Israel vs. Hezbollah? Another "war on terror"

[judy]

There are striking similarities between Israel's war on Hezbollah, and the US's war on Al-Qaeda. Both are absurd, useless, futile exercises in murder and mayhem.

US, seeking revenge on Osama Bin Laden, bombs Afghanistan into hell.
Israel, seeking revenge on Nasrallah, bombs Lebanon into hell.

Result: Al Qaeda is recruiting like crazy, and Arabs are rushing to join Hezbollah while various factions in the Middle East swear the demise of Israel. Thousands die for nothing, Israel is more in danger than ever, and Palestinians are oppressed more than ever, suicide bombers continue their useless sacrifice cum massacre, everyone is worse off except of course "Shrapnel the Despair Penguin" who is thriving, to use Jon Stewart's metaphor.
Heckuva job....

The question that we must ask, is not "which side are you on?". The question that we must ask is what can be achieved by bombing a country to fight a terrorist organization? What can be achieved by blowing up civilians? What can be achieved by insisting on applying a World War 2 model to a completely different situation? Can't any politician ever think outside the box?

The answer might be that they don't want to think outside the box. The goal in Afghanistan was to build a new pipeline. The goal in Lebanon is, far from a cease fire, and to use Condoleezza's words "to create a new Middle East, and these are just birth pangs". That is purely and simply insane!

Please, don't take sides in this. Don't be pawns in their game. The only new Middle East that should exist is one that is at peace. Peace is achieved by good will and negotiations. If Hezbollah or Hamas, or Ahmadinejad don't show good will, then we must. We have the luxury of being outside the conflict, and not under the bombs. If our leaders don't show good will, then at least, we must.
Both sides have reasons to be afraid and angry, both sides are committing unspeakable crimes, both sides are losing through these actions, the moral high ground, their souls, and so many innocent lives.

There is no such thing as a "war on terror". Terrorism is the offspring of war. It thrives on it. Hezbollah was born of the Israeli invasion of South Lebanon in 82, and a new organization will be born of the destruction of Hezbollah.

[HysteryDiagnosis]

1. What is the solution.... take control out of the hands of man,

there will never be peace on this planet as long as humans are involved. They will muck up anything they get their hands on... simply because they place themselves before others. This is the true source of violence and war... greed and the myth of insufficient resources.

[dipsydoodle]

2. The goal in Afghanistan ......

may be the same goal here - involve Syria in order ultimately to get a pipeline across there from Iraq to the Med. Nicely written subject thread - thank you.

Funny you should mention the Shapnel the Dispair Penquin. I watched Batman Returns last night and was transfixed by how much Oswold Cobblepot reminded me of your VP. :)