Does the U.S. Want a Ceasefire in Gaza?
EmailABC News’ Kirit Radia reports: There appear to be some inconsistencies in the Bush administration’s position regarding a ceasefire in Gaza.
Today, White House deputy spokesman Gordon Johndroe told reporters that the administration wants a durable and sustainable ceasefire that would begin only once Hamas stops firing rockets into Israel, saying anything less would not be worth the paper it is written on. He, at no point, called on Israel to halt its attacks on Gaza.
Johndroe parried questions on a proposed 48-hour humanitarian ceasefire and refused to take a position on how a cessation of violence could otherwise be reached.
On Tuesday, however, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice signed on to a statement from the Quartet (the international group of U.S., E.U., U.N. and Russia that has attempted to mediate peace, but typically ends up bickering internally) that called for an immediate end to the violence on both sides.
Johndroe today denied there was any difference, saying: "The Quartet statement says an immediate cease-fire that is fully respected. I think those statements are very consistent. I’ve been talking about the need for Hamas to fully respect a cease-fire since Monday, or otherwise it won’t be worth anything, no matter whether it’s immediate or not. So we all want to see an end to the violence. It has to be a respected cease-fire. I think that we’re all on the same page."
RSS
Twitter
Facebook
It’s simple and reflects how our politicians are out of sync because the master-minds in Israel got little bit off sync. Give them a day or so until they get new orders and sound bites to announce. Man, this is sad when human lives mean nothing for the sake of political gains to some a party in Israel. This is all done in preparations for the coming elections in Israel. Solution is simple stop the bombing and then sit on the table to discuss peace with your neighbors. Don’t ask the victims to sit down and take the beating and surrender to your will… they will not surrender but I am sure they will negotiate peacefully if you are interested.
Posted by: WWGoogle | December 31, 2008, 2:08 pm 2:08 pm
No, I think we should support Israel to continue pressure until there is regime change in Gaza
Posted by: robert b | December 31, 2008, 2:13 pm 2:13 pm
Our government is ok with expanding settlement activity and keeping the Palestinians in their cages between checkpoints.
Posted by: Huh | December 31, 2008, 2:27 pm 2:27 pm
Do u thing this will bring peace faster ?
That’s disgusting …
No more comment !
Posted by: angel | December 31, 2008, 2:28 pm 2:28 pm
There were people featured on ABC news
recently for having an orderly protest
against what Israel is doing in Gaza.
Where were these people when the
rockets were being fired into Israel?
Let Israel do what has to be done to
defend themselves and get off of their
backs.The United States does not own
Israel.
Posted by: Kristy Howard - Clark | December 31, 2008, 2:36 pm 2:36 pm
All politicans are blackmailed with illegal surveilance done by the Anti Defamation League in favor of Israel. If you dare to stand up to the Israel lobby, you will be attacked, slandered, and impeached or not reelected… if you are LUCKY! (Former Rep. Paul Findley spoke out against this YEARS ago!) Does it bother ANYONE that a foreign country can do surveilance against OUR representatives in congress, and blackmail them to enact policy in favor to that country and to the detriment of our own??? Stop, THINK, before you answer that question, and ask yourself what the HELL are we doing in the middle east??? Oil is only HALF the equation!
Posted by: please! | December 31, 2008, 2:37 pm 2:37 pm
The united states needs to regain their moral high ground after these miserable 8 years under the Bush administration. This means that they cannot continue to be complicit in israels contiinued war crimes and needs to begin to extricate itself from the grip of Israeli political machine here in the us.
It is clear that Israel is going to exploit the remaining 20 days of Bush’s term and the blank check it will provide to butcher innocent women and children because they fear that an Obama administration will not have the tolerance for this sort of criminal behavior that exists in the status quo. We can only hope that Obama will not continue the same cover in the UN for Israel and that they will be forced to finally obey international law.
Posted by: Base | December 31, 2008, 2:39 pm 2:39 pm
The Bush administration has no standing with Hamas and Israel will not listen until it is good and ready. Until the new Obama administration comes into office, we should stay on the sidelines.
Whatever standing the US might have had was wasted when Bush declined to include Hamas in the ME peace talks.
Posted by: beto | December 31, 2008, 2:51 pm 2:51 pm
Would you allow rockets to be launched against you? Of course not, you would have your country defend you and your family at all costs. I understand you don’t like the casualities of the palestinians, but that is not the fault of the Israelies. This is the fault of some really stupid palestinians.
Posted by: Adam | December 31, 2008, 2:58 pm 2:58 pm
One can only hope that Hamas comes to its senses and stops antagonizing its neighbor. Maybe Bush can go out with one positive — that positive being putting an end to Hamas terrorism. Hamas needs to stop hiding behind women and children. Israel needs to protect its own men, women, children just like Hamas SHOULD be doing.
Posted by: Common Sense | December 31, 2008, 3:01 pm 3:01 pm
Beto-
The US has as much pull with both Hamas and Israel as they are willing to exhert. Israel cannot continue without the US support – financial, military, and political – that has been flowing unconditionally since JFK was president (with a few notable exceptions).
The fact that the US simply allows Israel to act with impugnity illustrates the level of depravity that exists in this and previous (Clinton ) administrations here in the US.
.
We need an America first policy and that means cutting Israel loose and letting them face the concequences of their policies and actions rather that shielding them from international law by using it’s security council veto and making America into the chief enabler of war crimes.
Posted by: Base | December 31, 2008, 3:04 pm 3:04 pm
I am truly shocked that the commentators here are not running the world – you seem to have the answers. What a load of crap – sit on these websites and moan and gripe. Wowie-zowie. The US loves to sell weapons. Lot’s of weapons, more than anyone else in the world. Isreal buys lot’s of weapons. Do the math. If you are an American here, and you voted for ANY incumbent, EVER, then look in the mirror for the trouble. Look hard and long. this too shall pass…
Posted by: dave | December 31, 2008, 3:08 pm 3:08 pm
The u.s initiated a democratic voting plan in palestine, Hamas won, but because you dont like hamas you introduced sanctions how flawed a foreign policy a time will come when it will come down to the fast loss of support for isreal even in America and guess what where are they going to turn to, Iran?
Posted by: kolawole ojulari | December 31, 2008, 3:11 pm 3:11 pm
Some of you folks can’t be real. You amaze me. You get mad when someone walks in your yard or bumps your car. If Hamas, an internationally recognized terrorist organization, was indiscriminately launching over 200 rockets into your backyard during a wedding reception or your kid’s birthday party, would your naieve opinion change any? I hope so. I don’t want the world to know how simple-minded a lot of Amnericans today are.
Posted by: Chief P | December 31, 2008, 3:12 pm 3:12 pm
Just a reminder….Hamas was fairly elected by the people 2006. They are not an army. They probably don’T have any weapons (EXCEPT HOME MADE PATHETIC ROCKETS)…..so funny when the media spin presents them as a strong force.
Hamas is strong…Israel beats them…so…Israel is sooooooo strong.
Go Bush mentality…
Uh by theway where is the stong Iraqi WOMD?
Posted by: mohamed | December 31, 2008, 3:31 pm 3:31 pm
Launching a missile into the sovereignty of another state is an act of war. Israel has absolutely no obligation to be in any way measured, “restrained” or “proportional” in its response. Furthermore it’s unreasonable to expect them to avoid hitting civilians, since the palestinians voted Hamas into power, and Hamas targeted Israeli civilians. If the Israelis were to nuke the gaza & kill every living thing in it, my only concern would be the radioactive fall-out & its effects on Israel. We ourslves nuked Hiroshima & Nagasaki. How would the British foreign minister feel about poor palestinian civilian casualties, if Hamas had been lobbing missiles into London? War is hell. But that’s what this is.
Posted by: sandman | December 31, 2008, 3:41 pm 3:41 pm
WHAT GUARANTEE IS THERE ROCKET ATTACKS WONT STOP? – OF COURSE THEY WONT STOP AS LONG AS HAMAS CONTINUES TO NOT RECOGNIZE THE EXISTENCE OF ISRAEL AND HAS IN ITS AGENDA THE WIPING OUT OF ISRAEL. WONDER WHY PEOPLE FORGET THE ABOVE. ISRAEL WILL STOP ALL ATTACKS AGAINST ANY ARAB NEIGHBOUR ONCE ALL OF THEM RECOGNIZE THE EXISTENCE OF ISRAEL. SIMPLE.
Posted by: karen | December 31, 2008, 3:48 pm 3:48 pm
KDOG, Hitler also was elected. So you elect a party that wants to exterminate Israel and Israel has to make peace with someone who eants it wiped off the map and also indulges in rocket attacks true to their word?. We need to apply some perspective.
Posted by: karen | December 31, 2008, 3:51 pm 3:51 pm
>Just a reminder….Hamas was fairly elected by the people 2006. They are not an army. They probably don’T have any weapons (EXCEPT HOME MADE PATHETIC ROCKETS)…..so funny when the media spin presents them as a strong force.<
Now let's see… They were elected to power by the palestinian people and they engage in acts of war against their neighbors. That makes them either an army or a state-sponsored terrorist organization.
Under precedent of international law, the distinction is irrelevant. It makes the Gaza Strip a war zone & essentially means the Israelis can do whatever their little hearts desire to neutralize the threat, including reasonable collateral damage in the civilian population.
I hope the Israelis bomb the gaza into the stone age & do it before the hamas-endorsed US president takes office in 3 weeks.
Posted by: sandman | December 31, 2008, 4:00 pm 4:00 pm
Uh yea the reason Hamas was bombing Israel in the first place is because ISRAEL came and stole their land, rounded them up, and quarantined them in a tiny strip of land and cut off their access to food and medicine. Hamas is a liberation effort. Know the facts before you judge people. If the Jews are so upset about the Holocaust why would they go and do the exact same thing to someone else a couple years later?? Jeez. Israel is a terrorist state.
Posted by: ummm | December 31, 2008, 4:00 pm 4:00 pm
The US government has been hijacked by AIPAC and the Neocons. They tell the US what it wants in gaza (pretty much whatever Israel wants). They starve their Palestinian victims, then use their feeble resistance as an excuse to murder them and steal more of their land. And our tax dollars support this tradgedy. What a disgrace.
Posted by: 2cTruth | December 31, 2008, 4:29 pm 4:29 pm
ummm,
/——
Uh yea the reason Hamas was bombing Israel in the first place is because ISRAEL came and stole their land, rounded them up, and quarantined them in a tiny strip of land and cut off their access to food and medicine. Hamas is a liberation effort. Know the facts before you judge people. If the Jews are so upset about the Holocaust why would they go and do the exact same thing to someone else a couple years later?? Jeez. Israel is a terrorist state.
——/
Nonsense. If the Hamas needed food and meds, they would have planted some seeds and made medicines instead of buying and making rockets. Its like the sob story the druggies and the alcholics use to lure you in just before they hit you over the head and rob you. Save it. Every country has a right to defend their citizens against those attacking it.
Posted by: Common Sense | December 31, 2008, 4:31 pm 4:31 pm
The US government has been hijacked by AIPAC and the NeoCons. So the US wants whatever Israel wants — which is to starve, kill, and rob the Palestinian people. Israel does not want peace. They starve their Palestinian victims and then use their feeble resistance as an excuse to murder them and steal more land. And our tax dollars support this inhumanity. What a disgrace.
Posted by: nomorelies | December 31, 2008, 4:37 pm 4:37 pm
Israel is a crime against humanity. They’ve imposed a blockade on Gaza throughout 2008 — No Food, No Medicine, No Gas (what little gets in is $30/gal) — just starve and kill the people. Either the Palestinians accept or they get attacked for resisting their oppression. Israel is the foremost terror state… and we defend them in their theft and murder, but only because the US population is deceived. We send them our tax dollars making us complicit in their crimes. AIPAC and their media heavyweights own our government and our sports-obsessed electorate has no idea what’s going on.
Posted by: nomorelies | December 31, 2008, 4:45 pm 4:45 pm
>Uh yea the reason Hamas was bombing Israel in the first place is because ISRAEL came and stole their land, rounded them up, and quarantined them in a tiny strip of land and cut off their access to food and medicine. Hamas is a liberation effort. Know the facts before you judge people. If the Jews are so upset about the Holocaust why would they go and do the exact same thing to someone else a couple years later?? Jeez. Israel is a terrorist state.<
Israel stole nothing. The land of israel was created at the UN. The Israelis did take land in the 67 war, like the land from which the syrians were shelling them. They didn't even crush the egyptian army as they easily could have done (they had them surrounded & cut off). But I think for some reason I don't understand they gave some of it back. The recent problems in the Gaza were only created when they foolishly pulled out of there.
I'm sorry Hamas is so stupid they want to go out & start a war with a nuclear-armed country. Bad move. But that's not my fault. The Israelis have the power to END Hamas at any time & are showing remarkable restraint in that regard. If it were my choice, I'd just do it. Such idiocy can not be allowed to survive and reproduce. Think of it as aiding the process of natural selection.
Posted by: sandman | December 31, 2008, 4:49 pm 4:49 pm
I get a kick out of those of you that think you are stating fact, i.e. “Israel came and took the land from the Palestinians.” The territory known today as Israel or previously as Palestine has changed “ownership” many, many times over the years. Just prior to Israel being created after WWII by the winning Allies, it belonged to England (Great Britain) who fought the Ottoman Empire and took the land away from the Turks. If you think Israel “took” the land from the Palestinians you flunk your history lesson. There was no Israel. No Israeli army. The Jews were scattered to all corners of the globe. Now I’m far from being a blind supporter of Israel or any country other than our own, but ya’ll need to learn not to take every chance to bash your own country and your fellow US citizens. Since America is still a free nation, remember, no one is keeping you here. Quit whining unless you intend to do something productive to make our nation even better!
Posted by: Chief P | December 31, 2008, 4:52 pm 4:52 pm
….no, the U.S. does not own Israel. But we do arm them. Let them wage their twisted and self-righteous genocide on their own. This has clearly been a war of occupation and annihilition from the start. Israel doesn’t want Peace. It wants Silence. Cut off international support for their war machine, and they may talk. At this rate, the Palestinians will be starved out or driven into the sea before any weak “resolution” passes.
Posted by: tksquire | December 31, 2008, 5:18 pm 5:18 pm
tksquire….Just for the sake of trying to make sense out of what you are saying about the whole “genocide, occupation, annihilation, etc…” Are you by any chance a Muslim? Just wondering. Do you not know that Israel gave up land they used to occupy back to the Palestinians? Do you not know that Hamas started the current conflict by launching over 200 rockets into Israel during Hanukkah and refused to extend the Egyptian brokered ceasefire agreement? Where on earth are you getting your assertions/ It’s confusing.
Posted by: Chief P | December 31, 2008, 5:28 pm 5:28 pm
Let look at history and old maps of Israel and Palestine which will show who stole who’s land. Israel working on greater Israel plan. No matter what any country is saying or doing these jews don’t want peace. But you do know what God said Bible and Quran, Jews will be wonders of the earth. Whoever will try to help them, will go with them, resistance against got mean greater damage. Still did not get it? What’s happening to US economy, jobs, bailouts, etc. ? The only things you will see coming out Israeli attacks is embarassement nothing more. But I feel sad that lot of human live will be waist. GOD HELP US ALL AND GIVE A PEACEFUL MIND! AMEEN
Posted by: Elderman | December 31, 2008, 5:32 pm 5:32 pm
Well said Chief. The land that is now called Israel belonged to the Brits and it was the UN that gave it to the Jews.
Posted by: chuck | December 31, 2008, 5:33 pm 5:33 pm
>….no, the U.S. does not own Israel. But we do arm them. Let them wage their twisted and self-righteous genocide on their own.<
I think that's fine. Remember Entebbe??The israelis can certainly take care of themselves. Let them go ahead without american weapons, but also without any words of restraint from America. I'd say Hamas would survive for about five minutes under such an arrangement.
Posted by: sandman | December 31, 2008, 5:51 pm 5:51 pm
The Brits had control which was wrested from them via zionist Israeli terrorists who blew up the King David hotel (ever heard of Menachem Begin?)…
Fact remains that the indigenous population of the region was 25% Christian, 3% Jewish and 72% Muslim living peacefully side-by-side in established villages from which they were run out by zionist terrorists — who then annexed their land, and now aim to starve and murder them for resisting and wanting their land back.
Posted by: nomorelies | December 31, 2008, 6:17 pm 6:17 pm
SANDMAN, perhaps you need to read some history and understand how the Jews came to be systematically dispossessed of their land by the Muslims. Muslims do it all over the world. “Come as guests and then become owners” – how convenient.
Well before you call me any names, i remind you this is a religion that wants to kill/enslave NON-believers and a religion that wants a Caliphate with govts in the style of the Taliban. That is why the USa wants to be in the middle of the middle east- to protect humanity evntually.
Posted by: karen | December 31, 2008, 6:27 pm 6:27 pm
Elderman, you need to read history. The Jews owned the land they now own for centuries before Islam was born and were driven out. Britain did not legally own any land anywhere outside Britain. So saying British owned it at a timeline convenient to yourself is laughable.
Read post to Sandman above.
Posted by: karen | December 31, 2008, 6:29 pm 6:29 pm
Muslims are monotheic and follow the ten commandments, teachings of Abraham, Moses and Jesus. They are instructed to fight to the death only in self defense, when their religion or property are threatened. So the Israeli theft of Palestian land and Bush’s war on Islam should work very effectively to push the 1.6 Billion muslim world towards extremism.
Posted by: notbornyesterday | December 31, 2008, 6:44 pm 6:44 pm
It is interesting listening to all the Israeli supporters with the line what would you do if rockets were lobbed at you. I believe a greater question is would you launch rockets if you were fenced in with checkpoints, and a nation state was stealing your land and putting its own militant settlers on that land? Maybe Hamas has a legitimate beef. I believe what Israel is doing is criminal and our country is a partner in these crimes. 911 happened for a reason.
Posted by: Huh | December 31, 2008, 9:33 pm 9:33 pm
my feeling toward the jewish/palestinian conflict is this: hamas should be willing to peacefully negotiate with the jews. they are not winning anything, they can’t win, they do not have the weapons to win in an all out war. they are stupid to believe they can wipe out israel. hamas should think first of its women and children and do the unthinkable: leave israel alone, try to live in peace and save muslims lives. the jews have a right to be there. the palestinians have a right to be there. the jews have not taken a vow to destroy the palestinians without being provoked. hamas want to destroy israel, and will never accept their existence. how can peace come to the middle east with the mindset that exist in the arab world. the united states has to support israel because it is a small country surrounded by trouble-making neighbors who wants to wipe them out. may God bless america and may God bless the middle east and all of the arab world.
Posted by: johnny gee | December 31, 2008, 10:03 pm 10:03 pm
johnny gee – Negotiate eh? Israel is slowly taking the land in the West Bank. There are over 1000 settlements with around 500,000+ settlers. What kind of negotiation do you envision? Maybe one where all Palestinians are huddled into Gaza? Israel is a bully and needs to be recognized for what they are.
Posted by: Huh | December 31, 2008, 10:15 pm 10:15 pm
The WaPo and Jerusalem Po reported a couple days ago that Israel’s attack on the Palestinians was politically motivated. As a result, Israel should be charged with war crimes for the 400 defenseless, Palestinian civilians killed in that attack, and the vast destruction to Gaza. Israel has committed the very same crimes it accuses Hamas and Iran of committing.
The US is the real obstacle to getting a peace agreement between the Israelis and Palestinians. The US gives Israel cover for crimes and lies, and uses its veto power to prevent adverse action of the UN against Israel. The US should be removed from its position as Mediator on grounds of being a dishonest broker.
Posted by: marvenetta | January 1, 2009, 1:39 am 1:39 am
Israel has every right to pursue this action. No other country would put-up with rockets fired into its territory. Why should Israel? Protests against Israel show the bias and ignorance of public opinion. Hamas is not a government it is simply a “bully” organization financed by everyone but itself and has a singular goal: provide welfare with other people’s money and make war against Israel.
Posted by: Mike Biever | January 1, 2009, 3:50 am 3:50 am
Google “Protesters should direct wrath at hamas, not israel” for a good read on how Hamas abuses the Pallestinians, but gets the world to hate Israel and the U.S.
Posted by: Common Sense | January 1, 2009, 7:08 am 7:08 am
Our government officials do not want a ceasefire. We have a very pro Israeli administration even given the fact that Israel commits human rights abuses daily. Makes you wonder why we are despised by so many. Stop the tax dollars to this criminal regime. Spend the money here.
Posted by: Ben Straub | January 1, 2009, 7:27 am 7:27 am
If Mexico was sending rockets into Brownsville, we would want their heads.
Posted by: Waggdogg | January 1, 2009, 12:56 pm 12:56 pm
If Mexico was in our country making us go through daily checkpoints in order to protect settlements on land stolen from us, we would lob rockets or at least be one with the 2nd amendment.
Posted by: Joe | January 1, 2009, 1:25 pm 1:25 pm
“He, at no point, called on Israel to halt its attacks on Gaza.”
Why the hell should he and why the hell should Israel do that?
When did anyone ask when Hamas was going to stop firing missiles into Israel as it has for the last two months?
When did anyone bother to note that it was Hamas who violated the ceasefire?
No, it’s always Israel, Israel, Israel.
Hamas can stop this tomorrow. Let them.
Posted by: drjohn | January 1, 2009, 5:05 pm 5:05 pm
drjohn
“When did anyone ask when Hamas was going to stop firing missiles into Israel as it has for the last two months?”
should be changed to
When did anyone ask when Israel was going to stop settlement expansion into the West Bank as it has for the last 40 years?
Posted by: Huh | January 1, 2009, 8:26 pm 8:26 pm
==drjohn
“When did anyone ask when Hamas was going to stop firing missiles into Israel as it has for the last two months?”
should be changed to
When did anyone ask when Israel was going to stop settlement expansion into the West Bank as it has for the last 40 years?==
So, to YOU, settlements equals rockets. We see.
Posted by: Mr. Incredible | January 2, 2009, 2:50 am 2:50 am
==When did anyone bother to note that it was Hamas who violated the ceasefire?==
As a matter of fact, Hamas announced recently that they would end the truce with Israel. And, so, they did and began immediately to fire rockets into Israel. Hamas didn’t need provocation. Never does. That’s what terrorism is about.
Posted by: Mr. Incredible | January 2, 2009, 2:52 am 2:52 am
==If Mexico was in our country making us go through daily checkpoints in order to protect settlements on land stolen from us, we would lob rockets or at least be one with the 2nd amendment.==
The palestinians have no country, per se. Nobody took their country from them since there was never any official country “Palestine.” The Gaza Strip is officially part of Israel.
So, if mexicans were militarily in this country, forcing us through checkpoints, that would be considered an invasion and worthy of military replies. This is not the case in Gaza.
Posted by: Mr. Incredible | January 2, 2009, 2:57 am 2:57 am
==Yes settlements = resistance.==
But settlements equal rockets? We’re taling rockets, not mere resistance. Rockets is resistance, but resistance is not necessarily rockets.
==Especially when the settlements are expanding and the number of checkpoints are increasing. Can you imagine living in such confinement.==
What Rights do the Palestinians lack in Gaza?
Posted by: Mr. Incredible | January 2, 2009, 11:47 am 11:47 am
Sure why not. What would we do here under similar circumstances? As I have stated before Israel doesn’t listen to sit ins and tying yourself to things. They only know violence as made evident by their latest bombing campaign. At the end of the day, because of the settlements and checkpoints, Israel lacks the moral high ground which is always important in situations such as these. I believe all settlements need to be dissolved for Israel to have any credibility.
Posted by: Huh | January 2, 2009, 11:53 am 11:53 am
All power, water, and flow of goods in and out of Gaza is controlled by the Israelis except for a few tunnels here and there. Israel needs to do what is right with regards to occupied lands. If they do this then maybe tensions will defuse. Only time will tell.
Posted by: Huh | January 2, 2009, 11:55 am 11:55 am
==What would we do here under similar circumstances?==
You mean here, in an established country? There is no “Palestine.”
==…Israel doesn’t listen to sit ins and tying yourself to things. They only know violence as made evident by their latest bombing campaign.==
A bombing campaign in response to Hamas unilaterally ending the truce and firing rockets into Israel.
== At the end of the day, because of the settlements and checkpoints, Israel lacks the moral high ground which is always important in situations such as these.==
The terrorists believe that, too. Amazing.
== I believe all settlements need to be dissolved for Israel to have any credibility. ==
Terrorist PR.
Posted by: Mr. Incredible | January 2, 2009, 12:17 pm 12:17 pm
==All power, water, and flow of goods in and out of Gaza is controlled by the Israelis except for a few tunnels here and there.==
Anybody in Gaza starving, or thirsty?
== Israel needs to do what is right with regards to occupied lands.==
They are.
== If they do this then maybe tensions will defuse.==
Hamas started it. They must stop the rockets and, then, “tensions will defuse.”
Posted by: Mr. Incredible | January 2, 2009, 12:19 pm 12:19 pm
the US will be well-served to extricate itself from this inter-religious warfare. chosing one side over the other will not serve us well or make the US any more credible. the UN should take responsibility for this never-ending conflict. this triangular christian-jewish-muslim knot is over 50 years old with no real sign of hope.
religion seems to create wars everywhere and peacein very few places.
maybe an arbitrator is needed. perhaps China can be a broker.
the best way for the US to keep terrorism off our soil is to uninvolve ourselves in Arab affairs. breaking our crack-like addiction to oil will help immesurably. we have no business over there and if we had minded our own business we wouldn’t be in the mess we are in now. a large part of the massive deficit is deficit spending on perpetual wars.
Posted by: Paul Wall | January 3, 2009, 12:16 pm 12:16 pm
==the best way for the US to keep terrorism off our soil is to uninvolve ourselves in Arab affairs.==
YOUR soil? The U.S. should kepp terrorism off YOUR soil? Where is that?
The Bush Admin has kept terrorism of U.S. soil. We didn’t have to “uninvolve” ourselves in Arab affairs.
Posted by: Mr. Incredible | January 3, 2009, 4:21 pm 4:21 pm
==breaking our crack-like addiction to oil will help immesurably. ==
You go first. Stop using oil. Somebody has to go first. May as well be YOU.
Posted by: Mr. Incredible | January 3, 2009, 4:22 pm 4:22 pm
Mr. Incredible – Your vision is misguided sir. You apparently believe the settlement expansion is ok. You apparently think the myriad of checkpoints are ok. For that reason you and those like you should be countered.
Posted by: Huh | January 4, 2009, 7:14 am 7:14 am
Mr. Incredible—”You go first. Stop using oil. Somebody has to go first. May as well be YOU.”
sir, i do the best i can. i drive a Toyota Prius and would drive an even more effficient car when the price is lower. i use public transportation as much as i can. i don’t over-eat and have a body mass index of 17 so i tread lightly on this earth.
technologies have to be developed. so i’ve done what i can personally and supported a candidate who is committed to the use of alternative fuels.
now, may i ask what steps are you taking?
i look forward to your reply.
Posted by: Paul Wall | January 4, 2009, 9:07 am 9:07 am
“Does the U.S. Want a Ceasefire in Gaza?”
certainly the people commenting on this blog, whatever their opinion, care more about this issue than President Bush.
Posted by: Paul Wall | January 4, 2009, 9:58 am 9:58 am
Good comments Paul Wall.
Posted by: Huh | January 4, 2009, 1:01 pm 1:01 pm
Good point. I have been on many blogs from around the world and it seems that Israel and their supporters are making a concerted effort to sway world opinion in their favor. I don’t believe it is working. Truth always prevails.
Posted by: Huh | January 4, 2009, 1:37 pm 1:37 pm
==Mr. Incredible – Your vision is misguided sir.==
No, I’m not.
== You apparently believe the settlement expansion is ok.==
I don’t know whether it is, or not. However, announcing you’re breaking a truce, then breaking it by firing rockets into another country, without like provocation, is not the answer.
== You apparently think the myriad of checkpoints are ok.==
It’s Israel’s property, not another country. They get to do what they want.
== For that reason you and those like you should be countered.==
Counter on. I don’t care.
==Mr. Incredible—”You go first. Stop using oil. Somebody has to go first. May as well be YOU.”
sir, i do the best i can.==
Excuses, excuses.
== i drive a Toyota Prius and would drive an even more effficient car when the price is lower.==
Excuses, excuses.
== i use public transportation as much as i can. i don’t over-eat and have a body mass index of 17 so i tread lightly on this earth.==
And, so, you wanna impose YOUR values on the rest of us. Who gave YOU the Tablets?
==so i’ve done what i can personally and supported a candidate who is committed to the use of alternative fuels.==
Good for you.
Now what?
==now, may i ask what steps are you taking?==
Like you, I’m doing what I can. However, I’m not a tree hugger.
Posted by: Mr. Incredible | January 5, 2009, 9:14 am 9:14 am
== …you don’t engage in dialog.==
Translation: “Dialog means ‘agreeing with me.’”
Posted by: Mr. Incredible | January 5, 2009, 1:58 pm 1:58 pm
==Israel and their supporters are making a concerted effort to sway world opinion in their favor.==
Hamas and their supporters are making a concerted effort to sway world opinion in their favor.
Huh is making a concerted effort to sway world opinion in his favor.
Mr. Incredible is making a concerted effort to sway world opinion in his favor.
ABC News is making a concerted effort to sway world opinion in its favor.
Now, the question involves whether those who are trying to sway world opinion are doing so in order to profit themselves, or to solve problems.
I know I’m doing it to solve problems. Israel is doing it to solve a problem. Hamas and their supporters, are doing it to foment anti-Israel sentiment. We know this cuz Hamas and Huh distort the facts, like the ones that involve Hamas’ rocketing of Israel, breaking the truce.
Posted by: Mr. Incredible | January 7, 2009, 2:25 am 2:25 am
Legally no. Is it helpful to their cause, no. Look neither side wants peace. On the one hand you have Israel who continues to steal Palestinian land for settlement expansions in the Palestinian territories which requires even more checkpoints in the territories to protect these settlements, and then you have Hamas who fires rockets terrorizing the Israelis. Both sides are committing terrorism. Israel has Gaza in virtual lockdown, a mini concentration camp where they can cut off vital necessities at will. I would agree that the Palestinians need to resist occupation, but how. Is firing rockets at civilian towns in Israel the answer, no. Ironically, I believe the Palestinians in light of all the facts actually have the moral high ground. Israel needs to get all setllements out of the occupied territories immediately. I always find it interesting that Israel is agreeing to a two state solution and peace with the Palestinians while Israel conitinues to take Palestinian land for settlements.
Posted by: Huh | January 7, 2009, 6:57 am 6:57 am
Mr. Not so Incredible – Good to hear from you again. I see you are spreading some support for the occupiers again.
Posted by: Huh | January 7, 2009, 6:59 am 6:59 am
==Huh is making a concerted effort to sway world opinion in his favor.==
I think you are the only one reading what I have to say, and I thank you.
Posted by: huh | January 7, 2009, 7:00 am 7:00 am
==neither side wants peace.==
Israel wants peace. Hamas wants to instigate.
== On the one hand you have Israel who continues to steal Palestinian land…==
There was never a country “Palestine.”
Anyway, Israel gave back some of that land, and that means nothing to Hamas, nor to you.
==…Hamas who fires rockets terrorizing the Israelis.==
Hamas started it by breaking the truce.
== Both sides are committing terrorism.==
No, only Hamas, supported by Iran.
== Israel has Gaza in virtual lockdown, a mini concentration camp where they can cut off vital necessities at will.==
And, yet, they don’t.
== I would agree that the Palestinians need to resist occupation, but how.==
By dialog.
== Is firing rockets at civilian towns in Israel the answer, no.==
Well, maybe we’re getting through to you.
== Ironically, I believe the Palestinians in light of all the facts actually have the moral high ground. ==
And, maybe, we’re not.
==Israel needs to get all setllements out of the occupied territories immediately. ==
That’s what the terrorists say, too.
==I always find it interesting that Israel is agreeing to a two state solution and peace with the Palestinians while Israel conitinues to take Palestinian land for settlements.==
It’s not “Palestinian” land. However, when Israel gave back some of that land, it didn’t help.
Posted by: Mr. Incredible | January 7, 2009, 11:19 am 11:19 am
==I see you are spreading some support for the occupiers again.==
Only Israel doesn’t occupy that land.
Posted by: Mr. Incredible | January 7, 2009, 11:20 am 11:20 am
==I think you are the only one reading what I have to say, and I thank you. ==
But what you have to say is not landing.
Posted by: Mr. Incredible | January 7, 2009, 11:22 am 11:22 am
==Legally no.==
“Legally no” what?
It would be helpful if you would include what you’re responding to.
Posted by: Mr. Incredible | January 7, 2009, 11:24 am 11:24 am
Very sad situation. I blame both sides, but Israel in particular. I always hold the powerful to a hirer standard, especially in light of the persecution of the so called “occupied”. I can’t believe that Israel claims to be for the two state solution while continuing to increase the number of settlements in the occupied Palestinian lands. Hamas also needs to try an meet their objectives through peaceful means. Nothing will come of lobbing rockets at Israel because a violent response will be the result, and everybody will lose.
Posted by: Ben Straub | January 7, 2009, 11:27 am 11:27 am
==I blame both sides, but Israel in particular.==
Of course.
== I always hold the powerful to a hirer…==
“Hirer”????? What’s “hirer”????
==… standard, especially in light of the persecution of the so called “occupied”.==
Gaza is not “occupied,” as YOU mean it.
== I can’t believe that Israel claims to be for the two state solution while continuing to increase the number of settlements in the occupied Palestinian lands.==
You can’t, eh?
== Hamas also needs to try an meet their objectives through peaceful means.==
== Nothing will come of lobbing rockets at Israel because a violent response will be the result, and everybody will lose.==
Then, tell Hamas to stop it, and quit encouraging them.
Posted by: Mr. Incredible | January 7, 2009, 11:48 am 11:48 am
Forgot to answer this:
== Hamas also needs to try an meet their objectives through peaceful means.==
Hamas needs to go first since Hamas started it.
Posted by: Mr. Incredible | January 7, 2009, 11:49 am 11:49 am
Now, Hezbollah has started firing rockets into northern Israel. Did Israel start this one, too?
Posted by: Mr. Incredible | January 8, 2009, 3:18 am 3:18 am
well the Bush Administration messed everyhting up regardless. Obama is a good guy but he does not have the power that we think he does. If he did something would of happen first day of israel’s terror. So what happens is we watch the people of palestine hamas gaza all die. Israel is not fighting any of the arab nations armies there fighting and killing the people. then the news says that hamas has to stop rocketing israel,are you kidding me less then 10 people died from the israeli army and over a thousand arabs been killed
Posted by: peace man | January 8, 2009, 7:09 pm 7:09 pm
==the Bush Administration messed everyhting up regardless.==
The Liberal is expected to see things that way.
==…we watch the people of palestine hamas gaza all die.==
Thanks to Hamas.
== Israel is not fighting any of the arab nations armies there fighting and killing the people.==
That’s cuz those nations have proxies to do it for them.
== then the news says that hamas has to stop rocketing israel,are you kidding me==
No, we are not kidding you. All they have to do is stop the rockets, and the Israelis go home.
== less [sic] then [sic] 10 people died from the israeli army and over a thousand arabs been killed==
Whose fault is THAT.
Posted by: Mr. Incredible | January 10, 2009, 11:10 am 11:10 am
It shows in all the above blogs how ignorance is so vast in this country. Might as well add ISRAEL as a state to become the 51st of these United States, we supply them with everything, military weapons,finance they little wars, and welfare of about 12 Billion per year. No problem, no need to pay back. It dictates US Foreign policy, Banking, Media. Fantastic job keeping the news from the networks so the world doesn’t know of the genocide being committed by the Israelis with full support of the USA. ISRAEL is an occupier and playing the card of being a victim. Wake up America before its too late….
Posted by: Marty | January 13, 2009, 8:15 am 8:15 am
You people are ridiculous with your whining. Israel has given more and more land over the years and they continue to be one little country constantly attacked. Maybe they are tired of the BS!!! What do you expect them to do when someone is throwing bombs at them constantly.
Posted by: Opinionated | January 15, 2009, 7:39 am 7:39 am
==You people are ridiculous with your whining. Israel has given more and more land over the years and they continue to be one little country constantly attacked. Maybe they are tired of the BS!!! What do you expect them to do when someone is throwing bombs at them constantly. ==
They expect Israel to sit there and take it. To them, “peace” is absorbing the punishment.
Posted by: Mr. Incredible | January 16, 2009, 9:44 am 9:44 am