Article

2006-07-15 Israel-Palestine-Jordan

Thomas L. Friedman: New power struggle emerging in Mideast

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Posted by Captain America 2006-07-15 14:40|| || Front Page|| [3 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 Mr. Friedman sure low-keys Iran in this column. Keller probably told him not to give W. any ideas.

Posted by mrp 2006-07-15 15:00|| 2006-07-15 15:00|| Front Page Top

#2 It's not a democracy or republic if the people don't control it by their votes. It's useless to go to the ballot box if, in the end, mobsters and gangsters control the government through terror tactis of murder, bribery, fraud etc.

I think one problem that these people have is that they are like the Europeans. They expect that if mobsters or gangsters or foreign agents take control of their government - that some mommy or daddy state is responsible for stepping in and making it all better.

Um, no. Democracy requires the people themselves to take action to preserve their government.

Besides - in Palestine - they voted for the government that would give them what they want - the destruction of Israel. And their government is attempting to give as promised. They got what they voted for.

And in Lebanon - well they are under seige by Iranian, Syrian and Hezbollah. They can't rid themselves of these elements by themselves. They need help - much like we needed the help of the French in our revolution.

But in the end - it is the responsibility of the people themselves - not some superpower, or global body - to keep control of their own government. That's why we maintain the right to bear arms. The forefathers understood that the people need protection FROM their governments and a means to dissolve and reform it if it doesn't perform. Often that means fighting. That's why we revere those who came before us and fought the battle for our freedom. Freedom isn't a guaranteed birth right - it's paid for in blood.

Posted by 2b 2006-07-15 18:40|| 2006-07-15 18:40|| Front Page Top

#3 They got their chance. If they blow it, they will suffer the consequences. Perhaps it will become a learning experience. If not, it can be repeated after rinsing.

Posted by Nimble Spemble 2006-07-15 18:55|| 2006-07-15 18:55|| Front Page Top

#4 Hard to believe the Lebs can outdo the Paleos in the "Shining Pantheon of Cultural Stupidity", but we shall see....I prefer the explanation that most Lebs are moderate, want sovereign independence, but were outgunned by the Syrian/Iranian proxies...

Posted by Frank G">Frank G 2006-07-15 19:15|| 2006-07-15 19:15|| Front Page Top

#5 Hezb grew up in the Paleo camps in Lebanon.

Posted by lotp 2006-07-15 19:17|| 2006-07-15 19:17|| Front Page Top

#6 ahhhh once again, Ein-El-Hellhole comes up. Perhaps the Hezbs and Iranians are using it as a base, Israel (*hint hint*wink wink*)

Posted by Frank G">Frank G 2006-07-15 19:26|| 2006-07-15 19:26|| Front Page Top

#7 If Iraq had been an island, the "insurgency" would have been toes-up in six months. It is the extra-territorial financing, foreign fighter elements, and Iranian RG C-3 support that has made resolution of the low-level war in Iraq problematic. There won't be peace in Iraq until Syria and Iran have been brought to heel.

I strongly dislike Vietnam parallels with the present conflict, but the hands-off with Syria and Iran smack too much of the NVA sanctuaries in Laos and Cambodia.

Posted by mrp 2006-07-15 21:15|| 2006-07-15 21:15|| Front Page Top

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