To Michael and Benjamin

Yes the U.S. has, in 20th world history terms, done deeds for many, no thanks to their current government in office.

However, they must also be judged on the 21st century, of which we have endured over 5 years. The return to government of the Bush administration itself is evidence of corruption somewhere or another.

Gabby

I thank you for an excellent balanced post.

I too tire of the simplistic 'good v evil' style of debate that continues to curdle these forums.

I found you commentary regarding President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad very informative and will endeavour to keep an open mind.

Cheers

Lets get it clear about Israel and terrorism. In Jan 1948, a Jewish terrorist group drove a truck loaded with explosives into the centre of the Palestinian city of Jaffa, killing 26 and wounding 100. The same group kidnapped, flogged and murdered British soldiers. They bombed the King David Hotel in July 1946, in which 41 Arabs, 28 British, and 22 others died. Jewish terrorists killed 127 British soldiers and wounded 331 from 1944 to 1948, as well as thousands of Arabs. They also assassinated the British Colonial Secretary, in Cairo in November 1944, and the Swedish UN envoy in Jerusalem in September 1984, both for advocating a just solution for the Palestinians.

Between November 1947 and May 1948, Israel terrorised and drove out tens of thousands of Palestinians who lived in the Jewish partitioned area and demolished over 500 Palestinian villages. Then on April 9, 1948, Jewish paramilitaries launched a surprise attack upon the quiet Palestinian village of Deir Yassin just outside Jerusalem. The Palestinian men and boys were herded into trucks, taken to the local quarry, lined up and shot. Another group went from house to house shooting old men, women and children.

You might be interested to know that Israel has legitimised torture, refuses to obey any UN resolution. Maintains the rules of the Geneva convention don't apply to it and has countless accusations against it from all human rights bodies, as they continue to invade and destroy Palestinian homes, people and infrastructure.

Sadly the right wing religious are quick to denounce those that are defending their homelands against their ilk, yet fail to see beyond their fantasies, and behold the true reality of all monotheistics despotic expressions.

Onya Gabby and alchemist

Gabby - I agree that Iranian President Ahmadinejad defies the easy characterisation of "evil dictator".

The problem is that even if there's a 40% chance that Iran will have nuclear weapons within 5 years is that too high a risk for his declared enemies (the West including Australia) who are desperatly dependent on Middle Eastern oil? What if he believes enough of his own propaganda?

alchemist - your summary of Israel's terrorist sins is well put together and a fitting reminder that "Righteous" countries (and leaders) often hide dark beginnings.

Pete

The whole Israel - Arab conflict can be boiled down to a simple statement;
My God can kick your God's arse. The Jews did this! The Arabs did that! Sins of the fathers forever lasting while while ignorant fools on either side expound their justifications while thumping a barbaric bronze age text. Those people will only know peace when they rid themselves of this disease from our primeval past. So they will fight over a liberal Jew who got himself crucified 2000 years ago, the original colonial troublemaker! Eat His flesh. Drink His blood. Welcome to the modern age of science.

Dear Gitmo

I fail to see the point of your last post.

Ours is too short a time on this battered planet to blunt the sword of clarity.

Yours

Pete