This round goes to the IDF. Although it is never funny when someone dies or is injured, I found myself laughing after reading this.
http://mypetjawa.mu.nu/archives/195865.php
My favorite quote:
"[A] Hamas guy throws a grenade. He must have thrown it like a girl, because it's way off. "
Friday, January 16, 2009
Digging Your own Graves
Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal rejected Israel's conditions for a Gaza cease-fire.
Apparently he wants a timed cease-fire (1 year, 2 years, whatever) that they could choose to renew or not. That sounds a little too convenient to me. He doesn't want a cease-fire to last forever. Because Israel wants a lasting peace, Hamas has refused this opportunity for peace.
All of this could be over, if they promised to never fire rockets and infiltrate Israel. I guess they're showing their true colors. If they cannot exist with resistance, than they don't exist at all. The IDF will take care of that last part for them (they'll be run into the ground and cease to exist soon).
They're digging their own graves and the graves of their children. Very sad.
Meanwhile the UN and a group of Arab nations are condeming Israel. Oh, no, not that ... anything but that. They can sign papers and point fingers and say bad things (complete sarcasm intended). I don't think Israel cares much about the UN when it wouldn't protect them to start with. They will continue to defend themselves at the risk of upsetting the UN.
Apparently he wants a timed cease-fire (1 year, 2 years, whatever) that they could choose to renew or not. That sounds a little too convenient to me. He doesn't want a cease-fire to last forever. Because Israel wants a lasting peace, Hamas has refused this opportunity for peace.
All of this could be over, if they promised to never fire rockets and infiltrate Israel. I guess they're showing their true colors. If they cannot exist with resistance, than they don't exist at all. The IDF will take care of that last part for them (they'll be run into the ground and cease to exist soon).
They're digging their own graves and the graves of their children. Very sad.
Meanwhile the UN and a group of Arab nations are condeming Israel. Oh, no, not that ... anything but that. They can sign papers and point fingers and say bad things (complete sarcasm intended). I don't think Israel cares much about the UN when it wouldn't protect them to start with. They will continue to defend themselves at the risk of upsetting the UN.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Possible Cease Fire in Gaza
I've been reading 3 english Israeli newspapers (jpost, ynet, and Haaretz) checking out the Israeli point of view on this conflict. I also read the english version of AlJazeera, but it is completely negative towards Israel and so not a favorite read of mine. Apparently the Egyptians have talked a little sense into the leaders of Hamas (both in Gaza and Lebannon). I think the phrases, "They're kicking your butts," and "They won't stop until you are completely eradicated" were central to this conversation. It appears to have worked. Hamas is now publicly saying they want a cease-fire, whereas before this was only in private.
Just a few days ago Hamas publicly said they would never agree to a cease-fire unless "their" goals were met. They just knew that their superior Palestinian resolve would see them through this conflict (Allah willing). News Flash: Israel is not a push-over, even for a real army. Although Hamas knew this, they hoped that the lessons of their big brothers to the north (Hezbollah) from the summer of 2006 fight would see them to a similar victory. It didn't. Little brother in the south still cannot do it. Israel learned from its mistakes, and adjusted their tactics and is doing very well despite what the MSM (Main Stream Media) is reporting.
The cease-fire should go something like this (if everyone gets only what they need):
1. Israeli troops completely withdraw from Gaza and return home.
2. Israel lifts the blockade of Gaza and allows goods to flow freely into/out of the territory.
3. Israel continues to monitor Gaza and not allow weapons to flow into the territory.
4. Egypt controls the Rafah crossing and will not allow weapons to be smuggled across.
5. Hamas (and all other militant groups in Gaza) agree to not fire rockets into Israel.
6. Hamas (and all other militant groups in Gaza) agree to not infilitrate Israel for "resistance" operations (like sucide bombings, murders, etc.).
There is a possibility for Turkish troops to help monitor the cease-fire, but Israel won't allow them to watch from their soil, and Hamas won't want them in Gaza; that leaves Egypt to keep them. This is a tough sell all the way around. I don't see how it will happen.
If Hamas signs off on this type of cease-fire and actually keeps it, it will be a good thing. However, as history in this area of the world has taught us, I don't believe it will hold. Rockets will be fired (eventually, breaking the cease-fire -- surprise, surprise), and Israel will respond disproportionately (as it should to ensure the safety of its citizens), and in a few years we'll be right back in this same situation where another cease-fire is attempted.
Summarizing from "The Incredibles":
No matter how many times you stop the Palestinian terrorists, they always manage to break a cease-fire or find a way to "resist" again.
Israel feels like the maid, they just cleaned up this mess! Can we keep it clean for ... for a whole year?
Just a few days ago Hamas publicly said they would never agree to a cease-fire unless "their" goals were met. They just knew that their superior Palestinian resolve would see them through this conflict (Allah willing). News Flash: Israel is not a push-over, even for a real army. Although Hamas knew this, they hoped that the lessons of their big brothers to the north (Hezbollah) from the summer of 2006 fight would see them to a similar victory. It didn't. Little brother in the south still cannot do it. Israel learned from its mistakes, and adjusted their tactics and is doing very well despite what the MSM (Main Stream Media) is reporting.
The cease-fire should go something like this (if everyone gets only what they need):
1. Israeli troops completely withdraw from Gaza and return home.
2. Israel lifts the blockade of Gaza and allows goods to flow freely into/out of the territory.
3. Israel continues to monitor Gaza and not allow weapons to flow into the territory.
4. Egypt controls the Rafah crossing and will not allow weapons to be smuggled across.
5. Hamas (and all other militant groups in Gaza) agree to not fire rockets into Israel.
6. Hamas (and all other militant groups in Gaza) agree to not infilitrate Israel for "resistance" operations (like sucide bombings, murders, etc.).
There is a possibility for Turkish troops to help monitor the cease-fire, but Israel won't allow them to watch from their soil, and Hamas won't want them in Gaza; that leaves Egypt to keep them. This is a tough sell all the way around. I don't see how it will happen.
If Hamas signs off on this type of cease-fire and actually keeps it, it will be a good thing. However, as history in this area of the world has taught us, I don't believe it will hold. Rockets will be fired (eventually, breaking the cease-fire -- surprise, surprise), and Israel will respond disproportionately (as it should to ensure the safety of its citizens), and in a few years we'll be right back in this same situation where another cease-fire is attempted.
Summarizing from "The Incredibles":
No matter how many times you stop the Palestinian terrorists, they always manage to break a cease-fire or find a way to "resist" again.
Israel feels like the maid, they just cleaned up this mess! Can we keep it clean for ... for a whole year?
Monday, January 12, 2009
Obama's Presidency
I'll admit it, I didn't vote for Obama nor did I want him as President. However, I'm not stupid enough to wish him bad luck. In fact, it's just the opposite: I hope he is wildly successful. If President Obama is successful, than my little corner of the world will be better off. For instance, if the economy recovers, then we all do good. These are all good things for the greater good that I support.
I am worried about how he'll handle things. A relative newcomer to politics and he's going to be thrown into the fire immediately. He has the economy to try and help (no one person can mess it up and no one person can fix it up ... good luck on that one), the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, countries that hate the US (Venezuela, N. Korea, Iran, et al), the Middle East where nothing ever works for very long, and then a group of retarded killers that want every American dead. Wow. I really do wish him luck.
I'm not a registered Republican or Democrat. I probably lean a little more right than left, but only because of what I preceive as moral stances embraced by the right that the left feels are draconian. I'm fine with that.
Here's to a good next four years with Obama at the head.
FYI: I don't care what anyone says, having Hillary as Sec. of State still frightens me. I can't see her talking sense into anyone from the Middle East.
I am worried about how he'll handle things. A relative newcomer to politics and he's going to be thrown into the fire immediately. He has the economy to try and help (no one person can mess it up and no one person can fix it up ... good luck on that one), the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, countries that hate the US (Venezuela, N. Korea, Iran, et al), the Middle East where nothing ever works for very long, and then a group of retarded killers that want every American dead. Wow. I really do wish him luck.
I'm not a registered Republican or Democrat. I probably lean a little more right than left, but only because of what I preceive as moral stances embraced by the right that the left feels are draconian. I'm fine with that.
Here's to a good next four years with Obama at the head.
FYI: I don't care what anyone says, having Hillary as Sec. of State still frightens me. I can't see her talking sense into anyone from the Middle East.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Cartoons -- ah the simple life
Cartoons remind me of a simpler life, a life without problems, a life that is fun and full of happiness. I thought I'd detail out some of my favorite cartoons, just for old times sake.
Speed Racer: I know the movie just came out a few months ago and there was an updated cartoon series with Speed, but it doesn't come close to comparing to the original. The corny Japanimation cartoon just hooked me when I was young. There was just something about the Mach 5. That was a cool car!
Tom and Jerry: Without a doubt this was my favorite and still is. Something about the underdog mouse kicking the crap out of the cat just had me laughing. It was David vs. Goliath played out on the TV. I think the cartoon about Jerry's strong cousin and the Piano Concerto were my favorites. Of course, the tennis, golf, cowboy, billiards, and ice skating ones were good as well. Any T&J Produced by Fred Quimby was awesome! Anything Produced by Chuck Jones was mind-numbingly crappy.
Chip and Dale: No, not the dancers, the chipmunks. A very long time ago the Wonderful World of Disney was broadcast every Sunday night. It was a special treat when they decided to air the Chip and Dale cartoons. They never did this enough and I was always disappointed when there was a stupid movie showing instead of a cartoon. These rascals always figured out some way to make me laugh.
I watched Bugs Bunney, Elmer Fudd, Daffy Duck and all the other cartoons that Mel Blanc voiced (his Yosemite Sam was pretty good), but I always thought they were a step below. Good, but not something I needed. The most frustrating cartoon on Saturdays was the Road Runner and Wile E. Coyote. I actually hated that one. I don't know why, but I couldn't stand to watch it.
Cartoons remind me of a simple, less complex life. A life worth living, for sure, but one that is full of life and fun and happiness.
Speed Racer: I know the movie just came out a few months ago and there was an updated cartoon series with Speed, but it doesn't come close to comparing to the original. The corny Japanimation cartoon just hooked me when I was young. There was just something about the Mach 5. That was a cool car!
Tom and Jerry: Without a doubt this was my favorite and still is. Something about the underdog mouse kicking the crap out of the cat just had me laughing. It was David vs. Goliath played out on the TV. I think the cartoon about Jerry's strong cousin and the Piano Concerto were my favorites. Of course, the tennis, golf, cowboy, billiards, and ice skating ones were good as well. Any T&J Produced by Fred Quimby was awesome! Anything Produced by Chuck Jones was mind-numbingly crappy.
Chip and Dale: No, not the dancers, the chipmunks. A very long time ago the Wonderful World of Disney was broadcast every Sunday night. It was a special treat when they decided to air the Chip and Dale cartoons. They never did this enough and I was always disappointed when there was a stupid movie showing instead of a cartoon. These rascals always figured out some way to make me laugh.
I watched Bugs Bunney, Elmer Fudd, Daffy Duck and all the other cartoons that Mel Blanc voiced (his Yosemite Sam was pretty good), but I always thought they were a step below. Good, but not something I needed. The most frustrating cartoon on Saturdays was the Road Runner and Wile E. Coyote. I actually hated that one. I don't know why, but I couldn't stand to watch it.
Cartoons remind me of a simple, less complex life. A life worth living, for sure, but one that is full of life and fun and happiness.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Israel and the Gaza Conflict
Let's get one thing straight here, I am pro-Israel. I support the Israeli operation in Gaza and what they're trying to do. I am against what the Palestinian militant Islamic group (Hamas) is trying to do. I'm not so sure that Mahmoud Abbas is much better with his PA group, Fatah. However, for now he seems to just be watching.
That being said, war sucks. I truely wish there was a way to avoid this type of armed struggle. War is just an extension of politics by other means -- that is the truth. It is tragic when one innocent life is lost on either side of a conflict. Unfortuantely there have been far too many losses from both sides to keep an accurate count.
I grow tired of the whimpy European and Arab countries and their calls for peace. Why didn't they work on something BEFORE Israel started this escalation? This is not news. It has been boiling over for months. Why wait until now when there really is a problem (read: war)? If they were truely interested in peace in this area, they would have been all over Arab countries getting them to talk with Hamas to stop the rocket attacks against Israel and the arms smuggling. They would have been meetings with the UNSC to see if the blockade of the Gaza strip could be lifted. But, no. They wait until it is too late, and then hope against hope that they can step in to stop this.
Word to all of the wusses who would do nothing before: It is too late! Israel cannot trust their fate and security to your never-ending committee meetings, high-minded simpleton solutions, and holier-than-thou cease fires.
Israel has every right to defend themselves from an entity that is bent on destroying them and will never stop resisting what they believe is Israeli occupation of their land (from the sea to the river).
Everyone who has any type of interest in this conflict will know these simple truths:
1. Hamas wants Israel destroyed. Whatever else happens (ceasefires, lulls in the resistance, etc.), this main fact will forever remain.
2. Hamas is resisting Israeli occupation. All the land of Israel belongs to Palestinians, not Israelis; therefore, resistance is justified. Because Israel occupies this land (not just the West Bank and Gaza Strip, but Palestine -- from Galilee to the Dead Sea, from the Med Sea to the Jordan River) they need to be destroyed. Resistance is a noble pursuit to Hamas (and others) and all forms of it (suicide bombing, qassams/grads/katyusha rockets, attacks on Jewish settlers and Kibbutzim, etc.) are not war crimes, but glorifiable duties of Palestinians.
3. Israel evacuated the Gaza Strip of all Jewish settlers in late 2005. Israel hoped that giving up all of this land would help Palestinians see that they (Israel) were willing to work with them. It resulted in around 6,000 rockets fired into Israel. Nice response Hamas (ungrateful gift recipients).
4. Hamas rested power from Fatah in June 2007 in a bloody battle.
5. Since June 2007, Israel has tried to restrict the military gains of Hamas by blockading the Gaza Strip and controlling entry to it. It hasn't worked. Hamas has armed itself with weapons and rockets (you can thank Hezbollah and Iran for this) and continued firing them even during the blockade saying that the blockade was the reason they resisted. Um, no that's not correct. You resist because that's what you do.
6. A 6 month "cease-fire" between Hamas and Israel -- yeah right -- ended Dec. 19, 2008. Because Hamas was tired of what they believed were Israeli lies, they did not renew the cease-fire (they didn't like the blockade of the Strip). They began ratcheting up the rocket fire into southern Israeli cities.
7. December 28, 2008: Israel attacks the Gaza Strip with the stated goal of trying to limit the rocket fire and provide security for its citizens.
8. Israel, having learned its lessons from the 2006 summer conflict in Lebannon against Hezbollah (which was a victory, but felt like a defeat), has decided to defend itself. Hamas threw the first punch (set of them -- rockets), and now Israel is striking back.
A word about war crimes and proportionality:
What other country engaged in a war notifies people in the war zone BEFORE dropping bombs? That's crazy, but Israel does it.
What other country would suspend a war to let humanitarian supplies in that will certainly find their way to the enemy? That's crazy, but Israel does it.
If there are any war crimes, Israel isn't committing them. People die in war, that's the cold hard truth. Civilians, soldiers, and children. Like I said before: War sucks. After waiting 3+ years, Israel has finally responded with force (that's restraint).
What is one Qassam rocket worth? Is it worth one Israeli guided missile or one JDAM dropped from an F-16? If one Israeli is killed, should only one Palestinian be killed? If this proportionality equation is followed, the conflict will never end. Although I hate to say it, the bombs dropped in Japan saved more lives than they took. I'm not advocating dropping the bomb here, but the point is sometimes it's better to beat the crap out of your enemy so that they surrender and lives are saved. Hamas only understands force: Well, Israel is giving it to them -- in spades! They are showing Hamas that each rocket fired has a severe response. Stop the rockets, and the violent response will stop. It's that easy.
I'll close this post with a favorite saying:
If Israel lays down its weapons and stops fighting, it will be destroyed.
If the Palestinians (and Arab militants) lay down their weapons and stop fighting, there will be peace.
Here's to hoping for a long and lasting peace in the Middle East!
That being said, war sucks. I truely wish there was a way to avoid this type of armed struggle. War is just an extension of politics by other means -- that is the truth. It is tragic when one innocent life is lost on either side of a conflict. Unfortuantely there have been far too many losses from both sides to keep an accurate count.
I grow tired of the whimpy European and Arab countries and their calls for peace. Why didn't they work on something BEFORE Israel started this escalation? This is not news. It has been boiling over for months. Why wait until now when there really is a problem (read: war)? If they were truely interested in peace in this area, they would have been all over Arab countries getting them to talk with Hamas to stop the rocket attacks against Israel and the arms smuggling. They would have been meetings with the UNSC to see if the blockade of the Gaza strip could be lifted. But, no. They wait until it is too late, and then hope against hope that they can step in to stop this.
Word to all of the wusses who would do nothing before: It is too late! Israel cannot trust their fate and security to your never-ending committee meetings, high-minded simpleton solutions, and holier-than-thou cease fires.
Israel has every right to defend themselves from an entity that is bent on destroying them and will never stop resisting what they believe is Israeli occupation of their land (from the sea to the river).
Everyone who has any type of interest in this conflict will know these simple truths:
1. Hamas wants Israel destroyed. Whatever else happens (ceasefires, lulls in the resistance, etc.), this main fact will forever remain.
2. Hamas is resisting Israeli occupation. All the land of Israel belongs to Palestinians, not Israelis; therefore, resistance is justified. Because Israel occupies this land (not just the West Bank and Gaza Strip, but Palestine -- from Galilee to the Dead Sea, from the Med Sea to the Jordan River) they need to be destroyed. Resistance is a noble pursuit to Hamas (and others) and all forms of it (suicide bombing, qassams/grads/katyusha rockets, attacks on Jewish settlers and Kibbutzim, etc.) are not war crimes, but glorifiable duties of Palestinians.
3. Israel evacuated the Gaza Strip of all Jewish settlers in late 2005. Israel hoped that giving up all of this land would help Palestinians see that they (Israel) were willing to work with them. It resulted in around 6,000 rockets fired into Israel. Nice response Hamas (ungrateful gift recipients).
4. Hamas rested power from Fatah in June 2007 in a bloody battle.
5. Since June 2007, Israel has tried to restrict the military gains of Hamas by blockading the Gaza Strip and controlling entry to it. It hasn't worked. Hamas has armed itself with weapons and rockets (you can thank Hezbollah and Iran for this) and continued firing them even during the blockade saying that the blockade was the reason they resisted. Um, no that's not correct. You resist because that's what you do.
6. A 6 month "cease-fire" between Hamas and Israel -- yeah right -- ended Dec. 19, 2008. Because Hamas was tired of what they believed were Israeli lies, they did not renew the cease-fire (they didn't like the blockade of the Strip). They began ratcheting up the rocket fire into southern Israeli cities.
7. December 28, 2008: Israel attacks the Gaza Strip with the stated goal of trying to limit the rocket fire and provide security for its citizens.
8. Israel, having learned its lessons from the 2006 summer conflict in Lebannon against Hezbollah (which was a victory, but felt like a defeat), has decided to defend itself. Hamas threw the first punch (set of them -- rockets), and now Israel is striking back.
A word about war crimes and proportionality:
What other country engaged in a war notifies people in the war zone BEFORE dropping bombs? That's crazy, but Israel does it.
What other country would suspend a war to let humanitarian supplies in that will certainly find their way to the enemy? That's crazy, but Israel does it.
If there are any war crimes, Israel isn't committing them. People die in war, that's the cold hard truth. Civilians, soldiers, and children. Like I said before: War sucks. After waiting 3+ years, Israel has finally responded with force (that's restraint).
What is one Qassam rocket worth? Is it worth one Israeli guided missile or one JDAM dropped from an F-16? If one Israeli is killed, should only one Palestinian be killed? If this proportionality equation is followed, the conflict will never end. Although I hate to say it, the bombs dropped in Japan saved more lives than they took. I'm not advocating dropping the bomb here, but the point is sometimes it's better to beat the crap out of your enemy so that they surrender and lives are saved. Hamas only understands force: Well, Israel is giving it to them -- in spades! They are showing Hamas that each rocket fired has a severe response. Stop the rockets, and the violent response will stop. It's that easy.
I'll close this post with a favorite saying:
If Israel lays down its weapons and stops fighting, it will be destroyed.
If the Palestinians (and Arab militants) lay down their weapons and stop fighting, there will be peace.
Here's to hoping for a long and lasting peace in the Middle East!
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