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Monday, July 17, 2006

Quotes of the Day: Disproportionate

(via Yeshiva World) Israel’s U.N. ambassador, Dan Gillerman, responded at the New York rally:
“To those countries in there who claim that we’re using disproportionate force, I have only this to say: You’re damn right we are. Because if your cities were shelled the way ours were, if your citizens were terrorized the way ours are, you would use much more force than we are using.’‘
And even better, from James Taranto in today's Best of the Web:
Some have criticized Israel for not responding proportionately to the attacks, but we'd counsel patience. After all, the Israelis aren't done yet.
Not even close.

7 comments:

  1. Did you hear John McCain discuss the rediculous complaint of Israel needing to excercise retraint?

    http://life-of-rubin.blogspot.com/2006/07/this-is-awesome.html

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  2. Great line by Taranto. Bush's "slip" today was even better.

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  3. Hey Ez,

    Been a while since I've posted here, but I'm sure I'll be visiting frequently given the current events...

    I think this post has more to it. If you're willing to indulge me with a new post, I'd like to put forward the question, "could you explain Israel's strategy of bombing residential neighborhoods on moral and tactical grounds?"

    That seems to be the line that folks are upset that Israel is crossing. (everything up to that line in my mind are absolutely necessary actions on Israel's part)

    From what I can gather, Israel is doing this because they want to force the Lebanese to turn on Hezbollah for their agression. I understand that some portion of Lebanon's government is controlled by Hezbollah (I think I heard something like 10 cabinet ministers?).

    That logic doesn't seem to be very sound to me. Either the Israeli military and/or the media aren't doing a good job explaining that any residential neighborhood that is fired on is highly suspected of being a Hezbollah safe harbor or the Israelis are engaging in conduct that will only hinder them from achieving their goals, as they'll be creating greater ill will against them.

    Just some thoughts. Would love to hear your take.

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  4. That's why I generally don't get my reports from the mainstream media - they present things a certain way, and that way is dedicated to certain outcomes.

    Israel is barely touching residential neighborhoods, number one. Second, they try to avoid civilian casualties as much as possible. Third, they drop leaflets well, well in advance of any attack on a civilian area. Fourth, Hizbollah operates from civilian areas specifically to draw fire onto them - knowing that either Israel will not attack (civ. casualties too great) or they will, and it will be a PR bonanza. Yesterday, Hizbollah was not allowing civilians out of South Lebanon, because then Israel would be able to attack freely and because Israel would look bad when the civilians are killed. Unmentioned in the reports of the civilians killed on the highway is that in the very same cars were Hizbollah terrorists, who were also killed. There was a fantastic debate on another blog yesterday where people were discussing what a country should do in these cases: If a terrorist is forcing children to remain in a house with them, do you still attack the house? The answer it really comes down to is this - you do. Why? Because otherwise, they will constantly and consistently use your higher standards of morality against you. The Lebanese populace by and large already hate the Hizbollah - the Hizbollah have 23 seats (IIRC) out of 180 on the Parliament, but militarily control South Lebanon with the support of Syria and Iran.

    Actually, I think I'll post this more extensively as a post. Sorry to cut it short.

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  5. Your are Nice. And so is your site! Maybe you need some more pictures. Will return in the near future.
    »

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