I jumped on Michael Oren's remarkable piece in Commentary about the threats to the Zionist ideal. So does Akiva Eldar, in Haaretz:
Particularly interesting is the solution to the existential demographic problem that ambassador-to-be Oren proposes-- unilateral withdrawal from the West Bank to borders that would be determined in accordance with the following principles: maximum Jewish population, strategic assets, holy sites and natural resources. In other words, the historian-ambassador believes it is possible, and even appropriate, to (continue to) rob the Palestinians not only of their land, but also of their water and quarries.
How difficult it was to communicate the thrilling idea that all men are created equal, even in the Middle East, just 3 and 4 years ago. And people say that the internet is destroying journalism?
More damned if you, damned if you don't. The alternative to unilateral actions is negotiated and coordinated action. But with the reality of no Palestinian unity government, there is in fact no one to negotiate with. And yes, the blogosphere is destroying journalism, rather than its relevant role of appending it.
The US & Israel have done everything they can so far to prevent Palestinian unity. The MSM long ago destroyed journalism when it comes to any factual matter involving Israel.
I find it amusing that Israelis in favor of the two state solution argue for exchange of land with Jewish colonies on it in the West Bank for other unspecified land in Israel. Has anyone ever asked any Palestinian what they think about the notion? Mayhap they don't want to give their best farm land to rabidly racist colonists in exchange for the empty desert that Israelis think they accept. Palestinians ought not accept a damn thing less that full withdrawal of all Israeli colonies from occupied Palestinian territories, and then allow Israel to submit proposals for exchange of land that they really want, for something with value enough to Palestinians that they freely agree to it.
Colin, of course you realize by now that no one cares what Palestinians want!
Hamas was nurtured by Israel in an attempt to destroy Palestinian political unity. It was meant to be enough of an alternative to the Fatah-led PLO that Israel could claim that there was no one of the Palestinians side with whom they could negotiate a final-status agreement. It worked too, but now Israel is passing bricks at the thought of a unity government including Hamas that would have the political legitimacy for such a negotiation. Israelis fear negotiations far far more than they do Hamas' piddly rockets.
Who decides what a 'relevant role' is? People's votes on what is 'relevant' is implicit in the choice of media they consume. MSM media like the NYT have no one but themselves to blame because they have produced crap that people increasingly don't trust. They were instrumental in helping neocons lie us into disastrous war. I'll never bother to read that rag again or allow them to place a cookie on my computer. If they fold, good riddance: America will be the better for it.
How about negotiating with both Hamas AND Fatah? The blogosphere is replacing journalism because modern journalism stinks and independent journalism is non-existent. As Stephen Fry recently put it, he hasn't seen a more 'disgusting and venal crowd'.
http://tinyurl.com/2g3ye4) presented the larger picture in its January issue, which contains the article "Jews, Muslims and Democrats" (http://tinyurl.com/2g3ye4) by Gabriel Schoenfeld, who writes:
In theory the USA is supposed to be a democracy. Normally, a political group, whose power comes from sheer numbers alone, is described as wielding a proportionate influence on American politics. Schoenfeld and those American Zionists that agree with him have a clear anti-democratic un-American agenda.
Totally untrue. America, in practice, is a democracy. Money merely buys exposure. The message must appeal to the voter. Messages sent by Joachim appeal to neo-nazis, whjite supremicists, Islamic fascists. Not much of a voting block.
The Palestinian leadership is too worried about extermination by fellow Palestinians.
True, as a result of the incessant divide and conquer joint policy of USIsrael. Nevertheless, their first worry is targeted assassination of Palestinian leaders by Mossad, which has a long track record at it.
The USA is a representative Republic. There is only two de facto political parties, and both act as one when it comes to Israel. There is thus only one message on this subject the mass voter ever hears. AIPAC targets any current or potential political leader that might argue for a more balanced approach to the Middle East. It sends out what are essentially hit lists to high rollers and key elements in the MSM. The balanced voices fall like dominos. Those few brave souls actually speaking up for American interests first have all been named at various times, and often repeatedly on this very blog. The AIPAC force is so heavy on the whole most brave souls don't even speak up until after their career is over, having seen what happens to those who speak up while in office or governmental slot.
No. The USA is a Republic. It's democratic reps are nearly all bought and sold via AIPAC in Israel's interest. The MSM goes along with this. The actual popular voters here only one message, AIPAC's message.
here=hear
From the Michael Oren Piece: "Some Israeli experts predict that the Iranian leadership would be willing to sacrifice 50 percent of their countrymen in order to eradicate Israel." I wonder what expert in Israel makes that determination?
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-66047758...
Does anyone else find statements such as this from Oren just totally bizarre: "No Palestinian leader, even the most moderate, has recognized Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state or even the existence of a Jewish people." Okay.for the sake of argument forget about "exist as a Jewish state". Although Arafat of course recognized Israel's "right to exist" in 1988, blah blah blah. But what about Oren's "or even the existence of a Jewish people? " He thinks no Palestinian leader has ever acknowledged the existence of a Jewish people? Isn't this just completely effin' ridiculous?
Arafat denied judaism's connection to Jerusalem. Isn't that just completely effin' ridiculous?
The Palestinian resistance movement rejects all negotiations that include Israel to remain in the equation. They want a one united Palestine for all (that includes whoever is there now) . Who is going to accept to keep the fox in the hen house? Like he is really going stay in his designated area and mind his own business?! Why should they accept half back of what was stolen anyway? Sure they have to deal with the reality on the ground but to sign it away like the treaty that says "Israel has the right exist?" And even that is kind of a joke since Israel will shoot missiles at itself and blame the Arabs before they give ANYthing back. Notice the pattern of when Israel "withdraws" from an area…that area gets pummeled just a bit later? The Israelis blame a few rockets to wipe the Arabs out! And then they must occupy it again! This time, hopefully with less Arabs! So what they do is merely remove their settlers from the area for the coming assault! A 2 state solution is a game politicans play. A stall because there is nothing else to do.
American Israel lovers are willing to spend our last U.S. dollar and last U.S. soldier for the sake of Israel. For Iran to sacrifcie 50% of soldiers when they actually have a valid reason (homeland security for one) is more understandable and probably a modest estimate. However, Iran does not have the resources in manpower nor money. It's rhetoric. That Israel even mentions Iran as any type of threat is for U.S. brainwashing purposes.
Not actual leaders, just terrorist leaders.
LOL. How many Irgun and Stern Gang leaders stepped right into top slots after Israel became a state?
Golda Meir (American traitor, Jewish top leader) denied the existence of Palestinian Arabs on the land they'd been on for centuries. Isn't that more effin' ridiculous?
Shafiq – I see Phil and Richard, among others, as independent journalists. We just can't see the hats with press slips. It's interesting to think of them as publicly funded independent journalists.
No, just "suspected" "alleged" "implicated" – they're terrorists, believe it and shut up- terrorist leaders. Now call me a traitor because I don't believe unsubstantiated statements of guilt by an interested party. Put up or shut up.
I suppose you are right there
Jacobwolfen, I recognize Catholic Italians connection to the Vatican. However, I do not think this gives them the right to exercise murderous and never ending colonization of the area