Hi Dabum. This is the distraction thread. No man's land. If we're going to go off topic this is a good place for it.
On the questions you raised, it's not what Israel should do that I was referring to but rather what we did. When we abandoned Lebanon to the fates of a Sharon-led israel, we made a statement to the Arab world and that statement was one that they understood. We could have abandoned the Palestinians subtly, we could have stated our position with sympathy and diplomacy, leaving the door open for later intervention or we could have continued to act as a weaker buffer.
It was a responsibility we had undertaken for decades and even though the Palestinians had greatly overstepped, it is critical that in an area of the world where we have so many economic and political interests to continue to search for a solution. Its as if you have two boys and one is bigger, older and stronger. It the younger one is too obnoxious, you don't abandon him and allow the older son to determine his punishment, no matter how harsh.
I think all of this was exacerbated by the fact that Bush adopted this position not because of his analysis of the situation there, but rather based on his often stated isolationist ideology. It was evidently difficult for him to understand that its a small world, but he is learning.
As for what Israel should do, I suppose that it now requires enough bloodshed on both sides that we have what we would call "capitulation." When each side thinks that things will never improve and is sick with despair and grief, then the people who want to live in peace will have an opportunity to work things out.
A good start for Israel would be to get Sharon out of power and put a moderate in his place. I can't see that there will be any chance for peace with Sharon. He seems to believe that he can crush the opposition but when he makes life even worse for the Palestinians, he gives them less to lose. Another good thing for Israel would be for the U.S. to elect a president that is seen as wise and fair by both sides. Can you say "Two more years, two more years." I hope that person is out here somewhere. I may become a fan of the senator from the great state of Arizona if the Democrats don't have a good choice. Ed |
