[Cold Heat]

Just tell me one thing...........What have we really done to restrain the Israeli's? I know that the Clinton admin. threatened Israel with financial sanctions, but what have we done under Bush? what?.......................(besides a few words intended for Arab consumption for use by Arab allies to attempt to calm ruffled feathers.)

It is not anywhere near what they wanted or expected. We are actually thumbing our nose at them without really saying it.This is a total policy reversal from the clintonian diplomatic efforts.

[a_witness]

Just tell me one thing...........What have we really done to restrain the Israeli's? I know that the Clinton admin. threatened Israel with financial sanctions, but what have we done under Bush? what?.......................(besides a few words intended for Arab consumption for use by Arab allies to attempt to calm ruffled feathers.) It is not anywhere near what they wanted or expected. We are actually thumbing our nose at them without really saying it.This is a total policy reversal from the clintonian diplomatic efforts.

You make a good point but the Bush Administration would do better to state the U.S. position with honor and clarity. The Islamic States will never love nor trust us. They will fear our strength and resolve. After September 11th that is all that counts. They should fear our wrath so much that they will cooperate with us and never attack (or harbor those who would try) again.

[kayak]

[Democrats are liars]

Are you saying that we should not believe what Bush says because he really does not mean it?

[Scott from the Left Coast]

You raise a straw-man arguement. Every time the President of the United States says: "Israel should withdraw peacefully now." And when he says the "only path to peace is through negotiation between the parties" He restrains the Israeli freedom of action and manuever. Israel can only respond to provocation at this point -- by definition that means that there must first be an atrocity to respond to. They cannot any longer take pre-emptive action (as in Jenin) against terrorist strongholds and the society (the population around them) that supports them. They now can only "hunt down the perpetrators". The President's words mean things. They impact Israel because that country does seem to care about "world opinion" and they very much care about the U.S. government's position.

So, yes, he has taken actions that have restrained Israel. No, he hasn't set troops to occupy the country, threatened them with air-strikes if they don't withdraw, or other more dramatic proclomations, but he has "leashed the dog" with his words and publicly stated positions.

I don't know if in the great overall picture of the world situation he is right in this or wrong in it. It just should be realized that whatever he's working toward, in this particular case that goal is being purchased with the lives of Israeli civilians. We all just better be real clear about that.

[Terriergal]

It is not anywhere near what they wanted or expected.

I assume you mean "the Arabs" when you say "they."

I understand what you mean in that case, in your post. I just wish we didn't have to pussyfoot around and just stand up and say "here is what I think, screw you, let's fight it out."

I hate mindgames, I just wanna be straightforward, ya know??? And then also to have the strength to back up what we say in that straightforwardness. (sigh) but of course that's wishful thinking...

[happygrl]

It should be a policy reversal from Clinton's, if by that policy we lead the Arab world to believe that we take marching orders from Crown Pig Abdullah.

Israel has a right to defend itself. Period.