""One of the most dangerous features of the joint Israeli/AIPAC/US/WINEP policy toward the "question" of Palestine has been the "dangerous illusion" that the Palestinians (and, indeed all the Middle Eastern peoples) are a bit like malicious children who can be coaxed, cajoled or manipulated into doing whatever the "grownups" want them to do."

Yeah well, it takes one to know one, doesn't it?

"Good job with Obama, Israel! He will never, never trust you, and I wouldn't be surprised if he holds a grudge for the timing and methods of the attack, and the total lack of respect you show for his incoming administration."

Ooo, that would be nice. If I were in his shoes I wouldn't let the fuckers forget it in a hurry. I'd make them jump through hoops for every last red cent of subsidy that they wanted from me. And if there were any threats of assassination, I'd use William Kristol as body armour.

Mac, I am reading a book about Indian history called "Vishnu's Crowded Temple" by Maria Misra. Do you know of it?

Do you know or have you heard whether or what particular ax she may be grinding. The book is certainly instructive about how Britian exploited India's religious differences into great divisions which they could exploit.

"Americans heard all the same crap, from exactly the same people, as they did at the beginning of the Wat on Iraq

Say, I like the term! So when did that happen then?

Obama is not a fool. I can't see him saying much at all until he and his family is safely behind the White House security wall. And it may be longer still, because Obama has the awful, disheartening task of somehow trying to determine if the Secret Service will be committed to protecting, not just the President, but this particular President.

Could it be anymore obvious that Israel wanted to make the assault now, because they doubt Obama will give them the kind of carte blanche and support that Bush has?

And I hope he fully meets their expectations.

Yes my friend, Obama is not a man who can throw caution to the wind. But here is one that does, Robert Fisk. He's a good man and journalist and I've just found this:

ALTERNATIVE RADIO

War Reporting -- Robert Fisk

State-organized muzzling of the media began with the American invasion of Grenada in 1983, then came Panama in 1989. Two years later, by the time the First Gulf War came around, the White House and the Pentagon had an iron grip on the free press. What's curious is that with few exceptions how willing the reporters went along with being restricted and controlled. They had become virtual prisoners of handouts and press conferences. By 2003 it was game over. With the attack on Iraq a new term is coined: embedded. Washington didn't want journalists roaming around in a war zone off a leash and filing copy. The press corps has effectively become a press corpse delivering a highly sanitized view of war loaded with blather and palaver. And we the citizens of a democratic society are rendered deaf and dumb.

Every Wednesday at 10am Pacific - 1pm Eastern - 18:00 GMT

http://noliesradio.org/

From the article Feet referenced. But naturally, didn't link.

http://www.commentarymagazine.com/blogs/index.php/greenwald/48871?cp=3

It matters not that Israel called innocent Gazans and urged them to leave in advance of the ground fighting or that it facilitated the exit of visitors to Gaza — the Jewish state might as well write off any hope of earning the world’s compassion. But sympathy constitutes the less important half of Israel’s PR goal. It is far more important to the country’s existence that Israelis preserve - It matters not that Israel called innocent Gazans and urged them to leave in advance of the ground fighting or that it facilitated the exit of visitors to Gaza — the Jewish state might as well write off any hope of earning the world’s compassion. But sympathy constitutes the less important half of Israel’s PR goal. It is far more important to the country’s existence that Israelis preserve - in fact, reclaim - their reputation as the most formidable fighting force in the region. This is an attainable objective, but it will only be demonstrable when the smoke clears. And then, only with the showcasing of quantifiable evidence This is an attainable objective, but it will only be demonstrable when the smoke clears. And then, only with the showcasing of quantifiable evidence

So Israel is going to let the world's journalists into Gaza, to show "in fact, reclaim - their reputation as the most formidable fighting force in the region" The dead Gazan women and children should really do that job, huh? "And then, only with the showcasing of quantifiable evidence"

Oh, don't worry, we are seeing that in the papers and on the web.

They are insane, those Israelis. Me-fucking-shuggana!

do you think Israel might have picked on Hamas and hence Gaza in order to reclaim some kudos that they lost having had their ass spanked by Hezbollah in Lebanon?

No, I haven't read Vishnu's Crowded Temple, nor seen any discussion on it. Will post if I find anything.

Like I said, I'll be damned if I know why Zionists do any of the crazy shit they do. Let's just say they hardly ever dissapoint me.

I'm more interested in things like this:

http://www.sources.com/Releases/NR135.htm

A diverse group of Jewish Canadian women are currently occupying the Israeli consulate at 180 Bloor Street West in Toronto. This action is in protest against the on-going Israeli assault on the people of Gaza.

The group is carrying out this occupation in solidarity with the 1.5 million people of Gaza and to ensure that Jewish voices against the massacre in Gaza are being heard. They are demanding that Israel end its military assault and lift the 18-month siege on the Gaza Strip to allow humanitarian aid into the territory

The group includes: Judy Rebick, professor; Judith Deutsch, psychoanalyst and president of Science for Peace; B.H. Yael, filmmaker; Smadar Carmon, an Canadian Israeli peace activist and others.

And in about, oh, 13 days, no more Bush! And the Israelis are trying their hardest to forfeit whatever sympathy they can expect from Obama.