There's an emerging report of forty "civilians" struck in a field by Israeli munitions. Unfortunately, those civilians had to be taken into Syria for care due to roads being down in the area. We'll see. But I'm already not liking the smell of that one.
It looks like things are heating up, not cooling down.
Here's the latest war news from the Middle East: Pajamas Media, or read a few regional blogs. I like to check the JP headlines, as well.
Arabic culture historically used "forty" to denote "a whole hell of a lot".
Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves.
God caused it to rain for forty days and forty night.
Jesus went into the wilderness for forty days.
Moses wandered for forty years.
They use "forty" the same way we use "a bazillion".
Forty could be 2, or it could be 2,000.
Posted by: rwilymz | Friday, August 04, 2006 at 11:32 AM
So if it were ony two than it would be alright than.
But as indicated it could be 2000.
Posted by: R | Friday, August 04, 2006 at 12:24 PM
rw: thanks for reminding me of '40's flexible nature. That had slipped my mind.
Truth means little in war, and almost nothing in first reports. We will learn more later.
Posted by: K | Friday, August 04, 2006 at 04:55 PM
rw - Very interesting. I recognized everything you listed but never connected it.
R - Where did you come up with that?
Posted by: Phoenix | Saturday, August 05, 2006 at 01:35 AM