Apparently, six months of peaceful coexistence was enough for Israel. As it did in June of 2006, just before its war with Lebanon, it recently decided to bring increased pressure to bear on the 1,500,000 beleaguered citizens of Gaza. Up until this weekend, the incidents had been considerably milder than heretofore, primarily involving the denial of access to the outside world. However, the turning away of two ships attempting to deliver relief supplies, served to ratchet up the tension meter.
As a result, Hamas announced last week it would end the six-month old truce, following which it began lobbing crude missiles into Israeli territory, thus continuing the tit-for-tat scenario of events. Israel then brilliantly lulled Hamas into a false sense of security Friday by opening up the border crossing for a few hours and actually easing the blockade to let in some food and humanitarian supplies.
The ruse seemed to work as Israel launched, on Saturday, its most intense aerial assault on Gaza in the 60 years of the conflict. According to news reports, over 100 waves of air strikes were conducted from Saturday into Sunday. So far, over 200 have been said to have been killed and 400 have been injured, overwhelming local hospitals. Hamas was caught by the surprise intended and many members were lost, along with approximately 70 civilians, according to reports.
As the weekend wore on, tensions continued to mount with Hamas' top political leader, based in Syria, calling for a "military Intifada against the Zionist enemy." Also, it has recently been reported that Hezbollah in Lebanon is amassing troops along the border with Israel.
A CNN analyst described the pressure by Israel that initiated the spiral of ongoing events as possibly being influenced by three factors, the current leadership vacuum in America, a test to flush out a position from Barack Obama, and the Israeli elections themselves, which are scheduled for soon after Obama's inauguration.
It is considered politically advantageous in Israel to be tough on Hamas, an organization that increased its political influence in the 25-mile-long, seven-mile-wide Gaza Strip, by winning the parliamentary elections in early 2006. Hamas' charter calls for the destruction of Israel and it is considered to be a terrorist organization by Canada, the European Union, Israel, Japan and the United States. According to the online encyclopedia, Wikipedia, Hamas gets its support from Saudi Arabia, Iran, Hezbollah, Syria and private benefactors.
At the other end of the Middle East, tensions between Pakistan and India are also escalating. Pakistan is now reported to be moving many of its troops from the Afghan border area, where they had been battling terrorists, to its border with India. The two countries, bitter enemies, have a long history of conflict, but no wars have occurred between them since they both became members of the nuclear club.
Meanwhile, this past week, the Department of Defense released the obituaries of seven military personnel who died in Iraq, ranging in age from 19 to 42. Five of the deaths were classified as non-combat-related and it is not known if these designations were influenced by the Pentagon's recent decision to narrow the definition of a combat death and a combat injury, thus lowering its financial obligations to those military personnel and/or dependents involved.
According to the web site www.icasualties.org, U.S. deaths in Iraq now stand at 4,219, including three whose families are being notified today.
U.S. deaths in Afghanistan amounted to 559 as of December 24, according to the Pentagon.
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Comments: 56
Since you are questioning the motives of Israel, let's also question why Hamas finds it necessary to shoot missiles into Israel every night. Why they expect to build a nation but refuse to negotiate with or recognize Israel.
I normal agree or disagree with your articles, but maybe you just want to fireworks for the New Year so you put on your major asshole face for this one?
israel has taken measures to try to stop the missiles attacks,
but nothing worked! it was getting up t o 50 a day!!
"if i had missiles thrown to a place where my two little girls were sleeping i would do everything tostop those missiles"
yes, it looks bad in the media but hamas like in lebanon builds missile launchers where children sleep aiming to where children sleep
Very good article David. Most people seem to want to see only one side of this crime against humanity. Their is no such thing as a good reason to drop bombs onto innocent unarmed people.
Having to read about the new "listing" procedure for our own Military is more than heartbreaking. While information and coverage for our Military, wherever they are has dropped, so has the interest in what is happening to them. It is shameful. I cannot even get any interest aroused in my immediate area. Many think it is something for the Government to do. "Lest we forget" should be on the minds of many. I did not hear too much this year about our Military, so far away..Only Bush's perfunctory visit. I am sorry, but, I was not impressed he "slipped out the back door" to visit the Troops. Perhaps if I were him, I would have done the same thing. Going out the front, to be questioned about the troops probably was not something he could face. That is how I feel about it..
They are still so far from home, not there for Holidays and many other regular and daily activities. What a homecoming , and for those who have lost a family member, while in service to the government, it is worse. Just putting on the uniform and serving should be enough to qualify them for benefits. The government is behaving like a real insurance company now, looking for loopholes... Families are now wondering how their loved one's death will be filed away. So horrible. I did not see too many news reports either. Are we to assume that their position is one we would should accept now as a daily fact of life? And that whatever our government does for those who protect us, and others, is alright? Even Ghengis Khan took care of his troops. Very good care. Perhaps we should learn from him, tho we are not leaders. I find the acceptance of these new guidlines appalling. I wonder how to help them..
It is with them as it is with many of us. Just there, and only the most basic of needs are being met. Just enough to quiet some sort of observation that more needs to be done. War, and those who thrive on it, is winning. It is becoming accepted, and with little argument. Not a great way for those in any part of the World to start a New Year. Ellen B
Also, it was our idea to impose "free" palestinian elections against the advice of Israel and the Palestinians themselves. When Hamas won, then only comment from Condy Rice (if I remember correctly) was "we didn't see this coming".
Re: Tim's comment on China taking over Taiwan ... all China would need to do is assemble it 1.3B population on the coast facing Taiwan and order them to spit 5x. Game over, Taiwan gets slimed.
I am much more interested in the new designations of combat deaths. It seems kind of simple to me. Combat deaths are obvious and do not need a designation.
In August of 2005, the nation of Israel betrayed thousands of it's own citizens, by forcing settlers in Gaza Strip to leave their homes. Homes these people were asked to settle, encouraged to settle, what seemed like just a few short months ago. In fact some of these settlers had been living in Gaza for years.
In an effort to acheive peace with the Arabs, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon agreed to return the Gaza Strip to Arab control. This was the first time since Israel took control of this area in the 1967 war, that Israel was returning land, as part of a deal brokered in the hopes of peace.
Under the auspices of the Palestinian Authority, President Mahmoud Abbas became the figurehead of authority in Gaza. The deal brokering land for peace, offered Abbas the opportunity to demonstrate his ability to create a security force, and be responsible for the protection of his own citizens in Gaza.
Sadly, he was never able to acheive this benchmark, and Gaza soon reverted to an "every man for himself" mentality. Gaza became a breeding ground for violence, and soon enough the Arabs began to lob rockets into Israel.
Fast forward to June of 2006.
Militant Arab/Palestinians factions began launching Qassam rockets at Israel, particularly in the Negev town of Sderot.
Since the Israelis left Gaza, more than 500 Qassam rockets have shaken Sderot, striking schools, homes, medical clinics and day care centers. Abbas vowed ot end these rockets, however the Abbas administration has proven utterly incapable of preventing Arab/Palestinian attacks on Israeli civilians living inside Israel's 1967 borders.
Fatah and Hamas are at each other's throats and working at cross purposes. Hamas ultimatley earns a freely elected block in the ruling government of the PA. The International Crisis Group warns that the conflict appears headed for a "catastrophic breakdown" and "all players must urgently revise their policies."
Everyone believes the Arab/Palestinians are headed once again for open conflict.
Fast Forward to 2008.
I think was all know what is happening in Gaza today. Israel launched on all out air offensive striking 30 targets in as many minutes.
Exiled Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal called in Damascus for a new Palestinian intifada, or uprising, against Israel and promised new suicide attacks.
Meshaal called for a "military intifada against the enemy" and said "resistance will continue through suicide missions."
"We will not stand down and we will not cave in even if (the Israelis) should eradicate the Gaza Strip or kill thousands of us," said Ismail Haniya, the head of the Hamas government.
The more things change, the more they stay the same. The Jews have been fighting the Arabs for their very survival since the day the U.N. offered a homeland to both the Jews, and the Arab/Palestinians in 1948.
Time after time the Arabs from various nations have attacked Israel. In 1948, the day after Israel became a nation and the Arab/Palestinians rejected the proffered land that was to be their own, several Arab nations attacked Israel instead.
Yet another attack by Arab nations started the 1967 war, and again in 1973. Israel was victorious each time.
The Arabs continue to attack, the Israelis continue to defend themselves after they are unable to tolerate any further kind of aggressive behavior.
Land for peace just doesn't work, the proof is in.
One is force to wonder, what exactly do the Arab/Palestinian's want??
I forgot to mention that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is the Ayatollah that runs Iran, in case you forgot.
I'm probably not thinking correctly ~ I don't know . . . but this is a H U G E Planet that WE ALL live on with lots of land and square footage. There may be a need for long-term Anger~Management Sessions to take place in certain areas on the planet. Fighting and Killing leaves even more vacant space, and breeds more ANGER. What exactly is the point of it all? Maybe everyone should just be airlifted out from over there and placed in various different areas all around the globe in an unknown area to everyone else with no communication systems, then close the land off to everybody. Then everyone would spend their time trying to find each other if they love one another, but the FIGHTING would cease.
I realize you can never make sense out of insanity.
So I hope this is the start of the cleansing of these vermin continues with a visit to that moron in Iran and his ultimate meet with his Virgin.
Jews,please ignore the Dave types who think you JEWS should just take it and stop complaining about it.
The Israelis knew full well there would be a breaking point and that ovccurred on Dec 20 when Hamas ended the 6 months cease fire that had been in effect and started lobbimg missiles. Israel's aim may be to take advantage of the leadership vacuum here to get rid of Hamas once and for all. But whatever their strategy is, they definitely started it, just as they did the 2006 war with Lebanon.
Of course, to understand this, one must read the foreign press because the U.S. media would let you believe this started with the missiles from Hamas, and the 2006 war started with the kidnapping of the Israeli soldiers, but nothing could be further from the truth.
Israel has total control, and nothing starts unless Israel wants it to.
If the Palestinians didn’t do the suicide bombings Israel wouldn’t have locked up the boarder. If the Palestinians never sent in the rockets or the suicide bombers then there could be peace Dave.
The blame for this directly rests with the Palestinians and their desire to remove Israel from the area and nothing else.
Wrong, COMPLETELY wrong. The entity with "control" is the entity willing to MURDER INNOCENT PEOPLE--- as soon as the Arabs cease and desist with TERRORISM, the Jews would be more than happy to live in peace.
The entity with "control" is the entity willing to MURDER INNOCENT PEOPLE. What do you call the indiscriminate Israeli bombing of innocent civilians? Lebanon and now Gaza. Is the life of an Israeli worth more than a maronite christian or a muslim?
Also why do the muslims use such tactics ... if you haven't read ... they don't have armor, air capabilities, artillery nor a naval force. They, the muslims in this respect were like the insurgents in some far away land in the 1700's fighting the mightiest army in the world... Hint hint -> that was us.
Thanks for the great report!
Yes, think about if there was peace! The expense of the war would cease and that could be utilized for rebuilding, infrastructure and humanitarian efforts. It seems to me that both sides have more to benefit from peace than from continuation of this madness. They just haven't figured out what to do to stop it!
Yes Patrick, I've been well aware of the similarities of the US in 1776 and what is going on in the Mideast. But I don't believe that Washington's troops deliberately singled out civilians to kill. As in many wars, it was beneficial to our army to only wound enemy soldiers.
Regardless of the similarities, I have a very hard time equating this action by Hamas to the efforts of Washington!
Why not tell us, rather than implying their entire economy is wrapped up in the "war machine?" Do YOU even know what that percentage is, or are you just blowing wind out of your arse???
Israel's economy by sector:
Israel's agriculture sector: 2.7% Israel's industry sector: 30.2% Israel's services sector: 67.1% (2007 est.)
Israel's labor force by occupation:
agriculture 18.5%, industry 23.7%, services 50%, other 7.8% (2002)
SOURCE
As you can see, your rant is rather misleading.
What do you call the indiscriminate Israeli bombing of innocent civilians?
Indiscriminate ??? *chuckle* Israel targets the source of terrorism and they do NOT "indiscriminately" bomb anyone. Yes, there are some innocent civilians, but innocent civilians are killed in EVERY war.
The Arab/Palestinians SCUMBAGS are the ones that INDISCRIMINATELY TARGET INNOCENT CIVLIANS with their suicide/murderer bombers. The Arabs/Palstinians SPECIFICALLY TARGET INNOCENT CIVILIANS, not the Jews.
Is the life of an Israeli worth more than a maronite christian or a muslim?
The life of law abiding citizens are ALWAYS worth more than terrorists and criminals.
Also why do the muslims use such tactics
It isn't "muslims" per se that use such tactics, it is terrorists that use such tactics, they just happen to be muslims. The terrorists use such tactics because they are COWARDS that refuse to fight their perceived oppressors, and instead prefer to MURDER INNOCENT PEOPLE. They believe they can achieve by terror, what they cannot achieve on the battlefield or in any court.
they don't have armor, air capabilities, artillery nor a naval force
Why don't they buy such things?? Because they prefer TERRORISM to achieve their goals. The muslim world controls at a minimum50% of the known oil reserves in the world, obviously they have enough money to fight the Jews HEAD TO HEAD if they so desired.
They do NOT desire such a war with Israel, as they are able to read history just like everyone else. The Arab world KNOWS Israel would kick their asses, just as the Israeli's have done in the past, every time their Arab neighbors have attacked them.
The Arabs were defeated in 1948, when several Arab nations attacked ONE DAY AFTER Israel became a nation, and the Arabs TURNED DOWN THE LAND GIVEN TO THEM FOR A HOMELAND by the UN.
The Arabs were defeated again in 1967 when several Arab nations attacked them once again. The Arabs were then defeated in 1973, again, after several Arab nations attacked them once more.
Hint hint, you're a moron.
You have the stupidity to call Israel's so-called blockade an act of war, in response to what?
Why can't any of the other super rich Arab countries come to the aid of the Palestinians with something other than weapons and anti-western and anti-Israeli propaganda.
We have been hearing about these missile constantly, not to even mention constant talk about the destruction of Israel and never recognizing Israel's right to exist.
And why does Israel owe the Palestinians jobs?
Dave, do you have a plastic bag over your head or something, a gas leak in your office or something, I do not think you are getting enough oxygen to your brain man.
Patrick, I'm sure Israel would love to fight just the Hamas people .. why don't they come out and fight? Give them two buildings on with civilians in it and one with Hamas in it and you know damn well which they would attack.
Civilians constantly harboring and aiding terrorists after 60 years ... does that mean they are still civilians?
How long are you two going to look at the world in this nonsensical way? Dave, how long would accept rockets being fired at your grandchildren that you posted picture of a week or so ago?
Dave, does Israel have control over Hamas and Hezbollah too?
Dave, what is that supposed to mean anyway ... first Israel does not have
total control, if they did they would not care about what the Palestinians
or Iran or Syria do, would they?
Second, the US had control over whether we entered WWII as well,
does that mean that somehow it was not the right thing to do, or
that we are evil or bad because we chose a certain moment to do
it and not another?
Your points make no sense and your facts are really bent, your
logic distorted, and it burns me that so many decisions and actions
are taken based on this nonsense.
This issue that has plagued the whole world now, and may lead to
the utlimate conflagration would be over in month if the needful
was done.
Also while you are at it JUNIOR, try reading between the lines from time to time. Your constant regurgitation of skewed data is misleading and annoying which in the aggregate makes you sound rather immature.
For the same reason Clinton's Camp David talks with Arafat were "flushed down the toilet." The Arabs want the "right of return" and that is UNACCEPTABLE.
skewed data
What "skewed data" are you referring to, sports fan ??? *chuckle*
The majority of the Palestinians are innocent victims, but to think that ends any analysis or is enough to blame Israel is absurd.
When a Palestinians spends any time with a Westerner they are informed on, told on to whatever their local government structure is. If they say anything that is critical of the Palestinian government or positive about the Israelis they can be accused of collaboration. If this happens they put their life their family's life at risk.
The nature of a totalitarian state is that innocents are ground up into the machine so that they are used militarily to the greatest extent they can be.
The ugly way out of this is to do what needs to be done, whatever the immediate damage,and then make sure that such a system is obliterated and never has the opportunity to enslave their people again.
Bruce, your comment suggests Israel is constantly being bombarded by missiles from Gaza. I'm not sure where you read your news, but the past six months up to December 20 were rocket free, for example. And during that period conditions in Gaza deteriorated as a result of the increasingly restrictive policies of Israel. These policies went far beyond a naval blockade which turned away emergency relief supplies. Access in and out of the walled-in enclave was denied or severely restricted. The many who worked elsewhere were denied the right to work. Personal deprivations on the civilian populace were accompanied by shortages in fuel and medical supplies.
Just how long is a populace supposed to tolerate such treatment? How long would you put up with it, Bruce, and particularly if you knew that the whole area was once the homeland of your people?
And to clarify some of the implications in the foregoing comments, by my count one Israeli has been killed since December 20, as opposed to hundreds of Palestinians. The pictures on tonight's news show buildings demolished by the hundreds of waves of air attacks, and those buildings that were shown were multi-residential properties.
And jJack, your comments about Israel's ability to "kick ass" overlooks the fact that they just lost a war two years ago with Lebanon (Hezbollah), despite the fact that they used cluster bombs indiscriminantly in the civilian areas of southern Lebanon. Incidentally, U.S. soldiers ended up cleaning up many of the unexploded bomblets but many civilians were killed and injured well after the conflict by these insidious weapons which - yes - we, the United States - originally gave to Israel on Israel's promise to use them only defensively. President Carter details the illegal use by Israel during his administration in his book on the subject, and Israel's second use was in 2006. But I digress. So, outside of a nuclear conflict, I don't agree that the Arab world is quivering at Israel's military might.
To me this is a question of the humanitarian treatment - or lack of same - of a class of people - and nothing more. And I must admit that it bothers me that few seem to get it. Few seem to acknowledge, at any rate, that much of the turmoil in the world and a considerable amount of the animosity being directed at the United States in that region is directly attributable to the manner in which the Palestinians are being oppressed.
And lets not forget that Hamas would not represent the political leadership of the Gaza Strip if the Bush administration had not made a major misclalculation and pushed for the election that brought it to power, and if, in the first place, Israel had not been so oppressive.
November missile attacks in response to Israeli attacks on Gaza to destroy tunnels after Hamas had tried to abduct a soldier. There has been continued violence and attempts at violence, it took me about 5 seconds to find this Dave.
I know it does not matter what the big picture, or the small picture is for you, the blame always goes on Israel and the US.
Dave if you are so concerned about humanitarian treatment, write an article and implore Hamas to let their neighbors know they are living next to one of their buildings ... that will save all civilians lives.
Plenty of Jews have been run out of Iran, Iraq, Egypt, Syria, and their
property taken and their homelands denied. Since the radical Muslims
cannot live with anyone else peacefully in a country that they rule,
or anywhere else for that matter, why shouldn't Israel demand a
country of their own, in the area of their origin?
I can also detail attacks against Jews back to the 1800's well before
the so-called Zionist movement ever existed so what was your
excuse for these people at that time?
I don't think of the so called "Palestinians" as "subhuman" at all, once again, that's just your self serving spin.
I think of TERRORISTS as SUBHUMAN, because that's what they are without a soul. I don't even recognize the label of "Palestinians," so how exactly would I hate them??
Terrorist are sometimes Arabs, but not all Arabs are terrorists. I can easily differentiate between the two. The VAST MAJORITY of Arabs are law abiding citizens, even if they do happen to consider the USA as "the great satan."
So you can shove it where the lights don't shine whenever you try to make me, or anyone else that believes terrorist scum deserve whatever they get, into the bigots you assume believe others are "subhuman."
I might as well call you an anti semite because you take up the Arab cause. That would be just as stupid as you suggesting I believe the so called "Palestinians" are "subhuman" simply because I call the terrorists scumbags.
As for President Carter, you can shove that peanut farmer where the sun doesn't shine too. He's an anti American zealot that brings shame to this country every time he opens his stupid hick mouth. He's an idiot of the first degree and I couldn't care less what that son of a b-i-t-c-h has to say because I wouldn't believe a word that comes out of his mouth.
It matters very little what you believe or don't believe, the proof is in the pudding. There isn't an Arab OR Persian nation willing to fight the Jews head to head, they just don't have the fire power, or the balls.
Hence, we're left with terrorist scumbags to do their bidding for them. SUCKERS willing to die for an unjust, immoral cause.
If you are so STUPID as to believe the Arabs wouldn't enjoy the price of oil going back to 150 bux a barrel, you're even more stupid than I thought. The Arabs are doing everything they can to prop up the price of oil right now, and they can't do it short of actually going to war--- which they won't do because they know the Israelis WILL KICK THEIR ASSES ! ! ! !
the past six months up to December 20 were rocket free
Flat out, bald faced LIE.......
Just how long is a populace supposed to tolerate such treatment?
Like anyone else in the world, they are free to MOVE ! ! ! ! Thousands of so called Palestinians have already left, the rest can go too, or they can start POLICING THEIR OWN SCUMBAGS ! ! ! ! Just like the Iraqis are now doing---
THE VERY FACT GAZA IS NOW IN ARAB HANDS demonstrates quite clearly the so called Palestinians are UNWILLING or UNABLE to handle the terrorist SCUM on their own, so Israel has no choice but to handle it for them.
To me this is a question of the humanitarian treatment
There's your problem, your confusion leads you to silly conclusions.
I must admit that it bothers me that few seem to get it
What bothers me is that YOU think YOU "get it" and the rest of the world is just cold hearted barbarians *ROFL*
YOU prop yourself up, and your EGO by deciding YOU are on the higher moral ground because you feel so sorry for the terrorist SCUM. That makes you an idiot, not a sensitive deep thinker.
Few seem to acknowledge, at any rate, that much of the turmoil in the world and a considerable amount of the animosity being directed at the United States in that region is directly attributable to the manner in which the Palestinians are being oppressed.
That's a crock of FECES and you know it, and we all know it. The ONLY "friends" the terrorist scumbags have are other terrorist scumbags. Yes, there are muslims that have empathy for the INNOCENT people calling themselves Palestinians, but notice, NOT ONE ARAB COUNTRY IS WILLING TO TAKE IN THEIR OWN BROTHER ARABS for the long haul and GIVE THEM THEIR OWN LAND.
The Arabs are reaping what they have sown--- plain and simple. The Palestinian "homeland" was a REALITY in 1948, the Arabs simply said no, we want it all, and went to war with the Jews.
Again in the Clinton era at Camp David, Arafat GAVE AWAY the "homeland" he said he wanted, by insisiting on the right of return. They could have had their "homeland THEN too, but they turned it down and went back to war.
The Arabs deserve whatever they get.
The Arabs started this thing, and the Jews are simply finishing the job.
Check out what a gather member, that happens to be a muslim from Morocco had to say almost a year and a half ago.
This terrorist war will only end when Israel finally decides to stop appeasing a bunch of lunatics who only live to murder and kill as many men,woman, and children they can in the name of Allah and Mohammad,these lunatics believe their God has ordered them to murder all Jews and all those who do not praise Allah.
These jihad terrorist have been murdering since the days of the Philistines"centuries". There mental illness prevents them from seeing that killing their own children is wrong.These savages murdered thousands in my city 9/11,I am not willing to allow them one more murder.Israel,please do not stop send in the ground troops and weed these cowards out into the open and let them get "laid" after they all die.--Akbar!
Notice, she can't refute a single word I say, so she introduces a red herring and calls me a "zionist." *double chuckle*
I guess women that like to pretend to be men will spread lies about anyone, since they are so willing to fraudulently misrepresent their gender status. *triple chuckle*
I wonder why the girlie won't call anyone else a "zionist" that states the truth about the terrorist scumbags?
You mention that there was a tit for tat back in November that broke the 6-month cease fire and I admit I must have missed that.
And jJack I wish you'd come right out and tell us how you feel about President Carter.
February 4, 2008 - A Palestinian suicide bomber kills 1 and wounds 13 in a Dimona, Israel shopping center.
March 6, 2008 - Eight Israeli civilians are killed and 9 wounded when a Palestinian attacker opens fire at a Jewish seminary in Jerusalem.
April 24, 2008 - Hamas fires rockets at Israel.
April 25, 2008 - Hamas offers truce to Israel.
May 2008 - Hamas fires rockets at Ashkelon in Israel.
June 2008 - Cease-fire truce between Hamas and Israel negotiated by Egypt goes into effect. Hamas agrees to stop firing rockets at Israeli border communities and Israel will allow limited trade into and out of Gaza. The cease-fire has a six-month deadline.
November 5, 2008 - Hamas fires rockets at Israel (less than five months after negotiation of six-month treaty).
November 14, 2008 - Hamas fires rockets at Israel.
November 15, 2008 - Hamas fires rockets at Israel.
December 19, 2008 - Hamas formally ends cease-fire with Israel.
December 24, 2008 - Hamas fires rockets at Israel.
December 27, 2008 - Hamas fires rockets at Israel.
Dave, you do not even have to pay much attention to know what whatever Hamas says they never deliver. The use ceasefire time to stockpile and build tunnels for the next attack.
What is it that escapes you about their pledge that they will never recognize Israel, nor accept their existence, that their goal is to destroy the country ... are you ignoring it like you have with the many apologies that have been made for Mahmoud Ahmadinejad?
These are real people in real power, with real weapons, in control of whole nations that are enforcing policies and beliefs in their people that if anyone even suggesting here in the US would get then jailed or severe FBI observation.
Governments of the Western world have to stop listening to those who do not bother to learn what is going on in the world, and start doing their jobs, what they have been elected to do, that is to stabilize order in the world so that the Western countries can live in peace and prosperity in the future. We are going to run smack dab up against a brick wall in dealing with radical islam and its power.
There people are smart, rich, powerful and they have a society that is more cohesive than our military, and they have institutionalized expansion and hegemony to a fine art among Muslim communities.
It's merely your opinion "it hasn't worked."
would't it be nice if both could continue to share it amicably.
It would be "nice" if I could crap bricks of gold too, but it isn't going to happen *chuckle*
I wish you'd come right out and tell us how you feel about President Carter.
He's scum, every bit as evil as the terrorists seeking to destroy our nation.
You tell him berf *chuckle* You tell him brucie *double chuckle*
I particularly like this comment you posted . . . "The fact is that Israel has been tightening the screws on the civilian population of the Gaza Strip for years, but especially in the past month. They have blockaded the enclave and that alone is considered an act of war. further they intercepted and sent back a ship from Libya carrying emergency relief supplies and a few days later, another ship carryiing emergency relief supplies from the United Arab Emirates. The people arte short on food, unable to leave the strip to go to their jobs and the region has become extremely short of fuel and medical supplies as well. It is a situation described by Jimmy Carter as apartheid." ~ Dave
Time to break-out the pig-blood ammunition also dipped in salt-peter to prevent these lunatics from enjoying their virgins a gift from Allah.
Ron Blago,Keep up the good work. This sleazy democrat mess is hilarious,I am writing a TV series plot,called the Sleaze Wing it will be the opposite of the West Wing.I Will portray the democrat party using the democrat Chicago model of corruption,lies and greed as my backdrop.Opening scene will be a president sitting at his oval office desk and a person with hells on under the desk wearing what appears to be a Blue Dress, with no stains on it, yet. Maybe second show will deal with that Democrat Presidential, "Mess".
Wish me luck in getting it on TV.
I'm going to harp on my Dynamic Peace theme here: what we want is an explanation
of this conflict makes sense and can produce real understanding leading to true and lasting change, right? Right.
So here it is:
as long as these governments and national leaderships in all categories are mostly male, what we create, over and over again, is a space for rogue male warmongering. All males mean that some males go rogue and infect whole nations.
If we want peace, then we've got to use our energy to assist the development of national leadership all over the world that is 50% female, 50% male.
People can debate and harangue and put each other down for centuries (and they have been doing just that) over this or that wrong or who did what to whom when.....And nothing will ever be settled.
THINK: VISUALIZE 50-50 Female/Male leadership worldwide. Let's DO it!
Try to remember that one of the first female leaders in the world was the election of Golda Meir in 1969 as Prime Minister of Israel. Pandering to the emotional retardation of the clueless instead of providing them with truth, and a clue how to use it is my one consistent criticism of Dave's articles that I believe is a mitigating factor in taking most of his posts very seriously. But he sure does rack up the points and provoke arguments.