Israel Begins Gaza Pullout

In my very first post I noted that Sharone was expanding and increasing settlements in the west bank. What an ***hole. Despite that it is better I think to have one area entirely free of settlements, and at least that area will get to joy life at their homes, more freedom of movement, etc.

 

" A woman opposed to the pullout set herself on fire at a police roadblock in Israel, suffering life-threatening injuries. In the West Bank, an Israeli grabbed a gun from a security guard in the Shilo settlement and started shooting Palestinians nearby, killing three, Israeli and Palestinian medics said. The gunman was arrested. "

Acts of jewish extremist terrorism should be condemmed by Isreal, by the US and others as it is trying to undermine the peace process.

 

Agreed.

It looks like they arrested the shooter.

 

Sadly this is true. Sharon apparently thinks it helps to illegally hold on to the West Bank. They also are counting on it being seen as a big peace move in their patrons the US. However, despite Sharon seeing this as a strategic decision, it still is a defeat for Israeli expansionism.

I was heartened to see that some wealthy people from the US paid the departing Israeli settlers some money so they wouldn't destroy some green houses as they departed. I also saw where Israeli bulldozers were destroying many of the houses left behind. It is such a shame and the US should object since we paid for those houses, either directly or indirectly though our large subsidies of Israel.

 

as Sishir Chang pointed out what Israel is doing is really nothing...though Isreal does require peace in the region for the long term prosperity of the country...though giving back one-tenth of the land you took from somebody is BS...Palestinians are not idiots...they are celebrating about getting some land back FINALLY.... but as time goes by they are going to want more...peace is highly unlikely to result from this...sadly...i don't think there will ever be peace in that region...

 

Do you think Arafat's death had something to do with it?
I mean it seems his hardline stance may have been more about Arafat
than simply standing his ground. . . . . hatred and anger some time
forge policy

Rocket River

 

What is she crying for?



Do those settlers have no shame?

http://www.canada.com/montreal/mont....html?id=7194bc5b-ccbd-4e72-a9ff-080d9a082720

 

Its about damn time that the Israelis started pulling out of Gaza but its not surpirsing at all to hear that they are increasing holdings in the West Bank. This is just a trick that Sharon hopes to get away with by showing the world 'look im making an effort for peace but those palestinians still resort to terrorism.' I really hope people in the US condemn Sharon for his false actions.

Also, why does the US give so much frickin money to Israel???

 

Why would this condemn this action?

Because we didn't want them wiped off the map by hostile neighbors, didn't want the regions most steadfast democracy to get rolled over, guilt over the holocaust, because we like to see the little guy put a whuppin when invaded on three sides by totalitarian regimes, and because they've been a relatively [given the choices] good ally in the region.

 

Good choice.

 

I hope there's progress here.

But personally...I find the whole thing sad. Sad that people can't live next to each other.

 

I'm afraid you have me at a disadvantage, sir. I don't know how to put pictures on this damn thing!!!

 

Good Ally? Who wouldn't be a good ally for a few billion a year, military equipment, preferred trading status? Thats laughable!

We subsidize their entire economy. I honestly believe that they have too much money and thats why they are so unwilling to give anything back. If they had to feel the economic repurcussions of extending their military to defend the settlements, they would feel the crunch and make a truce.

And would a great 'ally' spy on the US? Ever heard of Jonathon Pollard as well as the numerous AIPAC (such as the recent one) charges of getting information from the state department to pass on to Israel? And don't forget about Israeli's selling our info to the Chinese and wonderful Isreali's like Marc Rich who make mockeries of our embargoes only to be sheltered by Isreal.

And what has this relationship given us? Simple, the animosity of the largest oil producers in the world and anger from the second largest religious group in the world because of our backing. I look at straight economics and feel that it truly is a bad investment.

Then again I sure as hell don't think we should be giving heaps of money to Egypt and Jordan either because they 'play nice' with Israel.

 

I did say 'relatively [given the choices]' - and keep in mind most of the historical ties between our countries came in the context of the Cold War, when many of the Arab nationalists aligned with the Soviets. And I never said we shouldn't use that monetary investment as leverage with the Israelis.

 

Understood. I also don't want to come off as if i'm very Anti-Isreali, I just don't like it when our foreign policy clouds the US's ability to continue its path of economic strength. I am a firm believer in capitalism and that instead of giving money to corrupt or questionable (policy wise) governments like Israel, Egypt, Jordan and others, I would rather limit the arrangements to economic investments for our corporations. In the case of socialist or dictatorships, I believe the people will see the benefits of capitalism through the growing age of information in which governments will no longer be able to control the minds of their populace. I believe that you trade like mad with Cuba, and the people will fight to gain that economic freedom and lifestyle they see.

China is a good example, I believe freedom and capitalism will push for the further deterioration of their socialist/comunist society. As they see from an economic perspective that government industries are not as efficient and their great deal of goodwill (overexpenditures on assets because of lack of true competetive system) will hurt them and will push them towards more privatization.

 

I agree. Although really keep in mind that foreign aid is a very very small part of our overall budget. Would mind seeing us spend that cash on alternative energy research.

 

I don't know what it takes to convince Americans (or other non-Chinese in general) that China of today is nowhere near socialist, let alone communist. Probably the best way is to spend some time in China and see for yourself.

If anything, China resembles more like early stage of capitalist country. If you have some cash to invest and are adventurous, you have much better chance to make money in China than in U.S. On the other hand, if you are poor and/or unhealthy, you are much less likely to survive in China than in U.S.

 

And that is exactly what my example was referring to. Instead of 'containing' china because it was communist we began a long time ago investing and utilizing the resources of china. What this has done is teach chinese the benefits of capitalism and they are now taking the ball and running with it.

The areas that I am weary of with China are chinese governmental purchases. They seem to lack true discipline in regards to the efficiency of their purchases and those increases in goodwill will have a net negative effect on the economy regardless of size. I do feel they are on the right path and that their people will continue to demand free markets and then will push for more freedoms. With a more educated and well off populace beginning to emerge I believe they are on the right path.