I doubt Bush is covertly giving the nod to Sharon. Bush is a guy who is quite sincere in his statements and actions. More likely he sees that further escalation could cause bigger regional problems in the long term.
I have two boys. I remember many times when they were young that we heard them arguing and scuffling. I would walk into the room and command "stop it right now, what is going on here!" "He started it" says Paul. "I did not, he did" said Brian...."he stepped on my baseball card". "That's not his card, that's mine so I can step on it if I want". "It's not yours, you traded it to me last month if I would let you use my Nintendo game". "Not that card, we traded a different one.......besides you hit me." "I didn't hit you, I just touched you, besides you pushed me first".......................
From my perspective, it was impossible to figure out who was right or wrong and even if I did, neither boy would ever understand or believe they caused he problem. So, my view was the best solution was to stop the fighting, separate them, and try to calm them down. I just hoped that one day they would grow up and realize that their fighting didn't accomplish anything and they would be happier if they got along. Fortunately, they did eventually reach that point. Another solution I sometimes considered and once tried was to just let them fight.........that didn't work well in my wife's view as they both were hurt, but I have to admit they were much more cautious toward each other after that for a few weeks.
For those with strong opinions, I'm not suggesting who is right or wrong or what the solution is...I don't know. I'm not suggesting the U.S. could have carried out this operation with less civilian casualties....I know they couldn't. What I do know is that these two peoples will either need to agree to forget the past and try to live in peace going forward, or one group will have to conquer the other. I know of no other solution that will end the seemingly neverending fighting.
I suspect Bush feels like I did when my boys were young.
Tom |
