One War- Complicated For Sure.

The war in Iraq is a mess and Bush miscalculated the nature of the people there and underestimated their deep hatred of each other, as well as free western nations. However, there are sure to be some mistakes made in what this fight and it is all one war, not "a war in Lebanon" and "a war in Afghanistan" and "a war in Iraq". I think it is pretty clear we are fighting the same enemy, which is an ideology more than a single state. But the single largest sponsor and instigator in the conflict is clearly Iran.

It may turn out to be a good thing that we have troops on both sides of Iran right now. Who knows what is the best course of action for the US? Not me, I'm sure. History will judge the actions of all of us during this time. - Alan

Good Exchange on Larry King's aLive

Here we see clearly why Air America is failing miserably. While there are plenty of fools who find this kind of illogical ranting appealing, there are not enough of them to support Air America. AA host Randi Rhodes engages in the primary tactics of the Left Wing - the filibuster and denial of reality. Neal Boortz, when he can get a word in, makes pretty good sense.

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Why are they fighting?

Twenty-six years ago I asked a Lebanese friend of mine if there could be a settlement of the differences between Jews and Arabs. I asked if Israel could give enough land, or otherwise make concessions sufficient to end the hostilities with his home country. His response was that no mater what deals were made, or demands were met, he believed Jews will raise their kids to hate Arabs and he in turn will raise his children to hate the Jews.

At various times over the years since that conversation, Israel, with the help of the USA, has made generous offers to the Palestinians which have been rejected. Israel pulled out of Lebanon and Gaza, and was about to start pulling out of the West Bank, but the Islamists, Persian and Arab, do not want to deal with Israel they want to destroy Israel. This is the only outcome they can accept.

The murder of Sadat sent the clear message that any Arab leader who dares make peace with Israel will become a target of hate filled Islamists. So their leaders cannot seek peace for their people and state funded militias, like Hezbollah, can make camp in a host country and go to war against Israel from there without fear of resistance from the host country.

My friend was almost right in his response. Jews may not like Arabs, but they are willing to make agreements and give concessions to achieve peace with them. The Arabs are not willing to make peace. It is pretty clear to any rational person who is stoking this fire. I cannot fault Israel for fighting back.

Ahmadinejad May Have 'Cataclysmic Events' In Mind

WSJ: Scholar Warns Iran's Ahmadinejad May Have 'Cataclysmic Events' In Mind For August 22
Tue Aug 08 2006 10:22:35 ET

In a WALL STREET JOURNAL op-ed Tuesday, Princeton's Bernard Lewis writes: "There is a radical difference between the Islamic Republic of Iran and other governments with nuclear weapons. This difference is expressed in what can only be described as the apocalyptic worldview of Iran's present rulers."

"In Islam as in Judaism and Christianity, there are certain beliefs concerning the cosmic struggle at the end of time -- Gog and Magog, anti-Christ, Armageddon, and for Shiite Muslims, the long awaited return of the Hidden Imam, ending in the final victory of the forces of good over evil, however these may be defined."

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad "and his followers clearly believe that this time is now, and that the terminal struggle has already begun and is indeed well advanced. It may even have a date, indicated by several references by the Iranian president to giving his final answer to the US about nuclear development by Aug. 22," which this year corresponds "to the 27th day of the month of Rajab of the year 1427. This, by tradition, is the night when many Muslims commemorate the night flight of the prophet Muhammad on the winged horse Buraq, first to 'the farthest mosque,' usually identified with Jerusalem, and then to heaven and back (c.f., Koran XVII.1).

"This might well be deemed an appropriate date for the apocalyptic ending of Israel and if necessary of the world. It is far from certain that Mr. Ahmadinejad plans any such cataclysmic events precisely for Aug. 22. But it would be wise to bear the possibility in mind." - The Drudge Report

It Is Hard To Watch WW3 Each Night.

For whatever reason I am not feeling well these days. Not sleeping well, generally confused, weak and pessimistic. I'm having a major work-up with the doctor next week. I think it may be old age combined with stress over all the wars in the Middle East, which is in fact one war. My restless nights started when Israel went after the nutcase Islamists, fighting the war we should be fighting - with Iran. Iran is behind all this and Hezbollah is just an arm of their military. It is really clear that Iran is pulling the strings in Iraq and Lebanon. If they ever develop serious weapons, the entire world is in big trouble.

Diplomacy and "strong resolutions" from the UN are meaningless to these people. Anyone who does not get that by now is just whistling past the graveyard.

It is hard to watch WW3 developing on TV each night and feel good about anything else. - Alan