"Six Square Blocks Were Flattened"

[cali]

I don't watch the Network news very often, but this evening I tuned into NBC. There was a devastating report, some of it focused on Nabatya, a town of 50,000. They showed the devastation to its downtown. They also showed the devastation to the roads: virtually evey road has been shelled or bombed or whatever. The newscrew had to get out and push the car they were traveling in. How on earth are the Lebanese supposed to get out? And where are they supposed to go? This business of leafletting the countryside to warn civilians, looks like a disgraceful PR maneuver.

I know folks here have little use for the MSM, but this was an awfully good report.

[Marie26]

1. The eyewitness accounts

coming from people in Lebanon are just awful. IMO the leaflets are just a lame PR stunt so that Israel looks like it's trying to minimize civilian casualties. But I'm not sure they really care about that at all.

[theHandpuppet]

2. They were leafleting the same time they were bombing

What would you do if you had to escape? Take your chances trying to flee on bombed out roads (not to mention airports and blockaded ports) and still get bombed or run with nowhere to go? Or sit tight and hope the Israelis would spare your house?

It was a no-win situation from the git-go for Lebanese civilians. You can't bomb the exits and then tell the people to flee or else.

[Little Star]

4. PR stunt. Just like Saddam's statue going down.

Those leaflets were a day late and a dollar shot for the civilians.

[YellowRubberDuckie]

9. Question:

Do you really think that if Israel stops that Hezbollah will? I think that's ridiculously optimistic.
Duckie

[theHandpuppet]

12. What the furk has that got to do with what I posted?

This is not a tit-for-tat discussion. Stick to the topic and stop putting words in my mouth..

[YellowRubberDuckie]

13. I wasn't putting words in your mouth...

I was just asking a question. And it IS on topic.
Duckie

[theHandpuppet]

14. Maybe YOUR topic, not mine

Move along and find another fish. This one ain't biting.

[tabasco]

19. Stop the massacre of civilians?

Yeah, why should they do that?

Unreal.

Kill 'em all, let God sort 'em out, right?

That philosophy will solve all the problems won't it?

:dunce::dunce::dunce::dunce::dunce::dunce::dunce::dunce::dunce::dunce:

[YellowRubberDuckie]

22. I hope you know I was asking an HONEST Question.

There was no agenda, nothing implied behind it. I just wanted a real answer.
Duckie

[Postman]

3. Why are you soo anti-Semetic?

sarcasm..off

[partylessinOhio]

5. That is getting tired.

[cali]

6. No shit.

sometimes I feel- well, I can't say it, but it has something to do with suffering and fools.

[malaise]

8. I have to say that

you are a genuine humanitarian.

[jonnyblitz]

11. .....

hang in there, cali. :hi:

[AusGail]

7. How would we recognize a terrorist if we saw one

Is he the one who fires the gun?

Is he the one who drops the bomb?

Is he the one who gives the orders?

Or is he the one who supplies the weapons?

[Bluerthanblue]

10. thank you Cali

for this illustration of your compassion- and humanity.
I respect your voice- and appreciate your words.

I sincerly wish this world peace,
blu

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

15. My head is spinning

I don't know what to think anymore.

I've been critical of Israel on these boards, mainly because I expect more from them. As a progressive, I find myself in a bind, more and more, as to which side to support. I admire Israel for its western democratic values which I share, but I also feel that it is an imperfect democracy and ignores the human rights of the Palestinians within the territories it controls. I empathize with the Arabs because they largely represent masses of poor that have been long-exploited by the west, and yet many of them espouse extremist fundamentalist ideas of complete intolerance that are anathema to me as a progressive.

I feel bad about the civilian deaths on BOTH sides. I also admit that I feel bad about those who are very pro-Israel, with whom I have disagreed. It must be difficult for them right now to see a country that is very dear to their heart receive so much criticism and also to see and have to defend the death and destruction that your post describes.

Because I'm so conflicted about this very complex situation, I think I will cease all posting for awhile.

[liberalpragmatist]

16. No, you're fine

There's nothing wrong in anything you just said. In fact, it's one of the most reasonable statements I've read on this discussion board for the last 2 weeks.

It's okay to be somewhat conflicted - even the Lebanese, by most reports, are - they're furious at Hezbollah for starting this mess but even more furious at Israel for collectively punishing them and destroying all their infrastructure.

[cali]

17. Well said.

The ability to grasp multiple povs is one too few people have. What a refreshing and compassionate comment.

[tnlefty]

18. Kill'em all, let God sort it out!

There is no longer any reason for peaceful conflict resolution, not today, not yesterday, not tomorrow, not ever.

[niyad]

20. you forgot to turn on the sarcasm icon.

[tnlefty]

21. I've decided that this will be my response from now on to any and all

things war related. I'm honestly fed up and furious with the militaristic attitudes and so many justifications for killing people. If I need to add the sarcasm icon it is a sad reflection on society, imo.