That's the bottom line, isn't it. Zionism, like Communism, was based on false premises. It will never work. It can't work. But meanwhile, keeping it on life support grows ever more costly, even as security within the zionist enclave deteriorates.

Since guided missile technology exists, and is widespread, it's inevitable that it will make its way to the perimeter around Israel. And since missile interception systems do not work very well, no amount of military muscle will provide a defense against incoming missiles. Even the primitive Qassams can't be stopped.

The probable result of Israel's crushing of Gaza is that this inevitable development will happen sooner than it otherwise would have. U.S. money — that unwarranted three billion a year — gives Israel a delusive sense of invincibility. U.S. aid actually has been terribly corrosive to Israel's well-being.

Strident U.S. support for Israel's military blunder is the best way to invite another 9/11. LIHOP/MIHOP all over again?

Israel's strategy (or desperate hope) is to stir up so much hatred and violence that it can never be extinguished, and will suck in the U.S. and Europe.

In a sense the "clash of civilizations" school was right, but they got the civilizations wrong.

If so, then perhaps this perpetual crisis will be removed and the rest of us can peacefully move on. Harsh words, but it would be a solution.

Of course, we must accept that this attack is not just by Israel but by the US-Israeli alliance. As long as we design, build and provide as gifts these weapons, then we are complicit. Not today, but we can hope that someday the American people will wake up and insist that we withdraw from this ugly war.