No bargaining with terrorists.

Some real class shown by Reuters in the evenhandedness of their headline...

They get the Peace Finger(tm) :)

Is there any other way to negotiate Hamas style?

Never trust a terrorist (muslim country).

offering to rein in rocket fire into Israel in return for an easing of Israeli border controls.

Try "complete cease fire immediately or face total annihilation", but they'd never say or do that. Pity.

Why would HAMAS lower themselves to speak to just some guys in an unrecognized state like Isarael? According to HAMAS..Israel isnt a country

/sarcasm

That's basically what Islam is: Organized, large-scale extortion.

As if capitulation would make the slightest difference.

I saw a Rowan's and Martin Laugh-in from 1968..the jokes could have been used today. Israel is finally going to negotiate truthfully with terror..and that is with the back of their hand and the squinted eye

al-Reuters is ridiculous. Sounds like quite a deal to me...
"Hey Israel...we have no water or power...you think if we stop trying to randomly murder your population you could give us some light and drink? Pretty please? How bout we'll only fire 20 rockets today instead of 50."

Riiight

they must have been running low on children willing to go out and pick up those hot rocket launchers for them.

How is this bit of insanity? linky

How about if he spends time making Saudi into a democracy? How about Iran? How about...pick one?

Let's ask the Israeli Arabs if they would prefer to live somewhere else? Idiots.

If they don't have them, Israel should buy some AC-130 gunships or modify some of their C-130s, three or four, so one can always be orbiting overhead near Sderot, and as soon as a rocket goes up from Gaza, 30 mm cannon fire should make everything and everybody within 50 feet of the launch site into a fine powder.

I'll bet Hamas would stop firing rockets rather quickly.

Well of Hamas will. If Israel eases border restrictions, Hamas will not longer need to resort to long-range rockets and can resume their practice of sending splodey-dopes into Israel over the less secure border.

When I want an unbiased assesment of Israel's intentions I always seek "a Palestinian official familiar with the situation"...
Must be a slow day at Reuters. At least they didn't make it up.

Extortion is a strong word.

/Then again so are murder and mayhem.

They should make a counter offer. Every member of Hamas (both wings and affiliates) can eat a bullet and restrictions will be lifted.

Excellent, time to remove all restrictions from Gaza!

Time for israel to remove any and all illegal border crossing with gaza and egypt!

Of course it's also time to complete seal off gaza from Israel.

No water, power, food, fuel, travel, UN passage, reporters cannot travel from israel to gaza.

Time to DIVORCE gaza completely, give it BACK the world's largest arab nation, EGYPT...

If Gaza IMPORTS more weapons FINE, Israel under international law can do a "southern lebanon" on gaza, forcing 1.3 million palios to flee...

INTO EGPYT...

Let the GAMES begin!

#14: PIMF

"Hamas will no longer ..."

Hamas has no interest in reining in the rocket fire. They know that Israel doesn't have a clear answer to deal with the problem. Israel can return fire, but Hamas has figured if you put kids in the vicinity, the Israelis may kill or injure them - a media coup for the terrorists.

Hamas is engaging in typical behavior - pushing a hudna, or alternatively engaging in extortion, or both.

They threaten to fire rockets against Israel unless Israel relents and enables terrorists to cross the Gaza border into Israel. They threaten rockets unless Israel releases Hamas terrorists from prison. Etc.

Meanwhile, they continue to hold Gilad Shalit for more than a year and no one has held Hamas accountable for that. Israel may deal with the kassam rockets in piecemeal fashion, but unless and until they decide to deal with the Hamas leadership that enables those attacks in the first place, the attacks will continue.

And that means also dealing forcefully with the PRCs and Islamic Jihad as well - the alphabet agency/name game terrorist groups that are by and large the major terrorist groups by another name.

That's not a blatant extortion attempt at all. But the media continues to yawn and drum it up as "Israel refusing to allow peace to reign"

Yesterday, Drudge put up the headline. And, the link. To the story that the Pope REFUSED to meet with Condi, this summer. She was seeking "legitimacy," thru his Blessing. She's still without it.

There are many players actually on the benches, around the Court. We don't know it all.

While in Israel? Where it counts what all your potential voters think? Seems Bibi stepped in it. Here's the quote:

Eitan Cabel, secretary general of the Labour Party, told Army Radio that Mr Netanyahu had been guilty of "an outburst that is severe, stupid and irresponsible". Mr Cabel, whose party leader, Ehud Barak, is seen by his supporters as the main rival to Mr Netanyahu for the future premiership, declared: "Bibi [Mr Netanyahu's nickname] is the same Bibi. I haven no idea if it is foolishness, stupidity, the desire to jump on the bandwagon, the desire to be a partner, to steal credit – or something else. It is simply very dangerous. The man simply does not deserve to lead."

By the way, the one thing you can bank on, is that Abbas hasn't got a living Shalit, to deal "back" a prisoner exchange.

In other words? He's a media prop. Just like the "Dinner Jacket." They do write stories around this junk. But it's not what things are about. At all.

Israel is a war-mongering state smart.

Regardless if Israel would give in, the attacks would keep coming... No amount of money will stop the hatred...

rockets are exspensive suicide bombers are more cost effective

/

Let the IDF do the talking.

A prominent Hamas official tried to open discussions with Israel to ease confrontation in the Gaza Strip but was rebuffed, a Palestinian official familiar with the situation told Reuters on Friday.

So they opted to do lunch with the NY Times instead.

Can anyone explain to me what #22 says?

Well of COURSE the Paleostinians would curtail rocket attacks if Israel loosens up border controls.

After all, brainwashed suicidal 15 year olds are much cheaper delivery systems for explosives to the heart of Israel, so why would they keep using rockets?

re: #13 Ed Mahmoud's Sock Puppet

If they don't have them, Israel should buy some AC-130 gunships or modify some of their C-130s, three or four, so one can always be orbiting overhead near Sderot, and as soon as a rocket goes up from Gaza, 30 mm cannon fire should make everything and everybody within 50 feet of the launch site into a fine powder.

I'll bet Hamas would stop firing rockets rather quickly.

No, they'd point out how israel just destroyed a UN outpost.

/ in the theoretical, you understand

re: #26 Poitiers-Lepanto

Let the IDF do the talking.

let the IDF's bullets do the talking. they should take off the kid gloves and obliterate these swine.

re: #25 bulwrk

Dang it, took me too long to say what you did in much pithier terms...

In other words, they were practicing extortion.

As Ed Norton would say:

"I don't have to practice it; I already know it!"

OT

This genous could have easly goten a Darwin Award:

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

What happes when you to to an airpot with a bomb-like device straped to youself. He name is star.

That says it all.

I think this story deserves a thread:

A gang of Islamic Paki/Saudi/Afghani illegal aliens slay a young investment banker on the streets of Manhattan, and steal his wallet.

They are caught in the act of credit card fraud, have been picked up on numerous immigration violations, and it looks like they are going to go TOTALLY SCOTT FREE.

These scum deserve no better than a good old fashioned lynching, but their liberal comrades in arms have ensured that cannot happen here.

America was in some ways a better place 100 years ago.

http://www.nypost.com/seven/09212007/news/regional news/d_a__might_spring_killer.htm

re: #28 GreenDroll

Can anyone explain to me what #22 says?

lol. no.

But I think she is a big Olmert fan. Very pro-Israel.

re: #24 tfc3rid

Regardless if Israel would give in, the attacks would keep coming... No amount of money will stop the hatred...

Exactly. Hamas might stop firing, but suddenly, a new group "with strong ties to Hamas" would pop up and start shooting again.

OT (but nontheless may be of interest):

Teen arrested at Boston's Logan Airport with mock device strapped to her chest
Sep 21, 2007 12:06 PM
The Associated Press
BOSTON — An MIT student with a fake bomb strapped to her chest was arrested at gunpoint today at Logan International Airport and later claimed it was artwork, officials said.
Star Simpson, 19, had a computer circuit board and wiring in plain view over a black hooded sweat shirt she was wearing, said State Police Maj. Scott Pare, the commanding officer at the airport.

“She said that it was a piece of art and she wanted to stand out on career day,” Pare said at a news conference. “She claims that it was just art, and that she was proud of the art and she wanted to display it.”

The device had wires connected to a battery, allowing it to light up, he said. Simpson also had Play-Doh in her hands, he said.

Simpson was charged with disturbing the peace and possessing a hoax device, and was to be arraigned in East Boston District Court later today.

“I’m shocked and appalled that somebody would wear this type of device to an airport,” Pare said.

Simpson was “extremely lucky she followed the instructions or deadly force would have been used,” Pare said. “She’s lucky to be in a cell as opposed to the morgue.”

Simpson is a Massachusetts Institute of Technology sophomore from Hawaii, officials said. A spokeswoman for MIT had no immediate comment.

Simpson was arrested about 8 a.m. outside Terminal C, home to United Airlines, Jet Blue and other carriers.

A Massachusetts Port Authority staffer at an information booth in the terminal became suspicious when Simpson — wearing the device — approached to ask about an incoming flight, Pare said. Simpson then walked outside, and the information booth attendant notified a nearby policeman.

The state trooper, joined by others with submachine-guns, confronted her at a traffic island in front of the terminal.

Pare said Simpson took a subway to the airport, but he was not sure if she had the device on at that time.

“She was allegedly picking somebody up,” he said.

Pare praised the booth attendant but said the incident is a reminder of the terrorism threat confronting the civil aviation system. Two of the four passenger jets hijacked on Sept. 11, 2001, took off from Logan.

The more prestigious the school the dumber the students!

Sometimes, I wonder if the Man Upstairs isn't blowing on the dice?

Yes, I know. That would make Einstein's observation "wrong."

But I still see miracles. And, well executed plans on the part the Israeli's play. Especially on the diplomatic stage, once owned by arafat. Of all people.

Oh, and this "infant child," called the Internet. Has taken on the PRO's. WOW!

Did I mention a Tropical Storm Warning for the SE Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Western Panhandle coastline.

Sub-Tropical Depression #10L is slowly organizing, rain and tornadoes, rather than straight line winds from the storm, are the main threat, and this may get to BTR before the Cocks/Tigers game.

If that isn't bad enough, GFS develops a new storm in the Caribbean, that hits Central Louisiana on Monday.

Wet times for the state that doesn't quite fit in with the other lower 47!

re: #25 bulwrk

rockets are exspensive suicide bombers are more cost effective

/

You mean, you haven't heard? There are now lots of palestinian teenagers who WANT to get arrested! Even if they're "volunteering" to wear suicide belts, the truth is they want to be CAUGHT, first.

So they can study while in prison. The females are doing this, too.

And, they hate it when their parents spend money on lawyers to get them off.

offering to rein in rocket fire into Israel in return for an easing of Israeli border controls.

In other words, exchange rocket fire, which isn't killing enough Israelis for Hamas, for suicide bombers, which could kill more.

...offering to rein in rocket fire into Israel in return for an easing of Israeli border controls.

Isn't that like claiming you'll stop holding mass demonstrations if the government will further open borders, thus allowing more potential demonstrators to enter the country? Not that there's anything wrong with that.
/Seinfeld.

Posted this down stairs.

[Link: littlegreenfootballs.com...]

They want "Muhawesh al-Kadi, senior member of group's military" back.

re: #6 quiet man

Remembe, Condi is coming with her suitcase of money for them.Thank God Israel is not going down that fruitless path again.

re: #28 GreenDroll

Can anyone explain to me what #22 says?

I said Bibi just stepped in it. Outside of government, he couldn't help himself.

So you got the quote from the piece of news that people IN ISRAEL are discussing, today.

If it goes over your brow, it doesn't mean you're ahead of the curve.

re: #40 Ed Mahmoud's Sock Puppet

OH S***T

re: #28 GreenDroll

Can anyone explain to me what #22 says?

Ya got me.

Is the Pope refusing to buy off on Condi's "evenhandedness" crap? If so, good for him.

Just for kicks and Giggles an OT post

[Link: blogs.usatoday.com...]

Bill Clinton jokes he might not handle being 'first husband' very well
"No, I may slit my throat," former president Bill Clinton joked last night on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart after being asked how well he might cope with going from leader of the world's remaining superpower to husband of the first woman president.

Please? Pretty Please? why wait?

I think there are people in America more afraid of "kassam attacks," than there are similar crowds in Israel. WHere most of that nation are not addicted to "victimhood."

They're also very alert, folks. And, they fight back.

Heck, even their Knesset operates better than our congress. (And, in Israel, the Knesset is referred to as "kindergarten."

Again, if you need a translation: The IDF is poised and ready. And, the men who lead the military forces are RESPECTED.

The Winograd Commission? I think their time is up. Those "hindsight" looks are about as great as figuring out your backside's spilt in two parts.

A new level of dhimmitude found...

LOO WITH NO ONE TO USE IT

BAKERY giants Greggs have installed a Muslims-only toilet at their new Scottish headquarters - despite the fact that no Muslims work there.

Workers at the state-of-the-art factory were shocked when they were given a tour of the building and told a cubicle had been fitted for the use of Muslim employees. The staff said they are baffled at the decision because they are not aware of any Islamic workers at the base in Cambuslang, near Glasgow.

Last night, management at the bakery said they had received several requests from all over the country for the exclusive facility. All their new buildings will now be fitted with the specialised toilet regardless of the number of Muslims in the workforce.

But staff at the new £15million plant labelled the decision "political correctness gone mad".

One said: “We were being given a guided tour of the new factory before moving there when they told us that they had a toilet for use only by Muslims.

"I couldn’t believe, everybody was stunned because we don’t know of any Muslims who are working here. I don’t think anybody is really angry about it, but there just doesn’t seem to be any need for it. This sort of things is just political correctness gone mad."

Another worker said: "The toilet just looks like a ceramic hole in the ground. I don’t think it will be getting much use and I don’t see why we couldn’t all just use the same toilet anyway.

heh.

Israel Ackbar

Naturally, tight border controls to keep out suicide bombers is every bit as atrocious as random rocket fire into civilian areas.

/sarc

This moral equivalency crap has gotten old.

re: #48 Ward Cleaver

re: #28 GreenDroll

Can anyone explain to me what #22 says?

Ya got me.

Is the Pope refusing to buy off on Condi's "evenhandedness" crap? If so, good for him.

FROM THE DRUDGE REPORT.

He actually headlined this, yesterday. So I guess you never go there, looking for headlines?

Seems, in August, the State Department "requested" that the POPE see CONDI, to BLESS HER trip to the Mideast. He had his personnel informing her that he was "on vacation."

Make of this what you will. It has nothing to do with money in Condi's luggage.

It does, however, indicate that there are benched players around this field. Some actually paying attention. And, refusing to be called upon, to be used.

No Papal Blessing for Condi was forthcoming. No Pay Pal, either, folks.

Do some people really need a remedial section?

Soldier filmed minutes before his death

(Video) Staff Sergeant Ben-Zion Haim Henman who was killed in action in Nablus Tuesday was filmed by the IDF Spokesperson's Unit just minutes before his death. 'We have a great country, a great army, good luck to all,' he says

/have had trouble with the video but it's worth a try.

re: #53 Bunker Buster Not equivalent. From the tone of the article it's clear the reporter thinks the border controls are much worse. After all, the rockets are only somewhat destructive, while the border controls are "humiliating".

Did he come bearing a mask?

re: #56 Kenneth

al-Reuters being what it is, you're probably right.

I think there are people in America more afraid of "kassam attacks," than there are similar crowds in Israel. WHere most of that nation are not addicted to "victimhood."

They're also very alert, folks. And, they fight back.

Heck, even their Knesset operates better than our congress. (And, in Israel, the Knesset is referred to as "kindergarten."

Again, if you need a translation: The IDF is poised and ready. And, the men who lead the military forces are RESPECTED.

The Winograd Commission? I think their time is up. Those "hindsight" looks are about as great as figuring out your backside's spilt in two parts

excellent post carol herman

re: #59 southernborn

Are you sure you're not Carol Herman's sockpuppet? ;-)

Storm Track Intimidation: Legal Jihad Exposed

Muslim employment discrimination suits have increased dramatically since 1990 with the biggest increase after 9/11. The year 2007 is on track to have the largest number of Muslim discrimination opinions in history.

who only wanted to “ease confrontation:”

Hamas rep: "Okay, okay...here's the deal, Jews: We want to kill all of you and slaughter your children in the streets--BUT WE ALSO WANT TO EASE CONFRONTATIONS as well."

"Do we have a deal, Jew dogs"?

Somebody, please, let me off.

The world's gone insane.

Why are the Jews allowing this kind of nonsense to continue? Why isn't there a smoking hole in the ground of where the guy who said this used to be standing?

Where's Moshe Dayan when you need him?

~ENT

re: #7 Fjordman

That's basically what Islam is: Organized, large-scale extortion.

Ding, Ding, Ding. We have a winner!

Rack em.

OT With Saint Hillary in the news lets not forget her malicious behavior towards Juanita Broderick who says Bill Clinton raped her.

An Open Letter to Hillary Clinton from Juanita Broderick

Let's REALLY never forget folks.

One said: “We were being given a guided tour of the new factory before moving there when they told us that they had a toilet for use only by Muslims.

They're just demonstrating where the Muslim world is heading: down the crapper.

re: #12 mollyshark

How is this bit of insanity? linky

How about if he spends time making Saudi into a democracy? How about Iran? How about...pick one?

Let's ask the Israeli Arabs if they would prefer to live somewhere else? Idiots.

The World According to WhitDICK.

"Do some people really need a remedial section?"

I guess I do, I still have no idea what Carol Herman is talking about. Must be my cognitive reasoning skills that are inadequate for getting me into MIT.

Hey, let's give them a state. How about Malaysia?
Hamas can be trusted just like the scorpion in the old story. They will not stop firing rockets unless someone destroys the rockets and those who launch them first.

re: #59 southernborn

Are you sure you're not Carol Herman's sockpuppet? ;-)

Hell no Im just pro israel to..don't agree with all she says.

re: #12 mollyshark

The sky on his planet is a bright shade of HAMAS green.

Saint Bill Clinton Admits to Being a Sex Addict

Notice how miserable Bill Clinton seems now. He is being forced into good behavior so as to not jeopardize Hillary's chances.

Let's remember who it is on all these talk shows shilling about "giving."

Extortion is such a nasty term ; can't we just say blackmail?

re: #70 southernborn

re: #59 southernborn

Are you sure you're not Carol Herman's sockpuppet? ;-)

Hell no Im just pro israel to..don't agree with all she says.

I know, I'm just pulling your leg.

re: #73 Mr Spiffy

Extortion is such a nasty term ; can't we just say blackmail?

Are you saying that "black" is synonymous with criminal activity? Racist! Hater!

/sarc

re: #20 lawhawk

Your comments are right on!

Unfortnately, the same old same old will continue until something really drastic occurs, like Iran bombing Israel. Or Hamass loading one of its scuds with some chemical weapons. Then the gloves will come off.

/another peace conference, another peace conference

/another visit to weight watchers, another visit to weight watchers

re: #38 Van Impe

Let's see if MIT expells her...or gives her an award.

re: #69 madisonsfriend

Hey, let's give them a state. How about Malaysia?
Hamas can be trusted just like the scorpion in the old story. They will not stop firing rockets unless someone destroys the rockets and those who launch them first.

Malaysia sounds good to me...but Jordan is closer.

re: #70 southernborn

re: #59 southernborn

Are you sure you're not Carol Herman's sockpuppet? ;-)

Hell no Im just pro israel to..don't agree with all she says.

I know, I'm just pulling your leg.

All is well, here s a joke for you

> A soldier ran up to a nun. Out of breath he asked, "Please, may I hide under your skirt. I'll explain later."
> The nun agreed. A moment later two Military Police ran up and asked, Sister, have you seen a soldier?"
>
> The nun replied, "He went that way."
>
> After the MP's ran off, the soldier crawled out from under her skirt and said, "I can't thank you enough Sister.
>
> You see, I don't want to go to Iraq."
>
> The nun said, "I understand completely." The soldier added, "I hope I'm not rude, but you have a great pair of legs!"
>
> The nun replied, " If you had looked a little higher, you would have see a great pair of balls I don't want to go to Iraq either."

re: #54 Carol Herman

I think the question was directed more toward your TFK'ish writing style than the merits of the news story.

re: #79 buzzsawmonkey

re: #78 So?

Whatever state the "Palestinians" get will be Malaisia.

You know if they were ever given a state, they wouldn't know what to do with it.

re: #81 southernborn

LOLOLOL

Ah. So Hamas is admitting that they are in charge of the daily murder attempts, and have the power to stop them. I thought they were always claiming these attacks were by rogue factions they couldn't control, and therefore were not their, Hamas', fault.

re: #81 southernborn
LOL

re: #85 Silhouette

Ah. So Hamas is admitting that they are in charge of the daily murder attempts, and have the power to stop them. I thought they were always claiming these attacks were by rogue factions they couldn't control, and therefore were not their, Hamas', fault.

EXACTLY : ISRAEL SHOULD TAKE THEM TO THE UN

well at least Israel would get some PR ; it's the game the Islsmos play so well

Man - I just reallized this is a nursery rhyme!

Little pig little pig let me come in!
Not by the hair of my chinny chin chin!
Then I'll huff and I'll puff and I'll blow your house in!

Cut to third pig building brick house, keeping wolf out, ultimate folly of wolf falling into cooking pot through chimney.

The end.

Hamas spokesman in a suit=terrorist in a "peace scarf".

#89 Cattt
Man - I just reallized this is a nursery rhyme!

Little pig little pig let me come in!
Not by the hair of my chinny chin chin!
Then I'll huff and I'll puff and I'll blow your house in!

Cut to third pig building brick house, keeping wolf out, ultimate folly of wolf falling into cooking pot through chimney.

The end.

that does it. Im heading to O SO GOOD BBQ have a wonderful day ya'll

re: #89 Cattt

Good insight.

I noted before that Iraq was like the Little Red Hen. The UN didn't want to help the US oust Saddam, but after the heavy work was done they offered to take over the running of things.

Meanwhile, in the US, the Big Bad Wolf is visiting the graves of the two other dead pigs to lay a wreath, while being invited to speak at the Red Riding Hood University, whose students think he is their friends, and so much less evil than President Woodcutter.

re: #89 Cattt

Islamist! are you calling Jews pigs?
/sarc

The Palestinian source told Reuters that Hamas, which seized control of Gaza in June, had sought talks with Deputy defense Minister Matan Vilnai, offering to rein in rocket fire into Israel in return for an easing of Israeli border controls.

Why is the first thing I thought of the old parable of the Wolf and the 3 Little Pigs? And the second thing was Jack Nicholson in The Shining:

OPEN THE DOOR, WENDY!

re: #61 NJDhockeyfan

Yeah, but thankfully, only a tiny fraction are ever found to have ANY litigating merit at all. They're trying to play the system, its that simple.

Essentially the deal is, Hamas will stop firing rockets into Israel if Israel will allow them to enter the country to bomb it. Hamas won't terrorize Israeli civilians from the outside if Israel will let them terrorize it from the inside.

re: #35 funkyfantom

Riiight, let them lose, even though they have evidence of Credit Card fraud at the very least...

Nice to know using a dead persons CC, that you would only have illegally is NOT actually going to get you time...

hamas to Israel: our rockets aren't doing enough damage, we want you to ease border security so we can smuggle in bombs and kids with homicide belts so we can murder more Israelis.

hamas to international media: Israel's rejection of our offer to reduce rocket attacks is just another example of Israel's attempt to destroy the gaza area by blocking aide.

International media and un: Israel is to be condemned for their failure to take the hamas initiative and ease border security. The incidental bombs and homicide attacks should not be a deterrent to easing restrictions.

Hamas wants an easing of Israeli border controls, so that arms and explosives and jihadis can easily travel. That is not a good idea for Israel to agree to.
Here's a better deal. Hamas stops the rocket attacks into Israel, and Israel refrains from carrying out a 1-year total siege of the Gaza Strip, including fuel, electricity, water, food, medicine, and everything else, and also refrains from carrying out a 3-month intensive bombing campaign against the Gaza Strip at the end of the 1-year siege. Sounds like a good deal to me.

re: #13 Ed Mahmoud's Sock Puppet

If they don't have them, Israel should buy some AC-130 gunships or modify some of their C-130s, three or four, so one can always be orbiting overhead near Sderot, and as soon as a rocket goes up from Gaza, 30 mm cannon fire should make everything and everybody within 50 feet of the launch site into a fine powder.

I'll bet Hamas would stop firing rockets rather quickly.

I wonder why nobody else has gunships like that. Does the IDF use helo's instead? Maybe with the scarcity of targets vs ease of anti-aircraft missle use the 130 wouldn't last as long as the Cobra?

re: #59 southernborn

I think there are people in America more afraid of "kassam attacks,"
than there are similar crowds in Israel. WHere most of that nation are
not addicted to "victimhood."

They're also very alert, folks. And, they fight back.

Heck, even their Knesset operates better than our congress. (And, in Israel, the Knesset is referred to as "kindergarten."

Again, if you need a translation: The IDF is poised and ready. And, the men who lead the military forces are RESPECTED.

The Winograd Commission? I think their time is up. Those "hindsight"
looks are about as great as figuring out your backside's spilt in two
parts

excellent post carol herman

Thanks. Some people, here, it seems, like playing with their minus button. A few slices short of a whole loaf, I guess?

Glad you were willing to stick your neck out in this environment. Takes courage.

And here I thought political Hamas had no control over the militant side.

What Hamas wanted was a degradation of Israeli border controls. This would have allowed the freer flow of arms, ammo, explosives, and jihadis into Israel. It would have made it easier to establish sleeper terrorist cells in Israel, that would be able to be activated at an opportune time later. It would have increased the number of islamikazi terrorist massacres that occur, and end or at least reduce the effectiveness of the anti-terrorist fence. The anti-terrorist fence is no more effective than the border controls through its gates.

The US should support Israel's stand on refusing to degrade its homeland security measures at the demand of the terrorists. At issue is the matter of whether terrorism is punished or rewarded, whether terrorism is prevented or facilitated, and whether Israel should negotiate its security with terrorists committed to destroying Israel.

The US should support Israel's stand on this because a victory for jihaditerrorists anywhere is a victory for jihaditerrorists everywhere.

Hamas' threat to continue to fire rockets at Israel (thousands of rockets have already been fired) unless Israel degrades its homeland security measures is an attempt at extortion. If Israel had made the terrible mistake of submitted to that extortion attempt, it would have paid a heavy price in blood when the sleeper terrorist cells that enter Israel would be activated. Also, the idea of giving in to extortion sets a terrible precedent, and invites Hamas to do the same thing in the future, by threatening more rocket attacks unless further future demands are met involving Israel's not defending itself.

Israel should consider the suggestion made by Charles Krauthammer regarding Hamas' rocket attacks. Israel should announce that if the rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip continue, then Israel will cut off gasoline to the Gaza Strip. This is not a total siege, but a denial of the means that the terrorists need for effectively carrying out their rocket jihad against Israel. This would bring traffic to a halt. That should impair the whole rocket operation. If that did not stop the rocket attacks, then Israel should announce that if the rockets continue then electricity would be cut off. That should be a further step to show the seriousness with which Israel regards the Gaza Strip waging rocket war against Israel, and Hamas' refusal to curtail it.

That would be a better approach to protect Israel's security than following Hamas' demand that Israel blind itself and impair its homeland security.

re: #68 ploome hineni

"easing border controls"?

let us in to bomb you, so we do not have to lob kassams to bomb you?

/sure

Exactly.

The kassam rockets are fired randomly, mostly striking nothing (although they terrorize everyone in Sderot) and are not nearly as effective as having lots of islamikazis inserted into Israel, blowing up buses (as Hamas has done repeatedly in the past) and other places where civilians are concentrated. Hamas wants to get Israeli blood flowing seriously, so they want to improve their methods of killing. They just want to improve their tactics to get more Israeli blood.

That's what Reuters means by easing confrontation in the Gaza Strip. It means having Israelis blown up in their buses by islamikazis. All this homeland security stuff by Israel is so annoying to Reuters, just as it is to Hamas.

re: #85 Silhouette

Ah. So Hamas is admitting that they are in charge of the daily murder attempts, and have the power to stop them. I thought they were always claiming these attacks were by rogue factions they couldn't control, and therefore were not their, Hamas', fault.

This shows that Hamas is in charge, and Hamas is responsible for the rocket attacks.

Now that we know that the rulers of Hamastan have control, and the rocket attacks were preventable, it is time for Israel to act by cutting off gasoline to the Gaza Strip (as Charles Krauthammer has suggested).