Blog @ MoreWhat.com

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FaultlineUSA
Screw the UN

The following is certainly an oversimplified appraisal. But the order of the news reports lent itself to an almost automatic response. The events themselves may have played out somewhat differently. At least as far as timing is concerned. But nevertheless there chronological publishing times may be in proper order. The point is this.

We all know that Iran was on President Bush’s ‘D’ list. They were not likely to get invited to any parties. And if you are old enough to remember the dagger in the heart of Jimmy Carter’s Administration or had some history classes in school, you are familiar with 444 days worth of agony suffered by Americans at the hands of Iranian hospitality.

Then there was the Reagan Administration basking in the glory of the return of the American hostages and later the Iran-Contra scandal and I’m getting crazy just thinking about it. That is over twenty-five years ago and the process has not improved. It appears more complicated than the simple explanation that every country is looking out for their own agenda and benefit.

With the Memorial Day concluding earlier this week, thoughts of WWII and the greatest generation did not escape most Americans. Citizens of many other countries are sure to have been reminded also. When I think of our country’s contribution to winning that war alongside so many other allied nations, another striking reminder enters my thoughts.

At the end of WWII the League of Nations was replaced by the United Nations whose stated mission was to intervene in conflicts between nations and avoid future wars. It almost seems as though human beings were finally getting it right. Instead of a period of time of peaceful activity followed by the totally impractical practice of armed conflict, we would solve our differences in an organized group to eliminate the need for death and destruction in enormous quantities.

Let’s review the latest success of this noble endeavor. As stated earlier, the sequence of the following reports is assumed to be relatively chronological.

Iraq’s Sadr blasts US-Iranian meeting

BAGHDAD, May 30 (UPI) — Among those who blasted the meeting is Iranian-backed Shiite cleric Moqtada Sadr, who said in a statement Wednesday that the U.S.-Iranian talks in Baghdad Monday constituted “interference in Iraqi affairs.”

So the first thing that happens is the cleric known as Sadr throws his two cents worth in ‘dissin’ the meeting. One man who has done everything he can to cause more bloodshed in Iraq is complaining about a meeting between the US and Iran. Could be so simple as he doesn’t want anything solved for it ups his value as a ’somebody’ in Iraq.

Talking With Our Enemies Is Smart Policy

The Moderate Voice -
By Jeb Koogler. The recent meeting between American and Iranian officials in Baghdad effectively brings to an end the Bush administration’s use of ‘enforced …

Then we have another opinion apparently applauding an approach that differs from the typical ‘cowboy George’ routine that one could characterize as shoot now, ask questions later or the old Teddy Roosevelt adage of walk softly and carry a big stick. This second philosophy has a tendency of provoking more attitude from hostile foes and delay the desired victory outcome.

Iran official rules out halting enrichment ahead of nuclear talks …

International Herald Tribune, France -
In another sign of defiance, hardline President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad boasted that Iran has become so strong that no adversary can defeat it. …

Which of course prompted the response above from the Iranians as well as another one bragging about no one would be crazy enough to challenge the great and powerful Iranian military. Ok, where did we here that Mother of all wars speech before. Yo, yo, Prez AJ, over powering the Iraqi forces was not a problem. Keeping the nutcases contained has presented a problem, but foreign armies, not a big deal. Does he have that little man syndrome?

Diplomats: West rejected Iran nuke concession

MSNBC -
In another sign of defiance, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad boasted that his country’s military has become so strong that no adversary would risk an …

And the tennis ball lands in the other court and we have renewed talk about regime change. So the long delayed question is where the hell is the United Nations, again, and why does it even exist anymore. Not like their weren’t plenty of reasons to ask for it to be dissolved before.

Getting Serious About Iran: For Regime Change

Commentary, NY -
To the contrary, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the recently elected president, announced that the Islamic Republic was reneging on its suspension agreement and …

Afghanistan, Iraq, maybe Iran, Russia and new nukes, India talking more nukes, US shielding EU and the circus just keeps coming to town. Is no other country the least bit interested in taking one more shot at using the UN for what it was designed for? I am sure anyone reading this may feel compelled to complain about my suggestions. Consider that the UN is useless and it probably needs to be dissolved. But now would be a great time to give that ‘body’ one last chance to actually do something useful. There are major players involved in dealing with the current generation of conflict and resolution. There is no better time to get everyone involved and in a position to make the UN work before it is entirely abandoned. Even a loser is worth one more try. As long as the cards are on the table and every one knows how to play.

In the words of Larry the Cable Guy, ‘get her done’. If it flops, get rid of it.

Thompson on the Run

Town Hall, DC -
At an event for the Electronic Data Systems Corp. on April 27, he said he supported helping Iranians overthrow President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s government. …

Heading into the 2008 elections, it would be nice to resolve some of the world’s issues since no one knows who will be in the White House and the example above is not ready for nonsense by his statements. That may apply to one or more other candidates but some would be a definite disadvantage in that regard.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Here’s something you never heard before. Someone claiming there is no link between terrorism and Islam. Have you ever heard a quote like this before? “Islam advocates tolerance, moderation and coexistence,” he pointed out. That was Zohair Al-Wazir from Palestine. And here’s a shocker. He says Israel’s state terrorism against Palestinians is the real deal. Can this guy even spell jihad? If the Sunnis and Shia’ are killing each other, where’s the tolerance, moderation and coexistence?

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Palestinian diplomat raps attempt to link terrorism to Islam

Posted May 19th, 2007 by Indian-Muslim

VIENNA, AUSTRIA, May 19 (NNN-KUNA) — Palestine’s permanent envoy to the United Nations (UN) and Ambassador to Austria Zohair Al-Wazir condemned any attempts to link terrorism and Islam on Friday.
“The Palestinian people are a stark reminder of life under occupation and state terrorism as practiced by the Israeli against them, their sanctities and lands over long decades,” Al-Wazir told KUNA on the sidelines of the first anti-terrorism forum here.

Just a brief note to readers, the following excerpt is from Jihad Watch. I don’t mind admitting this was my first visit there. At least it was the only visit I remember and after being there today I am confident I would not have forgotten. The story at the top of the page when I was there is linked below. It is what compelled me to publish this tiny post as encouragement for those who have never been there to check it out.

The piece hits home with me. Like so many others I am weary of the treatment some stories get based on an impression of who should be presented sympathetically and who should not. Most of us suspect that is due to media bias. If that is the case it should be criminal to attempt to mislead people rather than share the facts and let the viewers draw their own conclusions. Critics of this position will contend the viewer is always free to draw their own conclusions. But we all know the power of suggestion and the subtle influence of marketing techniques employed by advertisers, media outlets and politicians. So to put it simply, that boat don’t float.

Anyway, if you haven’t before we recommend you test drive Jihad Watch. If you have been there then you don’t need our recommendation.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Cue standard “Muslims fear backlash, deplore terrorism” story

This one is by Cydney Long for Philadelphia’s CBS3.com (thanks to all who sent this in). Let’s see — have we touched all the bases? Muslims shocked by terror charges? Check. The jihadists don’t represent all Muslims? Check. Islam is a religion of peace? Check. Qur’an good? Check. If you blame the religion you’re blaming all Muslims? Check. Good, Cydney! You get an A+ for this one!

(CBS 3) VORHEES, N.J. Muslims in the region are bracing themselves for a possible backlash in response to the terror plot arrests.

The Middle East is quite the focal point of international politics. The main points of contention are rooted in religion and economics. Based on size and the fact that there are essentially two sides to the argument, Israel and any strong alliances they have are positioned on one side of the argument. Anyone with even a casual interest in the history of events in the region would be willing to agree that Israel is a small country surrounded by nations with opposing viewpoints in religion and economics as well as ideology and prejudices in general.

Israel is, of course, a Jewish nation surrounded by Muslim or largely Muslim nations. The differences between Israel and the surrounding nations can be characterized as being on opposite ends of a spectrum. And most people would probably agree that Israel’s neighbors have in common a strong desire for Israel to go away. Many alliances in the region have been altered with the passing of time and the distinction between allies and enemies has been blurred from time to time. The only exception appears to be Israel and the United States.

Some examples of altered relationships may be useful to consider. Prior to the undoing of the Shah of Iran in the seventies, the United States had a workable relationship with Iran. After the hostage crisis of 1979 and since, that relationship has ceased. Likewise when the former Soviet Union was in a war with Afghanistan during the cold war, Osama bin Laden and the Afghan ‘rebels’ were supported the the U.S. The United States was at one time friendly with the government of Iraq and Saddam Hussein. Obviously, things changed for Saddam. The cold war found the former Soviet Union and the United States typically on opposite ends of the spectrum with regard to relationships in the Middle East.

These trends continued right up until and after the terrorist attacks of 9/11 and the announcement of the new war on terror. Some of the relationships based primarily on economic relationships were emphasized during the run up to the war in Iraq. Germany, France and Russia were at odds with the US at the UN not just on philosophical grounds or opposition to an impending war. Commencing a war in Iraq would disturb many ‘economic’ arrangements as well as obvious detriments and concerns.

Which brings us up to this year and the Wild West antics and politics of crazy times and trying to determine what’s next in the Middle East. The recent entrance of members of the United States Congress into matters of diplomacy has caused quite a stir and muddied the waters significantly. As if there wasn’t already enough confusion or actions offering contradictory evidence of positions, here are some more.

Just about the time we were reasonably convinced that the one constant in the Middle East was consensus among members of the Jewish community with the possible exception of Israeli politics, these headlines and stories appear.

Speaker Pelosi’s Statement in Damascus was Reckless, Irresponsible

Contact: Executive Director Matthew Brooks
Thursday, April 5, 2007, Washington, DC… The Republican Jewish Coalition issued this statement regarding House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s statements following her meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Wednesday:

“The Speaker’s statements were reckless and irresponsible,” said RJC Executive Director Matthew Brooks. “Syria is a state sponsor of terrorism and an ally of Iran. Speaker Pelosi’s statement, ‘We came in friendship, hope, and determined that the road to Damascus is a road to peace,’ represents a softness and a weakness in foreign policy that hurts the United States and Israel.”

Actually, the article above from the RJC is what we would have expected as a response over Speaker Pelosi’s trip to the Middle East. And since this blog claims to be non-partisan and independent with a tendency to lean to the right or conservative viewpoint, this being also a ‘Republican’ Jewish Coalition was no surprise. However, the following statement was what started our head scratching.

NJDC Defends Speaker Pelosi from GOP Smear

April 10, 2007 - 9pmWASHINGTON – Today, the National Jewish Democratic Council (NJDC) condemned the Republican Jewish Coalition’s (RJC) misguided television advertising campaign, which smears Speaker Pelosi’s recent Middle East trip. The RJC makes the ridiculous claim that Speaker Pelosi’s trip “weakened America’s security.”

“The notion that the Speaker’s trip to the Middle East had negative ramifications for American national security is laughable,” said NJDC Executive Director Ira Forman. “If RJC wants to do something productive for our national security, they should stand with the majority of Jewish Republicans, Independents and Democrats in opposing the administration’s failed Iraq policy.”

We may be guilty of a lax approach to staying informed about the Middle East. In our defense, the conflicts in the Middle East have appeared to us to be so simple and obvious as to their nature, the need for strict, formal and immense critical research seemed unnecessary. Our consensus was no one was really interested in solving the problems so they will not be solved without opposing ideologies making mutual concessions.

After tripping over the articles already presented here, we found the following:

Pelosi’s father and the Holocaust

RAFAEL MEDOFF, THE JERUSALEM POST
When Nancy Pelosi, the Speaker of the US House of Representatives, stepped to the podium at a Knesset dinner during her visit earlier this month, she made history in more ways than one.
Not only was she the first woman Speaker of the House to address Israel’s lawmakers, Pelosi was also addressing the parliament of a country whose creation her own father championed, at the risk of his career - and perhaps her career, as well.

Speaker Pelosi’s father, the late US congressman Thomas D’Alesandro, Jr., of Maryland, was known as a Roosevelt Democrat. What is not widely known is that D’Alesandro broke ranks with president Franklin D. Roosevelt on the issues of rescuing Jews from Hitler and creating a Jewish State.

Is someone trying to say that Speaker Pelosi’s disregard for established protocol is a genetic flaw? We could accept that but it still does not provide an excuse for her behavior regardless of motive. Here are some more enlightening excerpts from other reports.

Pelosi stand on the war in Iraq bothers Israel lobby
But House speaker insists U.S. commitment to security of Jewish state is unshakable
Edward Epstein, Chronicle Washington Bureau
Wednesday, March 14, 2007

(03-14) 04:00 PDT Washington — Speaker Nancy Pelosi is widely recognized as a strong, second-generation supporter of Israel, but the scattered boos she heard during an appearance before the Israel lobby’s most committed activists highlighted their conflicting emotions over the war in Iraq.

With the first two articles presented, this one just muddies that water a little more. But the following excerpt gives some understandable insight of Nancy Pelosi simply being a political animal afflicted with typical ambitions for power and influence of a arrogant, wealthy, misguided, selfish politician and nothing more.

To adapt, she will have to understand that today’s opponent could be tomorrow’s ally. Few in Congress have such a memory for slights and betrayals. She still bristles at the fact that when she first went to Washington, many in the Democratic establishment didn’t take her seriously and opposed her march up the leadership. As she told Time earlier this year, “They couldn’t control me, so they tried to take me down.” When her former House colleague Martin Frost was running to head the Democratic National Committee after the 2004 elections, she lobbied against him with a determination that all sides attributed to Frost’s challenging her for Democratic leader two years before. Asked about those conflicts, Pelosi refused to discuss them specifically but said, “Anybody who’s ever dealt with me knows not to mess with me.”

That first whip race intensified her rivalry with Hoyer and also cemented her bond with Murtha, who managed her campaign. Not only did he get her the votes to win that job but his support also made it possible for other old bulls in the House to begin to imagine a woman rising to the top

But Pelosi has also found a way to make her gender a weapon in political combat

All that raised a lot of new questions about Pelosi herself—about her judgment, her political instincts and her real ideology. Was her endorsement of longtime ally John Murtha over Hoyer a testament to her loyalty or proof that she is incapable of letting go of old grudges? Was putting her muscle behind the hero of the party’s antiwar wing a sign that she would steer her fractious and fragile coalition over the guardrails on the left? Did her support for a man who is notorious for slipping special-interest earmarks into spending bills prove that she didn’t really mean all that talk about cleaning up Congress? In other words, was Nancy Pelosi really up to the job?

If it is to be attributed to her father’s influence then maybe not all about him is flowery and innocent. The next reference is the bio presented at house.gov and is also used by Infoplease offering the dry facts. That is followed by a report of an insight into Nancy Pelosi’s father and his less displayed political philosophy.

D’ALESANDRO, Thomas, Jr., (father of Nancy Pelosi), a Representative from Maryland; born in Baltimore, Md., August 1, 1903; attended the parochial schools and Calvert Business College, Baltimore, Md.; engaged in the brokerage and insurance business in Baltimore, Md.; member of the State house of delegates in 1926-1933; general deputy collector of internal revenue in 1933 and 1934; member of the Baltimore City Council 1935-1938; delegate to each Democratic National Convention from 1944 to 1968; elected as a Democrat to the Seventy-sixth and to the four succeeding Congresses and served from January 3, 1939, until his resignation on May 16, 1947; mayor of Baltimore, Md., from May 1947 to May 1959; defeated for renomination in the March primary election; unsuccessful candidate for election to the United States Senate in 1958; appointed by President Kennedy to the Federal Renegotiation Board, 1961-1969; insurance and real estate broker; was a resident of Baltimore, Md. until his death there August 23, 1987.
Tommyrot in Baltimore
Monday, Nov. 18, 1957
Baltimore’s newspapers went on a rampage last week against a startling proposal by Mayor Thomas D’Alesandro Jr.: special taxes on advertising revenue, their main source of income. No other U.S. city, however hard up, has tried to raise cash by threatening the economic wellsprings of the press.

This ends our sad belief that dirty politics claimed as anything else are still dirty politics and the likelihood of a solution for the conflict in the Middle East in our lifetimes is remote. If you would like to present arguments or alternative opinions, fact, anecdotes or whatever in the comments, knock yourself out. Thanks for reading.
Stanford Matthews
with assistance from C. Harris
and the staff at MoreWhat.com

Trackposted to The Virtuous Republic, Perri Nelson’s Website, Is It Just Me?, Adam’s Blog, basil’s blog, Stuck On Stupid, Cao’s Blog, The Bullwinkle Blog, Conservative Cat, Jo’s Cafe, Conservative Thoughts, Allie Is Wired, Faultline USA, third world county, stikNstein… has no mercy, The Crazy Rants of Samantha Burns, The World According to Carl, Blue Star Chronicles, Pirate’s Cove, The Pink Flamingo, Dumb Ox Daily News, Right Voices, Gone Hollywood, and The Yankee Sailor, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.

Because of the following excerpt and source link to the full article below:

Israel responds to Arab Peace Initiative

Olmert answers the Arab League’s recapitulation of its peace initiative, offering a summit with moderate Arab states and experts discuss the prospects for the Saudi-drafted peace plan.
By Dominic Moran in Tel Aviv for ISN Security Watch (04/04/07)
In their recent summit in the Saudi capital Riyadh the 22 member states of the Arab League voted unanimously to renew the pan-Arab body’s 2002 peace offer to Israel.

You get this from Blog @ MoreWhat.com:

We all know the Middle East has a lot of problems. Every country in the region seems to have a complaint about how things are and an opinion of who is responsible for the problems. It has been a mixture of ‘peace’ talks and terrorist violence for as long as I can remember. And it all appears to be centered on everyone else’s opinion of Israel but largely an argument over land and who has the right to it. As a matter of fact, the endless debate over the ’state’ of Israel and a ’state’ for Palestine or Palestinians gives the impression it is nothing more than a cover for the real problem that a lot of people in the Middle East simply don’t like each other. If you fix the land problem, perhaps you can work on the people problems. Like most conflicts, a solution requires some unpleasant concessions to work. So here is my ridiculously simple and never to be accepted solution to the land problem.

If you click on the map of the area, certain characteristics immediately stand out. The location of the ‘disputed’ land as defined by the map is situated in Israel. Let’s not argue about that last statement. Just accept it. Currently, Israel is bordered by, in alphabetical order so as not to unintentionally offend anyone’s ego, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.

Another obvious characteristic is that nearby Saudi Arabia is a comparatively large piece of real estate. If you look at the eastern border of Jordan you will notice a part of Saudi Arabia that makes a noticeable jagged shape along this eastern border. I suggest that Saudi Arabia donate the piece of land that is formed by drawing a line from the location where the borders of Iraq, Jordan and Saudi Arabia meet to the eastern most part of Jordan’s border south of this first location.

Next, where Jordan borders Israel adjacent to the ‘disputed’ area, Jordan then donates a piece of land which would be a mirror image to the eastern 2/3 of the ‘disputed’ land and Israel donates the eastern 1/3 of the ‘disputed’ land. Now you have a designated area the same size as the disputed land on which to create a Palestinian state. It certainly is simple. It certainly won’t work. But it is also a practical solution to the problem of space and a little give and take to provide that space. If it does not resolve all the philosophical, religious, political and personal preferences of everyone involved, guess what? It is unlikely that anything ever will. But you have to start somewhere if you are truly interested in finding peace rather than demand to have everything your own way.

If you ever got past the land issue, you could consider tolerating each other enough to allow unfettered access to all the places regarded as religiously significant. If it is religiously significant, it should be available to all who are sincerely interested for religious reasons.

And if you would quit blowing each other up, you might just find a profitable way to get along and save yourselves all this grief. And the only reason I submitted this post against my better judgment is that gnawing feeling that even though I am not really personally invested in this conflict I am really tired of no one finding a way to solve it without feeling superior in some way. Damn people, get over yourselves and fix it.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

If the previous post does not show you that Senator Harry Reid is a contradction then understand he said they would not cut and run in Iraq or raise taxes. Right at the moment the tax thing is secondary. He said they would not cut and run. Senator Reid would you kindly explain the report below if you are not planning on cut and run?

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

US Senate Democrats Draft Plan to Revise Military’s Iraq Mission
By VOA News
23 February 2007

Democratic Party leaders in the U.S. Senate are working on legislation that would effectively revoke the 2002 resolution authorizing military action against Iraq.

Senate Democratic aides say the proposal, which is not expected to be adopted, would limit the U.S. military’s mission to training Iraqi troops and police forces, securing the country’s borders and combating terrorist forces. Regular combat forces would be withdrawn by next year.

The proposal, drafted by Senator Carl Levin, the chairman of the Armed Services Committee, and Joseph Biden, who chairs the Foreign Relations panel is set to be presented to other Democratic senators next week.

If accepted, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid would likely attach the proposal to an anti-terrorism bill. If passed by the Senate, which is not likely, the revised authorization would also have to be passed by the House and would be subject to a veto by President Bush.

Democrats and the independents aligned with them hold a slim 51 to 49 majority in the Senate, but hold a more comfortable majority in the House of Representatives.

The 2002 resolution gave President Bush authorization to take military action against Iraq, because of its alleged arsenal of weapons of mass destruction. In a speech last week, Biden said the original resolution is now irrelevant because the WMD program did not exist, and former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein is “no longer there.”

The bill is the latest effort by Senate Democrats to challenge President Bush on his Iraq policy. A vote on a non-binding resolution criticizing Mr. Bush’s plan to deploy an additional 21,000 troops to Iraq failed in the Senate, but was passed in the House last week.

Meanwhile, Democrats in the House of Representatives are considering a proposal by lawmaker Jack Murtha that would link funding of the U.S. military mission in Iraq to strict conditions on troop readiness and training standards.

Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.

Trackposted to Outside the Beltway, The Right Nation, Leaning Straight Up, Maggie’s Notebook, and basil’s blog, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.

Palestinians say US to shun new coalition

USA Today
RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) - The United States has informed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas that it will shun a future Hamas-Fatah coalition government because it will not explicitly recognize Israel, Abbas aides said Thursday.

“…Will not explicitly recognize Israel…”, so what’s new?
C. Harris
MoreWhat.com

In Exchange for Records, Fewer Immigration Raids

Over the past seven months, Bush administration officials have quietly toured the country, trying to persuade businesses that rely heavily on immigrant labor to join a little-known program that would spare them from embarrassing federal raids if they voluntarily handed over their workers’ documents so the government can scan them for fraudulent information….

The existence of the report above should be sufficient evidence that President Bush’s quiet tour is in the past tense. Raids are not the important part of the issue. The issue is the important part of the issue. It is called immigration. And every last politician can’t stop counting the money long enough to discharge their responsibility and correct border control and other national security problems including immigration.

If business wants to avoid raids by doing what they should in the first place, that is fine. Straighten out your obligation to protect this country and also stop violating laws. You forget that along with the need to have a profit in a busienss you have other obligations, not the least of which is to the country in which your business is located.

Stop the insanity and correct national security, including, but not limited to, defense, border control and immigration.

Staford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Escalating Our Military Involvement in Iraq Sends Precisely the Wrong Message Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, and Senate Assistant Democratic Leader Richard Durbin released the following statement tonight on President Bush’s address to the nation on the war in Iraq. 01/10/2007

There seems to be more conflict among people in this country as to an Iraq strategy than there is in Iraq. How’s that for helping out the other side? One of the drawbacks to freedom of speech is that people use it even when it is not in their best interest.

President Bush’s Administration is reminiscent of Lincoln and his difficulties with General McClellan in the Civil War. I will skip some obvious comparisons for the Demoratic party’s sentiments but can ask if anyone else was reminded of 1968.

It is unlikely that war plans have ever been completed without modification. Somewhere I heard someone say that after the first round is fired the battle plans go out the window. What politicians won’t give to us they expect from everyone else based on the words in the critiques. They claim they have the answer in their proposal. Leaving Iraq will solve the problem. They also claim the President’s current plan sends the wrong message. They think we’re doomed to fail. Have they ever considered their own actions may become a self-fulfilling prophecy? I have heard them say support the troops. Have they considered the positive effect of also supporting the mission? Slowly the Democrats opposition will convince me of the Dems suspected belief that utopia can be delivered if we all just talk and give each other a big hug. Let’s see ya try that with a terrorist who has repeatedly announced the fundamentalist mantra of killing all infidels. In case you’re not aware, that applies to anyone who doesn’t believe what they believe. And the way two distinct Muslim groups are killing each other in Iraq, that probably means everyone else.

Give the Bush Administration a chance to make something turn right about this wrongly initiated war. You might stop to think that some of us hold Congress partially to blame for failing to uncover the flaws as opposed to covering your political butts. And if the holier than thou minority of those voting against the war feel above reproach, forget about it. You were among the entire Congress, both houses, who failed to unearth the hoax. There is no “fool me once” loophole in matters of this importance. You all have a responsibility to see this thing through to a positive conclusion to right the wrongs and honor the sacrafice of others, Iraqis as well as Americans.

C. Harris
MoreWhat.com

There will not be a commentary here covering the entire State of the Union speech in one pass. This annual event is more significant than the importance most citizens place on it. But what is clear is that the media, some politicians and members of the public have made the Iraq War the primary issue. So that will be the topic of this post in brief.

Below is an interesting excerpt from a site that offered some stats on America at war. It is rather well written and more importantly, to the point. The point being the surprising lack of resolve in military matters that this country has been accused of and is quite simply guilty. Below is the excerpt.

The United States of America has a somewhat unique relationship with war. While America is considered to be the most militarily powerful country in the world today, Americans as a whole have never experienced war in the way that many other countries of the world have. There is a huge disparity between the American experience of war and the global experience. This may have an impact on American attitudes towards war

Which brings us to the subject of casualties. Follow the link above for the numbers if you like. The main point raised in opposition to the war is not on policy but casualties. Let’s just call it 3000 in three years. Of course, one death is unacceptable to most, but in war it is inevitable. Any way you slice it, the answer is the same. In terms of war, this nation’s casualties are extremely light. Granted, it is a different kind of war, but the numbers are still light.

I fear the opposition by elected officials is purely political. For those related to active duty service personnel, their opposition is understandable. But to increase the likelihood of bigger problems down the road with no guaranteed upside in leaving Iraq, the opposition makes no sense. It certainly makes no sense to leave without first trying one more (maybe the only) coherent proposal to date. That would include the initial decision.

MoreWhat.com urges those reading this and anyone they can tell, to contact your elected representatives to back the President’s Iraq strategy that was repeated tonight in the State of the Union address.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com
( photos or other distractions were intentionally omitted from this post)

Another glance at a list of most popular news stories indicates the story of the two “abducted” boys has moved into first place since yesterday. In second place is a strange combo-looking thing featuring Hollywood divorces, Trump and Rosie and assorted other useless information. Third place has electronics standards and the BS electronics show hording space it doesn’t deserve. As a post of ours pointed out, the technology related industries in this country as well as others doles out tech advances in minuscule portions to maximize the profit ripoff of consumers. We have little sympathy for their perceived difficulties and absolutely no respect for their methods. Actually Beckham was in third place but who cares about soccer?

There are no other stories in the list worth mentioning with the possible exception of one on Secretary of State, Rice. The headline reads” Rice Encounters Skepticism in Mideast”. That is offered only for its comedic value. Maybe if the U.S. would put Israel in its place, show some compassion for the ordinary citizens of Palestine, Lebanon and elsewhere in the Middle East and warn every nation in the region to make an effort at peace, we might have something. Show them you’re serious by completing what you started in Afghanistan and Iraq, quickly. Straighten out some of the messes you’ve gotten us into and start acting like world leaders and maybe some one will take you seriously. If you get that far you can tell Iran and North Korea or any one else spoiling for a fight to straighten up or their situation will change abruptly. Do what you need to provide a little lasting peace and prosperity in the region and then take a break and bring the troops home. It can be done so quit wasting time and get at it. Tell the morons back in the states to stop debating foreign policy and military strategy in the news and get to work also. This country could use some leadership. Let’s start with what we have and stop playing politics. For once, finish the job and stop looking like the idiots you probably are.

C. Harris
MoreWhat.com

Blair makes one last push in Middle East with….

Guardian Unlimited, UK - 1 hour ago
Tony Blair yesterday proposed a controversial plan to bolster Mahmoud Abbas in his escalating battle against Hamas by funnelling millions of pounds in aid …

That’s the ticket, Tony. Go get those people some good old-fashioned money. That will win at least something for a while or longer.

…left-wing parties to present initiative to end Fatah …

People’s Daily Online, China - 1 hour ago
Palestinian leftist parties were preparing a national initiative to end the political crisis and unrest following the clashes between supporters of the …

The DFLP and PFLP would be wise to use intelligent methods to find solutions. For all the militants in the Middle East it would make sense if they realized how little benefit they get from the actions that don’t make sense. Blowing things up and shooting people or any of the many tragedies that take place, haven’t produced success even briefly.

Only an end to sanctions can halt …. crisis

Guardian Unlimited, UK - 1 hour ago
As Hamas and Fatah supporters took to the streets to protest at or support Mahmoud Abbas’s decision to call for early presidential elections, congratulatory …

No jobs, no money, no paycheck should be something everyone can understand as a problem. For many who have nothing to do with the idealogical or political strife, just getting paid would be an improvement. We sometimes forget that conflicts half way around the world also involve ordinary people just trying to survive.

Blair backs Abbas plan amid Gaza violence

Independent, UK - 1 hour ago
By Donald Macintyre in Ramallah. Tony Blair launched an effort yesterday to secure international backing for the Palestinian President’s …

Imagine that, Israel has owed Palestine $65MM per month and that is part of Blairs’ idea for making things right.
Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

This is the third post and these items are from the 18th

US tentatively endorses Abbas call for new.. elections

International Herald Tribune, France - 2 hours ago
AP. WASHINGTON: The United States tentatively endorsed on Monday a call for early elections by Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, a …

What a pickle to be in. The US would like Hamas to go away. So would the Israelis. Just from the standpoint of keeping your job, Abbas would probably like them to go away so he can make nice to deeper pockets. Probably help to get the sanctions removed and if someone working in Palestine ( like that happens much) can get paid some of the violence would subside. But that is not a subtle or tactful way to get rid of a recently elected groups of people. Maybe Al Gore and John Kerry should have tried that.

US endorses Abbas’ call for early elections

Jerusalem Post, Israel - 2 hours ago
By AP. The United States tentatively endorsed on Monday a call for early elections by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas …

After you test the water with the whimpy tentative endorsement, it is time to really approve of the tactic. It is getting so bad now that world political types don’t even try to appear subtle, honest or diplomatic. Maybe everyone is trying the cowboy George approach. They don’t realize the only reason GeeDubya uses that approach is his vocabulary is not a good fit for dip;omacy. Actually, Bush asking Congress for something is enough to make anything tentative, especially with a newly elected Democratic majority. Bush doesn’t realize they’ll do almost anything to avoid a fight.

US Backs Early Palestinian Elections

ABC News - 59 minutes ago
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, also known as Abu Mazen speaks during a joint press conference with British Prime Minister Tony Blair in the West Bank …

ABC doesn’t like the word tentative. That must be it because it reads a lot like the other news fodder. But removing the word tentative makes it sound better and we can follow with…….

……this
Oh ya, if we can get Tony Blair to go along with this it’s a done deal. No more waiting on the sidelines. Maybe Tony really started this and the US waited to see how they like Tony’s approach, not so much the cowboy, or cowgirl if Conde Rice is representing America.

Arab FMs may hold emergency meeting on …. crisis

People’s Daily Online, China - 1 hour ago
Arab foreign ministers may hold an emergency meeting to seek an end to the conflicting situation in the Palestinian territories, Egypt’s official MENA news …

Now you know it’s serious. If the Arab FM’s hold a meeting and it’s not about oil, there is real fear of things changing in a way that threatens the sheiks. Heads may roll and not in the symbolic sense. The laundry expense will increase this week. (a little update: they called it off after talking to Abbas…..hmmmm)

Gunfights shatter ceasefire…. Blair urges world to back …

Scotsman, United Kingdom - 1 hour ago
GUNBATTLES and kidnappings shook Gaza yesterday despite a ceasefire declaration by Hamas and Fatah, while Tony Blair called on the international community to …

Can’t have the US pay for everything…… or can they. More in the next post. All items from the 18th.
Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

A Counterproductive US Advice to Palestinians

Asian Tribune, Thailand - 4 hours ago
By Nicola Nasser. Regardless of good will or bad faith, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ decision to go without national consensus …

The take on current Middle East politics from one Asian news account contends the Abbas early election plan simply conforms to a US-Israeli plan to push Hamas aside in Palestinian affairs. Wouldn’t Vegas call that long shot odds unless someone fixes the election. That’s what happens when you let people carry on about Bush stealing the election from Gore and Kerry. Right away, every time the US is near an election, people think it’s fixed. But, by their own account, they are not an organization but some kind of force for change in Asia. Whatever. Then how did they show up in a news search. That’s right, blogs are in the searches now too. Haven’t seen Blog @ MoreWhat.com there yet.

Abbas’ election call escalates tension with Hamas

Bangkok Post, Thailand - 4 hours ago
By DEAN YATES. Jerusalem _ President Mahmoud Abbas’ call for early elections may have scuppered any chance of compromise with the …

See, another Asian report and now they’re blaming increased tension on the call for an early election. They probably think the US and Israel will fix the election. As long as the Middle East has had conflict, they may be running out of excuses to continue fighting. So blame the US and Israel since everyone knows the Us will back Israel right or wrong.

Officials working to shore up tottering Gaza truce (Roundup)

Monsters and Critics.com, UK - 3 hours ago
Palestinian security forces loyal to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas take up position around their camps in Gaza City 18 December 2006. EPA/MOHAMMED SABER. …

This might more accurately read, some of the militants and other armed individuals could be trying to keep things from getting outta hand. A huge guess might be this is an empty gesture to minimize attaching blame to one group or another. This region has been flogging itself for so long they fight at the drop of a hat. When any attempt at peace appears to have a chance some moron straps on a bomb and explodes in a crowd. Maybe this dysfunctional behavior becomes the norm if allowed to continue long enough. Is this worse than Northern Ireland?

West may be too late to save weakened Abbas

International Herald Tribune, France - 3 hours ago
By Steven Erlanger. JERUSALEM: Prime Minister Tony Blair of Britain dropped by Ramallah on Monday to show his support for the Palestinian …

It just wouldn’t be right without France chiming in. Next headline.

Abbas stands firm on vote plan amid shaky ceasefire

Gulf News, United Arab Emirates - 4 hours ago
Ramallah, West Bank: Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas yesterday said he would press on with early elections as a truce between his security forces and the …

Sanctions, unemployment, poverty and political basketball may have given Abbas few options. The election strategy may be a little too transparent.

This is kind of a chronology, as best we can, given the order of news reports. Will pick up here, with a bit more on the election part of the story and to the other reports.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com