All Hank, all the time.

[taxwonk]

Originally posted by Sexual Harassment Panda
What do you do when the enemy is a civilian? Terrorists, insurgents, call them what you will, they don't wear uniforms.

These guys are ahead of us, because they know that the US (and Israeli) military are set up to fight other militaries. But they changed the rules. They don't wear uniforms, and no, they are not going to come out and fight like men. They are going to continue setting off roadside bombs and firing from mosques and using civilians as shields because - guess what - it works.

Now we have to adapt to that. We have to add a capability to wage war on a closer, more face to face level. We need to be fighting and winning hearts and minds wars, because just blowing people up on the off chance you'll hit an insurgent or Hezbollah is like using a hammer for brain surgery. And we have to do that while maintaining awareness of what distinguishes us from them.

We can start in Iraq by saying "Fuck the candy - we're handing out cheeseburgers and triple-chocolate milk shakes." Drop Shakira video collection DVDs from the air, and every kid under the age of 18 gets a Super Soaker. iPods for everyone. Drown 'em in American pop culture, and bring the troops home!

The enemy isn't a civilian, just because she isn't wearing a uniform. And you're right. Fighting an enemy like that has to be done face-to-face, so you can shoot the ones with guns an rockets and give the iPod or evacuate the ones who don't have guns and rockets.

I also don't think that handing out cheeseburgers or Shakira DVDs is the answer either.

The answer lies more in setting up kibbutzes in the Palestinian territories, digging wells, and keeping the warlords from appropriating the product. It also involves taking the IDF troops off the checkpoints, so that brother can visit brother.

It involves setting up courts to deal with discrimination on both sides, and building schools that teach people trades and give them opportunities. Young men who don't have jobs or schools to go to have nothing to do but hang out, get bitter, and serve as fodder for the Hamas recruiters.

If you're going to build a nation, you have to build as well as police. And if we aren't ready to spend the money to buy real peace, and live with the body counts until we get it, then we need to back the fuck off and get out of the Middle East entirely.

[Penske_Account]

Originally posted by Oliver_Wendell_Ramone
Playing Kiss covers, beautiful and stoned.

2.

[taxwonk]

Originally posted by sgtclub
Weren't you the one who wanted an international/US force to go into N. Israel/S. Lebanon?

I was. I suggested that it was the only possible solution, but my notion has been solidly rejected all around. Hence my saying that there is no peace and there won't be.

I'm sorry, my prior post was unclear.

[sebastian_dangerfield]

Originally posted by ironweed
My telephone ringin' it would not stop
It was President Kennedy callin' me up
He said "Bob whadda we need to make the country grow?"
I said "John - Brigid Bardot.
Anita Ekberg. Sophia Loren.
Country'll grow."

Well my telephone was ringing
And they told me it was Chairman Mao
Well my telephone was ringing
And they told me it was Chairman Mao
I don't care who it is
I just don't wanna talk to him now

[Penske_Account]

Originally posted by taxwonk

I also don't think that handing out.....Shakira DVDs is the answer either.

Why the Shakira hate?

[Penske_Account]

Originally posted by taxwonk
I was. I suggested that it was the only possible solution, but my notion has been solidly rejected all around. Hence my saying that there is no peace and there won't be.

I'm sorry, my prior post was unclear.

I am reading a good article in the WSJ now, reporting on the mood in Israel. Apparently even the left wing peaceniks are now turning hawks. As the former leader of one of the most vocal anti-occupation of Lebanon groups says it is now a matter of survival. Apparently 71% of Israel is now in favor of a more aggressive approach than the the IDF is currently taking and 48% want the total destruction of Hezbollah.

Good. Let them choose how to defend themselves. It is their survival, not ours. As a friend, I support them in what they need to do.

Go Israel, Go!

[Tyrone Slothrop]

Originally posted by Penske_Account
48% want the total destruction of Hezbollah.

(a) So do I. And I want a pony.

(b) What is wrong with the other 52%?

(c) One of Quiggan's points is that it's foolhardy to judge whether a war is a good idea by, e.g., taking a poll in a country fighting it.

[Penske_Account]

Originally posted by Tyrone Slothrop
(a) So do I. And I want a pony.

(b) What is wrong with the other 52%?

(c) One of Quiggan's points is that it's foolhardy to judge whether a war is a good idea by, e.g., taking a poll in a country fighting it.

A. Honestly, do you think the Israelis, who are have a nation that would, other than the agrression of its neighbours for the last 60 years, be a totally peaceful oasis of democracy in the ME, care what some dilettante candy arsed bloggers think when they are in the midst of fighting for the survival of their nation?

B. I think you need to look at the trend of numbers. the 48% is growing. Considering your opposition the 71% might be more of interest at present.

C. Quiggan? Who is this? Another bloggy dilettante?

[Tyrone Slothrop]

Originally posted by Penske_Account
A. Honestly, do you think the Israelis, who are have a nation that would, other than the agrression of its neighbours for the last 60 years, be a totally peaceful oasis of democracy in the ME, care what some dilettante candy arsed bloggers think when they are in the midst of fighting for the survival of their nation?

You either didn't read or didn't understand the post, which is more than two years old and not specifically about the Middle East.

B. I think you need to look at the trend of numbers. the 48% is growing. Considering your opposition the 71% might be more of interest at present.

OK. Whatever.

C. Quiggan? Who is this? Another bloggy dilettante?

The guy I quoted yesterday. I'm sorry if I'm taxing your ability to keep up.

[Penske_Account]

Originally posted by Tyrone Slothrop
You either didn't read or didn't understand the post, which is more than two years old and not specifically about the Middle East.



OK. Whatever.



The guy I quoted yesterday. I'm sorry if I'm taxing your ability to keep up.

A. I didn't read it. Sorry. I didn't want to muck up my preconceived notions. Do I get honesty points?

2. Whatever indeed!

iii. Ooops. I didn't read that one either. Who is he? Some guy down the hall from you? Your neighbour? Kos' protege?

[Tyrone Slothrop]

Originally posted by Penske_Account
A. I didn't read it. Sorry. I didn't want to muck up my preconceived notions. Do I get honesty points?

No, because the honesty came only after you get busted. It doesn't work when my son tries that either.

iii. Ooops. I didn't read that one either. Who is he? Some guy down the hall from you? Your neighbour? Kos' protege?

He's an Australian economist.

[Penske_Account]

Originally posted by Tyrone Slothrop
No, because the honesty came only after you get busted. It doesn't work when my son tries that either.

How come you gave Clinton so many passes for his lies?

Originally posted by Tyrone Slothrop



He's an Australian economist.

Australia? Third tier country. No offence.

[Tyrone Slothrop]

Originally posted by Penske_Account
How come you gave Clinton so many passes for his lies?

I don't recall giving him any passes for his lies.

Australia? Third tier country. No offence.

But a staunch friend of the United States, a member of the Coalition of the Willing, and an ally in the Global War on Terrorism.

[sgtclub]

Originally posted by taxwonk
The enemy isn't a civilian, just because she isn't wearing a uniform. And you're right. Fighting an enemy like that has to be done face-to-face, so you can shoot the ones with guns an rockets and give the iPod or evacuate the ones who don't have guns and rockets.

I also don't think that handing out cheeseburgers or Shakira DVDs is the answer either.

The answer lies more in setting up kibbutzes in the Palestinian territories, digging wells, and keeping the warlords from appropriating the product. It also involves taking the IDF troops off the checkpoints, so that brother can visit brother.

It involves setting up courts to deal with discrimination on both sides, and building schools that teach people trades and give them opportunities. Young men who don't have jobs or schools to go to have nothing to do but hang out, get bitter, and serve as fodder for the Hamas recruiters.

If you're going to build a nation, you have to build as well as police. And if we aren't ready to spend the money to buy real peace, and live with the body counts until we get it, then we need to back the fuck off and get out of the Middle East entirely.

You forgot "it takes singing Cum by Ya 3 times daily"

[sgtclub]

Originally posted by taxwonk
I was. I suggested that it was the only possible solution, but my notion has been solidly rejected all around. Hence my saying that there is no peace and there won't be.

I'm sorry, my prior post was unclear.

Right, to which I said that US lives should not be lost enforcing that peace.