Israel and Hezbollah at war...

Apparently Israel and Hezbollah are in the beginning of a war with each other in southern Lebanon. As usual, much of the world is complaining that Israel is using excessive force against people who have openly stated that their primary goal in life is the destruction of Israel. I say this because Hezbollah is supported ideologically and financially by Iran, a nation whose prime minister has called for Israel to "be wiped off the map."

It would be fairly safe to say that this "war" is not just about the two soldiers Hezbollah has kidnapped. No, this is a retaliatory act for the terror that has been initiated against Israel for decades now. Appeasement has been tried time and time again. Suicide bombings were launched against Israel to get Israeli forces to withdrawal from Lebanon. Israel withdrew. The attacks continued. There are numerous other acts conducted by these anti-Israeli forces that could be mentioned, but lets get to the point. After a country's people endure neverending attacks at the hands of unapologetic aggressors, there comes a time when diplomacy needs to be thrown out the window and action needs to be taken. Why? Because diplomacy and appeasement do not work if the people who are attacking you will not comply with agreements or settle for anything less than your destruction.

Cessation of the violence in Lebanon and Israel would presumably be preferred by all, but for this to happen, those who agitate the peace process need to be eliminated. Hezbollah has proven that it's not interested in peacefully coexisting with Israel, thus Israel has begun military action for what it believes is necessary to protect itself from continuing terrorist attacks. An end to the current situation may be very difficult because, as US ambassodor John Bolton said today, "no one has explained how you conduct a ceasefire with a group of terrorists."

No "Bushitting" at G-8

I absolutely love hearing what is never supposed to be heard in politics or diplomacy, that being a man's honest (and politically incorrect) opinion. In the case I'm referring to, President Bush voiced his disgust with Syria in Hezbollah today at the G-8 Summit as follows:

"See the irony is that what they need to do is get Syria to get Hezbollah to stop doing this s--- and it's over," Bush told Blair as he chewed on a buttered roll.

I wish he'd say shit in this manner more often. It might not be PC, but at least people wouldn't think he was a stumbling idiot.