Im not one for conspiracy theories, never have been, nor do I ever like to get involved in political discussions due to my passive nature, however the current conflict has given me no choice.

I'd just like to begin by saying that the very premise Israel began its absolute barrage of Lebanon is very bemusing, which has led me to believe that there is a far greater agenda than simply destablising Hezballah. As most of you know and as mentioned, the cold peace between Israel and Hezballah for the last six years since the Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon has seen many instances of soldier/civilian kidnappings from both sides in exchange for their respected captives. Israel (before the current conflict) has without hesitation negotiated these exchanges without the use of its present "strategy". With seemingly no end to the hostilities, one should consider Israel's ultimate goal.

You can automatically rule out the fear of shite block being created throughout the middle east as the majority of the Arab nations are ruled by sunni/pro American governments.

Another consideration would be oil/resources. However, with the current "democracy" in Iraq and America's close ties with Osama's home town Saudi, Israel clearly stands to benefit the most. Lebanon presents no vantage when it comes to resources! In the 22 years of Israeli occupation of Southern Lebanon, the place was bled dry!

so why now? why the complete disregard for human life? over two soldiers which were obviously not supposed to be where they were!

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quote:

A senior Hezbollah official said Tuesday the guerrilla group did not expect Israel to react so strongly to its capture of two Israeli soldiers. ... "The truth is - let me say this clearly - we didn't even expect (this) response.... that (Israel) would exploit this operation for this big war against us," said Komati. He said Hezbollah had expected "the usual, limited response" from Israel after the two soldiers were seized by guerrillas on Israel's side of the border on July 12.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060725...hting_hezbollah


they think of this situation like a 'game' - it's like "we kidnap, then negotiate (hey, we only want terrorists and murderers, not a big deal), end of the game. see ya in a month, when we kidnap more soldiers."

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It's just the age old debate. DO the ends justify the means???

I doubt things will be better in the end, but i guess there's a lot of people out there who just assume taht it will be, and these people are the ones who think the ISraeli's are doing OK.

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Originally posted by ronk http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060725...hting_hezbollah they think of this situation like a 'game' - it's like "we kidnap, then negotiate (hey, we only want terrorists and murderers, not a big deal), end of the game. see ya in a month, when we kidnap more soldiers."

oh so the Lebanese nationals held in Israeli captive WITHOUT TRIAL, WITHOUT LEGEAL RIGHTS due to Israel's complete disregard for the Geneva conventions doesn't mean anything to you!

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He said Hezbollah captured the Israeli soldiers from a military area, but charged that Israelis had taken Hezbollah leaders from their homes at night.

"The response is unjustified," Komati said. He claimed the Israeli offensive was planned in advance, and Israel was only "waiting for the right time" to carry it out

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Originally posted by S_madis oh so the Lebanese nationals held in Israeli captive WITHOUT TRIAL, WITHOUT LEGEAL RIGHTS due to Israel's complete disregard for the Geneva conventions doesn't mean anything to you!

oh, you mean, like, Samir Kuntar?

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yeah surely im not saying that everyone of your close to 10,000 prisoners/captives/detainees is an angel. But lets look at this simple fact which im sure you are aware of:

- The Israeli supreme court in 1998 declared that the capture of Lebanese nationals are deemed "hostages for bargain".

So Israel can detain hostages and use them as bargaining chips, but when the situation is reversed Lebanon is pounded into ruins! Double standards? no because we have the right to "defend ourselves".

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Originally posted by Paulie -55 out of 56 bridges destroyed -international airport destroyed -the whole south of beirut turned to rubble -over 800,000 people displaced -over 400 innocent civilians killed (over 30% children and two thirds of them familes) -whole villages destroyed. -Every single major road has been carpeted bombed -major oil spil causing Enviromental catastrophe -IDF bombed 40% of Lebanons oil supplies. -every port bombed -hospitals bombed -every petrol station in the south bombed -thousands of civilain homes destroyed -red cross amblances bombed The facts speak for themselves...For what? 2 kidnapped soldiers? The israelis have a lot to answer for. The first being war crimes.

They want Lebanon to throw 50 years back. The cost of all this destruction, will put Lebanon economy and its people back to Medival days. People will again be poor, jobless and angry soon. It will be another Palestine. These things only help people in chosing the path of becoming a terrorist and take revenge. It only breeds hatred and disrespect towards Israel and its people. Cowards.

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Originally posted by tathi It's abhorrent what they're doing to Lebanon; this Israeli State-Sanctioned Terrorism is worse than Hezbollah's terrorist attacks.

There is nothing you, me or anyone can do about this. Money talks and Israel has it. Lebanon is a poor nation.

All this agression and pointless war for nothing, only justifies Iran's stand to have nuclear weapons and defends its country.

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Originally posted by Paulie -55 out of 56 bridges destroyed -international airport destroyed -the whole south of beirut turned to rubble -over 800,000 people displaced -over 400 innocent civilians killed (over 30% children and two thirds of them familes) -whole villages destroyed. -Every single major road has been carpeted bombed -major oil spil causing Enviromental catastrophe -IDF bombed 40% of Lebanons oil supplies. -every port bombed -hospitals bombed -every petrol station in the south bombed -thousands of civilain homes destroyed -red cross amblances bombed The facts speak for themselves...For what? 2 kidnapped soldiers? The israelis have a lot to answer for. The first being war crimes.

Well golly-gee. Maybe they'll think twice the next time they try to fuck around with Israel. It's OK to provoke but not OK to defend (and defend aggressively)? This goes FAR deeper than what you've been seeing over the past 2 weeks.

Maybe the Lebanese government will finally try to reign in the extremist militia they choose to let operate in their borders with Syrian and Iranian backing.

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Originally posted by tathi I know it's a fantasy world, if there was any justice Arial Sharon would have been tried for war crimes before he slipped into a vegetative state :/

it's sort of a conundrum though, isn't it? i mean you wish Israeli leaders to be tried for war crimes assuming you know what the ultimate result would be execution, right?

is this whole non-violence thing of a front? i don't mean to be rude or too pragmatic, but it seems so hypocritical on the surface to me to just be against war or the wages of it. it sounds like you chosen a side but don't wish to reveal it for whatever reason. prolly wrong but thats what it sounds like.

none of this shit happens in a vacuum. "countries don't not go to war with each other singing "Kumbaya" dancing around a UN flag." they don't go to war because of the price that is to be paid to wage it. they go to war thinking the sacrifice is worth the peace that will ultimately follow. Israel is no exception here.

Last edited by Q5echo on Jul-26-2006 at 13:03

quote:

Originally posted by Paulie -55 out of 56 bridges destroyed -international airport destroyed -the whole south of beirut turned to rubble -over 800,000 people displaced -over 400 innocent civilians killed (over 30% children and two thirds of them familes) -whole villages destroyed. -Every single major road has been carpeted bombed -major oil spil causing Enviromental catastrophe -IDF bombed 40% of Lebanons oil supplies. -every port bombed -hospitals bombed -every petrol station in the south bombed -thousands of civilain homes destroyed -red cross amblances bombed The facts speak for themselves...For what? 2 kidnapped soldiers? The israelis have a lot to answer for. The first being war crimes.

Simply arresting two guys at top and putting them in jail for next 30 years dosent mean justice to Lebanon.

Demolish every airport in Israel, destroy every road in Israel, bring down equal number of hospitals, houses, petrrol pumps etc. Punish the citizen of that country so next time they learn to protest against such injustice by their elected respresentitives and not be part of it or take pride in it.



Lebanon is a primarily Christian country, even Vatican is falling short to criticise Israels actions. We need strong harsh open criticism; not a stupid letter saying 'we regret'.

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Last edited by Purple on Jul-26-2006 at 13:18