[holdonnow]

Well, let's see. What should we do? The great thing about Free Republic and these threads is that anybody can go back and reconstruct the arguments. Others can read the posts and draw their own conclusions. I found you offensive and still do. I also find you intellectually dishonest. Maybe that's just your way. I really don't know. I expect this from the libs and the Clintonoids, but not a fellow Freeper. But you keep watching and listening, as you obviously do ...

[Miss Marple]

Give me an example where I am intellectually dishonest.

[Carolinamom]

Miss Marple "intellectually dishonest"? You, sir, have gone too far. You are WRONG. I agree with Amelia in that I look forward to your TV appearances and your holding your own against a phalanx of liberal chatterers. BUT your remarks tonight to those here who do not agree with you fall short of honest debate.

[Howlin]

Goodness gracious. You're on quite a rant tonight.

Frankly, I'm surprised you have the time to sit here and post with us lowly Freepers. I'd have thought you would have been on TV tonight, giving your views.

[Fracas]

Perhaps it is time for a new opinion. I think the President's first instinct was correct: let Israel and the Palestinians deal with the problem. Where that instinct went awry was in staying Israel's hand against using military force.

Israel is perfectly capable of dealing with the issue IF the U.S. does not interfere. We will defend Israel if they are attacked by other Arab countries (Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, etc.). Israel can deal with the verbal slings and arrows of the feeble French, the bloated Brits, and the grumpy Germans. What they cannot deal with is a hostile U.S. policy that argues against their national interest.

Many have paid lip service to the 'Israel (of course!) has the right to defend herself, but...' without a shred of sincerity. We should allow Israel to defend herself WITHOUT INTEFERENCE from us. It does not seem to me that Sharon has been here begging for support; it seems that he has been here presenting the case for a free hand.

Conservatives were appalled when Clinton boldly influenced an Israeli election. I have been equally appalled at the inability of the media and some Libs to avoid the specious 'moral equivalence' argument.

The religious issues are not going to be settled by giving the Palestinians a state; they want Israel destroyed. Only a fool would believe there will be a 'democratically' elected Palestinian government.

Israel should do what is best for Israel and defend their country as we need to defend ours. When they need help they will ask and we will provide support. Enough of the Chris Matthews philosophy of 'we don't want to be at war with all the Arab states' nonsense. We ARE at war with the Arab states, including those that are our nominal friends.

War has many faces, and one of them is economic. Our stock market plunges upon news of every homicide bomber. We have postponed finding a real solution for far too long.