Nobody is ignoring the rockets. The rockets are a real issue that need to be addressed. Fifteen deaths and four hundred wounded is not something that can just be dismissed. I don't think anyone is arguing that.

I want to know how an aerial attack and invasion - planned well in advance - is supposed to do anything about the rockets. There will continue to be Qassams as long as there are people to build them and someone to fire them. The only military solution to Qassams is to kill everyone in Gaza.

This is not about the damn rockets.

I'm sorry, but sheesh. The stupid was just chapping my ass, already.

I acknowledge completely Glenn's prerogatives. It is his site. It's a distraction to monitor, and some cases, delete various posts. He shouldn't have to do it, because in his work here, which I respect enormously, it's an unnecessary distraction, taking time from the good work he does here.

All commenters should exercise discretion: "suit the action to the word, the word to the action" - "brevity is the soul of wit."

That is any writer's responsibility.

Still, Pedinska, some others, and me are partial to bop; and, he has a history (some of which I share) which makes us feel for him, and wish the best for him. And, he is in some distress right now, as Pedinska can attest; but not in such distress that a bit of time and some empathy - including from these quarters - might help alleviate.

As for klytus, I am barely aware of him, except to say he seemed to be baiting, even competing, with bop. And bop might have gotten confused technically, which seems to be what he was saying earlier today.

I think some poetry, some verse, is a good salve for the tough debate that sometimes occurs here.

As far as that goes, I think bop had the better stuff.

Thanks.

Israel left Gaza in 2005, giving Palestinians the chance to run their own lives. Despite this, more than 6300 rockets and mortars have been fired into Israel since then. During the past year alone, more than 3000 rockets and mortars have been launched into Israel. Shouldn't that be included as well; where are journalists on that score?

-- katopotato

If they had left the Palestinians to run their own lives, we might not be having this problem today, but they didn't.

Since they withdrew their forces, they have continued to blockade Gaza by tightly controlling its borders and not allowing people, goods or materials to either come into or leave Gaza freely - even though one of Gaza's borders does not touch Israel territory.

I asked this question earlier and no one answered it so I'll keep asking it until someone takes a stab at it...

What would Israel be doing now if the launching point of those rockets was not Gaza, but the occupied West Bank?

Do you believe they would be somewhat more circumspect in their approach?

If so, why?

Don't take it personally. I don't understand it, and don't like it. I have no quarrell with whoever you are (and no idea who you are or what you think).

This is just wrong. I wrote this to someone else, so I'll just paste it here. Really, don't you think you should read the paper from time to time? None of this is a secret.

"Israel redeployed its forces from Gaza unilaterally; that means that they have no rights or obligations concerning that withdrawal. Israel has stated quite clearly that they reserve the right to re-occupy whenever they see fit. Additionally, Israel controls Gaza's foreign policy, its economic and trade policy, its trade and exchange, its power supply, and its import and export routes."

Morevover, Isreal reserves the right to fly over Gazan airspace, monitor Gazan communications and restrict and control travel in and out of Gaza.

I don't see how you could have any information about the current situation, without knowing these basic facts. You're just ignorant.

The host made a reasonable request. Some here defended you. And then you were just rude.

WTH?

I'm sorry you felt you had to do that. It's a shame.

For the people who love to be off-topic and read poetry that possesses sageiness(sic) and then provide comments that are rife with satire and sarcasm and irony, then I believe they have the option to start their own blog, as Glenn suggests.

What's wrong with satire and sarcasm and irony?

Israel left Gaza in 2005, giving Palestinians the chance to run their own lives. Despite this, more than 6300 rockets and mortars have been fired into Israel since then. During the past year alone, more than 3000 rockets and mortars have been launched into Israel. Shouldn't that be included as well; where are journalists on that score?

Wow, well-said, to Glenn Greenwald's critique of the Gregory "interview." I felt EXACTLY the same way when I was listening to it, wondering when Gregory would ask some tough questions of the Iraeli foreign minister. I, too, have reservations about journalists, who let Bush run wild and unchecked with his wars and rights infringements for the last eight years, lead news shows. Just like needing change from politicians, some new journalism faces would be welcome. Tough questions for important stories don't mean lame questions for superficial headlines, either. Like confusing what someone's pastor says as news, while Guantanamo prison remained a shameful presence in U.S. history. Bring forth the journalists who occasionally thumb through, for example, Project Censored's lists.

Such thinking is the product of a small, cramped mind and indicates some serious personality problems, too.

-- Clapham

I don't usually post this internet acronym, but for that comment, what the hell:

LOL!

I find this stuff annoying from whomever the poster.

Many of our nation's most grizzled super-tough-guy cheerleader/warriors -- the ones who insatiably crave those sensations of vicarious power from play-acting the role of warriors from a nice, safe distance ...

What utter nonsense. How in the world do you know what goes through these people's minds? This is presumptuous claptrap all too typical of Mr. Greenwald, to wit, assuming bad motives in people he disagrees with. In Greenwald's mind, they can't just be wrong or mistaken; they must be also craven and evil.

Such thinking is the product of a small, cramped mind and indicates some serious personality problems, too.