Greggo

Never mind David, at least he included some reasoned arguments. Look at your contribution:

“...the never-ending litany of outright falsehoods, blatant half-truths and non-sequiturs which have been the hallmark of Israeli propaganda for generations. “

Talk about the pot and the kettle.

Leigh: "Hezbollah should have been wiped out. Mad dogs cannot be tamed and allowed to live."

Hmm... sounds like something a mad organisation would say. Care for a little fanaticism anyone? Or let me guess... they were mean 'first' right?

Okey doke - first up, the 'Israel lobby.'

Sure, there are some funded groups out there, there was that whole kerfuffle with the HRW and so forth. But honestly, bloggers? I know it's possible, but here's a more likely scenario - this is an issue which stirs up passions within people, and they in turn express themselves, much like any other issue. It doesn't mean cash has swayed hands, honestly, that kind of conspiracy crap really...

Yes there are funded organisations, but there are also plenty of people out there who hold firm to those beliefs, and shock, horror, some of the probably blog.

This article was about as even handed as any you are going to get on this issue. It doesn't preach, it doesn't really try to sway anybody, yet it still expresses an opinion.
For avoiding partisan language alone and keeping the issue in perspective I give it top marks.

The only issue I have with it is the title... how is it an article that calls itself 'War against hezbollah was a political disaster' has the phrase

'both sides achieved significant gains that may ultimately outweigh their losses and shift the dynamics of the conflict into a stable equilibrium.'

Odd.

Dear Greggo....

I just draw your attention to one minor point..... my 'solution' was based on the pattern established by Mohammed, prophet of Islam, and it is he to whom the Palestinians, and Hezbollah and Hamas all look for their salvation and JUSTIFICATION for their attacks on Israel.

Haniya just this week underlined in Iran "We will NEVER recognize Israel"... now how long is 'never' ?

I also happen to be aware of what that is BASED on... its article 11 of the Hamas charter which states that the whole area is an 'Islamic waqf'....now... please don't describe me as a mindless fanatic, because if the Muslims find out, they will quickly realize you are condemning their own prophet and probably behead you for insulting him.
Yes..that last bit was a bit adventurous, but I think you see my point ?

You see.. I have gone to the HEART of the problem not its symptom.

When a body has cancer, you don't just chop out one little nodule, you have to get it all out.

If you think my views here are mindless fanatcism :) wait till you see me at flinders street station with a team and a banner saying 'ONE NATION, ONE RACE ONE CULTURE...full stop" what you might not understand though, is why those holding it are Maori, and beside them are a black sudanese, and then a Jew and then a Palestinian Arab from Ramalla, and there will be Asians and maybe even an Indian, oh.. not to forget the white aussie also :)
But I'll give you a hint "Galatians 3.28"
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=55&chapter=3&version=31

greggo
Ahmadinejad announced this evening that he is going to hold an Iranian study group to investigate whether or not NAZI's used ovens on the Jews and the veracity of the holocaust. Does this fit into your "-orchestrated and exceptionally well-funded propaganda of the international Israel lobby. Not a single article is posted about Middle Eastern issues without the usual suspects being swung into action to pour out the never-ending litany of outright falsehoods, blatant half-truths and non-sequiturs which have been the hallmark of Israeli propaganda for generations."
Or do you too deny the pictorial evidence brought home after the war by British, American and Canadian servicemen who helped liberate the death camps? The Mid-East has been about an Israeli/Arab regional conflict since 1948. Palistine, lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Iran, Suadi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan have taken their shot and most in some backroom way still take shots at Israel. They're not being victimized by Israel. Explore the meanings of Dar al-Harb and Dal al-Islam. Hint: Israel is Dal al-Harb and that is the thorn in the paw of the Arab lion.

"ONE NATION, ONE RACE, ONE CULTURE?".

This well-worn mantra has always reminded me of "Ein Folk, Ein Flag, Ein Fuhrer" and all its variants down through history.

The method may change from time-to-time but the sentiment is always strangely similar.

This time it's not so much Ethnic Cleansing but Culture Cleansing.

Sorry greggo those Islamic religious/political concepts are Dar al-Islam and Dar al-Harb. Missed the misspelling in prepost review.