July 16, 2004, Leaving the Asylum Is an Act of Insanity, Says Howard, Bush, Blair
The Philippines is pressing forward with its plans to pull out around 50 troops stationed in Iraq a few weeks early, in its efforts to stave off a threatened execution of Filipino truck driver Angelo de la Cruz, kidnapped by insurgents in Iraq and threatened with beheading if the Philippines did not remove its contingent from Iraq by the end of July.
The decision has been harshly criticized by Aussie PM John "Moe" Howard (who, if electoral opinion reflects general public opinion on the decision to join the ersatz "Coalition of the Billing", I mean "Willing", will soon be shown the door along with his other two senior partners, Tony "Larry" Blair and George W. "Curly" Bush). The warblogging contingent (which Tbogg refers to as "the 101st Fighting Keyboarders"-- man, Tom comes up with the best Cheneyin' stuff) put much stock in "the Coalition" to demonstrate that the Iraq fiasco is anything but an overwhelmingly American albatross. (As always, they can go Cheney themselves).
To tell you the truth, if you ask me, both Australia and New Zealand have kind of been overstepping their bounds as tourist attractions and sports-powers this week, as the Kiwis made news by arresting a couple of Israelis as spies (apparently, an alleged Mossad attempt to acquire New Zealand passports), followed unsurprisingly by an anti-semitic backlash, in this case desecration of a Jewish cemetary in New Zealand. To show you how small countries do business, the Israelis deal with New Zealand via their embassy at Canberra, Australia, and the New Zealanders deal with Israel via their embassy in Ankara, Turkey. (The United States showed the importance to which it holds the New Zealand relationship by sending the great Carol Moseley-Braun as our envoy there... ) Hopefully, they will work out their differences... the thought of New Zealand and Israel at war would be unthinkable... too many people laughing themselves to death...
What's the tie-in? Oh yes-- Israeli policy is, was, and will always be: "We do not negotiate with terrorists. Except at a macro level. Because Washington says we have to." The understanding of every Israeli (just about all of whom either are or have been in the military) is that if their nation give in to terrorist demands-- ever-- it will just encourage more kidnappings and other terror strikes, resulting in the deaths of more of their countrymen. This is sort of the position of the United States (except when it isn't).
But the Phillipines, which has its own problems with Islamist lunatics and kidnapping, especially in its Southern islands, has every right to play this any way they see fit-- and frankly should not be dictated to by terrorists and aggressors and war criminals-- like Messrs. Howard, Blair and Bush. It is a sovereign state free to make its own choices based on its own interests-- period. Enough life has been senselessly wasted in the Iraq folly: it was clearly a mistake for the Phillipines to send anyone, and this is becoming more obvious.
Sadly, the analogies to World War II (so dear to the 101st Fighting Keyboarders) all go the wrong way here: we made up a claim to invade, and then did it-- in this case of the War to Avenge Papa Bush TM, it wasn't the Axis of Evil TM that behaved like the WWII Axis powers...
Comments
But the Israelis DO negotiate with terrorists.
There have been any number of deals struck with hezbollah over the years exchanging Israeli held prisoners for kidnap victims (and even the bodies of Israeli dead).
Cutting a deal with groups that both Israel and the United States officially brand as "terrorist" is negotiating no matter how you look at it.
Posted by Steve at July 16, 2004 11:09 AM
Steve--
I SAID Israel DOES negotiate with terrorists at a "macro" level. Hizbollah is, for all intents and purposes, a joint project of the Syrian and Iranian governments (its even a legitimate political party in Lebanon, these days). Hizbollah wisely attacks-- very effectively-- military targets-- such as the former US Marine barracks in Beirut-- calculated to get maximum response (moreso than bus bombings in Haifa). So, IMHO-- I consider Hizbollah to be a "macro" case... although you are right to note an exception for this, in the sense that Washington doesn't mandate that Israel negotiate with Hizbolah-- Israeli public opinion does that.
You see, Israel is FAR MORE upset about attacks on its soldiers than on its civilians (don't ask me why-- it just is-- probably has to do with universal military service for boys and girls). Hizbollah knows this-- that's why ongoing attacks at Israeli TROOPS got Israel the Cheney OUT of Southern Lebanon, but ongoing murders of civilians (including and especially CHILDREN) inside of Israel proper don't seem to sway Israeli opinion at all-- indeed, it just makes Israel (for whatever reason) be even NASTIER in the West Bank and Gaza. (BTW-- I have NO DOUBT that Arafat, et al. KNOW that if they attack Israeli TROOPS IN UNIFORM, they are FAR more likely to get results, than by murdering children... keep that in mind given Hamas/Al Aqsa/Islamic Jihad's targets of choice...and yes, I AM asserting that they murder Jewish children for propaganda rather than tactical reasons-- if they wanted RESULTS they would launch attacks at Israeli TROOPS, as Hizbollah did in Southern Lebanon).
But yes-- its a BIG exception. Israel negotiates with terrorists. The United States most definitely negotiates with terrorists. Britain and Australia negotiate with terrorists.
All the more reason to shut the Cheney up as the Philippines desperately try to save one of their own.
Posted by the talking dog at July 16, 2004 12:24 PM
"Massive NE Electrical Grid Failure Planned For Democratic Convention"
There are many unverifiable rumors circulating that the GOP has planned for a massive power outage via Grid failure within hours before Kerry is to accept the nomination. The point is to make Kerry look "powerless" obviously. However, here in NYC, we sleep certain in the knowledge that the juice will flow in August.
Posted by Fatt Nudge at July 16, 2004 12:48 PM
I'm sorry, I should have been much more clear in my comment. You did indeed note that the Israelis negotiate on a macro level and I understood that when I drafted my poorly written response.
I agree with everything you wrote above but you'll recall that the most recent negotiations (and mass prison release) revolved around the disposition of an Israeli businessman (not a soldier) and, I believe, the remains of several dead IDF members.
Hezbollah was added to the State Department's list of terrorist organizations with an international reach in the days following 9/11 because of DIRECT lobbying by Ariel Sharon.
How releasing "terrorists" from Israeli jails in return for dead bodies makes Israel (or America) safer is lost on me.
As you correctly stated, we all negotiate with terrorists. It's the dirty little (not so) secret of international diplomacy.
Posted by Steve at July 16, 2004 01:15 PM
Interesting. Your post wasn't "poorly worded"-- it pointed out a glaring exception in my assertion-- Israel does WIDELY negotiate with CERTAIN terrorists-- regardless of whether Washington makes it. And as you said-- not just to get back live people, but for dead bodies, no less!
You'll note that my post expressed concern with desecration of Jewish graves in New Zealand. The Moslems and the Jews are really big on getting the dead in the ground-- hence, live terrorists are traded for dead soldiers. Its also a PR thing-- all around-- the PA gets to show it is getting results (terrorists released) and Israel shows its "merciful"-- and ITS getting results (its corpses back).
(Desecration of Jewish graves in the former Ottoman Empire, when the Jews emigrated to Israel from all over the Arab world-- are STILL a sore-spot.)
But why limit it to Jews and Moslems or Israelis, Steve? What did we kill in Fallujah-- 500? 1000? 2000 people?-- 99% of whom are inocent people, because corpses-- not people tortured to death, mind you-- but corpses already dead-- were "desecrated" and dragged through the streets?
Human beings are strange creatures-- but all the more stranger amidst all out hostilities... which is why such hostilities should NEVER-- as in NEVER--be entered, except for dire, unavoidable reasons.
But that's just me.
Posted by the talking dog at July 16, 2004 01:34 PM
Fatts, baby-- if that happens, I will be so fucking scared, I can't tell you...
Posted by the talking dog at July 16, 2004 01:35 PM
Aw, come on, TD, you know Fatt N was only kidding . . .
Posted by mamayo at July 16, 2004 02:30 PM
Thank you for maintaining such a great site. God bless you!
Posted by exploit mime gen b virus at July 28, 2004 10:39 PM
Thank you for maintaining such a great site. God bless you!
Posted by exploit mime gen b virus at July 28, 2004 10:39 PM
Thank you for maintaining such a great site. God bless you!
Posted by exploit mime gen b virus at July 28, 2004 10:39 PM
Thank you for maintaining such a great site. God bless you!
Posted by exploit mime gen b virus at July 28, 2004 10:39 PM
Nice site. Easy to use.
Posted by reality porn site at July 30, 2004 04:28 AM
Nice site Ever wonder how cigarettes are made? These are then cut to proper length for cigarettes. Filter-tipped brands have a double-length filter inserted between every two cigarettes; filters are sealed to the rods and then cut in half to produce two cigarettes, each one having a filter on one end.
Posted by cigarettes at August 3, 2004 09:10 AM
Most of them smoked cigarettes Save money on cheap cigarettes Cigarette smoking has been buy cigarettes. order cigarettes the most popular method of taking offer discount Camel cigarettes nicotine the year a report offer discount marlboro cigarettes that concluded that buy cigarettes. order cigarettes cigarettes and other Save money on cheap cigarettes forms of tobacco smoking cigs for all the Buy cigarettes and pack of smokes for you rolling tobacco would you like cigarettes with Free delivery of cigarettes years of smoking can cause cigarettes Chesterfield cigarettes bar talking with people Lucky Strike cigarettes Marlboro
Posted by cigarettes at August 4, 2004 10:19 AM
nice site i really like it http://www.a1-cheap-cigarettes.com
Posted by cheap cigarettes at August 5, 2004 11:13 AM
nice site i really like it http://www.my-discount-cigarettes.com
Posted by cheap cigarettes at August 6, 2004 09:13 AM
I am honored to drop a line here and say thank you for keeping this great site online.
Posted by muscle stories at August 7, 2004 08:59 AM
5450 You can buy viagra from this site :http://www.ed.greatnow.com
Posted by Viagra at August 7, 2004 04:49 PM
6645 Why is Texas holdem so darn popular all the sudden?
http://www.texas-holdem.greatnow.com
Posted by texas holdem at August 9, 2004 06:16 PM
4584 ok you can play online poker at this address : http://www.play-online-poker.greatnow.com
Posted by online poker at August 11, 2004 12:02 AM
3999 get cialis online from this site http://www.cialis.owns1.com
Posted by cialis at August 11, 2004 04:20 AM
Excellent site. Keep up the good work.
http://www.888-online-casino.biz
http://www.888-on-net.biz
Posted by online casino at August 14, 2004 03:23 AM
2561 Keep it up! Try Viagra once and youll see. http://viagra.levitra-i.com
Posted by buy viagra at August 14, 2004 12:35 PM
776 Get your online poker fix at http://www.onlinepoker-dot.com
Posted by poker at August 15, 2004 03:31 PM
5237 black jack is hot hot hot! get your blackjack at http://www.blackjack-dot.com
Posted by play blackjack at August 16, 2004 06:57 PM
2116 so theres Krankenversicherung and then there is
Krankenversicherung private and dont forget
Krankenversicherung gesetzlich and then again there is always beer
Posted by Krankenversicherung at August 17, 2004 03:43 PM
8014 Its great to experiance the awesome power of debt consolidation so hury and consolidate debt through http://www.debtconsolidation.greatnow.com pronto
Posted by debt consolidation at August 19, 2004 02:54 AM
227
http://www.exoticdvds.co.uk for
Adult DVD And Adult DVDS And Adult videos Thanks and dont forget Check out the diecast model
cars at http://www.diecastdot.com
Posted by Adult DVD at August 19, 2004 10:12 PM
Posted by viagra at 23.08. 2004 16:54:36 for http://www.viaga-viagra.greatnow.com
powered by car hire at http://www.car-hire.greatnow.com
and diecast model cars from http://www.diecast.greatnow.com
and Bulk Email from http://www.bulk-email.greatnow.com
and Bonds from http://www.bonds.greatnow.com
and Dating from http://www.1-dating.greatnow.com
and Credit Card from http://www.credit-card.greatnow.com
and Car Insurance from http://www.car-insurance.greatnow.com
and Card Games from http://www.card-games.greatnow.com
23.08. 2004 16:54:36
Posted by viagra at August 23, 2004 10:54 AM
Posted by viagra at 23.08. 2004 21:48:48 for http://www.viaga-viagra.greatnow.com
powered by car hire at http://www.car-hire.greatnow.com
and diecast model cars from http://www.diecast.greatnow.com
and Bulk Email from http://www.bulk-email.greatnow.com
and Bonds from http://www.bonds.greatnow.com
and Dating from http://www.1-dating.greatnow.com
and Credit Card from http://www.credit-card.greatnow.com
and Car Insurance from http://www.car-insurance.greatnow.com
and Card Games from http://www.card-games.greatnow.com
23.08. 2004 21:48:48
Posted by viagra at August 23, 2004 03:48 PM
2576 check out the hot blackjack at http://www.blackjack-p.com here you can play blackjack online all you want! So everyone ~SMURKLE~
Posted by blackjack at August 23, 2004 05:29 PM
7427 Herie http://blaja.web-cialis.com is online for all your black jack needs. We also have your blackjack needs met as well ;-)
Posted by blackjack at August 25, 2004 03:48 AM
6429 check out http://texhold.levitra-i.com for texas hold em online action boodrow
Posted by online texas hold em at August 26, 2004 01:25 AM
7151 Look at http://oncas.tramadol-web.com/
its the hizzy for online casino action any where!
Posted by online casino at August 27, 2004 12:45 PM