The Silence is killing me.

[Culprit]

Israeli aircraft and missiles struck targets in Lebanon today, including Beirut's port and some suburbs, killing 17 people after Hezbollah rockets hit deep into Israel.

Quote from the Age, Notice the justifcation they use.

[Pa Marmo]

Its pretty crazy when you think if they hand the 2 soldiers back and it stops.

[Pa Marmo]

Annan, Blair call for Mideast 'stabilization force'
International presence urged as way to curb fighting

BEIRUT, Lebanon (CNN) -- United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan and British Prime Minister Tony Blair on Monday called for an international stabilization force to go to the Mideast to help end the cross-border attacks between Hezbollah militants in Lebanon and the Israeli military.

This could have some very scary implications.

[sherrife]

[Culprit]

[Pa Marmo]

But if they were not given the excuse then it would be credible for the world at large to compel them to stop. One thing has always been true about the jews and that is if they say they are going to act a certain way they will, and that is what they are doing now.

[sherrife]

[London Dave]

[Pa Marmo]

Im sure your right London Dave. I have no doubt Israel wants them gone and probably a good thing to. Its such a shame that the root of all this happened so long ago and all that hatred is passed on from generation to generation.

[sherrife]

The problem is that more than 40% of Lebanon's population (slightly more than 3 million) is made up of Shiite Muslims, and it's an absolute GIVEN that at least half of this population supports Hezballah, but I'm pretty sure much more. The only other Shiite party, Amal (literally: Hope), enjoys healthy support in peacetime but wanes in importance somewhat during the various conflicts due to its very moderate stance.

What this means is that since Hezballah has a 'supporter base' of at least (the VERY VERY least) 400,000 people means that you simply cannot eliminate the organisation in all its forms. What is more, you wouldn't even want to, for example the political arm of the group is an encouraging step in the right direction (see the IRA) in my opinion. Especially since there has been no real mention of implementing any form of Islamic law or anything of the sort in Lebanon by the political branch. Having said that I think you're right LD in believing that that's what Israel plans/wants to do. An impossible goal that basically gives it an open cheque to continue to attacking Lebanon in 'self-defence' for weeks to come.

Speaking of impossible goals, how about the call by Israel for Hezballah to give up their prisoners AND surrender their arms as a precondition for ceasefire talks? It would be diplomatic suicide for Hezballah to accept such a proposition as it would mean they have no teeth in the negotiating process. Again, Israel knows that it will never happen and purposely designed such impossible conditions in order to extend the conflict indefinitely.

[HAL]

I assume you mean our current problem.

[Culprit]

Israel has underestimated Hezbollah and what it can do. They have hit a warship with a missile already, not bad for so called terrorists. They now have more advanced weapons no doubt from Iran and their rockets are landing inside Israel further than before.

This is a religious war and proves to me once more religion must be removed from all cultures if the planet is to live in peace.

[Pa Marmo]

So athiests dont fight or kill, go to war or argue?

[Culprit]

Athiests haven't started a war on this planet.

[Pa Marmo]

To make that statement you must have an explicit knowledge of every war
and every war maker since the beginning of time.