Comments on: If you’re a friend of Israel….

By: ymarsakar

ymarsakar — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 22:08:34 +0000

I also think that Israel just needs to kill some of their Palestinian prisoners. It would increase their negotiating power all in all. People do want to be successful at negotiations… right?

By: ymarsakar

ymarsakar — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 21:58:34 +0000

Pressfield kind of explained why you can’t negotiate with tribal nations. Although this is actually a cultural issue, not a tribal vs nationalistic one. For example, Japan didn’t treat Americans as equals. Until you are treated as an equal by the tribe, you are somebody they can roll over a barrel.

By: Allen L.

Allen L. — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 19:48:45 +0000

I think the Israelis would be making a huge mistake to offer any concessions at this point. I have often noticed that everyone always looks for the comprehensive all concluding treaty. Syria for example. I see the Golan Heights as a totally separate issue. That is a security/sovereingty issue between Israel and Syria totally un-related to the Palestinians. It’s just one more excuse to keep the fires stoked, in my opinion.

I just don’t see peace until people renounce the idea of the destruction of Israel. I like the 40 years approach, it’s so appropos.

I am always mindful that though I don’t always like some of the things Israel does. I am not in their position so I maintain a high degree of self-skepticism.

One final thought on the matter. I always gauge people on their deeds not their words. In Israelis I see a magnificent people who have tamed the desert and brought wealth and proseperity to all her people Arabs, and Jews alike. In the Palestinians I see the squalor that is Gaza, the bloodfeuds, and the total lack of basic services to the people.

By: Bookworm

Bookworm — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 19:15:33 +0000

That’s a completely fair statement, Allen.

I’m also worried that the usual pattern will emerge, of giving the Palestinians a reward before they change their behavior. With half of Jerusalem sitting on the table, how about this: if the Palestinians and surrounding Arabs/Muslims can go for 40 years without attacking Israel, they can get control over half of Jerusalem. I choose the number 40 deliberately because, in the Bible, that’s the number of years it takes for a tainted generation to die out and a new one to arise to take its place. Actually, I believe two things: (1) the Arabs/Muslims/Palestinians will never be able to go 40 years in peace, no matter how much they want Jerusalem; and (2) 40 years isn’t long enough to deplete the hatred inculcated in those cultures. But it’s a starting point for negotiation, as opposed to “we’ll give you half of Jerusalem, in return for your promise to be good.” After the chortling Palestinians/Muslims/Arabs says yes to this one, they’re going to line up to re-sell the Brooklyn Bridge to America and Israel, over and over again.

By: Allen L.

Allen L. — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 18:31:26 +0000

I have often wondered about the term “occupied territory.” Do the Palestinians mean the West Bank? Gaza? Or Israel itself. I think it’s the latter. Otherwise why such insistence over the right of return. The Palestinians have had many opportunities for a two state solution and never once tried to implement it.

I think it’s really rather simple. The Palestinians and many others just cannot accept the idea of a non-Muslim state in the region. No sharia, no dice. I’ll state up front that I have no emotional attachment to Israel, and that our forign policy is too often pre-occupied with Israeli desires. But, Israel is a democracy, and as such deserves our support. That is one of our national interests, the formation and flourishing of democracy

By: ymarsakar

ymarsakar — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 14:30:57 +0000

Or maybe to use a political Occam’s razor, it is simply bureacratic malfeasance, corruption, and idiocy.

By: Danny Lemieux

Danny Lemieux — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 12:14:59 +0000

I just can’t help but feel that Annapolis is all one big Kabuki play. There’s something much bigger going on here than we perceive. I hope so, anyway.

By: ymarsakar

ymarsakar — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 12:10:01 +0000

Remember when George Bush listened to Tenet? This is simply the same thing, except with Condi.

Never ever listen to your advisers when those advisers are in the pay of your enemies.

By: ymarsakar

ymarsakar — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 11:22:50 +0000

Condi Rice listens to all her DoS advisers, who were corrupt and misaligned to begin with. It didn’t do her any good in the end. Nor would Bush tell her to ignore these people, as he should.

By: ymarsakar

ymarsakar — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 11:14:39 +0000

You do know that Abbas & Fatah were originally secular socialists right?

What did I tell people about Leftists allying with fascists and ensuring that fascists get their chance to achieve ultimate power?