Hamas leader Abdelaziz Rantisi dead

[johnfunk]

Immediate detais as news broke on CNN and BBC:

-- His car explodes in Gaza City
-- Two bodyguards killed with him
-- Power out in large section of Gaza City
-- At first, not certain if it was a missile attack or a booby trap; CBC cites helicopter attack
-- May be retaliation for suicide bombing at Israel-Gaza border about 6 hours ago; may also be targeted assassination
-- Rantisi had been warned he might be a target for Israeli assassination

MORE:
BBC: Hamas boss "killed in air strike"
AP: Israel Blows Up Hamas Leader's Car
CBC is citing a missile attack
CNN: Hamas leader killed in blast

UPDATE: Israel takes credit.

ON EDIT: More details, links.

[NMDemDist2]

1. and so it begins

Armageddon anyone?

[BostonTeaParty04]

8. Armageddon.. sheesh, if it is.. get it over with...

I am tapped out in terms of wondering if we can get this turned around....

But noooooooooooooooo, the bush fundies have to roll it out s-l-o-w-l-y, much like the 30 min torture scene in The Passion.

I don't know... if we just let them fulfill their sick self-fulling prophecy, maybe all the DECENT people can unite and find a way to live on this earth peacefully, and let the nuts just kill each other....

Interesting that CNN says he is DEAD. He was murdered, thankyouverymuch.

[Just Me]

24. I know whatcha' mean, BostonTea,...

,...sometimes I think to myself, to hell with this, let them have their stupid apocalypse since they're so bent on creating the environment of escalated violence to get their stupid wish.

[kera]

31. But have

you thought about the whole strategy and funds they need to achieve their delusional goal ? they can do it only by sucking our taxes, using American troops as pawns and cracking down on our liberties and enslaving us?

[Just Me]

33. Oh, yes, I have considered all those abuses, believe me,...

,...and I am a single Mom of an adolescent who could be drawn into this insanity. Such realities can be very tiring,...when you know them. And, sometimes,...I just get really, really tired of fighting a battle I never invited and certainly never even dreamed could occur in my lifetime.

[skooooo]

2. who was the last leader that was killed??

I can't keep all this straight.

[johnfunk]

5. Last leader killed was Sheikh Yassin

Radical Palestinian cleric, paralyzed and wheelchair-bound. Missile attack.

[kera]

30. Radical...You mean

resisting a bloodthirsty, land-grabbing, illegal and Nazi monsters that are occupying the US too ?

[Zhade]

32. Look, let's be truthful here.

Yes, it is resistance. And yeah, AIPAC wields far too much power over our 'leaders'. However, Hamas has targeted innocent Israelis in response. That is not laudable.

Much better to attack the innocent-targeting IDF than Israeli citizens who aren't involved in the war crimes. IMHO, the IDF and illegal land-stealing settlers are legitimate targets, but the everyday Israeli sitting on a bus or shopping for food isn't.

Resistance is right, but killing innocents on either side is not. I despise Sharon and his fellow Zionist war criminals, but we should be honest about both sides, or we end up like them.

[Just Me]

35. We could start by being more balanced in applying the term,

"terrorism". The State Department defines "terrorism" as ",...premeditated, politically motivated violence perpetrated against noncombatant targets by subnational groups or clandestine agents, usually intended to influence an audience." Now, I suppose that definition intentionally excludes "nations" for good reason, seeing as how 'politically motivated violence' is and has been 'perpetrated against nonbatant targets' with the intention to influence an audience by the USA and its "allies" time and time again.

What I find gets lost are the facts associated with why the violence perpetuates. The facts are that there exists an oppressed people who are desperately fighting for their survival and a "state" of their own. Amazingly, both the Palestinians and the Israelis share a similar position (fighting for their survival and a "state" of their own) BUT,...it is blatantly obvious that the US is favoring both economically and politically ONE side instead of taking a weighed, balanced and fair approach to the situation.

[Zhade]

36. We totally agree.

I only wanted to point out that it's not right to excuse the targeting of innocent civilians on either side.

I've always believed that if the militants struck the IDF and the illegal settlers, they would be justified, both morally and under international law. Striking innocent Israelis who aren't involved in either of these, though, is just as wrong as when the IDF intentionally shoots a Palestinian or intentionally runs over an international peace activist with a bulldozer.

That's all I'm saying here. I support resistance against the IDF or the illegal settlers. Neither group should be in the OT, and by defying international law they are legitimate targets. I'd prefer no one die, but that's where it stands.

[Renew Deal]

3. What ever happened to retribution for the dead hamas cleric guy.

I thought Israel had raised hell, but it doesn't seem like anything happened.

[UrbScotty]

4. Here comes more violence, unfortunately. (nt)

[nadinbrzezinski]

6. Ah the sweet smell of the final battle at Meggido

Bush is doing all he can to bring forth Armagedon, ain't he?

Also if the West Bank explodes, he has a distractor from the Iraqi mess

[Renew Deal]

7. This is BIG!!!

This guy was the face of Hamas lately. This is a big deal. Israel said they were going to get him.

[ConcernedCanuk]

9. CBC saying "clinically dead" - serious head injuries.

[Ediacara]

10. Is this the new leader?

Appointed after the Israelis murdered his predicesor a few weeks ago?

[maddezmom]

11. yes

[Ediacara]

13. Jesus Christ.....

:-(

[maddezmom]

15. and it's not going to stop...read this

Surgical Strike Not a Retaliatory Action
21:14 Apr 17, '04 / 26 Nisan 5764


(IsraelNN.com) A government source released a statement that tonight’s surgical strike in Gaza targeting Hamas leader Rantisi was not a retaliatory action for today’s Gaza suicide bombing attack. The unnamed source quoted by Galei Tzahal Radio explained that this was a first opportunity to strike out at him and the government will continue targeting terrorist leaders who seek to kill innocent Israelis. The report added that whoever replaces Rantisi will be targeted for elimination as well.

:(

[TahitiNut]

25. They say "surgical"; I say "butcher".

Killing isn't 'surgical.' Even kosher butchers KILL.

[Reciprocity]

12. Bush is jumping for joy.

Looks like his plan is coming to fruition. Now all eyes will be on Israel and not on Iraq.

[TahitiNut]

16. Weekend erections for the reichbots.

Dim Son and Sharon get their jollies from this -- perpetual war and death. Profits for their cronies and more death for the hoi polloi.

[johnfunk]

23. Cialis for the endtimers

n/t

[bluedog]

18. bush= death

BUSH SUPPORTS SHARON

SHARON KILLS PALIS LEADERS

9/11

GET READY FOR THE NEXT ONE.

WORLD WILL SAY:

AMERICANS HAD IT COMING

[Flagg]

21. More like ISRAEL had it coming in this case

[burythehatchet]

27. I guess that was the reason for the pig's visit to *

he was getting agreement.

[SOS]

34. Sadly, for American troops

the response will be in Iraq.

[madmax]

14. Has bush's example emboldened Sharon

Seems like all hell is breaking loose since we've given up on peaceful negotiations and began pursuing wars.

[k in IA]

17. Remember, according to * , Sharon is a man of peace.

[johnfunk]

19. Our Orwellian Pretend-a-dent

Sharon is a man of peace
Saddam has WMDs
Ignorance is strength
Pretzels and Jack are a balanced meal

[bluedog]

20. april 14.... 04

THE PRESIDENT: I'm pleased to welcome Prime Minister Sharon back to the White House. For more than 50 years, Israel has been a vital ally and a true friend of America. I've been proud to call the Prime Minister my friend. I really appreciate our discussions today. The policy of the United States is to help bring peace to the Middle East and to hope -- bring hope to the people of that region.

[k in IA]

22. It is like with *, everyday is "opposite" day

[johnfunk]

28. Translated for the thinking impaired

SMIRKY W. McWARHARDON: I'm pleased to welcome Prime Minister Sharon back to the White House. Having another bloodthirsty fascist in my company gives me, y'know, the biggest woody y'kin imagine. For more than 50 years, Israel has been a vital ally and a true friend of America. 'Specially now that they've adaptified Dickie Perle's policy of preemptification. I've been proud to call the Prime Minister my friend. And if I were a homosexual, I'd change mah name to Ben Dover jus' for him, but Pat Robertson tells me that the Bible says being a bootie bandit'll send me ta hell. But killin's OK, especially if I get to make fun of my victim the way I did Karla Faye Tucker. I really appreciate our discussions today. Especially those pointers on torturin' the brown people. Sounds like fun. Damn, I'm gittin' another chubby. I jus' love usin' that word, "'preciate." Karl Rove told me to. Makes me sound like a Methodist Minister. He says it'll brainwash my "base." The policy of the United States is to help bring peace to the Middle East and to hope -- bring hope to the people of that region. Through a policy of death, blockade, sanctions and bigotry. Thank ya, Jayzis. Thank ya, Lord.

ON EDIT: Speling. What a moran I can be when I'm typing in a hurry.

[Ilsa]

26. So, do we need to read the LaHaye Armageddon books

to figure out Dimson's next move? When I hear those rare comments from *, I wonder about his sanity and think he must be getting his next play from those fundie bozos' books.

[madrchsod]

29. bush and sharon`s

love affair is showing signs of true and lasting love. sharon keeps murdering/firing his former employees` and bush counts the checks from the american jews. it`s true love.

[Moderator]

37. Please discuss here

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=492726&mesg_id=492726