is to assert a non-existent phenomenon and blame your opponents for it.

I think that's what's happening here. Since there's oodles of commentary on this Second Lebanese War of Israel's the question of why there is no commentary is logically vacuous.

- EOM

Bipartisan support for Israel.

Maybe the question is how does the US use Israel? What is in it for the USA? Does the US government feel sorry for Israel's people? Fat chance!

Think about Beirut and what it used to be like in the old days; long gone. If there were no Israel, then Egypt, Lebanon, and Jordan might have used the old Lebanon as part of a paradigm which might have joined together those countries years ago to create a vivacious and prosperous Middle Eastern culture. Then Syria, Iraq, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the other oil rich contries one-by-one might have opted into that and, well wait a minute, they would have their own market for their own oil and they might become a challenge to the US and European cultures in so many ways. The US keeps Israel there so that no Arab culture arises that will challenge the US for said culture's own oil. Israel claimed and uses the regional water resources and destabilize the neighbors so that nothing good can happen in the region. It is and has always been the US "using" Israel; not the other way around. It is simple Geopolitics. So here is one liberal opinion and I'm not bashing Israel; they are simply another puppet of US.

I don't see the anti Israel left attacking as much as rightwing blogs. Its also obvious Oxblog doesn't read here. I think we have proven that the various angles of this event can be discussed without letting venom rule.

What is Oxblog trying to say, that we're afraid to say positive things about Israel? Nice place, mostly nice people. Bit of a problem with belligerent neighbors. Probably they could handle things more amicably, if their rightwingers would put their military dicks back in their pants.

Same could be said of the belligerent neighbors, most of whom also are nice people, under more pleasant circumstances. Again, things would be better if their extremist leaders quit acting so belligerent.

Speaking of which, the biggest military dicks in the world are right here in America. Military Dick Cheney could use a few etiquette lessons, as could our military deserter president, George Bush. George could set a fine example by closing his mouth when he chews food, then showing a little respect for other countries' leaders, even ones he doesn't like, like Saddam Hussein.

Fine examples seldom emerge from the Bush administration, which seems to see every situation as a chance to slaughter people or bilk the US Treasury of more billions. Preferably both.

Too bad our allies are following suit in Lebanon, more fools they. But still, nice place, Israel, and mostly nice people. Mostly nice people in Beirut, too, but the place is taking a pounding. I really wish Israel would stop bombing Lebanon, because they're just creating another generation of people that will want revenge. That's not in the best interest of Israelis or any other people.

"Death before being dishonored any more." - Col. Ted Westhusing

Try to invoke to support for Israel's actions by inferring that supporters have been cowed into silence. State some blindingly stupid thesis and then challenge us to refute it. Sorry, no sale.

I don't support any country that indiscriminately bombs buildings with children unable to escape harm's way, blows up their parents driving the vegetable truck to market and then launches missiles at the ambulances that arrive to take them to the hospital. I don't support cluster bombing residential areas and then strafing those who come to collect the dead before the dogs feast on them.

My lack of support for Israel's actions have NOTHING to do with fear of being attacked here or elsewhere. There is NO justification for their actions, bi-partisan or otherwise.

If this is what it means to be an Israeli, I'm glad I'm not. It's bad enough to be an American these days and the laughing stock of the world under our current leadership. Waking up each day viewed as a war monger because of the Country of Origin on my passport is getting very old.