I don't care any more. Maybe if everyone dies...then there will be peace. When I hear about Palestinian terror and bus bombings, I cringe. When I hear about Israeli solders shooting and killing a 10 year old Palestinian boy for throwing rocks at a tank on several occassions, I cringe. I AM SICK OF CRINGING! I AM SICK OF BOTH THEIR S-H-I-T! I AM SICK OF IT ALL! BUSH TELLING PALESTINIANS TO STOP THE VIOLENCE WHEN HE'S READY TO ATTACK IRAQ AND KILL PEOPLE ON BOTH SIDES! WHAT A FREAKING JOKE! The only thing I ever get out of anything any more is VIOLENCE IS THE ANSWER! SO, KILL EM ALL I GUESS....!!!!
No progress in Middle East peace will occur until both Arafat and Sharon are replaced by younger, more far-sighted leadership that fully understands the only thing violence brings about is violence in response.
I think it might be time we start thinning herd. That reminds me, has anyone seen Saddam or Osama lately?
RocketmanTex, I Agree 100%, though there are things that we don't agree on I think it is evident that these two hold too many old grudges, fueds and too much pride to save the innocent lives threatened by their unwillingness. I think a new, younger generation that strives for peace will be the ones to take the road to peace. Until that time, I shudder everytime I hear any news from that region. I have Jewish friends visiting Tel Aviv and Palestinian friends with family in Ramallah, very close to where Arafat's compund is. I could not even imagine their pain in reading the news hoping it is not one of their loved ones in a suicide bombers bus or at the end of an Israeli tank blast.
Arafat and Sharon are like a couple of old timey gunfighters in a cowboy movie. All they know how to do is stand on opposite ends of the street, make dirty looks at each other, yell "draw, pardner" and fire away. Neither has the ability to let go of the past and seek new ways for peace, and that is why no peace will happen until new leadership emerges on both sides.
The proble is that Arafat has completely lost control of Hamas and the Martyr's Brigade. Arafat could agree to peace tomorrow and it STILL won't end the violence. On the other hand, the Israelis will NEVER put a dove in power. They want a leader who is inclined to kick massive a$$ when the bombings occur. All of this compounds on itself and self-propogates. How arrogant for the US to think that we can bring about meaningful change over there.
hard to be a dove when you're surrounded by war...would you vote for a dove to deal with terrorism in this country?
Refman, not arrogant. The US could control Israel pretty easily if there was determination. 1) Cut off their subsidies. 2) Stop supplying them with the latest weapons and spare parts. 3) their economy would collapse if they tried to do it alone and self supply all the weapons and systems they need to maintain their position. Israel is a virtual dependency of the United States. There is no way a small country like that can maintain a bloated and world class military without a big country benefactor. Their economy just could not sustain it. They know it. Even Sharon would have to cave pronto if he thought the game was over. In fact Israel can only maintain a war footing for several months till the economy collapses. If they call up all the reserves they don't have enough people to keep the civilian economy going. That is one of the reasons why in the 1967 War Israel had to attack first when the Egyptians and others massed on their borders.
No I don't wish the destruction of Israel. I would actually be for big time US and international support for Israel's security if they would follow UN resoloutions and withdraw to the pre 1967 borders. That is the best solution, neither side perhaps gets all they want. Actually as we discussed previously many in the Israeli security services consider that the pre 1967 borders are more defensable,as Israel won't have to conatain 3,000,000 Palestinians within its borders. Blanket accusations that those who oppose the current status quo in Israel 1) are anti-semitic 2) self hating Jews or 3) want the destrution of Israel or all Jews are crude techniques for silencing critics.
