[rogerhb]

I'm putting this in the Open Discussion before Monte does....

My theory is that the USA has no intention of helping to solve the Palastinian issue other than paying lip-service for the benefit of global relations.

I also note that the USA is the most consistent supporter of Israel's side of any deal and despite claiming to be "at war against Terror", either the Levant is not included in this, or it only sees military solutions to problems and not political ones.

(edit for a couple of sp)

[J-Rod]

I was thinking about this, my thinking leads me to believe that the rest of the world can't really afford to let shit get too crazy, everyone is dependent on the flow of the Spice. This regardless of our position with Israel.

[Novus]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('J-Rod', 'I') was thinking about this, my thinking leads me to believe that the rest of the world can't really afford to let shit get too crazy, everyone is dependent on the flow of the Spice. This regardless of our position with Israel.

[worrier]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'A')ctually this is the best time for the US to show its hand and strike. The US will never have a better chance to pull the rug out from under Chindia then now. Iran does not sell Oil to the US or Europe. Taking out a Iran now knock the wind out the only real competitor the US has for domination over the world's oil. For things to continue on in the West as it has been someone else must lose. The only way any of this can happen is for all hell to break loose in the middle east and have the US step in with a major power play.

[PenultimateManStanding]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('worrier', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'A')ctually this is the best time for the US to show its hand and strike. The US will never have a better chance to pull the rug out from under Chindia then now. Iran does not sell Oil to the US or Europe. Taking out a Iran now knock the wind out the only real competitor the US has for domination over the world's oil. For things to continue on in the West as it has been someone else must lose. The only way any of this can happen is for all hell to break loose in the middle east and have the US step in with a major power play.

[Doly]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('PenultimateManStanding', 'I') doubt any global rationing system will hold up under the pressure of a die-off.

[PenultimateManStanding]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Doly', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('PenultimateManStanding', 'I') doubt any global rationing system will hold up under the pressure of a die-off.

[Eli]

Roger

Well I think the underlying fact is that no one can solve the Palestinian problem.

Hamas is now in power there and at least 2/3 of the general population will settle for nothing less than the total destruction of the state of Israel. You can't force peace on people if they do not want it.

And let us not forget that there are other large players that do not want peace in the area either namely Syria and Iran.

There may come a time when that some of the big players will sue for a peace but it will only be a temporary peace, called a hudna in Arabic.

If Syria and Iran had the capability of wiping out Israel they would do it. Once they get the ability they will.

[marko]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('rogerhb', 'M')y theory is that the USA has no intention of helping to solve the Palastinian issue other than paying lip-service for the benefit of global relations.

[rogerhb]

BUSH: "America's commitment to Israel's security is strong, enduring, and unshakable"

He said America and Israel were "natural allies and these ties will never be broken."

So we have a nice balanced approach to start with....

[DantesPeak]

I think the US government supports democracy in principle, as long as it doesn't conflict with the primary goal of worldwide military empire - the military being mostly an energy protection service. Helping Israel is further down the list of priorities - but important for the reason specified above.

There also seems to be a miscalculation by both the US and Israel about the last election - they didn't foresee Hamas winning. Otherwise an election would have been postponed to acheive the desired results. See Iraq for an example.

Unfortunately the US and Israel have made more than one miscalculation here, and the final result may be the opposite of what was originally desired.

[rogerhb]

The true peacemaker

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'S')t. Petersburg, Russia - President Bush rejected Lebanon's calls for a cease-fire in escalating Mideast violence on Friday, saying only that Israel should try to limit civilian casualties as it steps up attacks on its neighbor.

[kmann]

It's not the US' responsibility to fix every world problem. It can't even fix its own.

[rogerhb]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('kmann', 'I')t's not the US' responsibility to fix every world problem. It can't even fix its own.

[marko]

Even if you think that the US has no responsibility to fix world problems, I hope that you agree that the US has a responsibility not to worsen world problems. The US's unconditional support for Israel, including c. $4 billion in direct aid and the promise of military backing, contributes directly to Israeli aggression against neighboring Arabs. Cutting the flow of aid to Israel and the risks and expense of the security guarantee would allow the US to refocus resources on its own internal problems.