But the very idea that Lebanon is an innocent bystander in the war against Israel won’t wash. Lebanon is host to the terrorist aggressor which has sworn to eliminate Israel and its Jews from the face of the earth. This is the explicit creed of both Hezbollah and its sponsor Iran. And not just in their charter or in statements made months or years ago. Iran’s little dictator reiterated the threat even yesterday in the midst of Islam’s aggressive war against the Jews: “Israel has pushed the button of its own destruction. The Zionists made their worst decision and triggered their extinction by attacking Lebanon.” Hezbollah is part of the Lebanese government, occupying two cabinet positions and seats in its parliament. The Lebanese government agreed to enforce UN Resolution 1559 which calls on it to disarm all militias on its territory, namely Hezbollah. If the Lebanese Government had performed this obligation, there would be no war, and there would be no Lebanese civilian casualties.

Instead the Lebanese government allowed Hezbollah to build its headquarters and underground bunkers in the populated neighborhoods of Beirut. It allowed Hezbollah to import 13,000 missiles to be fired into Israel’s cities and towns. The 75,000-man Lebanese army has not sealed off the Syrian border and, according to reports, has allowed Syria to re-supply Hezbollah in the midst of its aggression. The Lebanese government has allowed Hezbollah to build underground fortresses on its southern border in position to attack. It has allowed Hezbollah to launch rockets into the towns of northern Israel to terrorize and kill innocent civilians.

Israel has done nothing to provoke this attack from Lebananese territory. But in the midst of Hezbollah’s aggression against Israel, Lebanon’s prime minister has joined the attackers, blaming Israel for Lebanon’s misery instead of its source.

It will be objected that Lebanon is helpless, that its democracy was destroyed and its territory conquered by the PLO, Hezbollah, Syria and Iran. It will be said that the Lebanese cannot resist the superior force of Hezbollah’s “state within a state.” But this is an argument in bad faith. No one is helpless. When France was occupied by Germany during World War II, DeGaulle organized the “free French” into a fighting force. The so-called “Cedar Revolution” showed that there are ways of manifesting opposition and resistance to the occupiers. Even though it failed, it showed that resistance is possible. If there is resistance to Islamic terror in Lebanon today, it is as invisible as moderate Islam. Put bluntly, while the Lebanese have demonstrated their resistance to the Syrian occupier in the very recent past, there has been no evidence of it when the aggressor is an Islamic force bent on obliterating the Jews.

The Lebanese army has not lifted a finger to obstruct Hezbollah’s aggression, but the Lebanese prime minister has been out front in attacking Israel. Who, watching the Lebanese interviewed by reporters during the war – including the Lebanese Americans evacuated to safety – can doubt that their hatred is for Jews and not for the Islamic killers of both the Jews and the Lebanese.

These attitudes do not make the Lebanese deserving of the war that Hezbollah and Iran have inflicted on them; but it does not make them innocent either. Hezbollah’s Shi’ite fanatics are Lebanese. Over the last twenty years Hezbollah has become an integral part of Lebanese society and Lebanon’s government. All the while Hezbollah has sworn to eliminate Israel from the face of the earth. If war has come to Lebanon, no one can pretend that they didn’t see it coming.
http://www.frontpagemag.com/Ar.....p?ID=23485

I have been asking everybody, when did Israel ever screamed “Death to all Muslims!” when Hezbollah has done countless times advocating that Israel and all Jewish people be wiped off the planet?

A little common sense, people.

Israel Signals It May Accept Foreign Forces on Border.
“The Israeli defense minister, Amir Peretz, said Israel was interested in a NATO-led force and the prime minister, Ehud Olmert, spoke of one comprised of European Union members with combat experience and the authority to take control of Lebanon’s border and crossing points.

American officials said that they too were open to the idea but did not expect American troops to be part of the force.

“It’s a new idea, we’ll certainly take it seriously,” John R. Bolton, the American ambassador to the United Nations, said on the CNN program “Late Edition.” ”
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07.....nted=print

Certainly a better options than a UN led force. NATO has a better record than the UN.

Anyway, come to think of it, it MUST BE VERY HARD for the new government of Lebanon NOT to respond to Israel’s attack on their southern border! I am amazed at their steel of willpower to hold back and allow Israel attacking the southern border at will. I think all other Arab nations are showing their mighty self-discpline by not jumping in to help Lebanon . . . Incredible! They have my deepest respect. Lately, I’m sorry but I’m thinking less and less of recently-elected Israel Prime Minister as well as President Bush.

In fact, I think it’s safe to say that this debate has been far more effective than say, a book or magazine article - in enabling me a better understanding of the Middle East conflict.

Thank you all for continuing to contribute.

Let’s say that whatever I write, raises people consciousness and offer a different perspective. I’ve all along state these are my opinions/arguments supported with facts with a dose of reality.

I have been doing commenting and postings for over two decades and I realize that people who have a different view as mine sees my replies as an attack because what I say sometimes threatens their own perceived notions. However, I do not, ever, make personal remarks to those who do not agree with me (not saying that you are doing this to me or others…just saying). I have never complained to anyone for having a contrarian viewpoint. I am forthright as well as opinionated. And that doesn’t say I am always right.

I debate. When you debate, jave ready with facts on hand to support your arguments. You may think it’s all about on upmanship. You couldn’t be more wrong simply because I am usually in the minority here when it comes to alternative opinions and support.

As an advice to you, and this is not an attack on you, is you need to learn not to take my comments personally when I am presenting an argument. No matter how often I post. It is altogether a different story to take things personally if the you are personally attacked and belittled with name callings and snide remarks. That would be uncalled for. I attack the arguments, not the person. If you feel that my counter arguments are offensive, or I post too many times, I cannot help you there. I have an opinion. I presents them. Many times, along with facts that supports my arguments and provide a correction for those who may have thought otherwise. I am a well researched person. I understand when it comes to perception issues and it’d be a mistake on your part to think that I am not aware of these things.