Dave > Do you doubt that there is admiration for Bush by the members of the service?
No. I believe the US servicemen have to swear an oath that they are prepared to die for their President. In the circumstances how can they defy the oath which they have sworn?
> The latest poll gives bush a 66% approval ratings. Is this fantasy?
A poll is a poll is a poll. I don't know who conducted the poll and who was polled? Whether it was just US servicemen, US citizens or people everywhere? But, I accept your point that GWB's ratings are high with the American people. The point Americans don't seem to understand or accept is that there is widespread international condemnation for US actions in Iraq. In the circumstances, as far as Americans are concerned anyone who is not "for them" can jump in the lake.
> I would like your comments on this propaganda piece and where they are mistaken or telling lies
Yes, I know the story that Israel was founded on "unoccupied" land and that there is no such place as Palestine. However, I'm no historian who can authenticate the position one way or another. I'm also aware of the circumstances pertaining after the creation of Israel in 1948, the various wars (Liberation, Six Day, Yom Kippur and Lebanon campaign) and the response of the Arabs including the latest intifada (uprising).
Frankly, I cannot see the polemic being solved by conflict, in fact, I believe the longer the present situation lasts the worse it is for Israel --- and I'm not even talking about the approximately 3-4 million Palestinians who are suffering all the time.
Like Sadat, Menachim Begin, Jimmy Carter, Rabin, Clinton, Senator Mitchell etc, I believe the best solution/compromise which offers credibility to both sides and conformity to the UN Resolutions, is the land-for-peace deal. However, as we know or if we don't we should, this is completely unacceptable to the majority of Israelis (although not all). In fact, the Israelis clearly feel that they would prefer a state of low-grade war, like has been going on for many years, interspersed with the wars mentioned above, to permanently giving up strategic land and then not being sure they will obtain true peace in return.
I do agree that there are some/many Arabs who will never accept the State of Israel but there are also many who do. However, I cannot see that a permanent war between Israel and Islam will bring peace any closer. In fact, it is my opinion that when the suicide bombing started, Israel was put in a definitely weaker position because now it has to deal with fanatics who will not listen to reason.
Clearly, because of the enormity of the problem facing it, there are obvious reasons why Israel has tried by all means to bring the US into the conflict on its side, rather than as an independent arbitrator, which it was. It is self-evident that this has now happened and because of the various unknowns about 911 many people, including myself, believe that Israel was somehow involved. 911 was definitely the transforming moment.
The point I am making is what might have been a relatively small, local problem, which seemed near solution, has now escalated into a world-wide conflict which involves consequences and ramifications far beyond anything that could have been imagined. Clearly, some of these must be to the disadvantage of the US.
I have listened on TV to senior Israelis discuss the new "road map" for peace and it is quite clear that they have no intention of giving the Palestinians most of what they would expect in a peace settlement, and I'm not even talking about half of Jerusalem or the Golan Heights which are, effectively, taboo subjects for Israelis. In the circumstances, it is clear that the conflict will continue and escalate further. As I see it, there can and will be no winner, only losers.
As I mentioned above, Israel and the US are now, clearly, more than allies in the conflict in the MidEast. Some/many people are not at all pleased about this and believe that it is not to the advantage of the US to have such a close relationship with Israel. In the circumstances, I wonder what you feel about the opinions expressed in this article?
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