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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.

They cannot any longer take pre-emptive action (as in Jenin) against terrorist strongholds

BS! They are still doing exactly that as intel becomes available.

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.

And Sharon has complained? You are watching political gamesmanship. Nothing more. Sharon and the U.S. are not working at cross purposes.

"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"

The president of the US is NOT the Prime Minister of Israel. No matter WHAT lip service is being used to assure, and/or even anger the public, rest assured that Ariel Sharon will, with President Bush's blessing, continue to do exactly what he feels is best to protect Israel's national interests and to protect - and avenge - her people. REGARDLESS of what the Palis claim, or the UNEU or Amnesty International, or Saddam, or Saudi princes.... etc. Because in the end, their whining will not save one person's life.

If the liberal left would stop staging these stupid demonstrations in support of the terrorists, so much diplomatic lip service wouldn't be necessary.

The Bush family has no problem selling out people to be killed. Just ask the Iraqis that tried to get rid of Saddam and the Chinese after Tienamen Square. Money to be made and business deals to be closed count more than honor. Someday it will be this countrys turn to be sold out. Payback eventually will be a bitch.