Heads Up! Bush & Blair News Conference 12:30ET

Fox News | 7/28/2006 | staff

[Candor7]

If it works and Bush does force Israel to stop short of its war aims, Bush will be cutting his own political throat.

No question. He would be a hurtin' puppy and that makes me think that Tony doesn't understand the depth of resolve for 100% support of Israel in this war here in the US and Canada.

We want to see both Hamas and Hezbollah destroyed utterly.

And we should start by rounding up those POSs right here in New York City!

[CedarDave]

Olmert's conduct has been unforgivable. He should resign. Netanyahu needs to be made PM for the upcoming confrontation with Syria and Iran. It is long past obvious that Israel needs a Churchill, not a Chamberlain.

Last evening on John Batchelor the correspondents were saying that the Israeli Defense Force is furious with Olmert's foot dragging. They have 30,000 troops called up and waiting.

Now Olmert may be waiting for a different type of provocation such as the launching of a scud type missile that hits Tel Aviv, for example, or hoping that an international force can be put together to go in to police a cease fire. The latter ain't gonna happen because without taking out Hezballah, it just goes back to the previous status quo and gives the terrorists a chance to rearm for next time.

[sageb1]

I was surprised when Fr. Morris actually admitted that a lot of things are pointing to the prophecies, but he also said, "they've been saying that for 2000 years." And he said it with a grin. He gave good advice. Live your life with good prupose, pretty much. Then, as priests must, he mentioned "restrainst by Israel." But he gives me the impression and always has that he is politically very astute. He wants Israel to win, hands down.

[sageb1]

"And we should start by rounding up those POSs right here in New York City!"

YES!

[sageb1]

prupose=purpose

[CedarDave]

Would France, as the "peacekeeping force," keep the Islamofascist in check or act as a deterent to Israeli responses against terrorists' actions?

Excellent question.

[Eurotwit]

Thanks a lot from me as well Peach!!

Great job!

Cheers,

Euro.

[rhombus]

Good to hear about Fr. Morris. I interpret "restraint" these days to be mercy for the meek.

As far as the prophecies, I've been thinking of a career as a prophet when I retire. Time to work on some quatrains...cuz "A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall" (that's Dylan-a-damus). ;-)

[NYC Republican]

I don't think I agree. If the Palis have their own state, on most of the West Bank and Gaza, it takes away their core argument, takes away their sympathies throughout the world, it would convert them from the "opressed" to folks that seek another country's destruction

[Candor7]

He is eloquent.

The daily question period under Britains parliamentary system necessitates such eloquence.

BUT somehow I prefer Bushies Texas Cowboy talk.

[Sabramerican]

Just so you know, I'll tell you once.

I usually ignore pissants who do nothing but demonstrate their ignorance and fantasies.

[Candor7]

Israel will accept a ceasefire ONLY when its terms and war goals are met. They don't care about the plans of mice and men, and rightly so.

[Knitting A Conundrum]

I suspect you're on to something there. Just like Chirac saying he was going to push for a security council resolution for an immediate cease fire. Won't happen. He knew it wouldn't happen when he said it. But it makes the people at home feel good.

[Albion Wilde]

Bush usually gives people one chance. He gave Blair (and the UK parliament) a 4 month delay in the invasion of Iraq - by doing the UN dance. I seriously doubt if he will do it a second time, since the delay was very instrumental in bringing about the situation we are in now in Iraq. Blair still has to go through the motions for his home consumption, but he is much more of a lame duck than W is.

Your usual brilliance.

[rollo tomasi]

The only insane thing regarding the middle east is the perpetual policies of "resolutions" and "multi/task/nations forces" attempting to stabilize a highly volatile region that refuses to stabilize unless proper force will be used.

While this insane folly goes on, Iran keeps getting more time to build nukes with Russia playing cover for them.

Once Iran has nukes all the resolutions and multinational forces the west can come up with will be moot.

I seriously think Pres. Bush and Blair are serious and not playing "how can we cover our asses with the press and let Israel do the dirty work" bait and switch tactic. One good reason is trying not to provoke Russia (Who cares more about the fate of Syria and Iran than peace).

[Pukin Dog]

It must be difficult for you to not notice yourself.

[Pukin Dog]

All one has to do is ask just what kind of agreement that Bush, Blair AND Hezbollah would agree to? It aint gonna happen. And when it doesn't, Israel will invade.

[kabar]

So we are back to what I asked above. Are they committing to let an international force fight instead of Israel? (Because Hezbolla won't go quietly). Of course not. They are seeking, as you said, a cease fire- before an accomplished Israeli win. .

Yes, they want an international force to implement UN resolution 1559. Israel does not want to be bogged down in Lebanon again. They cannot "defeat" Hezbullah, which is both an armed militia and a political party. Unless Israel is prepared to stay in Lebanon for another 20 years and defend a demilitarized zone on the border, they can't stop Hezbullah from reconsitituting and rearming.

It is in Israel's interest to have the international communtity be the ones to enforce the resolution and avoid becoming more of a pariah than it already is. It is also in US interests to have an internantional force rather than having the US vetoing UN resolutions condenming Israel and hurting our efforts in Iraq.

Bush said that Israel and Lebanon must approve of whatever solution is reached. As long as the composition of the multinational force contains reps from Western countries, e.g., France, and the force is empowered to take military action against Hezbullah for non-ecompliance, it could work.

[sageb1]

"If the Palis have their own state, on most of the West Bank and Gaza, it takes away their core argument, takes away their sympathies throughout the world, it would convert them from the "opressed" to folks that seek another country's destruction"

That was the idea, but if it was going to work, don't you think we would have had some indication of that by now?

[kabar]

And now for some unpleasant reality. This will take many years. We have important elections in 2006 and 2008. Much money will flow from many sources to defeat what is trying to be accomplished.

It will take many years no matter what is proposed. We need to isolate Hezbullah rather than Israel and ourselves. Many in the Arab world, including Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia, are not great fans of Hezbullah and want to see them silenced. They don't want Iranian influence in the region. That said, the pictures of destruction and death out of Lebanon, are garnering sympathy for Hezbullah and increasing pressure on the Arab governments to speak out more forcefully against Israel. A multinational force with real power can deflect the criticism of Israel and provide for its security. It is worth a shot.