Friday, July 14, 2006

Israel's remarks to the United Nations

Below are Israel's UN Ambassador Dan Gillerman's impassioned remarks this morning.(I highlighted the choice comments.)

Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, let me take you back to a warm summer's day in Beirut 32 years ago -- exactly this very significant day for you and your people -- the 14th of July, 1974. I want to describe the scene to you and to my Lebanese colleague. Cafes and bars bustling with young people, beaches filled with happy holiday-makers -- the Switzerland of the Middle East.

How different this scene is from the one on Beirut streets today, 32 years later. But this difference did not start this week or last year. The difference started only one year after the scene I just described, in 1975, when the Lebanese began their long dissent into oppression, depression and terror. This is a country that has been held hostage for more than 32 years by tyrants from the north and terrorists in the south, a country whose fun-loving, business-minded entrepreneurial and liberal population has been tormented by decades of oppression, sectarian strife, fundamentalist violence, religious conflict, Syrian control, political assassinations, terror, and full- fledged civil war...

In May 2000, Israel took the painful and politically difficult decision to fully withdraw from southern Lebanon, having been compelled a few years earlier to establish a security zone there in order to prevent terrorist attacks and rocket-shelling from Lebanon into Israeli towns and villages. This council acknowledged Israel's complete withdrawal from southern Lebanon and its full compliance with Security Council Resolution 425 in a presidential statement on June 18th, 2000.

This was Lebanon's moment of truth. Would its government look inward and free its people from the stranglehold of terror, or would it allow its territory to become a base from which Hezbollah terrorists would launch attacks against Israeli civilians.

Tragically, Mr. President, the Lebanese government chose the latter.

The Lebanese government got a second chance after the partial implementation of Security Council Resolution 1559, which resulted in the withdrawal of most Syrian forces from Lebanese territory. Again, this council and the entire world were waiting to see how Lebanon would respond to this historic opportunity. Yet again, unfortunately, the Lebanese government chose to succumb to terror rather than vanquish it, to let its southern region be occupied by terrorism rather than disarm it, and to relinquish control over its country rather than exercise its full sovereignty.

Seldom before has the description of a people as never missing an opportunity to miss an opportunity been so apt. Lebanon sadly did not heed the demands of the international community and did not obey the repeated resolutions of this aghast council. Today, sadly, the Lebanese people are burying the costs of this inaction and ineptitude.

Mr. President, two days ago Hezbollah terrorists, operating with impunity in southern Lebanon, unleashed a sudden and unprovoked attack into Israeli territory. Scores of Katyusha rockets rained down on Israeli towns and villages, causing many civilian casualties. In the midst of this horrific assault, Hezbollah terrorists infiltrated Israel, killing a number of soldiers and kidnapping two more, who were taken deep into the terrorist stronghold of southern Lebanon. Israel had no choice but to react, as would indeed any other responsible, democratic government.

Having shown unparalleled restraint for six years while bearing the brunt of countless attacks, Israel had to respond to this absolutely unprovoked assault, whose scale and depth was unprecedented in recent years.

Let me emphasize this indisputable fact -- Israel's actions were in direct response to an act of war from Lebanon. Although Israel holds the government of Lebanon responsible, it is concentrating its response carefully, mainly on Hezbollah strongholds, positions and infrastructure.

The hundreds of Katyusha rockets fired from Lebanon in the last few days demonstrate the magnitude of the immense arsenal of rockets and weapons that Hezbollah has amassed over the last few years, a danger we have repeatedly warned against. Many of the long-range missiles that have hit Israeli towns, including Nahariya, Safed, Rosh Pina, and the port city of Haifa, were launched from private homes, with families residing inside, where a special room was designated as a launching pad, with a family playing host to the missile. This is yet another example of the cynical and brutal way the Hezbollah organization uses civilians as human shields, with complete disregard for human life.

Mr. President, over the last 48 hours, more than 500 Katyushas and mortar shells were fired into the northern part of Israel, killing two civilians and wounding hundreds more, among them women and children. Israeli civilians and eight soldiers have been killed, hundreds have been wounded.

It is very important for the international community to understand that while Hezbollah executes this vicious terrorism, it is merely the finger on the bloodstained, long-reaching arms of Syria and Iran. Hezbollah, together with Hamas, Syria and Iran, comprise the world's new and ominous axis of terror, an infamous club -- infamous club, the entry fee to which is the blood of innocents and the terrorizing of the entire world.

Membership to this club requires an unfathomable capacity for evil. The president of Iran has repeatedly denied the Holocaust, while gleefully preparing the next one. Many of the long-range missiles fired into Israel in recent days were Iranian missiles, made by the same regime that is now trying to possess nuclear weapons, the same region that is funding Hezbollah to the sum of $100 million a year.

Do we dare to ask ourselves how many families in Lebanon today are being prepared to house dirty bombs and other weapons of mass destruction courtesy of Iran?

Syria, another member of this club, is a well-known protector and financier of terrorist organizations, playing host to them in its capital, Damascus. The Syrian government, which still regards Lebanon as "southern Syria," works ceaselessly to undermine all efforts towards a peaceful future in the region.

Lebanon is today occupied by terror, whether in the south, where it is directed at Israel, or in Beirut, where it kills opponents of Syria and former prime ministers. The real occupying power in Lebanon is terror, terror instigated by Hezbollah, but initiated, funded and perpetrated by Syria and Iran.

The Lebanese government, having missed so many chances in the past, at such a horrendous cost to its people, today has another chance to free itself from the stranglehold of terror, another chance, Mr. President, to release itself from the evil control of Syria and the deadly influence of Iran, and deploy its forces in the south, exercising its sovereignty over a free Lebanon.

Mr. President, there are words that speak far louder and clearer than anything I can voice today. These are voices of Lebanese -- brave, patriotic Lebanese parliamentarians and ministers who, just over the last two days, have cried out to all of us from the brink of the abyss in their beloved country. Let me quote some of these courageous statements to you.

The words of Lebanon's communications minister, Mr. Marwan Hamadeh, only yesterday saying that -- and I quote -- "Damascus gives the orders, Iran supplies the equipment, Israel reacts, and Lebanon is the victim."

Or the words of Alias Attala (sp), a Lebanese politician representing the majority of its parliamentary members, and I quote, "We welcome any Arab and international support, but strongly oppose any enforced involvement of Lebanon by regional players' considerations" -- a reference to Syria and Iran -- "that are not within the interests of the Lebanese people, for the sole attempt to achieve opportunistic benefits at the expense of the Lebanese people. The Syrian regime indulges itself in teaching Lebanon and Palestine lessons according to its own interests through these peoples. Why do those who always protect their regime express understanding of its reasons and preferences and do not express any understanding of Lebanon's reasons and preferences?"

Or the words of an unnamed Lebanese minister who said, again only yesterday, and I quote, "The Hezbollah has not only kidnapped two Israeli soldiers, it has taken the whole of Lebanon hostage," end quote.

Mr. President, with your permission I would like to make a personal appeal to my esteemed Lebanese colleague.

Your Excellency, you know deep down that if you could you would add your own brave voice to those voices of your brave compatriots and colleagues. You know deep in your heart that if you could you would be sitting here right next to me right now because you know that we are doing the right thing, and that if we succeed, Lebanon will be the beneficiary. And I believe that most members around this table, as well as many in this chamber, including our neighbors, realize this reality.

Mr. President, this council and the international community have a duty today to help the Lebanese people achieve the goal of a free, prosperous, democratic Lebanon. The sad and tormented life of this war-torn land has today entered another sad chapter in its history. It is up to every one of us to help right this chapter to ensure that this opportunity is seized not only for the benefit of the Lebanese and Israeli people, but for the sake of generations to come.

Thank you, Mr. President.


Vox's Den: Go to hell Nasrallah

Vox's Den: Go to hell Nasrallah

A Lebanese voice that complains:

The real tragedy is that there’s only one Hezbollah thug killed until now; meanwhile 60 innocent civilians are lying on the ground. These fanatics justified their existence by pretending that they defended Lebanon against Israel. They are now hiding behind (and under) the civilians they claim to defend. Who’s defending whom exactly?

Bad Math

Under the AP headline, "Most Americans Plan to Vote for Democrats"

The first paragraph is misleading, almost to the point of lying.

Republicans are in jeopardy of losing their grip on Congress in November. With
less than four months to the midterm elections, the latest Associated Press-Ipsos poll found that Americans by an almost 3-to-1 margin hold the GOP-controlled Congress in low regard and profess a desire to see Democrats wrest control after a dozen
years of Republican rule.


The poll numbers do not support the 3-1 claim. Yes,
only 27 percent approved of the way Congress is doing its job. Lawmakers get
favorable marks from 36 percent of conservatives, 28 percent of moderates and 17
percent of liberals.


But that 3-1 margin is not how many want to see Democrats control Congress.

The AP-Ipsos survey asked 789 registered voters if the election for the House
were held today, would they vote for the Democratic or Republican candidate in
their district. Democrats were favored 51 percent to 40 percent.
Democrats also held the advantage among persuadable voters _ those who are
undecided or wouldn't say whom they prefer. A total of 51 percent said they
were leaning Democrat, while 41 percent were leaning Republican.


One bright spot for the GOP is that Republicans hold an advantage over
Democrats on issues such as foreign policy and fighting terrorism _ 43
percent to 33 percent _ and a smaller edge on handling Iraq _ 36 percent to
32 percent.

The poll of adults had a margin of error of 3 percentage points and the
survey of registered voters had a margin of error of 3.5 percentage points.

Sword in the Sky

Normally, I don't care about decorative cloud formations, but with the Israelis at war..

This morning on my drive into work, I spotted an unusual cloud formation.
A Sword.
Long, pointed blade, with a hilt, a handle, and a knob on the end.

Thursday, July 13, 2006

I support Israel

Make no mistake,
I support Israel's right to self-defense.

The Israelis have sufferred terror attacks .
Thousands of innocent men, women, and children have been killed/maimed/wounded.
Their attackers hide behind the innocent Palestinian men,women, and especially children.
These attackers only goal is the total destruction of Israel and the death of all its people.

But the time has come for the Israelis to strike back,
and the rest of the world,
will be better off, if they stay out of it.

Let Israel settle this directly with Hamas and Hizbollah. and with Syria and Iran if need be.


The Civilized world SHOULD support Israel against these barbaric attacks.
The Civilized world SHOULD oppose all assaults on innocent men, women, and children.
The Civilized world SHOULD not support those who use human shields.


But the dhimmis in Europe will soon be out in force supporting the terrorists. Because the dhimmis in Europe are too stupid to realize that they are next, unless the terrorist are stopped now, this war will move to the streets of Europe. The dhimmis are to dumb to realize that these Islamic terrorists hate the Western culture, they intend to replace it with their 7th century culture of human torture.

W A R

Israel is at War with both Hamas and Lebanon.

I pray that the innocents will be safe.

The fear is that this will spread.
Will Syria move in to 'protect' Lebanon?
Was that the plan all along, was this a move so Syria could 'protect' Lebanon by moving back in?


Will Iran make an effort to assist the terrorists?

Will North Korea do something even crazier than testing missiles?

Will the US have to send another division to South Korea and an additional division to Mid-East at the same time?

Will these kidnappings of Israeli Soldiers be the spark that lits open warfare here in WW4?

Monday, July 10, 2006

A Daily Briefing on Iran: Atomic secrets: The man, who knew too much

A Daily Briefing on Iran: Atomic secrets: The man, who knew too much

When Baradei went to Tehran in April for consultations, the chief negotiator of the Shiite theocracy, Ali Larijani gave him an ultimatum to fire Chris Charlier.

He did. Because Mr Charlier thinks Iran is building a bomb, and he should know, he has been inspecting Iran since 2003.

Poem by Audie Murphy

Alone and far removed from earthly care
The noble ruins of men lie buried here.
You were strong men, good men.
Endowed with youth and much the will to live
I hear no protest from the mute lips of the dead.
They rest; there is more to give.
So long my comrades,
Sleep ye where you fell upon the field.
But tread softly please
March o'er my heart with ease
March on and on,
But to G-d alone we kneel.


Audie Murphy

Sunday, July 09, 2006

Body Armor


Cox and Forkum strikes again, go read the whole thing.