[Goldi-Lox]

I can see Sharon now, "I got my NOTE!!" (visualize a gradeschooler presenting his teacher with his absentee note!)

[Psycho_Bunny]

Jeez, dude. Don't ask; do.

[mdittmar]

This should be G.W.'s response.

[swheats]

Why put America in this position? Shoot first and then ask questions. If Bush backs down he will be ridiculed and if he authorize this all Americans might as well strap on targets because America could be next to see a wave of terrorist bombers.

[TomGuy]

This report is dubious. No President would commit such authorization to a written statement. It is doubtful any world leader would expect or even ask for it, either.

[Right_in_Virginia]

Nah..I don't believe Sharon would ask for this.

And, more importantly Bush wouldn't give it.

[The Great Satan]

Bush is on Sharon's side. They are working hand-in-glove. Bush is no doubt as glad to have the Israelis on hand to deal with Arafat and Hezbollah as he was to have the services of the Northern Alliance to eliminate the Taliban and crush al-Qaeda. This whole operation is also a useful protype for the removal of Saddam. I suspect that, when that day comes, we will want too take Saddam hostage rather than kill him outright: that would achieve our strategic objectives while reducing the risk of retaliation by his sleepers.

[calmseas]

Yeah, just go ahead and do it. Later, just say "opps" if you need to.

[Kermit]

Is this Debka material? I want to start another Debka flame war.;^)

[Mo1]

Sharon seeks OK from Bush on Arafat Wants written permission to capture or kill Palestinian leader

Oh Good Grief is this true??

Sorry Sharon .. Bush might not stand in you way .. but not a chance in hell he will write an excuse note for you ..

Again .. I hope this story is bogus .. because if not .. it sure smells like we are about to be set up for some big trouble

[PGalt]

Leaders LEAD. Kill the terrorist scumbag.

[VRWC_minion]

I'll sign for Bush.

[Centurion2000]

Sharon should remember the old rule.

It's always better to ask for forgiveness than permission.

Even Machiavelli knew that one.

[ellery]

It's easier to apologize later then ask first...

[Brad C.]

After arafat is shot dead in his compound, Sharon can always promise to arrest and prosecute who ever pulled the trigger. He can probably even quote one of the many promises that arafat made regarding the terrorists who have murdered so many innocent people.

[joebuck]

I think killing Arafat would be a mistake. He is rapidly becoming an irrelevant, babbling old man. Why create a martyr out of him. If he is killed this treacherous scum will become "Saint Yasser" in the Arab world and we will see crusaders rushing the walls with his picture on a banner. I don't want to give him that satisfaction. Exile him, isolate him, even imprison him if necessary but don't make a martyr out of him. The Arab propaganda machine, with help from the western media, will revise history so fast that Arafat will become the king of peace in their eyes and his death will be made out to be the second crucifiction of Christ. Don't give this scumbag the satisfaction.

[eeriegeno]

The solution to this dilemna is simple: Many in the world, including Mr Pope, view human suicide bombs as an OK way of settling things. Give Mr Yessir a taste of his own medicine. Find a willing mideastern person, pay his family the going rate (I think it's up to $25K), load him with wires and explosives, and then have him deliver lunch to Yessir.

[nina0113]

He can have written permission from ME. I'm only a few blocks from 1600 Penn, shouldn't my note be 'close enough for government work'?

[Lost Highway]

It's better to ask forgivenes than permission.