UN needed to defend Lebanon ?

[Denver Dave]

BEIRUT, Lebanon (CNN) -- Thousands of Israeli troops are massing on the Lebanese border as Lebanon's president warned Friday his army is "ready to defend" the country should Israel launch a full-scale ground invasion. http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/07/21/mideast/index.html

What was the discussion about this NOT being a general attack against the government and people of Lebanon, but a pinpoint attach against Hezbollah? What is being said and what is being done does not seem to match.

The US House (Democrats included) pass a resolution supporting Israel - if the UN is going to do anything, shouldn't they condem the war targeting civilians - Oh that's right Kofi Annan did that. Where are the Democrats?? Shouldn't we be approving resolutions condeming war against civilians, not endorsing it?

[Wisconsin Larry]

1. Where are the Dems, indeed. I just got off the phone with Harry

Reid's office. I first asked if the Senator was going to push for a cease fire in Lebanon. The aide replied that the Senator supports "the right of Israel to defend itself".

That's when I lost it a little, saying that an invasion is not a defense. Bombing Lebanon following the kidnapping of 2 soldiers is a dispassionate response. And I told her that having Democrats repeat the talking points of an incompetent administration which gave Israel the green light to do whatever they wished for 1 - 2 weeks with no interference by the UN, is irresponsible.

What the Dems should be doing is pushing the US to join with the rest of the world community for a cease fire. Giving encouragement to Israel to launch pre-emptive strikes is also emboldening Turkey to do the same against the Kurds. http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/world/15080730.htm

Once the neocons succeed in putting the entire Middle East in flames, they will have achieved a major objective. We will never be able to leave.

[brmdp3123]

2. You think the UN is going to do anything?

[Denver Dave]

3. UN response - what is your position

I'm not saying that I think the UN will do anything - it can't with US vetos.

What I am saying is that I've just realized that we are perhaps on the wrong side of this issue. We talk of terrorists and how it is appropriate response to occupy Gaza and the West Bank for 35 years and bomb it back to the stone age on a continuing basis. Probably the world doesn't care, but until a week ago, I did not know what to think about the conflict. Now I think Israel is in the wrong - killing hundreds of civilians (who knows how many injured) and displacing a half million people so far, just can not be the right way. I can't speak for the world of public opinion - just for my own.

[sabbat hunter]

4. the UN

had a "peace keeping " force in southern lebanon. they stood idly by while hezbollah crossed the israeli border and took IDF soldiers hostage.

[Denver Dave]

6. Maybe we need to get support for the UN to be effective

"had a "peace keeping " force in southern lebanon. they stood idly by while hezbollah crossed the israeli border and took IDF soldiers hostage."

OK, so lets do what needs to be done to get the UN effective, not wiping out the civilian population.

[Little Star]

7. See Link. You sure they crossed the Israeli border?

I'm not sure. Also check the date of the article.

http://in.news.yahoo.com/060712/43/65tzi.html

[sabbat hunter]

8. absolutely sure

BEIRUT, Lebanon --Hezbollah militants crossed into Israel on Wednesday and captured two Israeli soldiers.

http://www.boston.com/news/world/middleeast/articles/2006/07/12/hezbollah_captures_2_israeli_soldiers/


Hezbollah militants crossed into Israel on Wednesday and captured two Israeli soldiers. Israel responded in southern Lebanon with warplanes, tanks and gunboats, and said seven of its soldiers had been killed in the violence.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-5946539,00.html

The Lebanese Shiite Muslim group Hezbollah infiltrated the Israeli border Wednesday in a brazen raid, capturing two Israeli soldiers, killing three others and prompting Israeli attacks on the airport in Beirut and bridges, roads, power stations and military positions across the hillsides of southern Lebanon.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/12/AR2006071200262.html


hezbollah invaded israel and took the soldiers.

[Little Star]

9. I'm still not sure................

Guess it all depends on who tells the press what to report.
Here are a couple more links that disagree with your links.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,3-2266551,00.html

http://www.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2006/7/12/94156.shtml

Seems like Newsmax got the memo late...............

The point being, not you, me or anyone else will know the truth by just reading news reports. peace

[oberliner]

5. Pelosi Statement

Excerpt regarding civilians from House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi statement on resolution supporting Israel:

"As the fighting rages, it is imperative that the combatants take whatever steps they can to lessen risk to innocent civilians. The world knows too well the horrors of war. But there are ways to offer some degree of protection to civilians, and it is right to insist that those ways be chosen. Using civilians as shields by concealing weapons in civilian areas, as done by Hezbollah, is inconsistent with affording them protection, and this resolution properly condemns that action."


Source:http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=69471