Bush Policy in Tatters After Islamic Terrorists Win Power Via Ballot Box

Israel Insider ^ | 1/27/2005 | Staff Writer

[TheClintons-STILLAnti-American]

"Well, if people democratically choose to be a terrorist state then it at least substantially removes the argument that the "average guy on the street" isn't responsible for what the tyrants who lead the nation are doing. The people have chosen what type of state they want. They'll now also bear responsibility for the actions that that choice may cause the rest of the world to take."

Well said.

One of the complaints, particularly of the wussy-minded, is that there is no state to hold responsible for terrorist acts.

Now, there officially is.

[TheClintons-STILLAnti-American]

"I expect them to fail because their structure does not allow for any other way but failure."

The same is true of liberalism, but they never admit failure. They just keep moving the goal posts.

[paul51]

Bush left open the possibility of halting aid to the Palestinians if their government is dominated by Hamas, a militant Islamic group listed by the State Department as a terrorist organization. This year, the Palestinians are receiving $150 million for development programs on the West Bank and in Gaza.

This aid should be cut off immediately. In fact, it should never have started and that should be clear now.

[Southern Federalist]

You failed to list the most dangerous thing they may do. Give al Qaeda a haven from which to operate

There is no reason for that to be tolerated, and no likelihood that any imaginable Israeli government would tolerate it. Finding and targeting terroists in the Afghan-Pakistani mountains is one thing, finding them in the West Bank and Gaza is another. Mullah Omar is still at large, but Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, Abdel Aziz Rantisi, Salah Shihada, Ibrahim al-Makadme, Mahmoud Madani, Ismail Abu Shanab, Yasser Taha, Yahya Ayyash, Wail Na’ssar, Mahmud Abu Hunud, Izz ed-Din al-Sheikh Khalil, among other Hamas leaders, have been dispatched to their reward.

Given the capacities and readiness of Israel, and the relatively small size of the PA, I would expect that to be the last place Al Qaeda would choose as a haven. In fact, I suspect that Ariel Sharon disabused the world of the notion that the PA could be a "haven" in the Spring of 2002.

[ml/nj]

OK....give us YOUR ideas for this situation. Waiting.....

I would pretty much allow the Israelis a free hand with the Arabs. I certainly wouldn't be acting as if each side had the same or nearly the same moral standing. It's too late for me to locate the radio address that Ronald Reagan gave about the situation maybe 30 years ago, but perhaps the President should have one of his advisors dig it up for him and use it as his basis for going forward.

ML/NJ

[patriciaruth]

Ah, the Aussies are the Wallabees?

[patriciaruth]

Hoping your assessment is correct despite the loss of Sharon.

Actually my impression was that he was the moderating influence before his incapicitation from stroke. I will be surprised if Israel doesn't take a harder line with him unable to lead.

[veronica]

Appeasing evil NEVER WORKS.

[veronica]

Wait until the good old USA stops the 350 million in foreign aid it sent to the Palestinians last year and see how well all those people who voted for Hamas fare.

I'll be stunned if that happens. It would be too unequivocal.

I keep thinking of Karen Hughes on her knees to the Arabs.

[dirtboy]

The toughest task facing the United States is determining whether the peace process can move ahead and, if so, how.

Not really. IMO it just got easier.

As long as Fatah was in charge, they could just shrug that they were able to exert control over Hamas. So Hamas could do the dirty work and governments could still rationalize doing business with Fatah.

Now there is nowhere to hide. The Palestinians have chosen a terrorist organization for their leadership. That organization has to either renounce terrorism or lose billions in foreign aid. And if they refuse to renounce terrorism, Israel simply exerts its right to self-defense.

[reagandemocrat]

"Ah, the Aussies are the Wallabees?"

Bingo.

[SJackson]

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[Blood of Tyrants]

Yep. Since they have chosen the path of violence, then bring them more violence than they ever dreamed of.

[familyop]

All parties are now either ruled by the morally bankrupt elite of the social left or the nazis (all of the tiny, "third" parties).

[familyop]

"Bush's policy?
How bout everyone's policy, just happens Bush is here now."

Yeah..."everyone" being the people who pay a lot to our politicians, as opposed to all of the unimportant people who only vote for them.

[bboop]

Well, gee, THIS is Bush's fault too? The Muzzies are NUTS, but somehow that too rests on GWB's shoulders? Why does that rub me SO wrong??