Breaking on CNNi: Lebanese storming UN building in Beirut

[magellan]

Ay yi yi.....

[BooScout]

1. Watching live on the BBC

It's on LBN as well. Rice has called for a ceasefire as well. The bitch is a bit too damned late.

[w8liftinglady]

2. I was thinking the same thing..where was it 5 days ago?

[magellan]

3. I saw her sitting down to a very nice meal w Olmert & friends last night

Smiling, surrounded by the trappings of wealth and power. It revolted me. These people have the ability to stop all this with a phone call, and they're sitting around enjoying fine food and no doubt toasting one another like it was all a lark.

[Scurrilous]

8. Condi & Olmert

~ All smiles ~

[tnlefty]

50. The Princess of Death does look rather relaxed and happy doesn't she?

I despise this woman, or thing, with a white-hot passion!

[Fredda Weinberg]

10. Wealth? What are you talking about?

Israel has one of the most egalitarian societies on Earth. I've seen Olmert's home on 60 Minutes; it's not opulent by any means. I'd call it middle class, small by American standards - standard Israeli.

Power? His soldiers are dying to stop persistent rocket attacks across two borders, while the world forgets Iran is enriching uranium. Amazing how quickly Americans forget who bombed us twice ... the Saudis fear Iran - what do they know that we won't?

[Name removed]

16. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Binka]

20. Thank You For Saying What I Was Just Screaming At My Computer

Basta. This person deserves my contempt and I will not be forced to see their violent drivel Ignore as well!

[magellan]

22. I've put a few on ignore this past week

I don't like to do that. I think whether I agree with someone or not it's important for me to read what they're saying. But this is just too much, it literally makes me ill to read some of these callous posts.

[Don Claybrook]

63. Hi, Binka

My post was already deleted here for calling a spade a spade and a hater a hater.....screw it, feels like a good day to get banned.

And good wishes to you and yours.

[Ian David]

26. Right. Because all Hezbollah does is use civilians as human shields...

while shooting rockets at Israeli civilians.

How can a terrorist organization possibly share any blame in this disaster?

[Name removed]

32. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[mmonk]

47. Not defending Hezbollah but

hasn't the Israeli army used human shields? This whole crap stinks.

[Ian David]

49. Not that I've ever heard of

And Israel doesn't have as its goal to wipe an entire race of people off the planet, either. Hezbollah and Hammas, on the other hand, are very clear on that point.

And Israel has also been leafletting and telephoning civilians in advance to warn them to evacuate before they bomb places.

But of course, we know how difficult it is for poor people to evacuate dangerous places, even with warning. Remember New Orleans?

[mmonk]

51. I thought there was some sort of

trial going on in Israel or maybe it was just a declaration by someone in the army whereby they were going to try and stop the practice. Maybe I was imagining it? I don't know where to find it again. I thought it appeared here at DU. My post wasn't any type of defense of Hezbollah. I just thought after seeing that, that any claim by Israel about Hezbollah and the practice would seem thus a little hypocritical.

[Ian David]

52. If true, then Israelis are putting their own soldiers on trial for that...

practice.

Israel tries and convicts its own soldiers for atrocities all the time, and punishes them harshly.

On the one hand, yes-- Israeli soldiers commit atrocities.

On the other, they are punished by their own courts and their own government.

In fact, certain aspects of the the Security Wall and other Israeli practices have been ended due to lawsuits in Israeli courts brought by Palestinian citizens.

As awful as some of the things that happen there are, at least Israel is holding its own military more accountable than we are holding our own.

[mmonk]

54. Yep

Accountability has been missing so long here in the US and some people out there don't even realize it.

[shadowknows69]

55. Actions speak louder than words

mass killings of children equal genocide and ethnic cleansing in my book.

[Name removed]

56. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Ms. Clio]

58. well, you're wrong

As theHandpuppet clearly proves here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x1768931#1770315

[Ian David]

60. You mean in the post that got locked with this comment by the moderators..

rasputin1952 DU Moderator Donating Member (1000+ posts) Journal Click to send private message to this author Click to view this author's profile Click to add this author to your buddy list Click to add this author to your Ignore list Sun Jul-30-06 01:00 PM
Response to Original message
158. Locking

Flames are licking at the feet in this thread.

While it is fine to be angry at some events, it is entirely something else when gallons of fuel get tossed into the fire.

[Ms. Clio]

61. so what? many threads get locked after deliberate disruption

so you can't speak to the facts of that single post? The sources are impeccable.

But edited to add a link to the same post on an unlocked thread. http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x1770556

HTH.

[Skidmore]

19. Spoken like someone comfortable with "usness" without a clue of

what "themness" means. Never hurts to objectify those you would kill. You don't get squeamish that way.

[DistressedAmerican]

25. No They Are Undertaking An Indescriminate Slaughter.

It is revolting and I get leess and less willing to deal with people out there justifying these clear WAR CRIMES.

[pretzel4gore]

35. israel loves bush, cuz he's stupid

israel is castrating itself thinking the gopigs like eunucks, or something....they're wrong. the gopig's hatreds are based upon fast changing emotions, like lil babies who dropped their rattles between naps

[greatauntoftriplets]

42. How does that justify the deaths of 37 innocent children?

Way to recruits lots of new members to Hezbollah.

[blonndee]

44. Egalitarian? Hmm. Gaza looks pretty ghetto to me. nt

[bloom]

53. Yeah - I must watch different programs

because what I remember is the show that showed the Israelis with water for swimming pools and watering their lawns living next to communities of Palestinians who got water in buckets - if they were lucky - for all of their needs.

No where near equal.

[Skidmore]

6. * and Condi weren't just late, they were INTENTIONALLY late.

This bloodshed is on these peoples' hands. If they were normal people responsible for so much bloodshed, they would have remorse and do everything they could to broker a peace. Instead, they do photo ops and dog and pony shows to aggrandize themselves.

[radfringe]

9. condi is in over her head

she should have stuck to the kiddie pool instead of jumping into the deep end.

"I think—tide turning—see, as I remember—I was raised in the desert, but tides kind of—it's easy to see a tide turn—did I say those words?"— GW Bush | Washington, D.C., June 14, 2006

[ForrestGump]

39. Holy shoot

He actually said that tide-turning stuff?

He's been a national embarrassment from the very start, and rapidly became something far worse. :-(

[radfringe]

46. check out these bushisms sites

http://www.slate.com/id/76886/

http://politicalhumor.about.com/library/blbushisms.htm

[bdamomma]

37. BBC News

is showing it all, I just posted for those who do not want to watch the American version of this senseless killing of innocent civilians to watch BBC news or get there news from any other European outlet. This is disgusting we have a "do nothing" Sec. of State, who has called off her visit to Beirut, while there was a bombing in Qana in South Lebanon of a 4 story building killing 54 civilians and 34 children, showing how children are being taken dead out of the rumble. I am outraged, this is plain out killing and murdering of innocent civilians, it is a WAR CRIME. Israel is getting their responses from the US handbook of saying
"We did not know it was a civilian area" crap. I am sick of this innocent killing, I do not blame those protestors in Beirut going to the UN building.

[Skidmore]

4. What purpose does this serve?

A vent to lash out at an international community which refuses to provide relief?

[w8liftinglady]

5. I was amazed at the sheer number of people that have gathered in a short

period of time

[Fredda Weinberg]

11. Go to prayers on Friday and you know what to do Saturday

Almost as effective as modern communication media.

[Kailassa]

15. You are making your contempt for the Lebanese clear.

When a country thinks the contempt its citizens feel for others is all the justification it needs to treat its neighbours abominably, then those neighbours eventually get restless.

I used to feel wholehearted support for Israel, then I started learning about middle eastern history.

[Fredda Weinberg]

64. Contempt? To the contrary

I've pointed out one of the enduring, functional institutions in Islamic society.

[malaise]

30. Israel was bombing

Lebanese citizens on its Sabbath. Your point is?

[PA Democrat]

41. Are you aware that not all Lebanese are Muslim?

40% are Christian and now they hate us too. But hey, don't let FACTS get in the way of your obvious contempt for Muslims.

[countryjake]

24. The crowd was made up of Christians, Lebanese Jews, and Arabs...

grew from a tiny gaggle to a surging mass within an hour...all calling for justice in the bombing of Qana. The refugees in Qana had been hoping for the 72 hr. break so the humanitarian missions could evacuate them...many had been told to gather there from around the area, just waiting for the Israelis to give the okay on the evacuation. Israel said NO.

Qana was bombarded with shells and bombs for hours all night long. The people had gathered in the basement of the building that was destroyed, coming from other buildings that were being shelled. Old people, women & children, terrorized throughout the night. When the Israeli military representative was asked point-blank on CNN if they had taken out any rocket launchers in Qana or taken any fire from that town recently, he dodged the answer and said that this is what Hezbollah wants, for Lebanese civilians to be targeted. He spewed the propaganda, and the commentator asked him again, specifically if they had taken any fire from Qana, but he never responded to the question.

If the UN doesn't take action against this war crime, we need some surging masses hitting the streets over here, too. This is an outrage and the horrors going on in Lebanon are being done with the blessing of our own leaders, both parties, alike.

[Fredda Weinberg]

65. War crime? By what standard? n/t

[countryjake]

66. Geneva conventions, international rules of law, simple humanity...

common decency,...take your pick! Or try the tenets of Judaism, the Torah, if those aren't good enough for you!

[countryjake]

67. Don't take my word for it, try this...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060731/pl_afp/mideastconflictisraellebanonrightswarcrimes_060731083527

~snip~

"Todays strike on Qana, killing at least 54 civilians, more than half of them children, suggests that the Israeli military is treating southern Lebanon as a free-fire zone," said Kenneth Roth, HRW executive director.

"The Israeli military seems to consider anyone left in the area a combatant who is fair game for attack."

The appalling loss of civilian life in Qana underscores the need for the UN secretary general to establish an international commission of inquiry to investigate serious violations of international humanitarian law in the context of the current conflict, Roth said.

Such consistent failure to distinguish combatants and civilians is a war crime, he said.

[LostinVA]

69. International law, let alone moral law

Getting dizzy from your spinning?

[magellan]

7. Yes

There was a gov't spokesman for Hezbollah speaking to a BBC reporter near the gathering crowds. He said the people are angry because they have relatives down south that they can't get to and nothing is being done to help them, and they're angry about the Qana bombings. But the guy said this violence was not wanted. The clerics and police were peacefully clearing the protesters back into the square.

Their rage is understandable.

[Fredda Weinberg]

12. Stop firing from Qana and there'd be no shellling n/t

[magellan]

13. If you know there are civilians then you don't shell (nt)

[Fredda Weinberg]

14. I wish that were so, but all you can do is warn

And the Israelis did.

[Disturbed]

17. Were missles coming from that 4 story apt. building?

An Israeli jet targeted that building and fired two missles into it.

[Igel]

57. Makes one question one's assumptions, doesn't it?

For example, if the building was actually targeted. Or makes one wonder what kind of military intelligence would lead to the targeting.

Otherwise, we're back at the "Jews like to kill Arabs for jollies" level of discourse, and that's a really hateful place to descend to without proof.

[me b zola]

62. Late last night (2am pst?) on cnn international...

..an IDF spokesman was asked point blank if there had been missiles fired from that building. The spokesman did a lot of tap-dancing. He said that missiles had been fired from the town. When the journalist pressed the question, was there a missile launched from the building, all the spokesman would say is that there was "an asset located in the building.

It seemed to me that Israel knew that there were no missiles being launched from that building.

[Skidmore]

18. Why would you assume that all those who stay could have left

if they wanted to? Why would you assume that everyone who stays is Hezbollah? This is the same kind of assumption made about the people who stayed in New Orleans. Some do not have the resources to go hole up elsewhere, the means to get there, or perhaps family elsewhere to go to. I'm sure the same can be said for some Israeli families.

[Name removed]

21. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[malaise]

23. I am watching on BBC

this is mind blowing. The reporter said one of the red cross men retrieving bodies actually broke down.

[Jazzgirl]

40. You are so ignored....

[blonndee]

43. And you could not bomb all the roads out, and you could not

bomb fleeing civilians, or (gasp!) you could CHOOSE NOT TO FLATTEN RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS WHEN YOU KNOW DAMNED WELL they're full of civilians.

[Name removed]

27. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[soothsayer]

28. Battered women should learn to keep their mouths shut. I see your

logic. Brilliant.

[Mandate My Ass]

38. I know. I call this the abusive spouse rationale for wanton slaughter

The one with all the power says to the defenseless spouse, "you made me do it." I can't imagine harboring so much hate and spewing apologies for murder with such smug piety.

[LostinVA]

71. I agree, it's sickening, and makes me wonder if I'm really on DU

[DoYouEverWonder]

29. Stop shelling

and maybe they'll stop firing rockets from Qana?

Oh it's only bad when people bomb Israelis. The Israelis can bomb whoever they wish and it's okay.

But, but Iran is enriching uranium. Of course, no mention of the NUKES Israel already has?

[laura888]

31. Exactly! n/t

[Name removed]

33. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Name removed]

36. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Ms. Clio]

59. "we're the dragons now," right?

:puke:

[LostinVA]

70. ZZZZT -- like a top! n/t

[bdamomma]

45. their rage is quite understandable

Humanitarian aid are trying to come in, but are unable too, how can you give aid to those who are in dire need of it, while a ceasefire has not been called for. Condi Rice and this sick government of ours are nothing but murderers and war criminals. Killing of innocent people and we are sitting and watching this all, we should be in the streets, instead of listening to this one sided news shit, that keeps on playing the same old talking points that Hezbollah are holding innocent victims this is nothing but BS from OUR propaganda machine.

[BelgianMadCow]

34. Qana, Fallujah, Abu Ghraib (edit Recs people!)

do these people really expect we spoil our beautiful minds learning words like that?

:sarcasm: off

So sad.

Once again we will see what the UN means. Unfortunately, I still remember from the lead-up to Irag that the US government was gonna ask all cards on the table in the security council.

Later, when they couldn't "convince" enough players, they practically forced the UN out and started it all unilaterally. The UN hasn't made a fist then and will not now.

Oh right, the UN have already been bombed in Lebanon and are drawing back from some locations.

[bdamomma]

48. Anyone watching, reading or listening to

BBC HAVE YOUR SAY. Listen to the rest of the world and see what they are saying about this continued violence in the Middle East, our hands are not clean at all.

[malaise]

68. Here's another useful source

http://www.tvext.tv/