Israeli rockets hit Red Cross and UN trucks bringing in humanitarian supplies. Goo Goo the panda mauls another idiot in China. Divorced man wants donated kidney back from wife. O'Reilly and Rove hope for attack on America so Obama will go down. Sex shop thief keeps coming back to "use" the merchandise. Congressman Bobby Rush continues to overplay the race card on Burris situation. Brian Kilmeade of Fox has two fingers and Vasoline on the brain. O'Reilly and Dick Morris, "Franken cheated."
Mexico wants their citizens to swallow their gum! Man is fired for watching porn at home on a work computer. Young minority baseball player with money ambushed by cops assuming theft when he arrived to his nice home. Oldest person alive dies, opening the door for a new champion!
The government of Israel keeps saying their actions in Gaza are justifiable because they are doing it in retaliation for what Hamas has done. Hamas says the same exact thing - that they are firing the rockets in retaliation for what Israel did in imposing a blockade and bombing their tunnels and leaders. I find both points completely unpersuasive - yes, including Israel's.
Every day now, I hear someone saying, "What was Israel supposed to do? Hamas keeps firing rockets into their country." So, here is a quick list of the things they were supposed to do:
I must make a huge disclaimer here before we get started. I co-hosted The Young Turks with Ben Mankiewicz for five years, he still co-hosts the show with me from time to time and we have been very good friends for many years. Ben Mankiewicz now co-hosts At the Movies with Ben Lyons. Now that I've said all that, this isn't about Ben Mankiewicz, it's about Ben Lyons. Here is my simple message to all the haters - get off Ben Lyons' ass.
As I await my return to Malaysia tomorrow I've spent some time pondering the differences between Sumatra in particular and Indonesia in general versus the rest of South-East Asia. Indonesia is not of East Asia, not by a long shot. If anything it resembles an odd cross between India and Polynesia. Indeed, I believe Indonesia is often referred to as a part of Melanesia. It's certainly not of the West, either, having its own rhythms and its own unique way of doing things. But does it have much, if anything at all in common with the rest of South-East Asia? No.
I've been thinking about this all weekend and I can't really make up my mind. This is both a theoretical question and a very real and practical question at the same time.
What's worse if someone (Hamas) intends to kill civilians and kills four people or someone else (Israel) does not intend to kill civilians but kills 60.
Palestinians lately Hamas are working for the State of Israel.
If not, how can you explain the mindless attacks of Hamas to Israel? Unless, you are so stupid or religious zealot hoping that god will save you from those Israeli bombs. You are not only giving Israel perfect excuse to kill you, also, you are wiping out all support in the world public opinion. You are turning civilian victims into people who can be portrayed as monstrous aggressors. Around 100 AD Jewish people tried your methods against Romans in Masada. The only thing they have from that mistake is Hanukah Holiday and valuable lesson: When there is an impossible force imbalance, sacrifice is not going to work.
posted by yturks 
