by Islamic fundamentalists. I don't suppose Israel is to blame for all of these, are they? To read some of the ignorant comments above, an uneducated person might think so.

It doesn't matter who is right or wrong and who started the conflict.
Bottom line is that there is no place for religion in politics.
As long as this can't be seperated we will fail in evolving as human beings to the next level.
D

Figure it out folks.....Look at who has been killing innocent individuals for the past few years.....Islamic Fundamentalists....

They need to learn to live ALONG with non-Islamic people, not bullying them or being subserviant...And those of the Muslim faith who are peace-loving and law-abiding need to step up and be heard...Enough of the hate-mongering Imans!

John A

You talk about "biased" sources, and I am so glad that you raised the issue. Well, how's this for "biased".

"Dayan's conclusion was that the solution to the Arab-Israeli problem is to learn to coexist with them.
In the misquote, the key phrase "we purchased the land from Arabs" is omitted and thus Dayan's meaning is misrepresented. Dayan was not saying that Arabs were dispossessed. On the contrary, he was indicating that though Arabs sold the land of their own free will, given their one-time presence in the land of Israel, the Israeli goal [mistaken as they have proven it to be] is to live peacefully together with them."
http://www.camera.org/index.asp?x_context=7&x_issue=21&x_article=371

As to your other "quotes" (which you didn't have the courtesy to source), I don't have the time to research them, but they are almost certainly as flawed as in the Dayan case, or worse.

If YOU want to be taken seriously by serious peoplem then YOU will have to stop using unknown sources that MISQUOTE for the purposes of DECEPTION.

And, just because my sources are "pro Israel" does NOT automatically disqualify them, except perhaps for an anti-semite. The fact that the truth supports Israel is no reason to reject the truth.

You are obviously not a scholar, and I have no interest in wasting any more time with you. I only addressed your post as a means of introducing correct information on the topic from reliable sources, and in setting some standards of information exchange and validation into the conversation.

And, because you didn't like my other references, since they didn't conform to your warped world-view, I doubt you will like this, either. But others might.

"Brief History of Israel and the Jewish People"
(In which your prescious Placentinians are a mere speck of dust at the end.)
http://www.science.co.il/Israel-history.asp

goodbye.

all i have to say to all u people is forget the roots. wether you dont like jews or israel they have a state land has always since the dawn of times have been occupied through war but for all your gods sakes who ever he might be although i think your all talking about the same god no matter what you call him leave the jews and israel alone for once and for all the holocaust for the jes i think is still fresh in mind body and soul. look at any young childs eyes no matter what race he-she isthey are the innocence of gods eyes it is you that bring them up to hate. is that what your god teaches?

Carlos Cespedes

In Bush we trust? It's like the blind leading the blind! His logic is totally flawed. He has done more damage to the Americans during his tenure than any other American President. For once, now all the Americans travelling overseas have to keep looking behind their backs. The reason? Bush's policies and actions, of course. His Middle East policy is no different.

Where does history begin? Arab apologists cite the Jews' usurping of land in 1947 from the so-called "Palestinians" (so-called, because no such nationality ever existed prior to 1947). Israeli apologists cite the fact that they were usurped of that very same land a few thousand years back. Islamic fundamentalists are somewhere in the middle, blaming everything on the Crusades, as if they happened yesterday rather than 1000 years ago. Meanwhile, no one seeks revenge against the Turks, who brutally oppressed fellow Muslims all over the Middle East for hundreds of years longer than any Jews or Crusaders ever did. And no one blames the Italians (Romans) for instigating the Jewish diaspora which ultimately started the whole "I was here first" argument in the first place.

As for the person who claimed the first terrorists in the region were Ben Gurion and his Zionist thugs, look back a bit further. The first terrorists in the region in recent memory were Arabs who went around blowing things up, under the tutelage of T.E. Lawrence and the British Foreign Office, to oust the Turks. Again, the question of who was "first" to run around randomly blowing things up is pretty useless.

In my opinion, the whole "blame thing" is useless and juvenile. The only real solution is to pass an international treaty that states that history begins TODAY, not 1000 or 5000 or 100 or 59 years ago. Muslims should shut the hell up and put all their creative energy into getting their own houses in order rather than coming up with new and photogenic ways to mass-slaughter train commuters and office workers, and the Israelis should shut the hell up too, withdraw to the 1967 borders, put up a big fence, and if they want cheap labor, bring in Filipinos and Mexicans rather than giving jobs to ungrateful Arabs. Meanwhile, let the so-called "Palestinians" try to figure out how to be a nation, something they have no historical experience in.

dirk says

"It doesn't matter who is right or wrong and who started the conflict."

Oh, no?

Suppose a thief comes into your house while you are away. It is the home your parents lived in, and their parents..., but for some reason you and nearly all your family had to go away for a while, with only your brother living there. Finally, you come home to find your brother murdered, and the murderer says it's his house.

Yes, dirk, it does matter who is right! It does matter who started it. The Arab thieves have no right to my Land, no matter what they or you say, and no matter how violent they get in trying to keep me from what is rightfully mine.

America must face the facts. Our European allies (excluding England) are useless and have no back bone. Russia and China have their own agenda and certainly care nothing regarding democracy or Christianity. Most of the rest of the world are hostile, powerless, or indifferent.

Democracy and Christianity are under attack from a very radical and well organised Islamic extremist movement. We (Americans) are the focus of their wrath. They want all Americans dead and Christianity destroyed. Israel is a side show and should Israel vanish then they can focus 100% of their attention on the destruction of the great Satin (that is the US my friend).

We need to pay attention to Israel and think what we need to do, or should we wait till Iran rains nuclear rockets on Chicago? America needs to start to think the un-thinkable. We need to consider the use of nuclear force on the Middle East before it is used on America. It has become a holy war and I for one believe that in war one should consider using all at their disposal to win.

Frightening yes, but it may ultimately save millions of American lives.

People who have not experiensed a war, please shut up. You have never experienced loosing your dearest or wake up in the middle of night with alarm and wonder if you will be next.
Please look at the world. You all know that money talks in this world and nothing else.
So the root of all the terrorist attacks in the whole world is the people who get benefits.
Who gets the benefit of war?
1-People who sell the weapons. See,They are good in marketing.
2-Countries who create a chance for those people to sell their weapons.
3-Countries who are famous of taking advantage of other countries during and after war.
I believe all humans are ashamed of thing, they see happening in 21st century, so imagine what generations after us will think about us.
WE are living and watching all these happening and WE do not bother to do anything.

In my opinion the root cause of the trouble in the Middle East is the very existence of the state of Israel.

Islam is not a religion of peace. If it were a religion of peace Muslim Clerics would not be telling their followers to kill people. In various parts of the world Muslims are at war with Hindus, Christians and Jews and it is because the Koran tells them to. Compare the world-wide reaction of Muslims to twelve silly cartoons last year to world wide Christian and Catholic reaction to The Davinci Code, a book and movie that basically state that the Catholic (my) faith is based on a fraud that has been protected at all costs up to and including murder for the last 17 centuuries. There is a fundamental difference between the two faiths.

Last winter when the cartoon riots were going on all over the world (except here), to the best of my knowledge there was not one U.S. periodical that had the nerve to publish them. With one exception they all stated that their reason for not doing so was because they did not wish to "offend Muslim sensibilities", etc. But the Boston Phoenix had the cohones to state (Feb 10) "Simply stated we are being terrorized."

And please let me add a website you might peruse: www.memri.org. Go there and you will find that among other things the Holocaust is a hoax, Jews Are Descended from Apes Pigs and other Animals, Advice from Muslim Clerics on Wife-Beating, Discussions on female genital mutilation, and one of my favorites is Special Dispatch #388 of June 12, 2002. The title - "Why We Fight America"; Al-Quaida Spokesman Explains 9/11 and Declares Intention to Kill 4,000,000 Americans with Weapons of Mass Destruction." Please don't take my word for it - check for yourself.

Chimpanzees live in groups where the larger, stronger groups predate on the smaller. Yes, they hunt and kill their own kind for territory and sometimes, just because they can.
Not only do we share 98% of their genes but apparently, 98% of their policies.

Please pray for peace.

The world is a fragile place - handle with prayer.

I saw that on a bumper sticker and thought I would pass it on.

Pax

Terry

Root cause of the mid-east problem: RELIGION! And, no, not just radical Islam. Throw in radical (end-of-timers) Christians and radical Jews as well. You want peace in the world, then ban any religious discussions in politics...period. Until god reveals his/her true religious disposition, any leader (local, national or on a world stage) who claims any type of moral (relisious) authority should be outlawed. Organized religion is responsible for more deaths in our world's collective history than any dictator, king, emir or potentate put together. Until reasonable people can discuss reasonable solutions without invoking god, christ or mohammad then the middle east will always be a powder keg waiting to explode.

This is so interesting! I do love a good debate. Question for Lana: Remember 9/11? For Barbara: Right on. You go, Girl. My father once told me when speaking of a family quarrel, "It's that old hate." How wise he was. For Lina E.: Somebody once told me, "No matter what you say, you are talking about yourself." Think about that and read ytba's suggested reading if you dare. For ytba: Have you ever been accused of being a "lawyer?" I have. Also for ytba: Can't give it up, eh? Personally, I have always found that most people don't let facts that don't fit their preconceived notions get in their heads. For Tom: Do you really think they can "figure out the rest?" Seriously, folks, the only time the talking can help us peons is before the shooting starts. Ask any soldier if he tries to talk to the guy charging him with his bayonet fixed. I have a question for all of us: Can one person make a difference? If so, I personally call upon every Islamic mother to please think hard about whether you should raise your sons and daughters to automatically hate all those you think of as "Zionists." Perhaps you can make a difference.

Wow, the nut jobs are out in force on this thread. Common sense and knowledge of historical facts are totally unnecessary for participation.

Heck, we even have Dr. Bob talking about proportionate response. Hey Bob, proportionate responses are loved by guerilla groups. Under that theory as long as they only massacre a few civilians here and there they can stay around for a long time. Sounds great until your family is one of the victims, huh? I mean reall, with the theory of proportinat response we should make the penalty for robbery equal to the amount lost. Stick somebody up for $10, work 2 hours at minimum wage to pay it back.

The only thing that works in response to them is making their life miserable or over every time they stick their head out.

Proportionate response is a fools game the terrorists hope we play.

If "peace" means that Israel has to live with Hezbollah rockets pointed at it day and night then I'd say peace is the last thing we need right now in the middle east.

Bayi,you are living in one of the most blessed countries in the world and Bush is our president,if you have a bad opinion of your father,mother or anyone in your house and you tell all the neighbors.Do you think is right?
Look the world! and tell me in our country the worst enemy wi have is ourselves fighting with ourselves.If is out of reach for us governement dcision because we unknow laws,military tactics,religion,real causes,consequences,it is not easier to trust our president than telling the world the unknown.At least we are under a safe sky without ceiling and we must learn from 911.Support the president and he could make a better work,if you can offer a good idea to the government,just do it,if you are right he will say thanks.We love to destroy our heroes is the nighmare of the american dream,write a letter to the president about what you consider his mistakes if you make bingo he will send you a prize,I am sure. In Bush I trust!

ytba says; The Arab thieves have no right to my Land, no matter what they or you say, and no matter how violent they get in trying to keep me from what is rightfully mine.

So arabs are thieves, why don't you say "All arabs are thieves.
Your shortsightedness was confirmed when you totally missed the point.
I simply stated that politicis should not involve religion or we will be stuck in this hole for a long time to come.
Controlling and driving the masses through religion is a destructive path which sure leads to conflict.
D

I think this is all a "right wing" diversion so the focus is off Al Gore's new movie.

"An Inconvenient lack of Hurricaines."

Ytba; I do name all my sources;
the following quote, for example is
from: Moshe Dayan, addressing the Technion (Israel Institute of Technology), Haifa. Quoted in Ha'aretz, 04/04/1969
an article in Haaretz. What don't you understand?
I see that when the discussion is based on truth you choose to libel with the old "anti-semite" mantra - sorry, it doesn't apply, and isnt the case - it's only your lack of any basis for your false claims.
As you can see anywhere on the internet, the tide of American (and world) public opinion is drastically against the agression of Israel. This unbalanced invasion of an area with a population larger than that of many US States cannot be accepted. Just recently an american border patrol agent was shot by someone from the mexican side of the border - should the US invade Mexico, blow up all power sources, and allow untold thousands of innocent people to suffer? - Israel did just that.
The closest rationale for a similar invasion was germany's rationale for invading poland.
- Neither Israel's nor Germany's reasons were deemed valid before the world.
the US is the only country that didn't vote dissapproval of the Israeli invasion and devestation of so many innocent people.

Moshe Dayan himself said:
"Jewish villages were built in the place of Arab villages. You do not even know the names of these Arab villages, and I do not blame you because geography books no longer exist, not only do the books not exist, the Arab villages are not there either. Nahlal arose in the place of Mahlul; Kibbutz Gvat in the place of Jibta; Kibbutz Sarid in the place of Huneifis; and Kefar Yehushu'a in the place of Tal al-Shuman. There is not one single place built in this country that did not have a former Arab population."
-- Moshe Dayan, addressing the Technion (Israel Institute of Technology), Haifa. Quoted in Ha'aretz, 04/04/1969

Until Israeli "Soldiers" stop shooting out the eyes of Palestinian teenagers who throw stones at their tanks, there will never be peace in Palestine.

Refer: ZAMAN ONLINE - Has Israel's Power Corrupted Absolutely?

Keep an eye on MEMRI, the site I mentioned yesterday. For the last week or so they have been running pieces on what is going on there.

It seems obvious that Israel has been waiting for an opportunity to justify their going after Hezbollah where they live and the leaders of Hezbollah in their wisdom give them just such an opportunity.

It seems obvious that Israel has been waiting for an opportunity to go after Hamas where they live - in land Israel gave them not long ago and from which they have been firing missiles into Israel ever since - and the leaders of Hamas in their wisdom gave them just such an opportunity.

The war on the southern front started when Hamas snuck into Israel, killed a few Israeli soldiers and kidnapped another. The war on the northern front started when Hezbollah thought that Israel would be weakened by having to fight on the southern front so they did essentially the same thing. In both cases Israel was probably ready and waiting and struck back with what I would imagine was much more force than the brave lads of hamas and hezbollah imagined. Now of course they have retreated with tails between their legs and are hiding bravely with masks on among the civilians and calling loudly to the Israelis to BRING IT ON.

Iran, of course, is behind much of this. Led by a whacko who denies the holocaust and states continually that Israel must be wiped off the map.

A few letters back I stated that in my opinion the root cause of all this is the right of the state of Israel to exist. I stand by that.

It seems to be pretty well agreed on that Iran controls hezbollah and with their vast oil wealth it would seem logical that they would have a bit of a financial stake in the brave masked lads of hamas at the same time.

A lot of the world headlines before this whole thing started were focused on Iran's working toward having a nuclear arsenal. With every passing day they get one day closer. It makes sense, therefore, that they have had a hand in all this from the very beginning. In other words - Create a diversion. The fact that innocent people are dying doesn't bother them. It never has up until now so why should it now?

If one digs far enough he will find Iran's hand in all this.

One thing about Democracy:
Remember how the German's used it in the early 30s?
If the Palestinians decided to elect a government with a policy to destroy its neighbour, why is everyone so suprised war has broken out?

Education

Arab media and educational institutions need to out-law racism and repair the damage done by decades of Stalinist-style islamist racist propaganda, by introducing fact based information for their populations. Most arab countries re-run old Nazi fabrications as modern day TV soaps. The Protocols of the Elders of Zion is now a hit TV show in 'moderate' Egypt. I wonder if the NAZI party is claiming royalties.

The rest of the word sees the hypocrisy shown by the islamic world over the Danish cartoons when islamic media have portrayed Jews and their culture in similar nasty cartoons for decades.

When Ah-mad-int-he-jad? of Persia spews his 'us billion against you ten million people', he shows how noble Islam is. The dome of the rock - intentionally build to destroy another religion stands testimony to the hatred Islamic people have for non believers.

Islamic culture has now demonstrated itself to be a fourth world. To the rest of us; to say you are Islamic, means that logical conversation with you is pointless:

Islam is the new Nihilism.

So what happens?

Can we skip to the bit where Iran is turned into a car park and move on?

It would indoubtedly be unpopular among Americans to recognise the fact that the "American war of Independence" against the British was a war started and won, albeit with French help, by freedom fighters, or using the modern term, "Terrorists".

It seems that there are parallels between that war and the struggle for an independent state for the Palestinians.

Why, I wonder when forces are fighting against powerful nations such as thr US or Israel, are they referred to as "Terrorists or Guerrillas?

"Please pray for peace.

The world is a fragile place - handle with prayer.

I saw that on a bumper sticker and thought I would pass it on.

Pax

Terry"

Don't you think common sense would be a better option? Prayer evidently doesn't work.

Two interesting pieces to tell you folks about.

1) 'The Arab majority may not stay silent' is an editorial in today's Chicago Tribune. A glimmer of hope.

2) Today in MEMRI - Special Dispatch #1209: 'Hamas 'Izz Al-Din Al-Qassam Brigades - TRaining and Ideology: Special on Al-Jazeera'

I stand by my statement on prayer. Common sense would help - there is no question of that. But that doesn't mean that those of us who do shouldn't pray for peace. I am a practicing Catholic and I am not a member of the religious right. Never was never will be.

We should also keep in mind: Israel is getting blasted for killing civilians. That is not because they specifically target civilians but because the brave warriors of hamas and hezbollah hide among civilians after doing their dirty work. The brave lads of hezbollah and hamas, on the other hand, specifically target civilians - they are not known for their bravery in combat with people who can shoot back.

Lest we forget - September 11. And also let us not forget one of the photos from September 11 - Palestinian kids 10 or 11 years old firing off their rifles (with live ammo) in the air in exultation after hearing the news.

Lest we forget - September 11. And also let us not forget one of the photos from September 11 - Palestinian kids 10 or 11 years old firing off their rifles (with live ammo) in the air in exultation after hearing the news.

Posted by: Terry | Jul 20, 2006 1:11:48 PM

What would you expect them to do after US backed Israeli "Soldiers" had been targetting Palestinian civilians from 6 months old to 90 years old for years?

It's time you got real and understood what is happening.

Here is an idea: Evidently, the old clan and tribal feuds are alive and wreaking havoc in the world of today, which is supposed to be "civilised" and handle its disputes in a "civilised" manner through diplomacy, rule of law, etc. Now the "Islamic Nation," which the extremist elements and Christian and Jewish haters are trying to forge, hopes to unite the tribes a la Lawrence of Arabia and win back the glory experienced by Islam in the past. Personally, I have to agree with the leader of Malaysia's famous speech of a year or so ago in which he urged Islamic nations to put their energies into more positive actions than warfare and terrorism. In other words, he seemed to be saying that Islamic peoples should stop blaming other people for their troubles. May I add that everybody in the world can't be so stupid that if Islam is all that superior they would understand that and embrace Islam without the fear of being blown up on their way to work. The fact is that Islam is a terrific religion, as is Christianity, Judaism and a host of others, most notably Tibetan Buddhism. Sadly, the practice of the religions is slipshod and driven by other forces than good. A friend of mine opined that religions have been hijacked by the extremists AND others who use religion to justify their own odious actions. If tribal and clan warfare are back on a global scale, perhaps Israel should consider a jihad against Egyptians for enslaving the Hebrews way back when; the Babaylonians(Iraq) for the first Diaspora; the Romans(Italians) for the destruction of their beloved temple, the Americans for forcing them and France and Great Britain to back off during the Suez Canal Crisis; the Germans for the Holocaust. I could go on but, hopefully, I made my point.

Bobby Carey. Bah.

If Israel targeted arab civilians they would all be dead now. The problem for Israel, would be solved. And, Bobby, Israel was there (same spot) for thousands of years. It was the Islamics who last destroyed it and prevented the country reforming under the Turks. This problem starts with the anti-semitism (anti-jew) shown by Mohammed after he is rejected by his contemporary Jewish society as not being part of the Jewish tradition of the prophets.

You suggest Israel waits until it cannot win against Hammas and 'the islamic world'?

By the way. Give the Jordanians democracy and Jordan is the Palestinian State.

Anyone who argues Israel should submit and be destroyed better run to renew their NAZI party subscriptions. Recent history is not that easy to forget.

Don't believe the two state solution mumbo jumbo. Read what the arabs say openly. They want to destroy Israel. This is the only route cause of the problem. The Arab view is that Jews do not deserve National Self Determination. So from the Israeli perspective they have no obligation to respect the sovereignty of the arabs until MUTUAL recognition is granted.

They get what they deserve. I say 'car-park' them now before they get Iranian nukes.

After going to MEMRI and going through some of their archives (Special Dispatch) I thought that some of these titles might be instructive as to what kind of people we are dealing with.

SD # 376 5/6/02
"PLO Columnist on the Causes of Child Suicide Attacks and How to Stop Them"

SD #1176 5/26/06
Hizbullah Secretary-General Nasrallah - "Our Strength is the Willingness to Sacrifice our Blood and Children"

SD #1197 7/6/06
"Egyptian Preacher Incites Children to Martyrdom"

Please don't take my word for it - see for yourself.

It has been said that just 1% of Muslims are violent - with 1 billion Muslims in the world that means that 10,000,000 of them are violent. That worries me. The only way any of this is ever going to be resolved is for the remaining 99% to rein in their murderous brothers and sisters. The Muslim fanatics want a worldwide caliphate.

Robert Fisk: A war crime?
This mother and son were in a convoy fleeing danger yesterday when the Israeli air force bombed the rear minibus, causing carnage.
Published: 24 July 2006
They are in the schools, in empty hospitals, in halls and mosques and in the streets. The Shia Muslim refugees of southern Lebanon, driven from their homes by the Israelis, are arriving in Sidon by the thousand, cared for by Sunni Muslims and then sent north to join the 600,000 displaced Lebanese in Beirut. More than 34,000 have passed through here in the past four days alone, a tide of misery and anger. It will take years to heal their wounds, and billions of dollars to repair their damaged property.

And who can blame them for their flight? For the second time in eight days, the Israelis committed a war crime yesterday. They ordered the villagers of Taire, near the border, to leave their homes and then - as their convoy of cars and minibuses obediently trailed northwards - the Israeli air force fired a missile into the rear minibus, killing three refugees and seriously wounding 13 other civilians. The rocket that killed them is believed to have been a Hellfire missile made by Lockheed Martin in Florida.

Article Length: 1038 words (approx.)

They are in the schools, in empty hospitals, in halls and mosques and in the streets. The Shia Muslim refugees of southern Lebanon, driven from their homes by the Israelis, are arriving in Sidon by the thousand, cared for by Sunni Muslims and then sent north to join the 600,000 displaced Lebanese in Beirut. More than 34,000 have passed through here in the past four days alone, a tide of misery and anger. It will take years to heal their wounds, and billions of dollars to repair their damaged property.

And who can blame them for their flight? For the second time in eight days, the Israelis committed a war crime yesterday. They ordered the villagers of Taire, near the border, to leave their homes and then - as their convoy of cars and minibuses obediently trailed northwards - the Israeli air force fired a missile into the rear minibus, killing three refugees and seriously wounding 13 other civilians. The rocket that killed them is believed to have been a Hellfire missile made by Lockheed Martin in Florida.
Article Length: 1038 words (approx.)

I repeat my statement that the root cause of this ongoing battle in the mideast is the very right of the state of Israel to exist.

Hezbollah missiles have been raining down on Israel from within the civilian populations of Lebanon, so Israel has no choice but to retaliate - that after all is what started this current conflict. Of course there has been civilian suffering, but at least Israel has the decency to warn the Lebanese population of what is coming. Hezbollah, on the other hand, specifically TARGETS civilian areas with limited military value and with no advance warning, and the same holds true for Hamas - that is why they are known as terrorists.

On more than one occasion I have brought attention to the website WWW.MEMRI.ORG.

More examples:

Special Report # 25, January 27, 2004: "Contemporary Islamist Ideology authorizing genocidal murder".

Special Report # 11, November 1, 2002: "Based on Koranic verses, interpretations and traditions, Muslim Clerics state: The Jews are the descendants of apes, pigs and other animals."

It's all there and more.

"but at least Israel has the decency to warn the Lebanese population of what is coming".- Terry

Yes, I suppose when a Palestinian sees an Israeli bulldozer looming toward their house, there is sufficient warning.

But Terry, did you actually read and digest the article by Robert Fisk?

Do you think there is a remote possibility that contributing to the root cause of these problems is the fact that Israel has ejected Palestinians from their land and set up their own settlements on that land?

But I suppose in their minds, they are the "Chosen" people.

Israel's issuing the warning was reported in the news and 24 hours later it happened. Hezbollah headquarters itself in civilian areas and fires on Israel from civilian areas and as often as not they fire into Israeli civilian areas.

It is interesting also to note that on May 23 in a speech on Arab TV and reported by Memri, Sheik Nasrallah, aka the Secretary General of Hezbollah, made the following statement: "Our strength is the willingness to sacrifice our blood and children." These are the words of a Muslim Cleric and they were spoken on May 23. A Cleric is supposed to be a holy man.

Source - WWW.MEMRI.ORG SD #1176 May 26, 2006

>

BORED BUSH LETS ISRAELIS RUN WILD
By Bill Gallagher
As Lebanon bleeds and unthinkable carnage rules the streets of Baghdad, our president is preoccupied and troubled. I can hear him now. "Hey, Laura! What day we goin' down to the ranch?" George W. Bush's annual five-week vacation in Crawford, Texas, is beckoning. For him, nothing is more important.

While the Middle East further disintegrates -- much the result of his sins of commission and omission -- our leader is focusing on clearing brush, working out, riding his bike, playing video games and watching hours of ESPN. In a real sense, though, the world is safer when he's not doing anything.

Bush chooses to insulate himself and our government from the troubling tasks and responsibilities the U.S. role in the world requires. If it's not violent military action, Bush's attention span lasts about seven seconds.

"Bush's code is that you act tough whether there is a good reason, bad reason or no reason," writes Ron Suskind in "The One Percent Doctrine," an analysis of the administration's pursuit of real or perceived enemies since the Sept. 11 attacks.

The "tough" approach serves Bush's addiction-flawed personality. This is not a man who thinks about matters with careful deliberation. He has shown time and time again he does not want to hear contrary opinions. Bush relies on his "gut" and never allows facts, history and reality to interfere with the instincts he considers infallible.

Never mind that overwhelming evidence shows that his instincts -- especially relating to the Middle East -- are consistently wrong. Bush refuses to adjust. This is a man truly incapable of expanding his views. If you can't admit your mistakes, how can you possibly learn from them?

When Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert asked for Bush's blessings to go after Hezbollah in Lebanon, I'm sure Bush didn't spend 10 seconds reflecting on the consequences -- the suffering that was sure to result for the Lebanese people and the 25,000 American citizens there at the time.

"Sure, Ehud," you can imagine Bush saying with cocky assurance, "do what ya gotta do. Blast the hell out of those terrorists and get the hell out." It's as simple as that in Bush's black-and-white, deluded vision. Protecting Israel from rocket attacks and terror is critical, but cannot be achieved simply with violence and without a broader strategy.

Pope Benedict XVI presents a far more reasoned grasp of the conflict than Bush. In the Italian religious journal "Chiesa," the pope made the case that "at the origin of these devastating confrontations there are, unfortunately, objective situations of the violation of law and justice. But neither terrorist acts nor retaliation can be justified, especially when these come with tragic consequences for the civilian population."

Once you label someone a terrorist, anything goes -- or so Bush thinks. Hezbollah's attacks on Israel with Iranian- and Syrian-supplied rockets required some response, but not the disproportionate violence and destruction of Lebanon that Bush gave his imprimatur to.

The high level of civilian casualties, 500,000 refugees and destruction of non-military infrastructure will only create more terrorists, ruin the Lebanese government, make Israel less secure and the United States even more despised in the region.

Israel's invasion and occupation of southern Lebanon is a doomed exercise that could do what it is intended to eliminate. In a letter to The New York Times, Max Paul Friedman, a professor of history at Florida State University, argued that "the high number of civilians killed by Israeli forces is disproportionate, not to the number of Israeli victims of Hezbollah's rockets, but to the goals Israel claims it is trying to achieve in Lebanon."

Just as the U.S. invasion of Iraq was the best recruitment tool Osama bin Laden could ever wish for, Hezbollah too is getting an undeserved gift. Professor Friedman notes, "If anything, the devastation and the high body count are making Hezbollah's anti-Israel arguments more plausible to many Lebanese affected by Israel's wide ranging attacks."

The United States is rushing to supply Israel with a fresh supply of precision-guided bombs to drop on Israel. How can we call for a cease-fire when our nation provides the firepower?

Far too many Americans fail to see the irony in that and how people in the Middle East view Israel as the U.S. proxy against Iran with a limitless American-supplied arsenal. We howl about Iran supplying Hezbollah and insurgents in Iraq, but it's OK for us to provide Israel with whatever sophisticated weapons it wants.

Well, that's different, many will say. The United States and Israel stand for democracy and freedom, and the people on the other side are despots and terrorists. Tell that to some poor Lebanese woman standing in the rubble of what was once her home and that is now the tomb of her crushed children.

She will only remember that the satellite- and laser-guided bombs that destroyed her home were made in the United States and dropped from an American F-16 flown by an Israeli pilot.

"They are destroying and punishing a nation," said Abed Hammoud, from Dearborn, Mich., describing the Israeli air assaults. Hammoud, who is an assistant Wayne County prosecutor, spent an anguishing week worrying about his two sons caught in the violence while visiting their grandmother in Beirut. They eventually fled to Cyprus and made it home. More than 7,000 Lebanese-Americans from Michigan were trapped in Lebanon when the violence erupted.

The Bush administration's preparations to help our own citizens get to safety makes us recall that these are the same people who prepared the response to Hurricane Katrina.

Dr. Mohammad Hakim's daughters and 16 other relatives were trapped in southern Lebanon when the bombing began. He paid people to get his family members to Beirut, then to Damascus and finally back home.

Dr. Hakim had the resources to get his family to safety. Many others are less fortunate.

"It's very, very disappointing," Hakim told me last week. "I mean, these are American citizens who are trapped in the middle of war, and the government did nothing to help."

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will try this week to salvage something from the mess she helped create. The Bush bullying and unilateralism in the Middle East is a manifest disaster. The neocon crazies, the clones of Dr. Strangelove with their delusional madness, have the fiasco in Iraq on their hands, and that arrogant failure to transform the region reverberates throughout the Middle East.

A United Nations report shows the United States has been undercounting civilian casualties in Iraq that now average about 100 per day. Sectarian murder is the "rule of law" in the Iraq the Busheviks created.

Iraq is in such a shambles that its disintegration now seems inevitable and will result in even more destabilization in the region.

What will the Bush administration say to Turkish government leaders who want to see their army plunge into northern Iraq to subdue Kurdish insurgents? Kurdish separatists are using Iraq as a base to send terrorists into eastern Turkey. Can we say it's OK for Israel to go into Lebanon to protect its security, but Turkey can't go into Iraq to protect its borders?

The specter of Iraq poisons the U.S. ability to get cooperation from even moderate governments in Muslim nations. Dr. Rice has a nearly impossible task, but she must try.

Rice should deal with Syria directly, go to Damascus and sit down with President Bashar Al-Assad. His government is essential in helping Lebanon stand on its own and deal with disbanding Hezbollah's military wing. There must be a commitment to rebuild Lebanon physically and politically.

Rice must pressure Israel to withdraw from the occupation of Arab lands and agree to a timetable for the creation of a viable Palestinian state -- not an isolated, walled enclave, but a nation with hope, freed from the shackles of economic despair. International peacekeeping forces are required in southern Lebanon, Gaza and the West Bank. The broader issues and political solutions must be the ultimate focus beyond the recent events.

But stopping the violence is imperative. At an interfaith prayer meeting in Detroit last Friday, Rev. Edwin Rowe from the Central United Methodist Church was right on the mark when he said, "At this point, an eye for and eye and a tooth for a tooth would be an improvement."

+++
Bill Gallagher, a Peabody Award winner, is a former Niagara Falls city councilman who now covers Detroit for Fox2 News. His e-mail address is gallaghernewsman@sbcglobal.net.
Niagara Falls Reporter www.niagarafallsreporter.com July 25 2006

Perhaps we should remember that the root cause of this is now and always has been whether or not the state of Israel has the right to exist.

One thing Hamas and Hezbollah have in common is the fact that they both like to set up their headqarters in civilian areas, so that when Israel fires back at them there are always civilian casualties to blame on Israel.

Not long ago Israel withdrew completely from the Gaza strip and conceded it all to Palestine. Immediately Hamas set up in civilian areas and started firing missiles into Israel, usually civilian areas. 90% of the time suicide bombers from Hamas attack civilian areas. The same is true of the lads from Hezbollah. Hamas started this in southern Israel and Hezbollah started it in the north. Undoubtedly Israel has ben waiting for them to do something like this so they (Israel) can launch the attacks that they launched so they could make at least an attempt at destroying H&H. And don't forget what Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah said in a televised speech on May 23, about a month before Hezbollah kicked off the ruckus in the north; "Our strength is the willingness to sacrifice our blood and children."

And if you check MEMRI you will also see that U.S. linguist Noam Chomsky met with Hizbullah leaders in Lebanon in early May.

The state of Israel has the right to exist.

From MEMRI today:

SD #1213, 6/26/06: Lebanese Druze Leader Walid Jumblatt on Al-Arabiya TV: Do Lebanese Really Agree That The Battle of the [Islamic] Nation Should Be Launched From Lebanon?; I Was The First to Warn of the Iranian-Syrian Alliance; I have the Right To Challenge Nasrallah's Heroism.

A few quotes:

"I believe that the first person to warn against the Iranian-Syrian alliance was me, Walid Jumblatt. I tried to warn Saudi Arabia and Egypt about the dangers. I traveled to America as well. I did not ask the Americans to topple the Syrian regime. Not at all. I asked for a change of behavior - But one cannot change the behavior of a terrorist regime."

Interviewer: "Hassan Nasrallah is considered a hero by the Arab peoples."

Walid Jumblatt: "Great, so he's a hero. But I'd like to challenge this heroism of his. I have the right to challenge it, because my country is in flames. Besides, we did not agree ... We agreed on an agenda with regard to Palestine. If the agenda changes, that will be another matter. The agenda with regard to Palestine, on which we agreed, includes the establishment of a [Palestinian] state alongside Israel, the right of return, Jerusalem as the capital, the demolition of the wall of humiliation, and the dismantling of the settlements. This is our agende at this point in time. In his political speeches, [Nasrallah] says: 'I do not recognize the state of Israel, and I want to set out from South Lebanon to liberate Palestine in its entirety.' This is what he is doing. If this is his agenda, I have the right to oppose it."

This fight is now, always has been, and always will be about the very right of the state of Israel to exist.

It is true that Israel has hit civilian targets, both in the course of this current flare-up and in past battles. But whenever it has occured it was either a mistake or it was because Hezbollah (or Hamas) operatives had taken refuge in civilian areas. It is also true that in the event of a mistake and civilians are hit Isarael has always apologized. When was the last time one of Israel's enemies (and they are many) apologized for hitting a civilian area? Besides - why should they apologize for hitting what they were aiming at?

If we all believe we have a right to have opinions about what is happening in the mideast, we must ask ourselves some questions: What is the cause for which Israel is fighting? Is it a just cause? What is the cause for which Hamas and Hezbollah are fighting? Is it a just cause? For the first two questions, if you have that capability, pretend you are Israeli. For the second two questions, pretend you are a member of Hamas and Hezbollah and that you are Islamic even if you are not. Somehow, as the conflict goes on, the facts get mixed up with emotions, politics, and prejudices. I personally know someone whose every argument always ends with, "Why are the Jews always thrown out of every country they settle in? They must be stirring up trouble everywhere they go." Note to Bill Gallagher: Calling Bush names does not mean you are right and Bush is wrong.

The cause for which Israel is fighting is its very existence.
The cause for which Hamas and Hezbollah are fighting is the extermination of the state of Israel. In the mideast media they make no secret of that fact.

I agree with you Vi. Mr. Gallagher - I'm sure you have some valid points to make but your hatred of President Bush gets in your way and so no purpose is served other than your preaching to the choir. Your imaginary conversations between the president and Mrs. Bush may be amusing to you and your compatriots but not to the rest of us.

Let's not forget that the current trouble in the south was started by Hamas and the trouble in the north was started by Hezbollah. Israel is defending itself. It is certainly true that Israel has probably been waiting for an opportunity like this on both borders and it is an encouraging sign that other countries in the area have actually put the blame on Hamas and Hezbollah - where it belongs, for starting this. Here in the U.S.A. Bush administration policy presently seems to be to let Israel get as far as it can especially in the north to create a buffer zone before joining the call for a cease-fire. The more of Hamas and Hezbollah the Israelis can destroy the better off they will be in the long run.

Until the next time - this has been going on for thousands of years in one form or another. I thank God I live in America.

Another question we should ask is this: Is it in the interests of the United States (and others) to ally with Israel in the current war (on terror, or for oil, or to spread democracy, or preserve and spread Christian and European values--whatever)? I feel certain that those in power have considered that question, for better or worse. I believe the United States has, quite rightly, been steadfast in supporting Israel's right to exist. I do despair of convincing the world, in particular the Islamic nations, that the U.S. and its citizens have any other motives than greed for oil and power. When we start basing our judgment of an entire culture on our perception of its motives, we need to accept the existence of all those motives, not just the ones that fit our prejudices and preconceptions. We also have to accept the fact that life, including the life of nations, is a process over time in which mistakes are inevitably made, but mistakes and errors of judgments and changes in policy and direction do not necessarily mean a country is hypocrictical, a charge commonly made against the U.S. when it appears to others that it is not living up to its highest ideals. My guess is that, judging from history, few of us are able to be that objective. It is so easy to give in to outrage, despair, and desire for revenge.

Condoleeza Rice Accepts Role In Vampire Movie

Now that Dick Cheney has come out in public and said he would never accept Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice as his future Vice President, she has been looking around for a change of career.

Ever since she was a child she has had a fascination with Vlad the Impaler, Count Dracula, werewolves and the nocturnal blood drinking female vampires of Transylvania. So, on her recent visit to Europe, she fulfilled a dream and secretly spent a few days touring Walachia, the area within Romania known as the historical stomping ground for such flesh-crawling creatures.

She has long had a desire to make it big on the world’s stage but has expressed some dissatisfaction with being a mere mouthpiece for the Dick Cheney led Republican administration and that she would like to be recognised as a celebrity in her own right.

On her first night in Sighisoara, a mediaeval town which Vlad the Impaler called home, she checked in to a local hotel and was greeted by a direct descendant of Count Dracula and shown to a room where, years ago, many hapless souls were drained of their bodily fluids.

According to a source of information close to the Secretary of State, on retiring to bed that night she couldn’t sleep and became so excited with the history of the place she underwent a transformation and long-hidden, below-the-surface latent desires began to stir within her. It was then she resolved to resign from her post in the administration and try her hand at showing her talents in horror movies.

On her return to the US it so happened that Steven Spielberg was in the process of scouting around for talent to appear in a block-buster remake movie of “The Blood Countess”. When he learned that Condoleeza was hankering after a role he got her on the ‘phone and signed her up right away.

Later, Spielberg was heard to say, “I couldn’t believe my luck, I’ve long held the belief that Condoleeza was a perfect character for the part as it’s about Elizabeth Bathory, a 17th century Hungarian countess who murdered 600 female virgins and bathed in their warm blood to keep herself forever young”.

“I’m also on the lookout for someone to take the lead role in “The Massacre at Bucharest”. I’ll see if I can use Condoleeza’s influence to recruit Ronald Dumsfeld”.

Robert my lad you have just shot yourself in the foot. Your latest offering was more than a bit sad.

You have made some valid points along the way but I have been trying to think of a way to tell you that you are defeating your own purpose by filtering EVERYTHING you say through your hatred of President Bush and any and all people who might be associated with him.

That will no longer be necessary because you have shown that you realize it already. You may not have admitted it to yourself yet but you DO know it.

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The charge that one of the reasons that the US is in this fight in Iraq is due to the need for oil is indeed a valid one. But it is not only true of the US. I refer to MEMRI once again. I&A @#129, March 27, 2003 (note date) has the title: "Egyptian Economist: Economic interests guide the French, Germans and Russians toward Baghdad".
To quote one sentence in part: "France's opposition to the war in Iraq ......... is motivated by pure economic interests." (There is also the fact that there are about 5 million Muslims in France, many of them unemployed and many of them in and around Paris. Remember the riots in France last winter?)

And lest we forget - "in June of 1981 8 F-16 Israeli bombers dropped 2,000 pound bombs on Iraq's Nuclear reactor at Tuwaitha, near Baghdad, destroying Iraq's capacity to manufacture nuclear weapons. (Iraq insisted that the installation was for peaceful purposes only, but that assertion was not widely believed.)" Source - The Hidden Pope, by Darcy O'Brien. p286 Google Al-Tuwaitha for more information

MEMRI I&A #164 2/20/04 'The Saddam Oil Vouchers Affair' also contains a wealth of information.

Those who do not study history are condemned to repeat it - George Santayana.

Robert my lad you have just shot yourself in the foot. Your latest offering was more than a bit sad.

You have made some valid points along the way but I have been trying to think of a way to tell you that you are defeating your own purpose by filtering EVERYTHING you say through your hatred of President Bush and any and all people who might be associated with him.

That will no longer be necessary because you have shown that you realize it already. You may not have admitted it to yourself yet but you DO know it.

Posted by: Terry | Jul 28, 2006 8:20:25 AM

Well, having set out to deliberately write a whole bunch of hogwash and twaddle, I find it interesting that you actually state that you find some valid points within it.

I think I know who shot themselves in the foot here.