open Democracy News Analysis - How long before French soldiers die in Lebanon?, - Comments

eric_5 on "How long before French soldiers die in Lebanon?"

eric_5 — Tue, 15 Aug 2006 09:21:46 +0000

...just try to drop the "Israel's crimes" dogma. jayfromtexas What is it I'm supposed to not disagree with? That you're simply fed up with the phrase or that Israel's countless, endlessly repeated and persistent violations of international law are not crimes?

jayfromtexas on "How long before French soldiers die in Lebanon?"

jayfromtexas — Mon, 14 Aug 2006 10:28:18 +0000

Eric, Was there a statute of limitations on your "statement of intent to agree"? Hang in there, buddy. You don't have to agree with everything that is said, just try to drop the "Israel's crimes" dogma. I believe in you. You got a Stetson--brimmed to your style--waiting for you if you can make it a week.

eric_5 on "How long before French soldiers die in Lebanon?"

eric_5 — Mon, 14 Aug 2006 10:20:15 +0000

if their neighbors left them alone, you can bet their neighbors would be likewise left alone.Molenir You're absolutely right. If Israel's enemies would only forget Israel's crimes, the Jewish state would exude quiet contentment and pursue its target of bringing all the Jews of the world to Palestine with increased confidence. Perhaps the United States will take on the task of dropping some big bombs on Iran, as appears to be the intention.

Molenir on "How long before French soldiers die in Lebanon?"

Molenir — Mon, 14 Aug 2006 05:44:36 +0000

The problem facing peacekeepers is not an easy one. Their job is essentially one of separation, to keep the parties involved from fighting. The problem comes when one side has no real interest in fighting, and the other side does. How do you restrain one side that wants to fight, from killing the other. The only way is to make yourself a target. You are in effect only protecting 1 side. In the case of Israel vs. Hezbollah, Israel had no real interest in Lebanon, nor for that matter in fighting. They are more then willing to do so if they are attacked or threatened, but if their neighbors left them alone, you can bet their neighbors would be likewise left alone. Such is not the case for the Hezhos. They want to destroy Israel. It is one of their stated aims. Backed by Syria and Iran, their goal is destruction. So peacekeepers, in order to be effective, will have to sever the supply lines from Syria and Iran, as well as engage the Hezhos, making themselves into their defacto enemies. Thus what they are being called upon to do, is to fight for Israel. Oh their presence may act to restrain Israel from retaliating against the Hezhos, if they manage to get through, but the more they let the Hezhos and others through, the more ineffective they are seen as being, and the more likely it is, that both parties will then end up at war once again. I really feel sorry for anyone having to serve as a peacekeeper.

alan.peterson on "How long before French soldiers die in Lebanon?"

alan.peterson — Mon, 14 Aug 2006 02:20:13 +0000

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Steven Rogers on "How long before French soldiers die in Lebanon?"

Steven Rogers — Sun, 13 Aug 2006 23:38:57 +0000

I've believed for years that the UN ought ideally to have troops, perhaps a division or so, available for this sort of role. My preference would be to hire Nepalese Gurkhas for the purpose, since Nepal needs the money and nobody worries about Nepalese imperialism. They are as good at soldiering as anyone in the world, and the culture accepts the reality of casualties. Certainly their reputation would precede them. It'll never happen, but I still like the idea...

How long before French soldiers die in Lebanon?,

alan.peterson — Sun, 13 Aug 2006 23:23:42 +0000

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