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Politics : Foreign Affairs Discussion Group -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Nadine Carroll who wrote (51307)	10/11/2002 8:19:40 PM
From: jcky	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 281500

You said that Hamas didn't target Americans, and I replied that they have blown up quite a number of American citizens who happened to be in Israel. No, I said Hamas did not deliberately target Americans. And yes, a number of American citizens have been blown up in Israel but it is also common knowledge that Israel is a very dangerous place for Americans to visit. And so are other volatile parts of the world including the Philippines, Africa, South America, and Asia. The American army was also responsible for blowing up quite a number of American citizens (i.e. friendly fire) during the Persian Gulf War. So what is the separating distinction? It is in the intent. This doesn't seem to bother you. Not any more or any less than it is bothering you True, and we definitely have Hizbullah/Syrian cooperation in Southern Lebanon. True, but was it Hizbullah who attacked Americans in the WTC? Again, the war waged by Hizbullah/Syria against Israel is an Israeli security issue, not an American one. Let's not obfuscate our goal to immobilize and incapacitate al-Qaida with Hamas, Hizbullah, or Fatah. This should not be a War on Terrorism -- which is only a tactic -- but a War on Islamism. So we are going to paint one broad stroke, the "terrorism" brush, and replace it with the "Islamism" brush. Sure, that'll make our war that much more meaningful and concise just like our war against poverty, drugs, and crime. How do you wage war against an "ism," by the way? <chuckle> We can win a war against al-Qaida. A war against terrorism or Islamism is a quagmire. Nor does Israel want the blood of one American soldier. She just wants the same freedom to defend herself that America claims. It is American calls for "restraint, restraint" that are hurting Israeli deterrence. Why do I admire the former NY mayor, Gulianni? It was shortly after the WTC and a Saudi prince handed the mayor a sizeable donation for the victims of the 9/11 tragedy but with a few accompanying indiscreet words about America and Israel. What did Gulianni do? The mayor gave back the check and politely said "No, thank you." My point. If the Israeli government really felt America's call for restraint were genuinely hurting Israel's deterrence, Sharon and the rest of the Israeli war hawks are more than welcome to refuse any further American foreign aid (and our supply of high tech weaponry) and wage their war against the entire Mideast any darn way they please. But I get the distinct impression that isn't going to happen. As long as Israel is dependent upon American foreign aid (like a heroin addict), certain strings come attached. If you don't like it, go to the Russians or the Chinese and see if either government will give Israel a free ride.