Letters to the Editor
Xanthro
Published Letters: 522 Editor's Choice: 47
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If you treat Jews or aJewish nation differently
[Read the article: Lebanon pays for Hezbollah's sins]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Then you are a Jew Hater.
What some of you object to is the fact that you treat Israel differently, and the only thing that differs it is a Jewish nation. Hence, you can't stand that and try to justify your unsupportable positions.
Any and everthing Israel does is seen in as negative light as possible, that's what makes you Jew haters, not that you object to any particular Israeli policy.
The fact is that a member of the Lebanon government attacked a nation, that they are AT WAR with. Lebanon and Israel are at war and have been for years. While an ceasefire was in effect, attacking Israeli soldiers and taking prisoners voids that ceasefire. Hence, war has started anew.
If people don't like wars perhaps they shouldn't start them.
As we speak, women and children and being raped and killed in the Sudan, for the crime of not being Islamic. Where's the western outrage over that? There isn't any, because it doesn't involve jews.
Today, over 40 Shia were taken from a bus and murdered in Iraq, yet all the anquish is against Israel, why, because it's ok if Muslim's kill Muslim's, but you all get twisted if a Jew kills a Muslim, even after said Muslim attacks said Jew.
Your position is immoral because it treats victims wholly based on WHO is the the attack, not that they are attacked.
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We don't Fund or arm Israel
[Read the article: Lebanon pays for Hezbollah's sins]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]"First of all, Israel is funded, armed, and diplomatically shielded by the US. As a US citizen and taxpayer, I am outraged that my government is supplying the bombs, aircraft and ships that are killing unarmed woman and children."
And all the braying to the contrary does not make it true.
While the US does provide AID to Israel, we provide aid to nearly every country. Do we arm Pakistan? Right now we are discussing them buying F-16s and providing the same type of loan guarantee that we provide Israel. We do the same for Saudia Arabia. Exacly how many Israeli's help hijack planes to attack the US? That's rigth none.
Our friendship with Israel does help reduce the violence, because it gives us the ability to pressure Israel into a lesser response.
Most countries would simply wipe out another country that attack them if they had the ability. Israeli tanks could be in Beruit right now if they wanted. Part of the reason why they are not, is because of US pressure.
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Inside Lebanon?
[Read the article: Lebanon pays for Hezbollah's sins]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]"Funny nowhere here or in any of our media we have mentioned Israel forces that were confronted were inside Lebanon, or maybe when Kofi Annan stressed that, attack on Israeli army took place inside Lebanon, was smoking some good stuff."
Perhaps you have misunderstand the facts, which are not even in dispute.
The initial attack was against a armored Humevee on partrol inside Israel. Three Israelis were killed in that attack, and two were captured.
Israel then sent troops across the border to try and capture the attacks. A tank hit a large mine and was destroyed. The crew of four were killed. The rescue effort to reach the tank also resulted in another Israeli death.
So four of the first seven deaths were inside Lebanon, but the first attack was against Israel inside Israel.
"It appears to me this is intentional provocation by Israel to achieve additional military goals. Suppose some US patriots killed and captured some Mexican soldiers inside Texas, who were part of an invading army, would you report this as a daring kidnapping?"
Since they were in Israel when first attacked, this point is moot.
"Would you write this long article about Lebanon paying for Hezbollah’s sins? Would you not mention what the real facts are? We are going to blast Fox news for laying we should live to higher standards ourselves. People living in glass houses should not throw stones."
Before ranting about the facts, you should verify that your interpretation of the facts is true. In this case you are mistaken.
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Religious Right
[Read the article: Area man mistakes Onion story for reality]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]This piece is indicative of the insular nature of the religious right. My guess is that Pete, like many others, received The Onion article in an email from another religious right person. I’ve seen many of these emails, and most appear to be either satire or urban legends. Checking the “facts” in the emails inevitably proves they are nothing but propaganda.
That saddest part is that otherwise intelligent people not only believe the letters, but some can’t even let go once it’s been shown to be false. Like Pete, they try and link the subject back to some real life event. I’ve heard, “but it could be true” so many times my eyes are sore from rolling.
The religious right is no longer concerned with veracity, they are only concerned with what they want to believe.
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Kinstp, Modern Lebanon has always had a Christian/Muslim government
[Read the article: Lebanon pays for Hezbollah's sins]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]This arrangement is not 14 months old, it predates the start of the civil war in 1975.
What's 14 months old is the current administration, which is anti-Syria, not the arrangement of government.
It appears you are unfamiliar with the nation's history. Many Christian militas were allied with Israel during the invasion and occupation, so the Christian leadership cannot be seen as too accomodating to Israel, as it threatens the fragile peace. Ironically, the Shia, originally welcomed Israel as they were depressed minority, and now they have greater national participation.
There are no questions to be asked loudly about Israel's response to the current government in Lebanon, had Hizbulla not attacked Israel and taken prisoners, we wouldn't be having this conversation because this article would never have been written.