OT OT
Cary-- Read some of my older posts. I regard the WTC as a stupid, destructive, and personal attack and want a no-hands-tied response. Indeed, my regret is that W is doing what his father did in Iraq -- failing and calling it a victory. We had a military mission, to get Bin Laden and the leadership, and we failed--so far.
Now we're involved in nation building, which looks very "iffy" given the historical animosities.
However, I see a huge difference between Barak, Peres, and Sharon. Don't forget that Sharon was found guilty by an Israeli military tribunal of contributing to the massacre of Muslems at Sabra and Shatila by Christians. Read Tom Friedman's book, "From Beirut to Jerusalem," for a full account. However, and, this is obvious, I do not equate a military incursion with indiscriminant massacre of civilians. It is not common knowledge that Arafat prevented the Palestinian news media from even revealing the peace proposal by Barak. However, we must ask whether things got better or worse with Sharon. I think there is a role for the military, but I stand by my statement that Sharon is blind to other alternatives.
I also take issue with your statement that you resent my comments. Certainly it is your perogative to do so, but it is just that sort of intransigence that contributes to the quagmire. Rarely is the world divided cleanly into good and bad. Bin Laden may be an exception, but even he is motivated by love of god. Indeed, there is too much finger-pointing and righteousness and precious little attention being given to finding workable alternatives. Notice I did not say "solutions". I am pessimistic about near-term prospects, but Germany and France could never coexist, Northern Ireland looks better, we don't hear about Cypress, and we no longer at war with Mexico or the Phillipines (Both sides were guilty of monstrous atrocities in the Phillipines). After maximum pain, in the long run, IMO, it will be economic self-interest that determines the outcome, and the LT seems clear that both sides will be better off with peace.
Currently, the whole thing makes me ill.
fred |
