As reported by Al Jazeera a few minutes ago (my paraphrases and interpolations)... What was cautious optimism this afternoon that an interim ceasefire would be hammered together in Egypt Wednesday for consideration and approval on Thursday by Israel, with implementation by Friday has fallen apart. Hamas may or may not have been agreeable, but according to news this evening, Israel absolutely rejects any interim ceasefire and continues to demand that all its requirements be met prior to any ceasefire in Gaza; in addition to Israeli intransigence, the Arab nations are in disarray and divided over whether to advocate or support an immediate ceasefire. Egypt and Saudi Arabia will not attend an Arab League meeting in Doha on Friday where the issue of Palestine and an immediate ceasefire will be front and center. Egypt and Saudi Arabia are key Arab players in the questions over Palestine, and the meeting cannot reach any sort of consensus regarding Palestine and a ceasefire without their participation. Meanwhile an Arab Economic Summit scheduled for next week in Kuwait will only deal with the "Palestine Question" on the margins, and it is not expected to come to any consensus, either.

Oh well. Carry on fighting, I guess.

1035 Dead, 4750 Wounded.

...a cage match.

Steele vs. Electro.

Full contact. No holds barred.

Elephantdung wrote:

I always have a hard time understanding why the left-wing finds it convenient, or useful, to make common cause with groups like Hamas.

That's because you only understand things in terms of Left and Right, which of course, impedes your ability to actually think and understand issues of any complexity at all, at least beyond the level of your everyday "dittohead."

Hamas shares none of Glenn Greenwald's values except, possibly, an opposition to all manner of things that relate to American national economic and security interests.

It's neat to know you're an expert on the inner thoughts and policy positions of a collective group of people you've never spoken or communicated with. Good stuff.

You'd sort of think, with all of Glenn's preaching of the rule of law, on civil rights and a free press, and on modern social values, that he'd regard Hamas as one of the most evil institutions in the modern world. I guess he must still reserve his deepest antipathy for his domestic politcal enemies: Republicans, conservatives and American national security advocates.

More proof you are unable to think beyond the tightly bound and boiled down rationalizations you keep an iron-clad grip on in order to make yourself feel better about the things being done by and/or with the help of this country to others "in the name of freedom and Democracy."

Top shelf analysis, Dungman. Top shelf. You may now return to the Sean Hannity Myopic Circle Jerk already in progress....

Some people only learn the hard way.

And some, like you, are incapable of learning.

Your moronic and sadistic statements are proof that you didn't learn anything at church. You do attend, don't you?

I hope your God exists and tosses your ass into that lake o' fire, or maybe a lake of white phosphorus. heh.

If there was any shadow of doubt that Israel will face a nuclear attack from "terrorists" this latest "event" should remove all doubt.

The only question is whether the seeds that they have sown will bear first fruit in the US, or in Israel itself.

Regardless of what happens in Syria or Iran, there should be little doubt that the focus now will be on gaining control of the Pakistani nukes, and then the die is cast........

Its pretty obvious Steele is just a bigot out to smear the comments section.

RE: your great and prescient ability to see into the minds of Hamas and GG--Can you also please tell us all why God causes tornados and train wrecks? The Crash Test Dummies asked this question awhile back, but I don't think they ever got an answer. Of course, they didn't know you at the time, either, I imagine...

A ceasefire? That would contradict the big plan for the next stage, no?

Speaking of Al Jazeera, they have David Frum and Grover Norquist on right now. This should be interesting.

But then what should Israel do?,,,/i>

How about abide by some of the UN resolutions. Like pulling back to the pre 1967 borders for a start.

I can't get Al-Jazeera english on my satellite TV provider. Because the media is controlled by Arab Muslims.

http://livestation.com/

I noticed Elephantman's post this morning but passed by, as I was at work. Intercooler quotes him like this:

I always have a hard time understanding why the left-wing finds it convenient, or useful, to make common cause with groups like Hamas.

I have a different take on this.

Remember how the ACLU backed Oliver North? The NAZI party? Various and sundry churches and religious groups over the years?

It is possible to take a stand, on principle, without approving of the behavior of every actor involved in a dispute.

I am one of the many who is very critical of Israel's behavior, in Gaza recently, and in many ways in general.

I am an atheist. I have no sympathy with anyone's religious claims, whether they be claims on land, on morality, on tradition, or anything else. I am equally dismissive of Jewish, Christian, and Muslim claims about land being "holy".

My opposition to Israel's current onslaught has to do with my sympathy as a human to ALL who suffer in this tortured part of the world.

Both Israelis and Palestinians and the people in Gaza have the right to defend themselves and a legitimate hope to live in peace. Nothing that is going on now seems likely to do anything but add to the sum total of human misery.

I find Hamas to be contemptible - but so what. Their justifications are hard to distinguish from those with whom they are locked in mortal combat.

I would love to see my own country adopt the role of a strong and honest broker.

Glenn,

You wrote: “It shouldn't be the case -- but it is -- that Americans fund, arm and enable Israel's wars.” This comment conflates offensive and defensive wars, seeming to imply that Israel has only ever been an aggressor in its military conflicts. I do not believe this is true. You might wish to amend this comment accordingly. Thanks.