Hostile would be an under statement.

Jeez, just because they are blood thirsty maniacs who want to vaporize you from the planet doesn't mean you have to be so judgmental, Israel meanies.

Hostile? Oh, you mean TERRORIST.

Ol' merde will cut off supplies for a week.

For exactly one week.

Then he'll cave in to Western pressure and lift them.

About freakin' time - Power first, then food.
Leave the water on, but let them get good and hungry.
This stupidity has GOT to stop.

Well maybe the palestinians are spending too much on weapons.

It's about time. I think Olmert has been asleep or dead at his post.

Everybody loves a parade.

And Condi Rice already went bonkers. She's a disgrace.

Those poor people,if they only had their own nation,think how fun loving and caring they would be...!

/

"Why would Israel break international law and visit collective punishment on the poor innocent people of Gaza?"

Because there aren't many innocent people in Gaza? They voted for a Hamas run government after all.

Are those 'toy' missles?

I believe he's wrong about the rockets. Those look like fireworks of peace to me.

Israel is walking such a fine line picking their way between continuing their fabulous development (go see for yourself if you haven't been) complete with a re-vamped economy that is attracting r&d investment (and r&d centers) from all over, balanced with keeping out the rabid neighbors. Now that they have a military person in the defense minister job, I'm watching them with admiration. The things that need to get finished are the sensors that would allow instant response to the rocket launching creeps and the kinetic or laser countermeasures that will knock down the rockets on the launchers' side of the border.

re: #6 Venezuela lover

WEAPONS? They ain't spending anything on weapons. They're getting those on a platter.

Semi-OT: Gaza's Police chicks...
Yahoo pic

Iranian policewomen show their skills in shooting during a female police graduation ceremony at the Police Academy in Tehran in 2006. Women work as police across the Muslim world, including in Hamas's patron Iran, where women clad in black chadors are taught how to use guns, rappel down buildings, chase cars and disable bombs.

Are those real pistols?
Also see: here and here

What's a daily missile barrage among neighbors?

/

Worst Approach to Counter-terrorism Yet

On Wednesday, October 3rd, the New Jersey Department of Homeland Security is hosting its "5th Annual Counter-Terrorism Conference" titled, "Radicalization: Global Trend, Local Concern?" The conference is part of the agency's "First Responder Training" and speakers and experts are brought in to instruct department employees on various topics related to security and counter-terrorism.

In a decision that defies reason, slated to speak on a panel called "To What Extent is Radicalization a Concern in the U.S.?," is none other than Georgetown University's John Esposito, a man who has never met a radical Muslim he didn't like.

At a banquet held by the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) in Dallas in August of this year, Esposito stated:

I've got to tell you, you know, I mean, Sami Al-Arian's a very good friend of mine. I remember that when his kids told me that he was supporting a Republican I just said, ‘Tell your dad, as a lifelong Democrat, even though I don't always vote Democrat, he's ‘gonna regret voting for a Republican. And you know, God help Sami Al-Arian in terms of this administration and any others who have to live through this.

Esposito finished his speech, telling the crowd, "One of the most impressive people I have met under fire is Sami Al-Arian." Incidentally, the banquet was in large part held to support the defendants in the current trial against the Holy Land Foundation for Relief in Development (HLF), in which the closing arguments are underway. The charity stands accused of diverting over $12 million to the terrorist group Hamas. And Esposito told the audience that his appearance at the banquet was intended to "show solidarity not only with the Holy Land Fund, but also with CAIR," and started his speech by saying, "let me begin by saying that CAIR is a phenomenal organization."

Counter Terrorism conference: check
First responder training: check
Toofer to speak: check
Just another day at Homeland Security.

"We will not abandon the innocent Palestinians in Gaza, and indeed will make every effort to deal with their humanitarian needs."

-- Condi

The "innocent" Palestinians in Gaza elected HAMAS by a wide margin. Why is it the job of the US taxpayer to provide infrastructure to people who hate us in Gaza?

Hamas you made your bed, now lay in it.

Its not a question of cutting off fuel, its a question of Israel no longer providing them to its sworn enemy.

The Palestinians want a state? Let them act like it, and that means being self-sufficient.

If the Europeans or Arabs don't like it, that's fine. They are welcome to provide those services themselves and take up whatever slack Israel leaves.

Israel will not turn off the water...but they will make it Ham flavored if Hamas keeps it up.

Those rockets look like ones I made in shop class when I was in 8th grade

cept we didnt load ours with ball bearings

Iran warns it could bomb Israel if attacked

TEHRAN (AFP) — Iran on Wednesday said the military has drawn up a plan under which its fighter jets could bomb Israel if the Jewish state launched a military attack against the Islamic republic over its atomic drive.

"We have come up with a plan that in the event of possible foolishness by this regime, Iranian bombers can carry out an attack in retaliation against Israeli soil," deputy air force commander Mohammad Alavi said, quoted by the Fars news agency.

"In addition to our missiles, whose range covers the whole soil of this regime, we can attack them with our fighter jets and respond to any attack -- an unlikely event -- with an air attack on their soil.

"This plan is not an empty threat because everything we do is based on planning. So Israel should remove any foolishness from its head."

Olmert's brilliant. He's been in Israeli politics; devoting his life to it; for more than 50 years. That's why Arik Sharon put him in Chair #2. He didn't want to put Shimon Peres, here!

And, Olmert's swung Peres out of everyone's hair; elevating him to the pomposity of the "presidency." (Not the same in their system, as it is in ours.)

He survived all the brickbats thrown at him. And, some were done by James Baker. It was a real pile on.

Sometimes, here, you see VICTIMS. As if Israel were just full of VICTIMS. This is such a lie, of such magnitude, that it is just sad.

Yes, Bibi Netanyahu decided on his own NOT to cooperate with Olmert. What's he got? The LIkud, strong under Arik Sharon, nearly disappeared. And, Bibi has 6 of the 12 chairs. THe others are "contested."

Now?

Do you know the patience it took?

Do you know what was going on this summer?

On July 23rd, the syrians had a "work" accident, as they were trying to put poisons (chemicals: Sarin & VX Gas), into a long range scud.) Blew up on them, killing dozens. Including Iranian "halpers."

Nobody ran to tell this story. Olmert doesn't care what spit the loonies who work in journalism, throw at him.

Then? Did you see Maliki going to damascus? Did you hear that nut in iran saying "Israel would be wiped off the map?"

Did you know a ship carrying nuke materials for north korea was TOTALLY KNOWN TO THE MOSSAD. And, they decided to let it travel.

Maliki went to damascus, to get the good news straight from the horse's mouth. And, pelosi went to Assad, thinking she was building American brownie points.

Here, I'm gonna bet ya, BILLIONS went up in smoke. Because? When the "stuff" was dropped off at the port; Israel just had her ships at sea. Quiet as mice.

3 days later. After all the cash transfers were complete; the stuff went BOOM. But this time? Syria complained Israel did an "over-flight."

They did more than that! 48 hours earlier they had Special Ops on the ground. ANd, ALL the lights went out, that fed them their military information. Those expensive "NO JAM FOR YOU" anti-artillary batteries didn't work as advettised.

And, Olmert's still not divulging ONE WORD. I call that CLASS.

The "no confidence" vote must have been creeping up on him like a tsunami, and he finally got the hint that the BOHICA thing wasn't working.

I just hope the peasants don't put away their torches and pitchforks just yet, and keep the palace surrounded.

re: #16 Killgore Trout

Semi-OT: Gaza's Police chicks...
Yahoo pic

Iranian policewomen show their skills in shooting during a female police graduation ceremony at the Police Academy in Tehran in 2006. Women work as police across the Muslim world, including in Hamas's patron Iran, where women clad in black chadors are taught how to use guns, rappel down buildings, chase cars and disable bombs.

Are those real pistols?
Also see: here and here

They're target-grade air pistols.
Good for cheap quiet practice.

STOP providing electricity to the animals that keep launching missiles at you. Seems elementary, if that doesn't work, stop the water. That definitely will work. It may take a month or two, but in the end, no more rockets.

OT
National Review Online Poll...
"29 percent of Jordanians view suicide attacks as often or sometimes justified, down from 57 percent in May 2005."

'Course, there are 28% fewer people participating in the poll this year...

Revenge? It's like calling Babar an elephant.

Olmert is a "war wolf"

re: #25 Carol Herman

Olmert's brilliant.

You are a freaking retard.

re: #21 looking closely

And, notice this: Israel did it in the correct order.

AFTER, Ehud Barak left his "calling card." And, now Israel has the putz who planned Shalit's kidnapping.

Hamas, should they not shed their hamas hoodlems, will have the water in the pot, getting its heat increased. While the frog remains unaware.

Well the pot boils, though, the frog is dead.

re: #27 looking closely

Huh, I thought they might have been pellet guns.

re: #25 Carol Herman

I don't have as much confidence in Olmert as you do. He's done some good stuff lately, but that doesn't make up for botching th war with Hezbollah, and allow missiles to hit Sedrot on a daily basis.

Israel will be better off when Olmert is gone.

That blast in Beirut did kill an anti-Syrian law maker

whats that make it...3 or 4 on the year now?

as ineffective as the UN is, why have there been no complaints lodged...I would think that murdering members of parliment to affect the majority would be a pretty legit issue

Sorry to got OT so soon, but this is too weird:

Peruvian villagers sick after meteorite strike.

Shades of Lovecraft & The Colour out of Space...

re: #18 rab3

Well at least our present State Homeland Security Advisor is not the governor's unqualified gay lover.

We're progressive in Jersey :-)

re: #37 BeerDrinking_VictoryMonkey

Sorry to got OT so soon, but this is too weird:

Peruvian villagers sick after meteorite strike.

Shades of Lovecraft & The Colour out of Space...

Shades of "Joe Dirt"

Feet, people. The feet..

Once again, the media portray's Israel's defense and recognition of an enemy as such as an affront to humanity. [deleted]

Just ignore all those kassams raining down on day care centers, apartment complexes, and all the injured that stream into Israeli hospitals every time that those kassams hit home (literally). Israel declaring Hamastan as an enemy entity is simple recognition of reality. Hamas is an enemy of Israel, and at no other time in history can we find an example of an enemy such as Hamas being provided humanitarian aid - including water, power, and foodstuffs, by the very entity - Israel - it seeks to destroy. And for that Israel gets slammed by the media. [deleted]

re: #39 Alouette

The could revert to Islam and worship it.

If only other developed nations had to deal with what Israel has. Practically offering the world to the Palestinians and yet... More violence. In my humble opinion, this has been a long time coming. Hopefully they stick to their guns (pun intended).

The angry Hamster (no server problems today, we promise).

re: #37 BeerDrinking_VictoryMonkey

Sorry to got OT so soon, but this is too weird:

Peruvian villagers sick after meteorite strike.

Shades of Lovecraft & The Colour out of Space...

Fits perfectly with the recent "life probably formed in comets" stories.

Someone has probably posted this, but here it is anyhow.

Thread?

re: #35 insanity police

re: #25 Carol Herman

I don't have as much confidence in Olmert as you do. He's done some good stuff lately, but that doesn't make up for botching th war with Hezbollah, and allow missiles to hit Sedrot on a daily basis.

Israel will be better off when Olmert is gone.

The problem last summer was having a labor leader in the defense minister position rather than a military person. They've fixed it.

re: #38 experiencedtraveller

re: #18 rab3

Well at least our present State Homeland Security Advisor is not the governor's unqualified gay lover.

We're progressive in Jersey :-)

I can hardly wait to hear the speech.
"come on Bin-laden is not such a bad guy, in fact he is a good friend of mine"

re: #24 Ringo the Gringo

Iran warns it could bomb Israel if attacked

TEHRAN (AFP) — Iran on Wednesday said the military has drawn up a plan under which its fighter jets could bomb Israel if the Jewish state launched a military attack against the Islamic republic over its atomic drive.

"We have come up with a plan that in the event of possible foolishness by this regime, Iranian bombers can carry out an attack in retaliation against Israeli soil," deputy air force commander Mohammad Alavi said, quoted by the Fars news agency.

"In addition to our missiles, whose range covers the whole soil of this regime, we can attack them with our fighter jets and respond to any attack -- an unlikely event -- with an air attack on their soil.

"This plan is not an empty threat because everything we do is based on planning. So Israel should remove any foolishness from its head."

Good one.

Assuming the Iranians actually did manage to mount an air-response (ie they have enough functional planes and support left after an initial attack to put some in the air), they'd still have to get those planes to Israel intact, get by Israel's air defences, including its air force.

Perhaps Iran doesn't remember what happened to the Syrian and Egyptian air forces the last time they tangled with Israel.

Iran is making all kinds of noises now about how they are going to attack, where are going to attack, etc. The only thing it means is that they are scared.

re: #16 Killgore Trout

Semi-OT: Gaza's Police chicks...
Yahoo pic

Iranian policewomen show their skills in shooting during a female police graduation ceremony at the Police Academy in Tehran in 2006. Women work as police across the Muslim world, including in Hamas's patron Iran, where women clad in black chadors are taught how to use guns, rappel down buildings, chase cars and disable bombs.

Are those real pistols?
Also see: here and here

The guns in the first picture look a bit odd to me.

re: #42 Killgore Trout

re: #39 Alouette

The could revert to Islam and worship it.

Worship a chunk of frozen crap jettisoned by an airliner? Yeah, I can see that.

They say collective punishment like its a bad thing.

Over the past week, Hamas has made efforts to curb the rocket fire.

Last Thursday it called on militant groups to stop firing rockets at border crossings with Israel and on Wednesday it suggested a truce should be resumed between the two sides.

"We are committed to a mutual ceasefire," Nunu told AFP.

Ron Bousso is at best a credulous asshole, and at worst a Jew-hating piece of shit.

re: #46 Sunlight

re: #35 insanity police

re: #25 Carol Herman

I don't have as much confidence in Olmert as you do. He's done some good stuff lately, but that doesn't make up for botching th war with Hezbollah, and allow missiles to hit Sedrot on a daily basis.

Israel will be better off when Olmert is gone.

The problem last summer was having a labor leader in the defense minister position rather than a military person. They've fixed it.

I agree that was a problem. But Olmert is responsible for the failure as well. By failure I mean a non-decisive victory. I don't think Hezbollah won by any rational analysis.

Hello. As you know, I am in Canada. Can someone point me to a site that airs Rush in the mornings? KOGO is blocking me for having a foreign IP address.

re: #31 LC LaWedgie

Assad's days are numbered.

You won't read this in the press.

But I saw it, of all places, in the comments box, (#33), on a Lucianne post.

There, I saw that Assad received from one of his uncles, an ultimatum, that if he doesn't respond in a bold and militaristic way to what "Israel just did," he would be replaced.

Olmert fits fine in his prime minister's chair.

The jerk to watch is Assad. Ten days. Means he's gotta do "something strange," with the whole world watching ... OR leave. Perhaps? Join Mugabe in exile; to live near the Swiss stash? (It's not his safest bet.)

If nothing passes? Just means syria is under such totalitarian rule, people are afraid to "gossip out loud."

While Maliki just tried to assassinate Ambassador Crocker! Yes. As he was returning to his US Residence, in Baghdad. It was the BLACKWATER CONTRACTORS who saved his life; when the convoy came under Shi'ite attack.

Maliki is mad as hell; with his ass hanging out there, now.

And, someday? We will have enough puzzle pieces facing the right direction, that we will be able to put this sucker, together.

OK, Hamas and the rest of these parasites were given steel and iron pipes to fix their water supply and sewage problems only to have the supplies turned into artillery rockets to attack Israel. The parasites then complain that they have no drinking water and a sewage dam bursts flooding the neighborhood killing dozens and increasing the risk of decease. Not to mention millions of dollars in aid from the US and they dance in the streets every Sept. 11.

Would you kindly cut the funding.

re: #52 David Simon

Over the past week, Hamas has made efforts to curb the rocket fire.
Last Thursday it called on militant groups to stop firing rockets at border crossings with Israel and on Wednesday it suggested a truce should be resumed between the two sides.

"We are committed to a mutual ceasefire," Nunu told AFP.

Ron Bousso is at best a credulous asshole, and at worst a Jew-hating piece of shit.

Now they want a truce? Fu*k them. Enjoy the darkness you bastards.

"in revenge for rocket fire" ?!? HUH ?! In what kind of fragged up world can you act like firing rockets into Israel is somehow normal and reacting to it is 'REVENGE' ! Has the AFP lost all sense of reality ?

Perhaps the 'F' should be changed to an 'I' something like
"Agence Islamist-Presse, a global news agency network distributing pro-Islamist propaganda around the world !"

re: #48 looking closely

Exactly. You know that if Israel were to strike Iran, they wouldnt just strike the nuke facilities...they would strike at their response capabilities, be it wiping out whatever bits of an air force Iran has, or knocking out scud sites.

Jesus - "western-shunned"? It makes us sound like we're turning our backs on lepers or nuns. "Impoverished territory"? And we hate the poor, too! (Oh yeah, I think they might've murdered a bunch of people in cold blood, too - but they're shunned and impoverished, c'mon!). As usual, Israel is the bad guy, beating down poor, downtrodden Palestinians for no reason whatsoever - probably cause Bush told them to, that'll be the next accusation. "Bush Behind Gaza Bullying." You wait and see.

Nice fireworks they've got there.

re: #55 Carol Herman

re: #31 LC LaWedgie

Assad's days are numbered.

You won't read this in the press.

But I saw it, of all places, in the comments box, (#33), on a Lucianne post.

There, I saw that Assad received from one of his uncles, an ultimatum, that if he doesn't respond in a bold and militaristic way to what "Israel just did," he would be replaced.

Olmert fits fine in his prime minister's chair.

The jerk to watch is Assad. Ten days. Means he's gotta do "something strange," with the whole world watching ... OR leave. Perhaps? Join Mugabe in exile; to live near the Swiss stash? (It's not his safest bet.)

If nothing passes? Just means syria is under such totalitarian rule, people are afraid to "gossip out loud."

While Maliki just tried to assassinate Ambassador Crocker! Yes. As he was returning to his US Residence, in Baghdad. It was the BLACKWATER CONTRACTORS who saved his life; when the convoy came under Shi'ite attack.

Maliki is mad as hell; with his ass hanging out there, now.

And, someday? We will have enough puzzle pieces facing the right direction, that we will be able to put this sucker, together.

Any links to support your theories. They are interesting. I want to read more.

Revenge?

Perhaps the same AFP writer thinks the Normandy Invasion was revenge?

The Spartans defending themselves from the Persians, was that revenge?

And don't forget the revenge that resulted in the "collective punishment" in Kuwait of the Iraqi army.

AFP = l'asshat du jour

re: #16 Killgore Trout

Semi-OT: Gaza's Police chicks...
Yahoo pic

Iranian policewomen show their skills in shooting during a female police graduation ceremony at the Police Academy in Tehran in 2006. Women work as police across the Muslim world, including in Hamas's patron Iran, where women clad in black chadors are taught how to use guns, rappel down buildings, chase cars and disable bombs.

Are those real pistols?
Also see: here and here

To clarify, as per the caption the pictures depict IRANIAN female police trainees, not Gazan.

As far as I know the Gazans don't have a female military or police force, probably nor would they tolerate one.

The Gazans also probably wouldn't want to play with $800 match air pistols like the ones in that image.

re: #54 canadianally

I listen to Rush on www.wlsam.com - don't know if you'll get blocked, but it's worth a try.

re: #53 insanity police

re: #46 Sunlight

re: #35 insanity police

re: #25 Carol HermanI don't have as much confidence in Olmert as you do. He's done some good stuff lately, but that doesn't make up for botching th war with Hezbollah, and allow missiles to hit Sedrot on a daily basis.

Israel will be better off when Olmert is gone.

The problem last summer was having a labor leader in the defense minister position rather than a military person. They've fixed it.

I agree that was a problem. But Olmert is responsible for the failure as well. By failure I mean a non-decisive victory. I don't think Hezbollah won by any rational analysis.

Olmert's role is the balance between technological progress and keeping out the rabid neighbors. The defense minister is supposed to act as the heavy for Olmert by having the nerve to tell the U.S. State Dept. to back off and serving up relevant defenses...they need both types (not 2 on one side or the other).

And good point, those who have already mentioned it (I of course have to throw my 2 cents in) - of COURSE we have to step up and say, "Oh, don't worry, we'll continue to send you millions so you can keep bombing Israel and training your next generation of suicide bombers. It's ok that you dance in the streets when Americans get killed, and constantly plan to blow US up if you get the chance - that you hate us and spew virulent threats any chance you get - who should we make this check out to? Would you like us to add some zeros to this? No problem, we know you're impoverished and shunned and all, anything we can do to help."

WAKE UP, AMERICA. We're funding our own demise.

re: #46 Sunlight

We live in a free country.

The benefits of seeing a range of opinions, is that people, when they're paying attention, are given "chips." And, then, later on, they can put things together.

For Israel? Olmert had a problem putting a working government together. Since he's experienced; and since Bibi thought he just had to sit on his arse; Olmert went out of his way to get ministers who would work with him.

Nobody liked Amir Peretz. That's why LABOR, itself, as a party, "took care of business."

Today? Ami Ayalon also holds a ministry (without portfolio), in Olmert's government. He, too, like Ehud Barak, are Navy fellas. And, so far? In Israel, there are no vacations, or time off being given to any soldier or any sailor! Not for Rosh Hashannah. ANd, not for Yom Kippur.

And, this was done on the world's stage. Why brickbats were flung at Olmert.

When Bush "made nice," and invited Olmert to the White House; I knew that James Baker lost his bet! That stinking Iraqi STudy Group plan, though old and innefective; is still "operational." So, it's good to see the top, there, weakening. It not absolutely losing their heads.

You think it was easy on Olmert to maneuver this so safely?

In Israel, it is a known fact, that when Olmert's talking, he's not telling you a thing.

And, Ehud Barak is also BACK. He just left calling cards on the tables of the Mideast despots.

You might not see facial expressions. But this stuff really changes how the men in the Mideast are discovering their bets don't look so good right now.

re: #53 insanity police

re: #46 Sunlight

re: #35 insanity police

re: #25 Carol HermanI don't have as much confidence in Olmert as you do. He's done some good stuff lately, but that doesn't make up for botching th war with Hezbollah, and allow missiles to hit Sedrot on a daily basis.

Israel will be better off when Olmert is gone.

The problem last summer was having a labor leader in the defense minister position rather than a military person. They've fixed it.

I agree that was a problem. But Olmert is responsible for the failure as well. By failure I mean a non-decisive victory. I don't think Hezbollah won by any rational analysis.

One of the most important jobs of a political leader is making correct appointments.

I think it goes without saying that DEFENSE is a key appointment in Israel (possibly more so than any other), and that Olmert seriously dropped the ball giving that one to an objectively unqualified party hack.

Would the outcome in Lebanon have been meaningfully different if someone else were defense minister? Hard to say, because the end-game wasn't a military endpoint, but rather a political capitulation.

re: #65 BeerDrinking_VictoryMonkey

re: #54 canadianally

I listen to Rush on www.wlsam.com - don't know if you'll get blocked, but it's worth a try.

try this one

Rush online

Jury selection starts in terrorism case

MIAMI - Jury selection began Tuesday in the trial of seven men accused of plotting to destroy Chicago's Sears Tower and bomb FBI offices around the country in hopes of inciting an anti-government insurrection.

/amicus curiae brief by CAIR to be filed soon I'm sure.

Clearly, those "rockets" Hamas are carrying are in actuality pipes to bring in water to help the poor and thirsty people of Gaza. I mean, would Hamas ever truly do anything to harm people? Never, that's just FOX speaking.

The BBC's coverage is no better from AFP's.

Correspondents say that by formally declaring Gaza "hostile", Israel could argue that it is no longer bound by international law governing the administration of occupied territory to supply utilities to its 1.5 million inhabitants.

But the current position is that, under international law, Israel remains legally responsible for the coastal strip, despite withdrawing two years ago, because it still controls Gaza's borders, air space and territorial waters.

"The current position" of whom? Appeasers and terrorist enablers, such as the slimeball who wrote this piece?

re: #55 Carol Herman

We'll find out soon, then.

Collective punishment? How frigging stupid is that?
The US and allies were guilty of collective punishment against Germany in ww2 ?

Anytime there is a war between two entities you can scream unjust, unjust. You just claim that te argument is between the leaders and any use of arms where the civilian population suffers is tantamount to "collective punishment"

Need I remind folks that the Pali's VOTED these representatives into power? That seems like a collective statement

re: #53 insanity police

Here's the skinny.

Just like the sun comes out; people who come here to read, will discover, a-new, that Israelis are tough. And, are NOT a bunch of VICTIMS. Running to the nearest ambulances, with "headaches," because their ears are ringing. Schmutz is schmutz.

Grandmas, in the old days, allowed no schmutz on their floors. The floors were kept so clean that the expression went "you could eat off their floors."

What lying liars were out there, trying to prop up Bibi Netanyahu. While, I don't think he's in a position to deal right now. (Through his own miserable choices.)

Keep this in mind: Israelis are NOT victims! Asshats done the Holocaust jackets, and pin "stars of David" onto themselves. I never got impressed with that crap.

And, I really hate "injury counts," expanded by hysterical women suffering from "shock." Let them go to casablanca

re: #69 looking closely

re: #53 insanity police

re: #46 Sunlight

re: #35 insanity police

re: #25 Carol HermanI don't have as much confidence in Olmert as you do. He's done some good stuff lately, but that doesn't make up for botching th war with Hezbollah, and allow missiles to hit Sedrot on a daily basis.

Israel will be better off when Olmert is gone.

The problem last summer was having a labor leader in the defense minister position rather than a military person. They've fixed it.

I agree that was a problem. But Olmert is responsible for the failure as well. By failure I mean a non-decisive victory. I don't think Hezbollah won by any rational analysis.

One of the most important jobs of a political leader is making correct appointments.

I think it goes without saying that DEFENSE is a key appointment in Israel (possibly more so than any other), and that Olmert seriously dropped the ball giving that one to an objectively unqualified party hack.

Would the outcome in Lebanon have been meaningfully different if someone else were defense minister? Hard to say, because the end-game wasn't a military endpoint, but rather a political capitulation.

Need to know that the Prime Minister in Israel doesn't get to appoint his or her own folks into the cabinet. It is all a horse trade (which, along with electing party lists rather than individuals, is a problem)... each party gets some portfolios depending on how many votes the party gets in an election. That's how "labor" ended up with the defense portfolio and no strong military person in sight to take the job (just Mr. Peretz, poor man). So don't necessarily put this at Mr. Olmert's feet. The situation (luckily) induced Ehud Barak (also Labor) to get back into the govt rather than continuing his business ventures (which he seemingly did well at and may have built access to more stuff for the military).

ya think?

I still think Israel should adopt a "tit for tat" policy... every time an unaimed rocket is fired into Israel, an unaimed mortar round should be fired back. Every time a suicide bomber blows up, an aimed rocket should be fired at a comparable target (school, marketplace, etc).

re: #62 insanity police

re: #55 Carol Herman

re: #31 LC LaWedgie

Assad's days are numbered.

You won't read this in the press.

But I saw it, of all places, in the comments box, (#33), on a Lucianne post.

There, I saw that Assad received from one of his uncles, an ultimatum, that if he doesn't respond in a bold and militaristic way to what "Israel just did," he would be replaced.

Olmert fits fine in his prime minister's chair.

The jerk to watch is Assad. Ten days. Means he's gotta do "something strange," with the whole world watching ... OR leave. Perhaps? Join Mugabe in exile; to live near the Swiss stash? (It's not his safest bet.)

If nothing passes? Just means syria is under such totalitarian rule, people are afraid to "gossip out loud."

While Maliki just tried to assassinate Ambassador Crocker! Yes. As he was returning to his US Residence, in Baghdad. It was the BLACKWATER CONTRACTORS who saved his life; when the convoy came under Shi'ite attack.

Maliki is mad as hell; with his ass hanging out there, now.

And, someday? We will have enough puzzle pieces facing the right direction, that we will be able to put this sucker, together.

Any links to support your theories. They are interesting. I want to read more.

This will be a turning point if true... why is the State Dept apologizing before they know (or do they?)?

re: #62 insanity police

re: #55 Carol Herman

re: #31 LC LaWedgie

Assad's days are numbered.

You won't read this in the press.

But I saw it, of all places, in the comments box, (#33), on a Lucianne post.

There, I saw that Assad received from one of his uncles, an ultimatum, that if he doesn't respond in a bold and militaristic way to what "Israel just did," he would be replaced.

Olmert fits fine in his prime minister's chair.

The jerk to watch is Assad. Ten days. Means he's gotta do "something strange," with the whole world watching ... OR leave. Perhaps? Join Mugabe in exile; to live near the Swiss stash? (It's not his safest bet.)

If nothing passes? Just means syria is under such totalitarian rule, people are afraid to "gossip out loud."

While Maliki just tried to assassinate Ambassador Crocker! Yes. As he was returning to his US Residence, in Baghdad. It was the BLACKWATER CONTRACTORS who saved his life; when the convoy came under Shi'ite attack.

Maliki is mad as hell; with his ass hanging out there, now.

And, someday? We will have enough puzzle pieces facing the right direction, that we will be able to put this sucker, together.

Any links to support your theories. They are interesting. I want to read more.

Yoni the Blogger mentioned this on Hugh Hewitt's show the other day. When Hugh asked about what they meant about finding someone else to do it, Yoni said something like "they'll take Assad out behind the palace and put a bullet in his head".

I especially love this:

[Link: www.foxnews.com...]

The US "will not abandon innocent Palestinians," says Rice. Well, that's a relief. Let's just abandon the guilty ones, then we can stop sending money altogether.

clearing the way for shutting off basic supplies to the Hamas-run territory in revenge for rocket fire

Well, if someone fired some rockets at my home, you're damn right there would be some retribution, and right quick...

I can't do this today. I have to go to my happy place.

Unfortunately, this will have no effect since the "international community" (including the dhimmified Condi) will not allow it. What he should do is a Gaza version of Operation Defensive Shield - send the Army in for a quick strike to teach these murderous fools a lesson...but Olmert's too weak to do such a thing.

Lets just hope Olmert has the jam to keep it up.
Or he could institute a barter system; something the rags understand moderately well:
No rockets today? Good doggies, you shall have 24 hours power and water.
Something went BOOM in Sidon? Bad doggies, no power or water FOR A WEEK.
Oh, and for every hag-in-a-bag whining about her poor starving kids, we have an (innocent, unlike the HIB) Jewish mother showing her injured children.
Payback is a Bitch.

re: #65 BeerDrinking_VictoryMonkey Thanks, it works and I'm not being blocked.

re: #79 ElderZionist

I still think Israel should adopt a "tit for tat" policy... every time an unaimed rocket is fired into Israel, an unaimed mortar round should be fired back. Every time a suicide bomber blows up, an aimed rocket should be fired at a comparable target (school, marketplace, etc).

And what would that accomplish?

The UN never fails to live down to its reputation.

Condi Rice is becoming a joke & so is karen Hughes. A shame

re: #83 buzzsawmonkey

LOL!

re: #13 Kreuzueber Halbmond

I believe he's wrong about the rockets. Those look like fireworks of peace to me.

Clever!

re: #39 Alouette

re: #37 BeerDrinking_VictoryMonkey

Sorry to got OT so soon, but this is too weird:

Peruvian villagers sick after meteorite strike.

Shades of Lovecraft & The Colour out of Space...

Shades of "Joe Dirt"

LOL

re: #89 David Simon

re: #79 ElderZionist

I still think Israel should adopt a "tit for tat" policy... every time an unaimed rocket is fired into Israel, an unaimed mortar round should be fired back. Every time a suicide bomber blows up, an aimed rocket should be fired at a comparable target (school, marketplace, etc).

And what would that accomplish?

Well, there's a slim chance it would result in the MSM reporting things a bit fairer, and an even slimmer chance that the Palestinians would learn something from it.

However, both chances would be improvements from the current status.

re: #69 looking closely

Olmert needed to cobble together a WORKING government. Not one full of top dogs (like Mofaz) that would have knifed him in the back at the first opportunity.

You don't like Amir Peretz? Well, he had the top Labor spot. Labor was needed by Olmert to form his government.

Olmert did not want to form a government, and then have his prime minister's chair pulled out from under his ass. So the first order of business was to make sure he could reach 61 BULLET PROOF ministers; who would not go off the ranch, with "no confidence votes," that would destroy what Olmert was trying to build.

Amir Peretz, himself, refused to deal with any other portfolio ... except FINANCE, which would have been a true disaster.

OLMERT'S BUILT ISRAELI ECONOMY TO AN ALL TIME HIGH!

He didn't do it with smoke & mirrors.

And, Amir Peretz couldn't be dislodged from his Defense portfolio, without gleefully pulling down Olmert's government.

Snazzy operation, actually. Watching LABOR itself kick Amir Peretz in the pants.

Another coup? Ami Ayalon has stuffed his "Olmert's complaint baggage," because he's accepted his non-portfolio, to be IN.

Bibi's still the loser. With less clout, now.

While those jerks who faint? I'm sure they're still fainting.

[Link: apnews.myway.com...]

?
WIll Iran bomb Israel if Iranian "interests" in the Gaza strip are attacked?

Will Iranian citizens support such an attack on Israel since Iran isn't being directly attacked?

Let's see if I understand this correctly: Cutting off electricity is against International law, but firing rockets to kill civilians is not. What's wrong with this picture? I forgot, "there are no civilians" according to the Islamofascists. In that case, there are no civilians in Gaza. Cut off the electricity and water, and see how long the rockets continue to fly. And screw "International Law"!

re: #94 ElderZionist

re: #89 David Simon

re: #79 ElderZionist

I still think Israel should adopt a "tit for tat" policy... every time an unaimed rocket is fired into Israel, an unaimed mortar round should be fired back. Every time a suicide bomber blows up, an aimed rocket should be fired at a comparable target (school, marketplace, etc).

And what would that accomplish?

Well, there's a slim chance it would result in the MSM reporting things a bit fairer, and an even slimmer chance that the Palestinians would learn something from it.

However, both chances would be improvements from the current status.

Slim? I'd say none?

I think a better plan is to kill the attackers instead of bunch of school kids, don't you?

re: #95 Carol Herman

OLMERT'S BUILT ISRAELI ECONOMY TO AN ALL TIME HIGH!

You're giving him way too much credit. Netanyahu is finance minister, and it's his plan that did away with Israel's overregulation.

Hamas says Gaza sanctions "declaration of war"

Islamist group Hamas said on Wednesday Israel's decision to call the Gaza Strip an enemy entity, opening the way for cuts in vital supplies to the territory, was a "declaration of war".

re: #95 Carol Herman

re: #69 looking closely

Olmert needed to cobble together a WORKING government. Not one full of top dogs (like Mofaz) that would have knifed him in the back at the first opportunity.

You don't like Amir Peretz? Well, he had the top Labor spot. Labor was needed by Olmert to form his government.

Olmert did not want to form a government, and then have his prime minister's chair pulled out from under his ass. So the first order of business was to make sure he could reach 61 BULLET PROOF ministers; who would not go off the ranch, with "no confidence votes," that would destroy what Olmert was trying to build.

Amir Peretz, himself, refused to deal with any other portfolio ... except FINANCE, which would have been a true disaster.

OLMERT'S BUILT ISRAELI ECONOMY TO AN ALL TIME HIGH!

He didn't do it with smoke & mirrors.

And, Amir Peretz couldn't be dislodged from his Defense portfolio, without gleefully pulling down Olmert's government.

Snazzy operation, actually. Watching LABOR itself kick Amir Peretz in the pants.

Another coup? Ami Ayalon has stuffed his "Olmert's complaint baggage," because he's accepted his non-portfolio, to be IN.

Bibi's still the loser. With less clout, now.

While those jerks who faint? I'm sure they're still fainting.

Carol - It has taken all of them to accomplish what they have...Bibi played a huge role in re-vamping the economy to where Israel has move way up in the rankings (to near the top) as recommended places for investment. He should be proud of that. Even the kibbutzim are going less socialist and the young people who left them are going back because they now see opportunity. Links, links...lost them - I saw something that one of our car companies is setting up an r&d center there... I agree with you that I'm glad Ami Ayalon is back in. They need all these guys (and even Tsipi Livni - I love seeing her out there). Support them all, now that they are defending...

re: #81 Ward Cleaver

That's what I like about the Net. You get "added" information. Thanks for sharing that!

re: #48 looking closely

re: #24 Ringo the Gringo

Iran warns it could bomb Israel if attacked

TEHRAN (AFP) — Iran on Wednesday said the military has drawn up a plan under which its fighter jets could bomb Israel if the Jewish state launched a military attack against the Islamic republic over its atomic drive.

"We have come up with a plan that in the event of possible foolishness by this regime, Iranian bombers can carry out an attack in retaliation against Israeli soil," deputy air force commander Mohammad Alavi said, quoted by the Fars news agency.

"In addition to our missiles, whose range covers the whole soil of this regime, we can attack them with our fighter jets and respond to any attack -- an unlikely event -- with an air attack on their soil.

"This plan is not an empty threat because everything we do is based on planning. So Israel should remove any foolishness from its head."

Good one.

...
Iran is making all kinds of noises now about how they are going to attack, where are going to attack, etc. The only thing it means is that they are scared.

Well, like I already posted, it is up to Irans mullahs to issue an attack on the zionist occupiers of Israel...but if a few missiles rain down from Iran onto Israel for attacks in gaza,
the Iranian public better be ready to rise up to save themselves .

re: #99 David Simon

Netanyahu IS finance minister? Where? Sorry to bust your bubble, but Bibi is NOT in Olmert's government.

re: #98 David Simon

re: #94 ElderZionist

re: #89 David Simon

re: #79 ElderZionist

I still think Israel should adopt a "tit for tat" policy... every time an unaimed rocket is fired into Israel, an unaimed mortar round should be fired back. Every time a suicide bomber blows up, an aimed rocket should be fired at a comparable target (school, marketplace, etc).

And what would that accomplish?

Well, there's a slim chance it would result in the MSM reporting things a bit fairer, and an even slimmer chance that the Palestinians would learn something from it.
However, both chances would be improvements from the current status.

Slim? I'd say none?

I think a better plan is to kill the attackers instead of bunch of school kids, don't you?

I agree completely, and hate that innocent kids get caught in all this insanity - the problem is, these cretins use their women, kids, elderly and other non-combatants as shields and put them out there as symbols of their suffering. They don't play by the rules by wearing uniforms, fighting fairly, or avoiding the OTHER side's kids, so they make it nearly impossible to target only those that are doing the fighting.

re: #98 David Simon

re: #94 ElderZionist

re: #89 David Simon

re: #79 ElderZionist

I still think Israel should adopt a "tit for tat" policy... every time an unaimed rocket is fired into Israel, an unaimed mortar round should be fired back. Every time a suicide bomber blows up, an aimed rocket should be fired at a comparable target (school, marketplace, etc).

And what would that accomplish?

Well, there's a slim chance it would result in the MSM reporting things a bit fairer, and an even slimmer chance that the Palestinians would learn something from it.
However, both chances would be improvements from the current status.

Slim? I'd say none?

I think a better plan is to kill the attackers instead of bunch of school kids, don't you?

They've been trying that, with pretty limited success. You're right about the kids, though. We should target the government buildings, the parents, etc.

#99 Me - Correction: Netanyahu is no longer finance minister

re: #104 Carol Herman

re: #99 David Simon

Netanyahu IS finance minister? Where? Sorry to bust your bubble, but Bibi is NOT in Olmert's government.

WAS...in the years that restructuring happened.

re: #80 Sunlight

Sunlight, because you asked, HERE are the comments made by Lucianne's "Poster #33:

Reply 33 - Posted by: bropous, 9/18/2007 12:23:48 PM
Some of us may have slept through a major story. Several L-Dotters did not.

News from a former Israeli commando is that Israel inserted a commando unit into Syria which took out the ground-based radars for the Pantsyr Russian-made AAM system, and Israelis F-15Is took out two sites: One had nuclear weapons components shipped into Latakia from North Korea and hustled into the Western Desert, the other was stocked with long-range Zil-Zal surface-to-surface missiles just shipped in from Iran.

Israeli force are on the highest level of alert, with more planes in the sky and pilots are sitting in aircraft on tarmacs ready to hit the skies on 5 minutes' notice. Soldiers were not allowed to return home for Rosh Hashana and won't be home for Yom Kippur. Israeli military censors have shut down press reports.

Assad's brother-in-law and his generals gave him an ultimatum: Hit back at Israel for the attacks, or he will be removed.

Pay attention, folks. Things are heating up very, very fast.

re: #104 Carol Herman

re: #99 David Simon

Netanyahu IS finance minister? Where? Sorry to bust your bubble, but Bibi is NOT in Olmert's government.

That's correct; he resigned. But it was still his plan that got the ball rolling.

re: #4 Dirk Diggler

Ol' merde will cut off supplies for a week.

For exactly one week.

Then he'll cave in to Western pressure and lift them.

Tete de merde. Mais oui.

People here are asking why Condi does "diplomatic pants dances." Because, the answer is: THAT'S HER JOB!

That Maliki wanted Ambassador Crocker dead? YES.

The State Department HIRED the BLACKWATER CONTRACTORS, folks.

Why do you need Condi confirmation?

Haven't you just learned Israel CONFIRMS NOTHING!

Silence is golden.

Loose lips sinks ships.

re: #37 BeerDrinking_VictoryMonkey

Sorry to got OT so soon, but this is too weird:

Peruvian villagers sick after meteorite strike.

Shades of Lovecraft & The Colour out of Space...

They're all turning into brain-sucking aliens even as we blog. Call out the National Guard!

It sounds a little like that Stephen King novel, 'Tommyknockers'.

They just decided this now? Sheesh.

re: #109 Carol Herman

if you think that there were troops on the ground in syira, you are buying a really good cover story.

re: #76 Carol Herman

And, I really hate "injury counts," expanded by hysterical women suffering from "shock." Let them go to casablanca

Heartless. Not to mention racist. Have you been within twenty feet of an exploding Kassam, yourself?

Check out this little article:
[Link: www2.irna.ir...]
Zionist regime's allies to receive response on World Qods Day

The last paragraph is very interesting:
Referring to the approaching World Qods Day, the spokesman stressed, "Supporters of the Zionist regime will definitely receive the final response for their support on that day."

(emphasis added)

Am I the only person whose head is about to explode trying to figure out how the MSM/Lefties/sheeple are able to turn a willfully blind eye to the happenings in Gaza ect.?

It looks like Syria got another one in Lebanon!

Via GatewayPundit.

re: #119 skembo

Am I the only person whose head is about to explode trying to figure out how the MSM/Lefties/sheeple are able to turn a willfully blind eye to the happenings in Gaza ect.?

Practice makes perfect, and they've had lots of practice.

re: #109 Carol Herman

re: #80 Sunlight

Sunlight, because you asked, HERE are the comments made by Lucianne's "Poster #33:

Reply 33 - Posted by: bropous, 9/18/2007 12:23:48 PM
Some of us may have slept through a major story. Several L-Dotters did not.

...
..Assad's brother-in-law and his generals gave him an ultimatum: Hit back at Israel for the attacks, or he will be removed.

Pay attention, folks. Things are heating up very, very fast.

Well,
seems I missed that 'sibling-n-law rivalry' story out of Syria.
Got a link to the opthamologists problems of not seeing eye to eye with his b-n-law?

Is this evidence of the "LGF Effect"?

Initial:

JERUSALEM (AFP) - Israel declared the Gaza Strip a “hostile entity” on Wednesday, clearing the way for shutting off basic supplies to the Hamas-run territory in revenge for rocket fire.

Current:

JERUSALEM (AFP) - Israel branded Gaza a "hostile entity" on Wednesday, clearing the way for shutting off basic supplies to the Hamas-run territory in response to rockets.

Is there any other country on the effing planet besides Israel that feels obligated to provide supplies and infrastructure to a neighbor that is lobbing over rockets on a regular basis to terrorize and kill the civilian population?

Only Israel gladly accepts being an international doormat.

I doubt that the Bush administration has directly said "Suck up and eat the rocket fire, or we cut off the military aid".

Perhaps this is all about high-tech upper-class people in Tel Aviv who find lower-middle class people in Sderot expendable, taking the big picture into account. Maybe they don't want to jeopardize their business deals by appearing to "snub the will" of the "international community".

I don't know. I could be wrong. I am looking for an explanation.

I think Israel should stop sending food, water, fuel to them.

What they really crave is weapons.
So give them what they want.
Israel should drop tons of them - from 35,000 feet with the safety off.

Meanwile ...

Rice: Hamas hostile entity to us as well

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Wednesday that the US "will not abandon the innocent Palestinians in Gaza," shortly after Israel declared the territory to be an enemy entity and said it would cut off power and fuel supplies to it.

At the same time, Rice said Gaza, ruled by Hamas, "is a hostile entity to us as well."

Rice, who arrived in Israel Wednesday afternoon, is expected to discuss with both Israeli and Palestinian leaders the current status of the US-sponsored meeting on the Middle East in November, and which countries are likely to participate.

While Israel is keen on Saudi Arabian participation at the planned conference, the event does not have to be called off if the Saudis decline to come, senior Israeli officials said Tuesday.

US Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern Affairs David Welch, in a press briefing in Washington prior to Rice's departure, skirted the issue of Saudi participation. When asked directly if the Saudis would participate, he said, "They have attended - they attended in Madrid [in 1991], if you check that."

Senior Israeli officials said that while Saudi participation was desirable, the key was to get "open support" for the diplomatic process and a two-state solution to the conflict "from additional players."

The officials said that this "broad support" could be gained even if the Saudis did not show up, if countries such as Qatar, Oman, Kuwait and Morocco attended. Their participation would also be a clear statement to Hamas that its extreme positions did not have broad Arab support, the officials said.

Rice is set to meet separately with Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, Vice Premier Haim Ramon, Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Likud head Binyamin Netanyahu. She is then scheduled to have a dinner meeting with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.

On Thursday, she is expected to begin her day with a session with President Shimon Peres, then go to Ramallah and meet with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. She is then expected to come back to Jerusalem for a follow-up meeting with Olmert.

Rice and the prime minister are scheduled to hold a joint press conference after their meeting on Wednesday, but there is little expectation she will use the opportunity to announce the date or venue of the planned international conference, or who will participate.

Despite differences that have emerged between Israel and the Palestinians in recent days regarding what type of document will be discussed at that meeting - a broad agreement of principles, which Israel wants, or a more detailed framework agreement, which the Palestinians want - Welch said that the US remained committed to holding the conference this fall.

Israeli officials, however, said that inasmuch as the meeting is "not an end in itself" and will not entail final status negotiations - but rather part of the process of bringing about the support of additional players - from an Israeli point of view it would not make that much difference whether the conference was held in November or in February. Palestinian officials have in recent days threatened a postponement of the meeting ...

re: #98 David Simon

re: #94 ElderZionist

re: #89 David Simon

re: #79 ElderZionist

I still think Israel should adopt a "tit for tat" policy... every time an unaimed rocket is fired into Israel, an unaimed mortar round should be fired back. Every time a suicide bomber blows up, an aimed rocket should be fired at a comparable target (school, marketplace, etc).

And what would that accomplish?

Well, there's a slim chance it would result in the MSM reporting things a bit fairer, and an even slimmer chance that the Palestinians would learn something from it.However, both chances would be improvements from the current status.

Slim? I'd say none?

I think a better plan is to kill the attackers instead of bunch of school kids, don't you?

Well, you really bought into the 3-card-monte game, didn't you? Opinion polls and election results show that the vast majority of the Palestinkians support terrorism, and even train school kids to carry out terrorist attacks.

But according to your "rule" you have to only target an "attacker" - I guess that means someone caught in the act of launching a Kassam rocket, presumably with a "guarantee" that there will be no "innocents" hit as collateral damage.

End result of your "can't touch the human shield" policy would be : Cheering crowds of Palestinian men women and children doing everything they can to help rockets in ever-increasing numbers and accuracy destroy the Israeli people.

This is Hezbollah's successful Lebanon strategy- can't bomb a rocket launcher in a busy schoolroom basement, can we now?

"I think a better plan is to kill the attackers instead of bunch of school kids, don't you?"

They need to go back to targeting Hamas leaders. Kill one for each rocket. Run out of leaders, start killing members. No more Hamas = No more rockets and the world will be a better place.

A hint of a threat of a strongly worded letter from some obscure UN subcommittee appears to be in order... maybe.

re: #28 filetandrelease

if that doesn't work, stop the water. That definitely will work. It may take a month or two, but in the end, no more rockets.

Won't take that long, people die from lack of water in like 7 days, max.
Natch, some will have stashes, but people will start to die pretty quickly, more in the riots over waht little is left.
In fact, if one wanted to encourage riots, turn off 95% of the water... But that would be evil and wrong.
IMAO

Hamas are committed to the eradication of Israel but they are complaining when Israel won't prop up their chaotic government by supplying the essential basic needs that Hamas cant't/won't?
Never expect rational thought from the Pals.

That's an awful lot of hot air coming out of Iran, I'd say they are scared. That Israeli raid would have provided them with useful intel. apart from the purpose of the raid, we don't know much about it yet. How will Iran attack Israel? They would have to fly over Iraq (good luck on that one!) or go round it and put the planes in reach of Nato and a wide variety of Naval air power. It also depends on what missiles they have. Have to wait and see.

Ms Rice? CondiMent-al.

re: #117 Maine's Michael

Most Israelis are trained, since service is the IDF is mandatory.

And, MOST ISRAELIS know the sounds that rockets make.

All I've been trying to say is that there's a difference between a small group that got a large play in the media; designed to make Israelis look like weaklings.

They just aren't!

Oh, and Olmert's popularity is rising.

In a small country; where "trying to collect the 61 signatures to oust, him" seems to have run into difficulties.

Won't stop the "performers." We get them here, too. So what?

I'm glad I came out early, pointing out that Israelis are not a nation of victims.

It's always worth considering what the media midgets do with their "space" ... when they're running to show you pictures of anything.

As to Israelis having been inserted into syria, NO COMMENT. There never will be comments, here.

But, yes, there were comments that a small group, riding on donkeys, fooled the gun-toting hamas into believing they were "grocers." NO PICTURES! Nobody was quick enough even to pull out their cell phone.

Oh, and #117, I'll add: Michael Totten, during the Lebanese confrontation last year, actually got into Israel. With his camera. And, he was up North. Where he posted an article to the Internet. With Nasrallah's rockets flying into Israel ... HE SAID: NOBODY RAN TO THE BOMB SHELTERS!

Israelis just hung around. Schmoozing. As if the rockets overhead were no big deal. He even said he TRIED TO FIND the bomb shelter;

People looked at him as if he was crazy.

re: #127 funkyfantom

Look, not only should Israel not sink the level of Palestinian terrorists by targeting women and children, even if it did that, the effect would be counterproductive.

The Palestinians WANT Israel to kill women and kids, they encourage it to maintain their endless "victim" status. Why give them what they want?

If the point is to "expose" the hypocrisy in the media, who is going to do that, the hypocritical media? No @#$$ing way is Israel going to get any kind of sympathetic response from ANYONE if kids are deliberately killed, regardless of the fact that the Palestinians try to kill Israeli children every single day.

Look what happened with Mohammed al Dura.

Israel's "best" response, in my opinion, is to target terrorist leaders where-ever and whenever possible.

In my opinion Israel shouldn't cut off Gaza's water and supplies (in the sense of a total blockade), but it absolutely should NOT subsidize them. Let the "international community" that takes pity on the "poor" Palestinians do that.

Hey Hamas, how about building desalination plants instead of Kassams? I suspect that Hamas would like nothing better than to have Israel cut off the water; nothing would help them more than the international outcry that would generate.

re: #132 Carol Herman

re: #117 Maine's Michael

Oh, and Olmert's popularity is rising.
.

Not much a feat considering that it was literally in the single-digits.

Leadership is not just about making the correct decisions, by the way, its inspiring others to act.

Not an easy thing to do in a democracy when everyone hates you.

Charles, about "that" photo. Why am I reminded that it looks like the underside of small male Chihuahuas, running forward, fully erect. Aiming their genitalia at a much bigger dog.

re: #134 looking closely

You beat me to the argument. GMTA.

re: #127 funkyfantom

re: #98 David Simon

re: #94 ElderZionist

re: #89 David Simon

re: #79 ElderZionist

I still think Israel should adopt a "tit for tat" policy... every time an unaimed rocket is fired into Israel, an unaimed mortar round should be fired back. Every time a suicide bomber blows up, an aimed rocket should be fired at a comparable target (school, marketplace, etc).

And what would that accomplish?

Well, there's a slim chance it would result in the MSM reporting things a bit fairer, and an even slimmer chance that the Palestinians would learn something from it.However, both chances would be improvements from the current status.

Slim? I'd say none?

I think a better plan is to kill the attackers instead of bunch of school kids, don't you?

Well, you really bought into the 3-card-monte game, didn't you? Opinion polls and election results show that the vast majority of the Palestinkians support terrorism, and even train school kids to carry out terrorist attacks.

But according to your "rule" you have to only target an "attacker" - I guess that means someone caught in the act of launching a Kassam rocket, presumably with a "guarantee" that there will be no "innocents" hit as collateral damage.

End result of your "can't touch the human shield" policy would be : Cheering crowds of Palestinian men women and children doing everything they can to help rockets in ever-increasing numbers and accuracy destroy the Israeli people.

This is Hezbollah's successful Lebanon strategy- can't bomb a rocket launcher in a busy schoolroom basement, can we now?

Hmm. I'm having a hard time finding where I said all of that.

I'm not familiar with your comments. Do you make a habit out of putting that many words in other posters' mouths?

There's a huge difference between injuring or killing a school girl by targeting a Hamasshole who is riding in the car next to hers (a policy that has my full support), and killing a school girl by dropping a bomb on her school (for no reason other than retaliation). I'm sorry you can't see that.

re: #133 Carol Herman

Oh, and #117, I'll add: Michael Totten, during the Lebanese confrontation last year, actually got into Israel. With his camera. And, he was up North. Where he posted an article to the Internet. With Nasrallah's rockets flying into Israel ... HE SAID: NOBODY RAN TO THE BOMB SHELTERS!

Israelis just hung around. Schmoozing. As if the rockets overhead were no big deal. He even said he TRIED TO FIND the bomb shelter;

People looked at him as if he was crazy.

One sarin-tipped missle and things would be different, don't you think?

re: #137 Carol Herman

Charles, about "that" photo. Why am I reminded that it looks like the underside of small male Chihuahuas, running forward, fully erect. Aiming their genitalia at a much bigger dog.

lol, good one.

re: #136 looking closely

In Israel's Knesset, to knock out a prime minister, takes 61 signatures.

This "trick" was tried on Arik Sharon, back in 2001. Labor LOST. They were so proud. Until they LOST. Who lost big time: Foad Ben Eliezer. Knocked out of the Defense Portfolio. And, he never got back IN. (The Defense Portfolio, by the way, is one of the best stations for use, when Israelis go to pick a new government.)

If Olmert stays seated till his "time runs out," ... then what you see now is the posturing for that future election.

Bibi Netanyahu has "brilliantly" cast a huge shadow across Likud's bow.

Labor, on the other hand, corrected its previous mistakes. And, you're gonna get two for the price of one ... with what lays ahead. In this New Year: 5768.

Ami Ayalon also swallowed his pride and accepted a portfolio.

So a lot of the crap you hear; when the chips are down, are still about grabbing power.

Olmert's approach is gaining approval.

Sure, not among Israel's version of Code-Pinkers. Hysterical.

re: #117 Maine's Michael

Hi MM-Shana Tova!

I think "Carol Herman's" posts are always a few fries short of a Happy Meal, ya know what I mean?

I must admit, I have changed my mind about Olmert . I thought that he was too timid in Gaza and mishandeled the war with Hezbollah. With regard to the second point, its clear that the IDF fcuked up the battle by having a fighter pilot in charge and allowing their weapon stocks for the reserves to dwindle and not training either the regulars or reserves in mechanized combat. All three of these have been remidied.

With regards to HAMAS and Gaza, Olmert seems to have been playing the longer game. He allows HAMAS to rule in Gaza, make no big moves and out up with their rocket attacks. The result is that the "Palestinians" in Gaza find out what it is like to have HAMAS in powe. They are not happy-bunnies. Moreover, the people in the West Bank know what is going on in Gaza under HAMAS, and so HAMAS supports vanishes.
Now he can turn the screw. By making things worse in Gaza, vis water and power, he can make life very bad indeed for the average Gazaian and for its own foot soldiers. More and more blame will be heaped on HAMAS. With any luck they will be politically dead in 6-18 months time. All they will have are the bombs and bullets, but not the good will of the people, nor if the wispers from the banking world are correct, the Bucks.
I think its worth while waiting to see if he pulls any rabbits out of the hat in the next year.

re: #140 looking closely

Hey! The "sarin tipped SCUD, blew up on the firing range. In syria. July 23rd of this year. Killing lots of people. In syria. Up the chain of command.

You can't count the losses!

But you could be aware of all the crazy shouting, done by iran, that Israel was gonna "be wiped off the map."

Instead? Militaristically speaking, Israel is alert, and well. Thank you very much.

This phrase, "collective punishment," has been grating on my ears ever since the Arabs started using it since the "Intifada" began.

Let me get this straight:

For all these years, any Israeli response to attacks on random Israeli citizens by attempting target the attackers has been called "collective punishment," and a Palestinian blowing up a pizza parlor full of kids has not.

Time to end this ridiculous rhetorical double standard.

Since Israel is being accused of it anyway, it's high time that Israel responds with its own, less violent, collective punishment, by cutting off water, power, etc.

After all, the Palis have been applying collective punishment for years, each time a bus or a cafe blew up.

What's good for the goose is good for the gander, and so on.

re: #143 WriterMom

Shana Tova right back at you!

'A few fries short of a happy meal' - LOL, good one.

You should be a writer!

re: #140 looking closely

Since you've raised the subject about "sarin tipped missiles," why is it not possible the "work accident" received "halp?"

Olmert was very sincere when he said there was stuff involving very brave men, that would never see the light of day.

How do you make work accidents happen among arabs?

They're quite capable of being stupid when they're attaching wires; so all I can say is: How the hell do I know?

Fring rockets into Israel is okay- turning off the power is violating international law?- oh, wait, someone from the UN said that- IGNORE!. Let's give them three states- one for Hamas, one for Fatah and one for Condi's "innocent Palistinians".

re: #144 DocMartyn

You mention THE BANKING WORLD!

Given that I know the Al-Hamed reached port; and got unloaded ... AS IF NOTHING WAS UP!

Nobody knows where the payments went, I'm sure. And, that kind of delivery could have provided BILLIONS flying through electronic transfers.

Now? Al-Hamed has disappeared. Since it started its journey in North Korea; and quickly changed flags to a "south korean" variety ... And, then, as it's movements proceeded. This is known. From port to port. Till it arrived in syria.

3 DAYS LATER ...

That's when the russian anti-artillery "NO JAM" system went KAPUT.

By then, AND THIS IS A BANKING QUESTION !

Where's the money? Where did it go?

Whose got it? Was any in luggage, for the captain and the crew ... of the now "no one knows where the vessel is, IS. Just Asking.

Money always makes me wonder.

And, you bet. Olmert's not talking.

It's up to each and everyone of you to figure things out.

According to surveys, there only 2-3% of Israelis who trust Olmert like Carol Herman. With leaders like Olmert, who agrees to Auschwitz borders and gives up Jerusalem, Israel does not need Iran. Olmert will destroy Israel even before Iran gets nuclear weapons.

Olmert is the next "best gift" to Israel from demented Sharon after ethnic cleansing of Jews from Gaza.
Essentially it is Sharon and Olmert who brought all these Kassams on Sderot and Ashkelon with their either stupid or treasonous policy of appeasement. It was Barak's retreat from Lebanon and betrayal of Lebanese supporters of Israel, and Sharon's spending all IDF resources on deportation from Gaza that brought rockets on Haifa. And now Olmert is working hard on bringing the same to Tel-Aviv.

Does anybody besides Carol believes that Olmert will dare to cut electricity to Hamas for an hour? Last thing Olmert did was to provide Fatah/Hamas with guns.

It would be funny if it were not so close to the new Holocaust.

re: #150 Carol Herman

Whose got it? Was any in luggage, for the captain and the crew ... of the now "no one knows where the vessel is, IS. Just Asking.

Money always makes me wonder.

And, you bet. Olmert's not talking.

Olmert took the money?

It figures. The guy's as corrupted as they come.

;)

Carol,

Its nice to know you are among the 8% of Israelis who approve of Olmert, and that he (and you) have mastered the intricacies of Israeli politics, but you're missing my point.

Olmert's unpopularity makes it harder for him to be an effective statesman, and this is irrespective of the process that got him into power or the process that could remove him.

As to the calm demeanor that Totten observed, that's context dependent, and doesn't mean a whole lot by itself.

re: #147 Maine's Michael

What a great idea. I wish I had thought of that!

Slightly OT, next time the hamsters slow down here, keep in mind that they are formally known as "Syrian Hamsters."

re: #82 Lorenska

For what it's worth: DRUDGE HAS UP A RED LETTERED HEADLINE ...

Saying the Pope refused to meet with Condi this summer.

Make of that what you will, but there's way more players in this Mideast swamp that you can shake a stick at.

I'm also sure Condi is dealing with Maliki's shi'a attempt to kill Ambassador Crocker, on his way back to base, in Baghdad.

Even if there's nothing spoken to the press about this.

An angry Maliki is trying to toss BLACKWATER out of Irak. When they just saved the Ambassador's life!

Let me guess ONE outcome. The sunnis got smart. And, dropped their Al-Kay-duh buddies. Picking, instead, to work with the Americans. Who are now training SUNNIs to protect themselves.

Sure. Pisses off Maliki. (Who uses iran, and Sadr's goons. To kill off lots of Sunnis. Who began with the importation of terror.)

Hard to follow this game? Why? It's like pinochle, even if you don't know the rules, there are rules for card games.

And, so there are rules in play, here, too.

Olmert doesn't talk.

And, Condi won't give away the information that makes her sick at night.

And check out this CBC report. It's not much better: [Link: www.cbc.ca...]

BHG

re: #153 looking closely

You're cooking the books. Stating low ball numbers like an arab trader; but I'm not buying them.

Want catchup with that?

re: #57 insanity police
Just another temporary truce, while they reafit and rearm.

Posted it in another thread, but have a lead on the gun. Air pistols, perhaps?

[Link: www.airgunsonly.com...]

re: #151 finallyhere

According to surveys, there only 2-3% of Israelis who trust Olmert like Carol Herman. With leaders like Olmert, who agrees to Auschwitz borders and gives up Jerusalem, Israel does not need Iran. Olmert will destroy Israel even before Iran gets nuclear weapons.

To be fair, I believe that Olmert's approval rating is currently hovering around 35%, but that number reflects a recent 10% boost he got in the past few days after the mysterious bombing in Syria.

Before that Olmert's popularity was consistently at roughly the level of Richard Nixon's on the day of his resignation.

re: #158 Carol Herman

re: #153 looking closely

You're cooking the books. Stating low ball numbers like an arab trader; but I'm not buying them.

Want catchup with that?

See my last post.
Olmert's approvals are significantly lower than Bush's, who is a second-termer in the midst of an unpopular war (Bush is currently at 44%).
The fact is, Olmert couldn't get elected if he ran for dog-catcher right now, let alone Prime Minister, and that's even with his recent boost (which will likely fade as quickly as it came on).
This is for some perspective on approval numbers.

America's Israel Policy:

'We need you to bleed, but more importantly, to be seen to bleed. We will help you survive, but we will shrink you down, over time and in return for arab acquiescence to our goals and machinations elshwere in the mid east, to the smallest size sustainable by the best military techology and diplomatic invention. When those technologies imporve, we will shrink you down further. If you do not wish to go along with this policy, you can make your own military spare parts for American equipment, and use your own veto to negate binding Security Council resolutions.'

All Israel PM's cave, sooner or later, to American will. But never has one so unpopular and so currupted caved and abased himself so throughly and obviously.

'Plans within plans'? I call bullshit. Barak, terrible as he was as a PM, is a pretty decent Defense Minister, and that is where the new found balls of this Israeli Admin hang.

Just because Olmert is clever and has managed to hang on to power despite the wishes of the Israeli electorate does not make him an admirable man or inspiring leader, regardless of what some sycophantic 'real politic' analysts of Israeli policy believe.

As admirable as the Israeli military maneuvers may be, in the hands of Olmert, they only play into America's plans for a minified Israel.

The more effective she is with pinpoint munitions and targeted killings and daring feats of sabotage, the more America can say 'look how strong and clever you are, Israel. You clearly do not need land for self defense.'

re: #7 GOP_Crusader

It's about time. I think Olmert has been asleep or dead at his post.

How can you tell the difference?

re: #162 looking closely

Your wrong.

This game was played, actually, against Arik Sharon. And, Labor lost.

IF there were 61 Knesset members who thought they "could do better," Israel would have gone to new elections. DIDN'T. Same as saying "did not."

That there were a lot of knives out? HA. Is that an understatement! From the woodwork, flowed the lawyers.

Olmert beat them all back.

But go ahead, discount his approval ratings. See if I care?

The lower you set your bar, the more people will disagree you have anything worthwhile to sell.

Which is the nature of politics.

Me? I'll wait to see IF there ate 61 "schmendriks" in the Knesset; willing to give up their seats.

When done by Labor, in 2001, turns out "dog catcher" is not the correct reference for Arik Sharon.

While he set his heart on REVENGE. So Kadima was born.

People who want to think this party dies on the vine?

Well, here in the States, there are Bonkeys who believe they are on the "right track." Where are they going? Well. They're going in search of mainstream voters.

Anyhoo, for what it's worth. Sometimes you just can't get rid of your stock. the EDSELS just drag you down.

But people are funny. Given the right to vote, when they do; they're all over the map.

Israel, by the way, suffered a drop in voter turn out, the last time around.

Small country. With a bigger potential of "more voters showing up at the polls the next time." When the time is due. Olmert, I think, won 4 years, in the last Israeli election cycle.

Now, if Bibi can figure out a way to regain momentum, that will prove interesting to watch.

re: #142 Carol Herman

Olmert's office called. You're late for his blow job appointment.

re: #166 Alouette

I wouldn't be surprised if Olmert was the one giving the blow job.

Carol Herman sounds more a man than Olmert.

#161 looking closely
"after the mysterious bombing in Syria."

So looks like many Israelis support bombing not appeasement.

I wonder what is his approval rating AFTER he agreed to give up Temple Mount and Old City, leave alone all Judea and Samaria, to ensure that next time it will be Tel-Aviv, not only Haifa under attack.

But taking into account how left-wing is Israeli press it will not be surprising if his approval goes up. After all during Lebanon war last summer Olmert declared that the main goal of that war was to facilitate the ethnic cleansing of Jews from Judea and Samaria. Plus being "tired of winning" the wars Olmert finally managed to bring defeat to Israel.

By the way, can it be the simplest explanation to that "mysterious" Syrian bombing: Olmert again bombed empty sands as he regularly does in Gaza, and now tries to create impression that it was something more to raise his approval rating?

Carol Herman

"Israel, by the way, suffered a drop in voter turn out, the last time around."

Sure after Sharon betrayed Israel, people gave up and decided that nothing could be worse than Sharon.

So the lesson here is:

Never give up, because there is always room for something even worse
like corrupt Olmert and his gang of criminals.

re: #165 Carol Herman

Me? I'll wait to see IF there ate 61 "schmendriks" in the Knesset; willing to give up their seats.

I think that is exactly the problem. The Israeli electoral system, with its party boss and 'lists' foramt, is a very poor form of democracy.

Once in power, the higher ups within the party can horsetrade and can and often do subvert the will of the people and theri very own election platforms, without any threat of recourse, as long as they are confident they will stay highly placed on the lists at the time of the next election.

All politics stink, but Israeli democracy is less democratic than most western democracies.

It is clear that Ms. Herman does not take strong issue with this essential weakness.flaw, but actually applauds a craven ass who has cynically exploited this flawed system to remain in power long after the Israeli public told him to get lost.

Of course, that goes quadruple for Shimon Peres.

re: #117 Maine's Michael

re: #168 FinallyHere

You're more than entitled to your opinion!

As if arabs weren't living in Israel; and that's a PROBLEM.

Start with the fact that in recognizing the "problem" Ben Gurion steered clear of the American method of districts.

That's why the parties developed "Central Committees." To keep things Jewish.

Does Olmert know Jerusalem? YOU BET! He was the mayor, there, for years and years.

Besides. In the card game called 'diplomacy' ... just like in the card game, bridge. Somebody's gets to play "dummy." And, others get to call out "da suits."

Here? So let's play "Olmert sez." It keeps him at the table.

And, he's doing fine.

Just like Bush. There's a method of playing where you get MISUNDERESTIMATED. All the time! That's a good one! Because it means you can hold your cards close to your chest and not give away a single Tell.

When splits develop? And, your putting arabs on one side of the dividing line? It means Israelis, by definition become less responsible for the medical care and schooling of these bastards. You think the arabs appreciate being Israeli arabs? Please, don't pull my leg with your answer.

Olmert knows what he's doing.

In America, James Baker took notice and stopped throwing his stupid weight around, trying to get Olmert "bounced." Then? Bush invited Olmert to DC.

And, on his way to DC, he gave Amir Peretz the phone call, sans a personal sit down. To get out of town.

I think Olmlert played the cards he's been dealt, beautifully.

Up ahead? The arabs are out BILLIONS. Disappeared just like the Al-Hamed. Israel's not talking.

So whatever else is ahead: NO NUKES FOR YOU! And, the crap from russia, delivered to both syria and iran, has proven to be "faulty."

Work accidents? They abound. Perhaps, that's what happened to the Al-Hamed? Captain just found out the world is flat, and he "drove" his ship over the edge. There's absolutely no sign of life. GONE.

And, Olmert's not talking. Noch "besser."

olmert isn't popular were my son and dil live.
but then they don't live in a kushy section of tel aviv or haifa

re: #172 Carol Herman

And, Olmert's not talking.

So you are Olmert's mouthpiece for more than just blow jobs?

re: #172 Carol Herman

gibben mir der koolaid

polls in israel put olmerts support level below the american congress some were in the single digets it seems we have his only supporter in here. the more words the less important

re: #172 Carol Herman

Gey fress dreck un payger avek.

re: #172 Carol Herman

Start with the fact that in recognizing the "problem" Ben Gurion steered clear of the American method of districts.

Unlikely. Do you have a ref for that?

It was an obvious way of keeping power vested in the old guys who started the whole thing.

These polaks and galicianers knew nothing of democracy.

A distrcit system could gerrymander the arabs out of getting even a dingle seat. That's how the district game is played.

Also, the smaller Israel gets and the more interdigitated its borders get to be with arab areas, the more Israel will come to superficially resemble South Africa and its bantustans, particularly to the increasing numbers of people who want to see her that way.

There is no substitute for space. Taking up / holding space is what any country in that part of the world needs to do. Especially Israel.

The tragedy is that it runs counter to American desires.

re: #177 Alouette

nist shain

re: #177 Alouette

Gevalt!

re: #177 Alouette

Having a tantrum, are you? You smell as bad as Code Pinker.

ANd, while you're at it the expression is "eat shit." You serve this at home?

re: #166 Alouette

That was very rude & uncalled for.

re: #178 Maine's Michael

Your "ref" is the Knesset.

The year, 1948.

Why did Ben Gurion pick the British system?

True, it was familiar to the new born Israelis. But they knew the Brit's could be dangerous. Heck, even WInston Churchill got toss by the voters; as if he wasn't even a great man.

In the American system, people vote directly for representation. The whole country is divided into districts, within each State.

So, at a family discussion, once, I asked: WHy didn't Ben Gurion, THRILLED that Truman came out and recognized Israel, immedidately, didn't choose our political system? People were hungry for self-rule.

What happened, there?

And, what was explained to me, you'd see if you were on any street in Israel, at any time. is that arabs LIVE in Israel. Are born in Israel. And, they compose about 1/5th of the population. So?

You can't set down districts without giving arabs an electoral advantage.

True, Israel doesn't have a house of Lords. They have a uni-parliament. With parties from the fringes getting polical power; any time there's the drama of cobbling together a working government.

When America had slaves, if you look at our Constitution, you'll see that "slaves" counted ... even though they didn't vote. To create "something" for the slave holders in the South.

What a pickle. So hard to get rid of it. Though, politically speaking, our Founding Fathers (here, in the USA), thought it would die on the vine. And, be out of service by 1815.

Hope springs eternal.

But experience is the real teacher. You could look this up.

Every so often I go outside and shoot my gun into the side of my neighbor's house.

Funny, they think I'm hostile too.

re: #182 miclaine

re: #166 Alouette

That was very rude & uncalled for.

It was rude but called for.

re: #181 Carol Herman

You serve this at home?

No. Why, is your fridge full of leftovers?

When Jabotinski called Poland Jews to move to Palestine in 1930s, Ben Gurion called on them to stay, being afraid that it will change the balance of power in Mandate Palestine from Socialists as himself to more traditional Jews.

This is also the reason that he bombed and sunk Altalena that brought so much needed weapons to Jewish State in 1948.

From 1967 to 1992 the Arab population if Judea, Samaria, and Gaza grew from 950,000 to 3,000,000 thanks to wise Demographic policies of Israeli Government. "Brutal occupation."

Where again do Olmert's sons live?

re: #108 Sunlight

re: #104 Carol Herman

re: #99 David Simon

Netanyahu IS finance minister? Where? Sorry to bust your bubble, but Bibi is NOT in Olmert's government.

WAS...in the years that restructuring happened.

PEOPLE DO MATH IN SUCH "INTERESTING WAYS."

When Bibi was "in" government, he sat next to Arik Sharon. The party label read: LIKUD.

But a few insider trading mistakes got made.

Arik Sharon, finding that there were puppeteers trying to shove their fists up his ass; REBELLED.

SO, go ahead. Don't inlcude those "insider shinanigans" into your equations. See if I care?

re: #187 FinallyHere

... And, you could also add that Israelis, for the most part, have small families. Except for the Haredi. Where cousins are known to marry. And, proliferate. Sans jobs. Because they're too religous to work.

Which brings you to the taxpayer pot.

And, an understanding of some of the underlying dynamics.

Yes, in Israel, small parties can grow in power; when a Prime Minister is against the wall. And, needs to shore up his government.

It comes to mind, that a cigar chomping Avigdor Lieberman, seeing the hounds out to bring down Arik Sharon's government, in 2001 or 2002. Thought he'd grab Arik's testicles. Boy, was that a mistake!

SO, just as you can run to the fringes, when you need 61 seats to win the prime minister's chair.

Those who can count, do so, by watching what elections bring in. Here? Olmert didn't get 40 seats. Ah, but Arik Sharon, prior to stroking, arleady had collected 41. When he invented Kadima.

Kadima blew in with less seats.

Labor? Held at the number that embarrassed Avram Mitzna. Alas, nothing embrarrasses the thug, Amir Peretz.

But, today, he's home alone. And, that's good.

Sometimes? This "show" takes years to pan out.

With lots of people in the audience screaming. As a matter of fact, it's known. In Israel any ten Jews create ten different parties. At very high decibles.

Worse, so many of them are lawyers. Positioning themselves for the "olympics." Others? Are journalists. Two groups in high enough density in Israel, it gives the arabs a run for their money.

re: #188 Carol Herman

re: #108 Sunlight

re: #104 Carol Herman

re: #99 David Simon

Netanyahu IS finance minister? Where? Sorry to bust your bubble, but Bibi is NOT in Olmert's government.

WAS...in the years that restructuring happened.

PEOPLE DO MATH IN SUCH "INTERESTING WAYS."

When Bibi was "in" government, he sat next to Arik Sharon. The party label read: LIKUD.

But a few insider trading mistakes got made.

Arik Sharon, finding that there were puppeteers trying to shove their fists up his ass; REBELLED.

SO, go ahead. Don't inlcude those "insider shinanigans" into your equations. See if I care?

Oh c'mon, don't play games with non-sequiturs; you're too smart for that.

Your original comment was:

OLMERT'S BUILT ISRAELI ECONOMY TO AN ALL TIME HIGH!

Israel's economy is booming because of Netanyahu's economic recovery plan: less regulation, more privitization, less government spending and lower taxes. Sorry, but that's a fact.

re: #49 nev.

These look like the "pistols" we made to shoot strips of inner tube at one another c. 1965, made out of wood and a clothes pin.

Everything these people do (short of terrorism) is hilarious in direct proportion to the seriousness with which they undertake it.

If the AFP version reeks, the take by "AP Diplomatic Writer" Anne Gearan could clear out a stadium. From her article (emphases and snide remarks added):

JERUSALEM - Israel declared the Palestinian-controlled Gaza Strip an "enemy entity" on Wednesday and said it would cut utilities to the territory, complicating the U.S. plan to relaunch peace talks aimed at establishing a separate Palestinian state in Gaza and the West Bank.

While launching Qassams at little kids is a trust-builder!

Israel made the provocative decision hours before Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice arrived for talks setting up what President Bush hopes will be a pivotal international Mideast peace conference this fall. Rice neither endorsed nor criticized Israel's move.

Won't the Israelis ever learn to take a cue from their peace-loving neighbors on their western marches and quit provoking them?

Israel did not announce a date for cutoff of services. The decision is likely to reinforce perceptions among Palestinians and their Arab backers that Israel will do as it sees fit regardless of the cost to civilians, and that the U.S. will not block Israel's hand.

Palestinians will pay dearly, whereas their seven-year, non-stop, genocidal war against unarmed Israeli citizens has cost them absolutely nothing in terms of blood and tears.

How can anyone not see through this propoganda masquarading as reportage?

In the words of Kosh:

"And so it begins..."

I haven't been as upset as some of y'all at Olmert's actions the past year or so. The way I see it, Israel's job up to this point had been to do whateverthefrak it had to do to stay out of a fight with Iranian proxies while the US got its crap together for the upcoming fight with Iran. And yes, the Iranians and their proxies were going to push, and push. And Olmert was to back down and do whatever, because if Israel got into a scuffle before the US was ready, this could have thrown all the American plans out the window.

That Israel is getting bold again...I have to wonder.

Somebody please tell me that "Carol Herman" is a spoof Kadima troll like "Aisha" is a spoof Muslim troll.

re: #190 David Simon

Bibi Netanyahu dreamed big.

So, today, he's such a planner, he can claim 6 out of the 12 Likud seats.

He's also NOT in Olmert's government. Wasn't interested.

Some "economist." Couldn't figure out how to grow himself out of the hole he dug for himself.

Olmert had the GUTS to stand there and take it! In the face of the pouring-on that came from the media. And, the legal shills.

And, he gave nothing away! Just did his job.

The results are spectacular to see. Russia's crap CAN BE JAMMED.

There are dozens of dead higher-ups in Assad's chain of command. Plus, those sent in as "experts" from iran. Not in one place. But two. As of September 6th. And, for good measure, all the chemicals syria had from Saddam? You can't find them anymore. Seems there was a work "accident."

Hey. I also believe "achmed is color blind."

re: #194 Alouette

Hey, froggy, I'm real. You're not.

AFP still says that Gaza is one of the world’s most densely populated places No, it isn't!

Check any list of cities: [Link: en.wikipedia.org...]
Just about any major city has an equal or greater density. Gaza has about the same density as Miami.

Even if we only look at countries/territories:
[Link: en.wikipedia.org...]
Gaza has about 17% of the density of Monaco.

Many doubt that Gaza's population figures are remotely accurate but even if they are isn't it time to stop repeating this easily checkable, fairy story?

I'll never get why the whole rest of the world just has to provide for the PA.
Even if they weren't set on killing everyone giving them food, water, and electricity, why should other countries pay for their needs?

re: #194 Alouette

Somebody please tell me that "Carol Herman" is a spoof Kadima troll like "Aisha" is a spoof Muslim troll.

Al-

Carol Herman when NOT posting here is the Heart & Soul Poster on Captain's Quarters. That is all.

-S-

re: #195 Carol Herman

Carol -

Oh, older sister, does the name Gen. Saada, Iraq AF, mean anything to all y'all?

-S-

The results are spectacular to see. Russia's crap CAN BE JAMMED.

One 'report' I read suggested that the ground team disabled the AA units, rather than them actually being jammed.

That would be a significant difference.

I hope they were jammed . . .

So according to Agence France Presse, Israel is obliged to provide Hamastan, which is waging a war against Israel, with the support it needs to continue that war effectively.

Israel is the only country that AFP denies the right to defend itself, even non-lethally and as passively as possible.

Hamastan is at war with Israel. But Agence France Presse is too blind to see that; or it knows that and insists on presenting itself as being ignorant.

Since Israel's withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, withdrawing some 8 or 9 thousand Jewish population, and withdrawing its soldiers, there has not been a week that went by without rockets being fired randomly at Israel, with the goal of killing people -- anybody. That is not merely a past deed; it is one that is continuing. So for AFP to call Israel's actions "revenge" for past deeds is simply a lie, since this activity is continuing, and it will continue endlessly if Israel refuses to do something about it.

AFP does not like the Jewish state protecting itself, but no state can allow itself to have war waged against it and to ignore the safety and security of its residents.

Article by Clifford May: If we won't fight our enemies, can we at least stop assisting them?
[Link: article.nationalreview.com...]

re #203

June 29, 2007 11:45 AM

Feckless in Gaza
If we won’t fight our enemies, can we at least stop assisting them?

By Clifford D. May

“Extremists link up with extremists.” So said Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice this week upon hearing that Ayman al-Zawahri, the top deputy to Osama bin Laden, had released a message enthusiastically supporting Hamas’ bloody takeover of Gaza.

Public relations-wise, Hamas’ leaders are pretty savvy. So last week, even while Hamas gunmen were slaughtering their Palestinian opponents, they also were placing ludicrously disingenuous op-eds in the New York Times, the Washington Post, and the International Herald Tribune. (Why the Times, the Post, and the Herald Trib would give space to terrorists is another matter.)

This week, Hamas attempted to distance itself from the al-Zawahri endorsement — while being careful not to criticize al Qaeda. Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said simply: “Hamas has its own program ... we want to have good relations with all Arab and Muslim powers ...”

The truth is that Hamas and al Qaeda are — ideologically — connected at the hip. Both are terrorist organizations — Hamas has been so designated not just by the U.S. but also by the European Union. Both al Qaeda and Hamas are in the business of waging what they believe will be the final war against the infidels.

There is one distinction: Whereas al Qaeda will fight on any battlefield anywhere it thinks it can defeat “crusaders and Zionists” — and it is convinced it will soon accomplish that mission in Iraq — Hamas’ primary goal is more modest: to wipe only Israel off the map. In other words, al-Qaeda thinks globally, Hamas acts locally.

Eighteen months ago, Hamas defeated its rival, Fatah, in an election that was praised as a ground-breaking exercise in democracy. But ballot boxes alone do not a democratic society make.

Hamas never sincerely transformed itself into a political party. Neither, for that matter, did Fatah, which was created in 1964 also for the purpose of exterminating Israel. One point on which Hamas and Fatah emphatically agree: free speech and other basic rights are not to be extended to Palestinians who oppose them.

Even this discount version of democracy quickly broke down. Apparently tiring of palaver, Hamas — reportedly with backing from its patrons in Tehran — launched a civil war in Gaza. Hamas militiamen murdered the most troublesome Fatah members; they shot bullets through the kneecaps of those they considered more open to persuasion.

The “human rights community” hardly seemed to notice. The “human rights community” is not much interested in Muslim-on-Muslim violence — or in any violence carried out in the name of Islam, except to the extent it can be blamed on the U.S. and/or Israel. (Why that may suggest a post-modern form of racism is another matter.)

Now, Hamas rules Gaza with no pretense of democracy remaining. Fatah has retreated to the West Bank where it struggles to retain control.

The sensible thing for Israel to do would be to seal its border with Gaza. At the same time, the U.S. and Europe should cut off all aid. Let Iran’s ayatollahs and al Qaeda’s financiers send food, gasoline and other supplies. Surely, they could squeeze that in among the weapons and explosives they are now shipping.

Charles Krauthammer wrote that Israel should state that if the rockets from Gaza keep coming, then Israel will cut off gasoline. If that doesn't work, then Israel should take the next step.
[Link: www.townhall.com...]

re #205

WASHINGTON -- Gaza is now run not by a conventional political party, but by a movement that is revolutionary, Islamist and terrorist. Worse, Hamas is a client of Iran. Gaza now constitutes the farthest reach of the archipelago of Iranian proxies: Hamas in Palestine, Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Mahdi Army (among others) in Iraq, and the Alawite regime of Syria.

This Islamist mini-replica of Comintern is at war not just with Israel but with the moderate Arab states, who finally woke up to this threat last summer when they denounced Hezbollah for provoking the Lebanon war with Israel. The fall of Gaza is particularly terrifying to Egypt because Hamas is so closely affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood, the chief Islamist threat to the secular-nationalist regime that has ruled Egypt since the revolution of 1952. Which is why Egypt has just invited Israeli, Jordanian and moderate Palestinian leaders to a summit next week -- pointedly excluding and isolating Hamas.

The splitting of Palestine into two entities is nonetheless clarifying. Since Hamas won the parliamentary elections of January 2006, we've had to deal with the fiction of a supposedly unified Palestine ruled by an avowedly ``unity'' government of Fatah and Hamas. Now the muddle has undergone political hydrolysis, separating out the relatively pure elements: a Hamas-ruled Gaza and Fatah-ruled (for now) West Bank.

The policy implications are obvious. There is nothing to do with the self-proclaimed radical Islamist entity that is Gaza but to isolate it. No recognition, no aid (except humanitarian necessities through the U.N.), no diplomatic commerce.

Israel now has the opportunity to establish deterrence against unremitting rocket attacks from Gaza into Israeli villages. Israel failed to do that after it evacuated Gaza in 2005, permitting the development of an unprecedented parasitism by willingly supplying food, water, electricity and gasoline to a territory that was actively waging hostilities against it.

With Hamas now clearly in charge, Israel should declare that it will tolerate no more rocket fire -- that the next Qassam will be answered with a cutoff of gasoline shipments. This should bring road traffic in Gaza to a halt within days and make it increasingly difficult to ferry around missiles and launchers.

If that fails to concentrate the mind, the next step should be to cut off electricity. When the world wails, Israel should ask, what other country on earth is expected to supply the very means for a declared enemy to attack it?

re: #199 Dr. Shalit

I found its rambling drivel just as incoherent over at CQ as here. Dreck shmeckt umetum (crap stinks wherever it is). Just sayin'.

re #206

With Hamas now clearly in charge, Israel should declare that it will tolerate no more rocket fire -- that the next Qassam will be answered with a cutoff of gasoline shipments.

-- Charles Krauthammer.

Agence France Presse calls such a threat "revenge" but it is not revenge, it is an effort to achieve deterrence. It does not look backward in time, as the liars at AFP claim, it looks forward in time. It is not concerned with the past, it is concerned about the future.

Of course, if deterrence is to be credible, a threat that is made has to be carried out. Otherwise it is just a bluff, and produces negative deterrence.

It is deterrence, but it is more than deterrence, because the gasoline that is brought into the Gaza Strip also makes it easier for the rockets to be moved into place and makes it easier for the terrorists firing the rockets to escape punishment.

Hamastan is an enemy emirate that is at war against Israel. It is not Israel's obligation to help it being supplied with the means of waging war against Israel, or with the means that facilitate waging war against Israel.

If the terrorists want to ferry the rockets around, and want to escape return fire, let them travel by mule; they don't need gasoline, and they don't have a right to Israel's helping them get it.

From the "Oh, shut up, for the love of God!" department:

The graceless 'Condi' speaks:

Rice explained US thinking regarding the planned international peace conference: "What I have heard from everyone, and it's not just the Saudis... is 'Make this conference serious and substantive.' ...What are we trying to do here? We're trying to support the forces in the Middle East, and in this case most especially the Palestinians and the Israelis... who believe in a two-state solution.

"We can't simply continue to say we want a two-state solution. We've got to start to move toward one," she went on. 'And this international meeting is also going to be doing exactly that... [not] just to declare that we all want to see a two-state solution."

Interesting that she felt the need to insert the Saudis' wishes into the statement.

re: #207 Alouette

re: #199 Dr. Shalit

I found its rambling drivel just as incoherent over at CQ as here.
Dreck shmeckt umetum (crap stinks wherever it is). Just sayin'.

Your's ain't mello-rolls, either.

As if Bibi wasn't a fool, enough, he's now come out and said "he gave Olmert a signal" that the mission is syria received his approval.

Sure he has followers. He also is stuck with only six chairs, of the Likud's 12. In a universe that once had Arik Sharon bringing in 41 ministers.

But that wasn't good enough. What a bunch of idiots. Yes. WIth supporters. But, hey, Ron Paul has those. So what's the big deal?

re: #210 Carol Herman

I hang out at FreeRepublic.com.

Registration is always open. Bring it on, bitch.

re: #212 Alouette

re: #210 Carol Herman

I hang out at FreeRepublic.com.

Registration is always open. Bring it on, bitch.

Out'da luck. I rarely go there.