tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10048624.post115307282176313418..comments2023-10-26T02:28:09.011-07:00Comments on Journeys with Jood: Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora calls for ceasefireDivaJoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02534571327558009753noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10048624.post-1153169676862546772006-07-17T13:54:00.000-07:002006-07-17T13:54:00.000-07:00Dawn, thanks for visiting. Peace is essential. I...Dawn, thanks for visiting. Peace is essential. Israel needs to negotiate with the elected government of the Palestinians, and Hamas is the elected government. This is crucial. Israel was able to establish a (so far) lasting peace with Egypt after the 1967 war. For this region to thrive, to prosper, Israel and Palestine MUST accept each other.DivaJoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02534571327558009753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10048624.post-1153169193547647142006-07-17T13:46:00.000-07:002006-07-17T13:46:00.000-07:00I am going to make one coment. It would be lovely ...I am going to make one coment. It would be lovely for Isreal to sit down and work it out but they will never sit down because they are terrorist. Isreal cannot give in to them. Peace is nice but at what cost to Isrealis.dawnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10741158153974994260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10048624.post-1153156715232718312006-07-17T10:18:00.000-07:002006-07-17T10:18:00.000-07:00Helen, Larry Johnson is sort of right, but I think...Helen, Larry Johnson is sort of right, but I think the stupid pill has been swallowed by Olmert and the Defense Minister. <BR/><BR/>I think that Lebanon's government is too weak to reign in Hezbollah; they are funded by Iran anyway, and it is quite complex. That Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia are critical now of Hezbollah, saying Hezbollah started this war, blows me away. Nevertheless, Israel must be the one to step up to the negotiating table, with an immediate cease-fire.DivaJoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02534571327558009753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10048624.post-1153153727803831462006-07-17T09:28:00.000-07:002006-07-17T09:28:00.000-07:00I am hoping this ends soon as well. Larry Johnson ...I am hoping this ends soon as well. Larry Johnson (ex-CIA agent) said that Israel had swallowed a "stupid pill." He basically is saying a lot of what you are, only he's putting a bit more responsibility on Israel. And, if Israel is the stronger of the countries involved, shouldn't the most responsibility be placed upon them? Not that it was wrong to retaliate. What else can you do? But now is a crucial time, ideed. Time to talk, not invade and destroy landmarks and airports and kill innocent civilians. <BR/><BR/>Hezbollah seems to be the culprit in most of the upset. Most people I talk to here say it's Lebanon's responsibilty to rein in or disband Hezbollah. What's your take on that?<BR/><BR/>It's complicated, isn't it?HelenWheelshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17709287737262543974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10048624.post-1153143606303317552006-07-17T06:40:00.000-07:002006-07-17T06:40:00.000-07:00TFLS: Ha'aretz had a recent editorial about Olmer...TFLS: Ha'aretz had a recent editorial about Olmert which talked about his need to "prove" himself because unlike most of his predecessors, he's not seen significant combat. The key differences between Olmert and Bush: Olmert is not stupid; he doesn't have Karl Rove or Dick Cheney driving the train; and he's not drunk on the job. Otherwise, he's a noted hard liner, with black and white thinking. <BR/><BR/>Still, I hold out hope. First, Hosnei Mubarak was able to prevent a ground invasion of Beiruit. Second, Kofi Anan and the UN are calling for immediate cease fire, unconditionally and unilaterally. Third, and quite significantly, Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and several other Arab states have sharply rebuked Hezbollah - and here the significance is huge; Arab nations never criticize other Arab actions against Israel. But they're doing so now.<BR/><BR/>"Hanna Seniora, a Palestinian analyst with the Israel/Palestine Center for Research and Information, lauded the Arab opposition to Hezbollah on Sunday.<BR/><BR/>"Hanna Seniora, a Palestinian analyst with the Israel/Palestine Center for Research and Information, lauded the Arab opposition to Hezbollah on Sunday.<BR/><BR/><B>'For the first time ever, open criticism was heard from countries like Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan against the unilateral actions carried out by radical organizations, especially Hezbollah of Lebanon,' wrote Mr. Seniora, who favors coexistence with Israel and opposes radical Islam. 'It became clear and beyond doubt that the most important Arab countries did not allow their emotions to rule their judgment.'"</B>DivaJoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02534571327558009753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10048624.post-1153127529351801862006-07-17T02:12:00.000-07:002006-07-17T02:12:00.000-07:00Something to read:http://socialistworker.org/2006-...Something to read:<BR/><BR/>http://socialistworker.org/2006-2/595/595_00_Lebanon.shtmlIntrepidflamehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16185093331334990403noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10048624.post-1153113040651577772006-07-16T22:10:00.000-07:002006-07-16T22:10:00.000-07:00Of course it all isn't Israel's fault. The moment...Of course it all isn't Israel's fault. The moment those soldiers were kidnapped I turned to my husband and said, "I know exactly what Israel will do". I was right. Israel is nothing if not consistent in responding to terrorist attacks. OK - they made their point in triplicate. Now is the time to back off - but they are not doing it. Madelyn Albright called this 'the perfect storm'. I'm afraid she may be right. Olmert is known to be a hard-liner not noted for three-dimensional thinking. He was Mayor of Jerusalem before taking over as Prime Minister - and in Jerusalem he bulldozed through everything. Negotiation was not his strong suite. As a matter of fact - I have heard more than one analyst these last few days compare him to Bush. The use similar rhetoric, and see the world in simplistic, black and white terms.<BR/><BR/>Now - this could be dealt with if America stepped up to the plate and took control of the situation. But Bush is busy playing golf with Putin in Russia. He can't be bothered to try and stop WWIII. All that Rapture nonsense, don't 'ya know. So the world waits, and prays that cooler heads will prevail. Meanwhile - India has suspended relations with Pakistan following those terrorist train attacks, and China is trying to sit on North Korea before Kim Jon Il starts a conflagration in his part of the world. Ever thought that old saying, "May you live in interesting times" was a little too edgy?TFLShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10532885255909756360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10048624.post-1153106891802350572006-07-16T20:28:00.000-07:002006-07-16T20:28:00.000-07:00Karena, we have common ground about most of this. ...Karena, we have common ground about most of this. All I suggest is that the militant terrorists are equally culpable. Israel's overreaction is not sitting well among Israeli citizens. Blaming Israel alone is like blaming all US citizens for the insanity of those who stole the election and are in power now.<BR/><BR/>Israel has to sit down with Hamas. Israel has to sit down with Lebanon. Hezbollah is another story, and there is no one that appears able to speak with them other than Iran and Syria. <BR/><BR/>This war that Israel is engaged in is a war of choice, not necessity. It is a war that must end immediately, or it will be endless.DivaJoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02534571327558009753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10048624.post-1153106368881858972006-07-16T20:19:00.000-07:002006-07-16T20:19:00.000-07:00Diva, War will never solve anything and for that s...Diva, War will never solve anything and for that statement we find common ground.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10048624.post-1153106330104982062006-07-16T20:18:00.000-07:002006-07-16T20:18:00.000-07:00Yoga, I don't feel calm.BZ, thank you.Yoga, I don't feel calm.<BR/><BR/>BZ, thank you.DivaJoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02534571327558009753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10048624.post-1153102273423541962006-07-16T19:11:00.000-07:002006-07-16T19:11:00.000-07:00Well said.Well said.Intrepidflamehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16185093331334990403noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10048624.post-1153101598455987672006-07-16T18:59:00.000-07:002006-07-16T18:59:00.000-07:00Diva Jood, I must agree with your logical approach...Diva Jood, I must agree with your logical approach to ending the violence.<BR/><BR/>Yours is the voice of calm and of reason. Thank you.Yoga Koruntahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04025840328976351307noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10048624.post-1153090725293039542006-07-16T15:58:00.000-07:002006-07-16T15:58:00.000-07:00Karena, I just went outside to run an errand. It ...Karena, I just went outside to run an errand. It is so hot here, I can't stand it. Came home, and blogging again.<BR/><BR/>Sumo, thank you. I'm thinking maybe the great thinkers who can negotiate a peace will come from Egypt. Mubarak seems to be exercising some infulence on Olmert.DivaJoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02534571327558009753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10048624.post-1153090481256476482006-07-16T15:54:00.000-07:002006-07-16T15:54:00.000-07:00Well said!Well said!sumohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03668836906276970398noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10048624.post-1153086044567551792006-07-16T14:40:00.000-07:002006-07-16T14:40:00.000-07:00Diva,I am leaving the internet, after a lovely day...Diva,<BR/><BR/>I am leaving the internet, after a lovely day of blogging all day, and joining hubby outside for a little R&R. I will read your post and comment to you later this evening. Thanks for sending me to it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com