How can you claim you're brokering a deal when you only talk to 1 side?

[Philosoraptor]

When Rice meets with Israel's prime minister to discuss the "conflict", why does she meet with only one side of the conflict? How is this brokering a deal?

Like when we refuse to even call Kim Jung Il on the phone, or the guy in Syria or the guy in Lebanon, just skip right to the bombing, avoid all that silly negotiating.

Just like Bush never met with Arafat, but had so many photo ops with Sharon, how is this brokering a deal between two factions?

[dipsydoodle]

1. It's what's more commomly known as

playing with yourself and hence *'s middle initial.

[Dead_Parrot]

2. It's easy....

...when you're full of shit.

[malaise]

3. How is this brokering

It's not. The US is providing the weapons for destroy Lebanon and Palestine.
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=2&article_id=74235
<snip>
Meanwhile, Asharq al-Awsat newspaper reported on Monday that "the United States will soon provide Israel with some 100 'bunker buster' bombs to kill Hizbullah's leader, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah and destroy the party's" fortifications.

According to the Saudi-owned daily, sources in Washington and Tel Aviv said the bombs, which can penetrate up to 40 meters under ground, would be shipped to Israel from a US military base in Qatar.

Citing US officials, the New York Times reported on Saturday that the Bush administration was rushing a delivery of satellite- and laser-guided bombs to the Jewish state in response to an Israeli request.

Diplomatic activity to end the crisis has intensified and both Israeli security sources and Western diplomats said the army believed it had about one more week to do as much damage to Hizbullah as it could.

[Philosoraptor]

4. Shouldn't we supply BOTH sides with smart bombs?

That would be the only fair, and profitable thing to do.

[liberal N proud]

5. They thought that Lebanon would think we were just as tough on Israel

the bu$h regime does not realize that everyone has access to the news but Americans

[sueragingroz]

6. Check this out

Dr Rice hopes her diplomatic mission will lay the groundwork for enduring peace in the region.

"A durable solution will be one that strengthens the forces of peace and the forces of democracy in this region," she said.

Dr Rice said the people of the Middle East had lived in violence and fear for too long.

"It is time for a new Middle East, it is time to say to those who do not want a different kind of Middle East that we will prevail, they will not."

and in the same article....

Dr Rice has made clear she is not seeking a quick cease-fire and that any solution should address the root causes of the conflict - for which Washington and Israel blame Hezbollah and its backers in Iran and Syria.

source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200607/s1696716.htm

So... a "durable solution" = Death to anyone who has a problem with said solution....

[malaise]

7. Bingo.

There's a good read at TomPaine.com
http://www.tompaine.com/articles/2006/07/24/rices_fantasy_ride.php

[peekaloo]

9. durable solution sounds so much better than "final solution"

now doesn't it? :-(

[Solo_in_MD]

8. The national governments are accessible, but who speaks for Hezbollah?

Nasrallah is in hiding, and probably not in the country. Exposing himself for face to face talks means certain death afterwards.

Then again, Hezbollah is an illegal militia that has refused to disarm under any circumstances, is funded and supported from outside Lebanon as a surrogate, and is essentially rogue. Why should they talk to anyone but their backers?