Their (i.e., the hard-core 20% Bush followers ed.) refusal to recognize reality is precisely what is going to ensure their destruction as a political movement -- GG

A question to ask is whether the "hard-core 20%" of the Republican party represents the majority position within the Republican party. As much as I tend to believe that the Republican party is corrupt to its core, there are still examples of individual integrity within the party that shine brightly, especially where regard for the rule of law as expressed in the Constitution is concerned.

If the hard-core 20% represents the majority position within the Republican party, then there is no hope and the sooner Republicans are removed from any form of political dominance, the better. If, on the other hand, the Republican party can find the means and discipline to bring people of integrity (like David Iglesias) into positions of leadership, the Republican Party may have a future.

Five years ago I met an academic who specialized in the Holocaust. Although I thought I knew as much about the History of Israel as any moderately educated American, I had a lot to learn. I learned about the Likud party and AIPAC. I went to the online Truman archives and learned about the British occupation, the Revisionist Zionist movement, the Stern Gang, and the background of U.N. and U.S. involvement in the formation and recognition of the state of Israel. I followed the path of Israel's wars from 1948 to the present.

I do not debate the question of whether or not Israel has a right to continue to exist as a nation. It does. I cannot think of a single nation in recent history that did not come into existence without war, the United States included. Regardless of the circumstances surrounding its formation, Israel is a sovereign nation and has the right to exist.

Israel's relationship to its Arab neighbors is a separate matter entirely. Israel is surrounded on all sides by enemies and potential enemies. Israel has not helped the situation, but has in many cases made it much worse through its treatment of the Palistinians.

A nuclear weapon in the hands of a terrorist faction could ignite another holocaust, not only for Israel, but for the entire Middle East.

The bottom line is this. Israel is at risk and has no choice but to exist in a state of reality. Reality is a matter of survival for Israel. That is why we see this report. That is why it is available for the world to read. To show us that Israel is not an automaton, but a functioning democracy.

What some Americans are starting to realize is that reality is fast becoming a matter of survival for America. If not our sovereignty, most certainly our freedom and rule of law is at great risk. The only way for America to survive is to engage in a constant assessment of its problems, opportunities and goals. To do otherwise is to guarantee our failure as a democracy.

At some point, Israel must make peace with its neighbors if it is to survive. It's military and nuclear weapons will not save it. Peace and prosperity will.

The same holds true for America.

That is reality.

Yeah. The Washington Post is a conservative screed machine all right and Hiatt seems to be its guiding light. I only hope News Corp. (ie., Murdoch) doesn't make "an offer you can't refuse" for Salon the way he did for the Village Voice and MySpace (Wow. Can you believe it? Fox News on MySpace).