Update2: I should add that I am being incredibly hard on Bush and it may be that there was nothing he could do. If Olmert wasn't prepared to fight and win a war he shouldn't have started, it wasn't for the US to jump in. Now, there is another line of thinking. Time is coming due to confront Iran on their nuke plans, so it is possible Bush / Olmert / perhaps Blair wanted this bit of business over with - and with Hezbollah in a temporarily weakened state, which would make any action against Iran by the US more straight forward.
The problem is, the UN is also the vehicle for that confrontation. And we may be so many resolutions / years away from any showdown, I'm not certain this bit of madness will do much good in that regard. Consequently, it and off itself, it is a dismal failure. And Israel still does not have its soldiers back. Due to the war, the price for that in released terrorists has likely gone up substantially.
Well, there ya go. And two foolish fearless leaders signed off on it, resigned to allow the UN to disarm Hezbollah. Fat chance. Hopefully Israel will learn a lesson from this and not start something they aren't prepared to finish next time. They may as well have just traded out a thousand terrorists to get their soldiers back like usual and saved the world a lot of grief.
It seems the era of Chamberlain has arrived at the Bush White House, too. Perhaps that's best, as it increasingly appears he doesn't have the political will to actually win a war, much like dear old Dad.
In the end, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, I suppose. And the Republicans can kiss the House and or the Senate goodbye. I don't see how they can inspire individuals serious about the war on terror on a global scale to come out and vote after this humiliating defeat.
Despite the public reappearance of armed Hizbullah gunmen in southern Lebanon, senior IDF officers said Wednesday that Israel would uphold the cease-fire and begin to gradually withdraw its forces ahead of the planned deployment of the Lebanese army in the south, scheduled to begin on Thursday.
On Wednesday, the Lebanese cabinet approved a plan to deploy troops south of the Litani River and to extend government authority over the region, a key provision of the UN cease-fire plan that ended 34 days of fighting. But the cabinet said soldiers would not "chase" or "take revenge" on Hizbullah guerrillas in a bid to disarm the fighters.
Update: Run run ... Olmert. Part of the mystique which has actually helped Israel to survive over the years was the vaunted view of their military and intelligence services. Both of those have taken a tremendous beating thanks to the Leftist government headed by Olmert.
The Israeli army began handing over positions to the U.N. early Thursday, stepping up its withdrawal from southern Lebanon after the Lebanese government agreed to deploy troops near Israel's border for the first time in 40 years.
The Lebanese Cabinet decision fell short of agreement on disarming the Shiite Muslim militant group, which has insisted it has the right to defend Lebanese territory as long as Israeli troops remain in the country.
A fisherman finds himself in deep water. And, he casts out a line. But he's not much of a fisherman. And, the fish grabs the line and runs with it. If the line's not stopped in time, out goes the fishman, overboard.
I think this may have happened, here. Olmert's not in charge of much except diplomatic-pants-dancing. And, when he tried to use a settler's death, a man named Roi, I think. Who jumped on a grenade, taking it full blast, to protect his men; and somehow channeling convergence; Olmert ended his run as Prime Minister. Now, it's just a matter of time.
SInce Bush and Condi are also exposed. And, Halutz' career just got sold faster than his stock portfolio, the BEST THING that can happen ahead, to stop the hemmorhaging, and curtail some of Israel's anger; is to acknowledge that now is the time for BIBI to return. Into government. Where he'd bring in the Right Wing that was left out in the cold. When Olmert designed his "small" goverment; and put the incompetent Amir Peretz into the Defense chair.
Hitting Lebanon hard for kidnapping two soldiers is only part of the successful IDF operation. The other is that nasrallah had set his sights on METULLA. But was repulsed. Nobody really reports what's happening, though. All you get is propaganda.
IF Olmert's still sane, and I don't know, given all the pressures he's got now. Including an inquiry in how he got his home so cheap. And, how a structure that was declared a Jerusalem landmark got all the paperwork to tear the structure down. So Olmert and his wife enjoy a lovely garden apartment. At a bargain price.
About the way to stop this train? I think pulling Bibi into government would do. As to Amir Peretz, it's pretty obvious he doesn't control the Labor ministers. Not they way they vote! And, if Bibi comes in, and includes Avigdor Lieberman, the Labor gets choices. They could call the UN and ask for a paper like #1701. Or they could go quietly into the night. But why not look at a dot. Or two. Here. Today. Is Shimon Peres' birthday. And, nobody made a big deal. Or brought him cake. Or showered him like an elder statesman, in seat #2, with any honors. Hmm.
Then, you have the Dahlia Itzki "go around." She has a "secret" meeting with Bibi last Sunday. What happened to the secret? Did she lap dance with Shimon Peres, and he called his friends at the dailies?
I see that the Israelis, almost across the board, are seething. Olmert doesn't know what to do this with. Sure. During the 8 years he was Mayor of Jerusalem, everygody hated him. But he just wheeled and dealed. This is not called for now. And, Olmert's tuchis is exposed. Worse, he's exposed Bush and Condi. Who saw that this man couldn't drive a car at full speed. Let alone a successful engagement.
Over the long haul? It was so hot up in Lebanon. The Israelis had to deal with the russian made, and iranian supplied anti-tank rounds. And, the Merkeva's were not up to it. Some were ten years old. And, neither fortified for modern warfare. Or even equipped with modern technology. Who did this? I guess Halutz cared more about the air force toys?
And, the mishigas in Lebanon, whoever was in charge, could have explained things better. You don't run in your infantry if your guerillas are trained to do tremendous damage on the run.
Was nasrallah surprised? You bet. He didn't get Metulla. And, his ideas of bartering a few prisoners for many, wasn't the trap anyone in IDF was going to contemplate doing again. (Not that Amir Peretz isn't a putz. Who'd talk to anybody who'd give him a headline. But that stuff is driving the public further away.)
Overall, the tanks in the field, under fire, weren't getting fixed. This is the pullout. TO THE REPAIR SHOP.
There are so many instances that show great generals had set backs. So, I'm not worried, here. What worries me is the capital that Olmert burned. WHich never had to go into the fire. Amir Peretz? NEVER. The mending of the break between the settlers and the public? Should have happened at day one. Labor in the government? Shimon Peres' seat was glued to "Chair #2." Playing with Amir? Olmert was nuts. And, came up with losing cards in a hand he could have built, better.
Hindsight. WOnderful
Ahead? I don't think nasrallah's ready to take on the IDF, again. And, while some re-supplies of missiles will come into his hands, they come in by mule. ANd, usually the mule's are carrying hash hish. Whatever.
Bunkers underground? You mean nasrallah digs funeral ditches but keeps going deeper?
It's possible nasrallah thinks the next round's a replay. While I don't think so at all. Nasty things those bunkers. And, those anti-tank artillery shells. But arabs, in general, when the wars start, always run.
I think nasrallah will opt (if he kills anybody, to kill Syria's baby, Siniora). I don't know why. But it would give him lebanon. And, no civil war.
Hardly likely the borders to Israel get put back in place, like they were. There's supposed to be a UN force (with flying rights this time), protecting all. As that's about to fall apart, Israel will have to go back in and control. Will the lebanese troops add fodder to nasrallah's? The really trained troops are iranians, anyway. And, more troops just mean next time the same fleet of feet that Arik SHaron saw in 1973. Sure. Eypgtians still celebrate this victory.
While the european community will try to present expense receipts to Israel. What chances to they have collecting money?
Is the battle postponed? To tell you the truth if syria and iran need to be knocked out, I don't think ISrael should "go it alone." For "alone," what happened these past three weeks are pretty smart moves, militarily.
The bug of bad publicity hasn't been killed? To tell you the truth the only thing Olmert should fear is how angry the public is now with his performance. He needs Bibi. More than Bibi needs him. And, if there's a big gap in time, ahead. Then, yeah. I expect new elections. I also expect someone in Sharon's family will have the guts to tell the stinking doctors to pull the plug. Enough "miracles," already.
Posted by: Carol Herman | Thursday, August 17, 2006 at 01:17 AM