through the media.
just as they did with iraq, the US media will run these stories day after day after day, and slowly US public opinion will turn. ceasefire, civilian casualties, "condi's war", dead children, and on and on. already you see the effects - look at the comments from Bush and Condi today - instead of a rebuttal message about how hezbollah uses civilians as human shields, the message is "concern and sorrow" - which simply lends credence to the story.
when you see this pattern change - let me know. because until it does, the endgame here is almost inevitable.
Nothing about the Israeli children living in bomb shelters for two weeks already ... nothing about the outcome of the Qana investigation ... nothing about "Where are the kidnapped soldiers? What happens to them? ... and for great effect, the reporterettes can start wearing burkas...
I suppose you are right about the pressure really coming from the MSM manipulation of public opinion. But Bush has stood reasonably tall in face of a Vietnam-Era-sized MSM onslaught over the Iraqi War and that one is his. This one technically isn't so it ought to be easier. Public opinion in the U.S. is still very favorable toward Israel, particularly compared to the general view of how things are going in Iraq.
And given the potential impact on Iran's future plans makes this war possibly more important than Iraq. We need to set Iran back on their heals and we could do it here. Those rockets in Southern Lebanon are there to protect Iran from an Israeli strike on their nuclear facilities (IMHO). If they are removed and Hezbollah defeated then Iran will have fewer chips on the table when the real nuclear showdown day arrives. And it is coming.
So I still don't get it. Maybe in a month or two. But right now it makes no sense to cave. No gain for Bush. No short term loss if he continues.
Message to (FR Lurker) Bush (my wife insisted I send this message):
DEAR GEORGE: HANG IN THERE. DON'T GIVE THEM AN INCH.