Where were the planes, Penske?
 

And skimmed off the top. And bought Kofi's son a car.

Hamas
 

You misunderstand.

When I said the need to govern "will eventually force Hamas to moderate its policies" -- I meant that one as well.

As governors, they will be forced to deal with reality, including the reality that for their people to have a decent QOL or economy they _must_ cooperate with Israel. Fatah still has 40% plus of the parliamentary seats as the "loyal opposition", and I think that the bulk of the population as a whole don't want continued war.

Now Hamas will have to feed the poor, educate the masses, keep the lights on, collect the trash, keep the peace, etc. (Even much more than their prior chartiable endeavors.) That will take up lots of time and energy.

They will also learn that they are now a big, fat, static target -- not an "underground" movement, and that Israel is continuing to improve its defenses.

S_A_M

Hamas
 

Good luck. The first member of Hamas that suggests not destroying Israel will be destroyed himself.

Hamas
 

Odd that you predict the continued temper tantrum of a political organization when it gains political power in the state infrastructure.

History suggests that when such groups actually gain political power and have to start running shit instead of throwing rocks all day, some of the edges tend to smooth out.

Hamas
 

Maybe, and maybe only Nixon could go to China.

Sadat was assassinated by the Muslim Brotherhood a few years later, but Egypt and Israel remain at peace.

S_A_M

P.S. Or, Hamas gets voted out in the next election if they are lousy governors, and a revitalized Fatah movement resumes control. {Hey, it _could_ happen!}

Hamas
 

Like the House GOP in 2005 as opposed to 1991.

S_A_M

Hamas
 

and Israel could wipe out Egypt in 4 hours. And they have nuke.

Hamas
 

Tell that to the GOP

Hamas
 

If you're disagreeing with me, I'm not sure where you are taking this analogy.

Israel could wipe out the PA considerably more easily than it could wipe out Egypt, although the proximity would prevent the use of nuclear weapons.

That, plus the extreme poverty of the PA, plus the declining external financial support for the radical Palestinian enemies of Israel, is why, eventually, there will be peace.

Like Spanky said, Fatah didn't like Israel, they were just realistic that they couldn't destroy it. Hamas will come to same conclusion someday, which day will be hastened by Israeli and U.S. pressure, and the demands of governance.

After a generation or so of something approaching peace and (relative) prosperity, the pressures for conflict will begin to wane.

S_A_M

Hamas
 

Hey, the edges ARE smoother.

Doesn't mean they can run government worth a damn, but . . .

Hamas
 

I was suggesting that Egypt and Israel remain at peace, much like the Soviet Republics in the 70's remained at peace with Moskow.

Egypt doesn't really have a choice in the matter.

On that note, I've been suggesting for years that the Palestinians be given formal statehood, such that any further actions by their terrorists could be declared a formal act of international war, warranting swift and immediate reprisal by the Israeli army - driving these Arab gypsies "into the sea"

Hamas
 

Who's going to run it better? Ted Kennedy and the "filiblusters"?

Hamas
 

Ted would at least preside over less spending. The pork numbers the GOP has put up are so far beyond anything we have seen that I don't know how they look themselves in the mirror.

Ding, Dong, the Grey Lady is dead
 

Is Al Gore some other viable person?

Hamas
 

Newt?