January 04, 2006
This is very bad
CNN.com - Israeli prime minister hospitalized - Jan 4, 2006
He appears to have had "a significant stroke". Powers have been transferred to the deputy PM. I have had some harsh words for Sharon in the past, but he's all Israel has, the only person with the real leadership stature. He's also the only man who seems likely to break the influence of the religious parties that have distorted Israeli politics, and the man with the best chance of making any sort of real peace.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 03:42 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
December 18, 2005
Oh, boy
CNN.com - Sharon taken to hospital - Dec 18, 2005
He had a stroke, which can't be a surprise since he's 77 years old and overweight. He's described as "conscious but confused".
Posted by Mac Thomason at 01:02 PM | Comments (4) | TrackBack
November 10, 2005
Well, that's settled
Jordanian, Israeli municipalities join sister cities pact
Now that Birmingham Mayor Bernard Kincaid has brought peace to the Middle East, he can go back to working on the dome.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 08:17 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
September 09, 2005
Holder of fixed election dismayed at low turnout
CNN.com - Mubarak declared winner of Egypt election - Sep 9, 2005
Boy, what a surprise, huh? A dictator who controls all facets of Egyptian government and life won 88.6 percent of the vote. And a lot of people saw no reason to vote at all.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 01:55 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
April 19, 2005
Because Mac hasn't ranted in a while...
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/19/international/middleeast/19westbank.html
I love the Jews.
Yes, the Palestinians have some legitimate gripes. And no, Israel should not be immune from legitimate criticism.
But still, I love the Jews.
Just try and wrap your mind around the entirety of Jewish history. Just try. Since the beginning of recorded history, no people have been as universally loathed, as hated, as despised as the Jews.
They have faced famine, pestilence, war so many times over that it should have killed them thousands of years ago.
And yet, the Jews survive.
Through pogroms, exiles, forced conversions, inquisitions, Holocausts, not only have the Jewish people survived, they've flourished.
The Persians, the Babylonians, the Romans, the czars, the Inquisitors, they've all faded away into the pages of history.
And yet, the Jews survive.
After all of it, all of the pain, all of the agony, this extraordinary group of people managed, one day, to finally end next year in Jerusalem. They had their state, in a harsh and unforgiving climate, surrounded by a dozen larger, more powerful nations, all anxious to see the death of the new Israel.
But this state, born the child of Death and War, became an oasis in the desert. A real oasis in an actual desert, yes, but more than that, Israel became an island of free thought and tolerance in an ocean of brutal repression.
If there is one group of people on Earth who has earned the right to be bitter, hateful, murderous thugs, it is the Jews. After the horrors of the past, one would have expected this new Israel to be a police state, a militaristic state with imperial ambitions.
But instead of indulging in the hate she had so rightfully earned, Israel turned to compassion. This is the country that took in the survivors of Beslan, treated them with love and sympathy. Why? Because if anyone understands the pain that comes from terrorism, it is the Israelis.
I love the Jews.
-Andrew, guest poster
Posted by at 04:46 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
November 29, 2004
Damn you, rain!
al.com: NewsFlash - Alabama public health officials close shellfish growing waters
Heavy bacteria contamination was caused by recent heavy rainfall. Into the ocean. Huh.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 12:33 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
November 11, 2004
Finally
CNN.com - Palestinian leader Arafat dies at 75 - Nov 11, 2004
It was long past time. And maybe, just maybe, this will change the situation at last and a real peace can be made. I'm not too optimistic, though.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 07:59 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
November 10, 2004
Alive or dead?
CNN.com - Palestinians plan Arafat funeral - Nov 10, 2004
I mean, the old murderer's wife was saying that they were going to bury him alive. I don't really care, as long as he's buried.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 11:46 AM | Comments (4) | TrackBack
November 01, 2004
Sure he does
Arafat condemns Tel Aviv attack
The old terrorist doesn't even know where he is or what day it is. He's a vegetable. At least this saves him the trouble of saying one thing in English and another thing in Arabic.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 11:02 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
August 31, 2004
Hamas
CNN.com - 16 killed in suicide bombings on buses in Israel - Aug 31, 2004
Two simultaneous bombings in Beersheba. Hamas claimed responsibility. Nothing much more to say. Hey, at least the EU admits that Hamas is a terrorist organization now. They don't actually stop people from sending them money, but it's a start.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 05:49 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
July 25, 2004
I'm surprised it took this long
Officials: Jewish extremists may crash plane on Temple Mount
I've been afraid for years that someone would try something like this. It doesn't take very many crazies -- as we've all seen -- to pull off such an attack, and the Dome of the Rock is an obvious target. Why extremists would want to ignite mass jihad against Israel to derail the Gaza pullout is beyond me, but then I've never understood why anyone would want Gaza to begin with.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 01:49 AM | Comments (9) | TrackBack
July 20, 2004
My Comments on that snake oil salesman, Chirac
There is NO defensing Jacques 'Adolf' Chirac. Ok, maybe 'Adolf' is a bit harsh, but his actions have been deliberately antagonistic to the west, and anyone with a half a brain knows about his longstanding past friendship with Saddam Hussein.
If Chirac is not officially evil, he's bordering on it.
This is my whole argument about people who say that John Kerry should be President of the United States because he can talk better to people like Chirac.
I wouldn't WANT Kerry to talk better to people like Chirac! People like Jacques f'ng Chirac are racist, anti-semitic, biased bastards who live for their Arab brethren and pissing off any of their sworn enemies. F*** him.
Also, you are living in a dreamland if you think things will be so much better with France; Chirac wants the U.S., Britain, and Israel to cowtow to what FRANCE wants. Chirac may smile nicely at the table with a President Kerry, because Kerry is a better diplomat that Dubyah, but the differences end there. Chirac will try and use this change in U.S. leadership to make America do what he wants and as liberal as I think John Kerry can be, I give him more credit that that, as I do Bush as well.
In the end, John Kerry may have a friendlier chat with that smarmy S.O.B. Chirac, but he's not going to just completely re-write U.S. policy because Chirac said so.
Any defense of Chirac on this website should be banned. He's just as evil (in my book and many other people's books) as the zealots in the Middle East, Chirac is just more oily.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 07:57 AM | Comments (11) | TrackBack
July 19, 2004
Let me get this straight
ABCNEWS.com : Chirac Says Sharon Not Welcome in France
The President of France counters a claim by the Prime Minister of Israel that France is anti-Semitic by saying that the Prime Minister of Israel isn't welcome in France?
Posted by Mac Thomason at 03:42 PM | Comments (11) | TrackBack
July 11, 2004
Bastards strike again
CNN.com - Tel Aviv blast: 1 dead, 21 wounded - Jul 11, 2004
I should being by pointing out that the terrorists are always trying to kill innocents in Israel. Probably not a day goes by. It's just that most of the time, they're stopped before they really get started. So this was "the first terror attack in Tel Aviv since April 2003" in a sense. But it's not like it's the first attempt.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 12:47 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
July 09, 2004
(Big Surprise) U.N. Court to Rule against Israel's Fence
Report: West Bank Barrier Said Illegal
This is absolutely gut wrenching and dispicably biased, but not surprising.
Apparently, here's what is OK:
MURDERING innocent Israeli citizens.
Other nations in Europe and beyond having protective fences, but not Israel, which has finally begun to prevent these evil murders by Palestianians.
Here's what's not OK:
Israel having that protective fence.
Jews being allowed to live in peace & security.
This is so unbelievably appalling. It's not like they gave a ruling that where the fence cuts is illegal, like adjust it here or there 100 yards, no, it's apparently illegal alltogether for Israel to have a fence.
This is why it is of UTMOST importance that Israel have one world ally in the United States. They are out there alone with no friends, billions of Euro's and Muslims who hate them for no other reason then they are Jewish. This is why I maybe forced to vote for George W. Bush this November. John Kerry has repeatedly said how important the U.N. is--they are NOT. They are a disgustingly biased anti U.S. and anti Israel organization that continues to hand out rulings and language that handcuff nations that promote democracy but pat on the back the Islamic world that does NOTHING to stop it's own citizens from committimg daily acts of terror and hatred around the world.
Someone on this site asked me earlier if I care more about Israel then I do about my OWN country, the United States. Since I am an American Jew, I consider myself having two countries. I am a proud U.S. born citizen and a proud supporter of Israel, the only country in the world that truly allows Jews to be Jews. I want nothing more thne to see America and Israel be able to live free of terror but that is never possible.
This is why I worry about "mr. International" John Kerry. I have no reason, as further evidenced by today, to trust International decisions when they always come down against Israel. There's absolutely no reason in the world why Israel should have to break down a fence that stops people from killing innocent Israel's. The extra blood will be on the hands of the U.N. They are a puppet organization for the Muslim world with lovely countries like LIBYA sitting on the U.N. security council.
I hope to hell Israel says SCREW YOU to the United Nations. This decision is so completely unfair, out of the realm of reality, that it has to be ignored. I dare anyone on this site, any anti-Israel readers even to ask any other country from France to China to the United States that has fences up on parts of their border to take those down. If Israel has to do it, then so should everywhere else that has fences. This is appalling and dispicable and hateful.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 07:29 AM | Comments (7) | TrackBack
July 08, 2004
"Progress", ha
CNN.com - IAEA reports progress with Israel on nuclear issue - Jul 8, 2004
Yeah, the UN's going to get Israel to give up its nukes (which it still doesn't publicly admit to having) real soon. About as soon as when the fundies get their wish and all the Jews convert to evangelical Christianity.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 12:46 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Israel, the Republicans, and the Religious Right
As many of you no doubt know, a significant portion of Republican support for Israel is a result of Christian fundamentalism. This isn't about any fondness for Israel as such, or for Jews in general, but rather because of fundamentalist apocalyptic beliefs. They think that the end of the world is coming, and as part of this they think that there has to be a state of Israel in existence. That Israel, according to their (somewhat tortured) reading of the Revelation of John, will be destroyed, and the Jews will all convert to Christianity as a result. (Simplistic, but no more simplistic than the economic views of the GOP.)
I've been arguing with Alex about this for some time. He seems, in my opinion, entirely too comfortable with a Republican Party that bases its support of Israel not on the grounds of traditional Democratic support but rather on weird right-wing Christian grounds. I can't imagine being comfortable with this group of Christian Zionists, which include some of the most reactionary elements of the Religious Right.
But let's leave that aside. Let's look at the consequences of an Israel policy based upon Christian millenarianism. Consider, for example, the story of Eliot Abrams and the Christian Zionists. Abrams, the NSC's top man on the Middle East, had to go sit down with a bunch of fundamentalists to assure them that if the Israeli government withdrew from Gaza it wasn't a violation of the Covenant or something, and that there weren't any important religious sites in Gaza. The group he met with -- the "Apostolic Congress" -- believes that if Israel withdraws from Gaza Jesus won't come back.
Look, there's no question but that any sort of peace settlement is going to involve Israel giving up any claim to Gaza. (Most Israelis don't even want Gaza.) But here's a significant portion of the President's base saying that they can't support Gaza withdrawal proposed by the Sharon government.
The fact is, leaving aside the Christian Zionist beliefs about the "complete Israel" (and a literal reading of the Bible would mean that Israel would not only have to control all of the current state, including the West Bank and Gaza, but most of Jordan and much of Syria) there's an important point to consider here. The majority of Israelis want peace. Most Americans want peace in the region. These people, the people the Bush Administration is sucking up to, are actively opposed to peace.
Remember, they want Israel to exist so it can be destroyed. A secure Israel at peace with its neighbors isn't what they want. They want an Israel surrounded by enemies. They want Israel to try and control the full extent of the ancient claim, and then for the Arabs to invade Israel and destroy it. That this isn't good for Israelis, or anybody else, doesn't enter into it. They're trying to force a prophesy to come to pass. Millions will die? Heck, they want the whole world to be destroyed.
Now, does this sound like a group of people you want on your side? Of anything?
Posted by Mac Thomason at 10:25 AM | Comments (7) | TrackBack
May 11, 2004
New tourist hotspot. Literally.
Archives | May 9-15 2004 | Yourish.com
Saudi Arabia is kicking off an effort to get Westerners to take their vacations there. Which makes an awful lot of sense. I mean, who doesn't want to take their vacation in a country with stifling heat, where alcohol is illegal, and you can't practice your religion? Throw in the possibility of being killed by terrorists outraged at you stepping onto the holy sand of the Prophet's home nation, and sign me up!
Posted by Mac Thomason at 09:41 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
April 17, 2004
More bastards
CNN.com - Suicide blast wounds 4 at Israel-Gaza border - Apr 17, 2004
There's almost no point in continuing to point these out. Nothing more to say.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 10:18 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
March 28, 2004
Promises, promises
Hamas Leader Vows 'Earthshaking' Revenge
Yassin's been dead since Monday, and you guys still haven't done diddly. I'm sure there will be another attack, but it won't have anything to do with Yassin's death. Hamas is always trying attacks, but most of the time they fail.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 01:43 AM | Comments (5) | TrackBack
March 22, 2004
Better off dead
CNN.com - Hamas founder killed in Israeli airstrike - Mar 22, 2004
Good for the Israelis. I'm sure there are lots of comments elsewhere in the Blogosphere (for instance, you can always count on Laurence for unfettered glee) but you ever notice that Yassin looked like a cross between Castro and Khomeini?
Posted by Mac Thomason at 08:20 AM | Comments (5) | TrackBack
February 28, 2004
Some "mistake"
CNN.com - Flap over Jewish travel visa ban - Feb. 28, 2004
I'm late to this story, but I was busy... The government of Saudi-occupied Arabia posted a notice on its tourism website that Jews wouldn't be issued travel visas to the country. An embassy spokesman says that this was posted "by mistake". Uh-huh. So either they don't have such a policy, and some flunky put it up there for no good reason, or they do have such a policy, and it's a secret, or they do have such a policy and can't figure out why everyone got upset.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 12:41 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
February 22, 2004
Bastards
30 injured, ten seriously in blast on bus in Jerusalem
How can anyone even pretend that this sort of thing is a legitimate act of rebellion against oppression? They blow up buses, not military targets. It's trying to kill as many Jews as they can.
UPDATE: Seven dead so far. And some jackass on CNN is blaming the bombing on the security fence, which is like blaming bulletproof vests for a shooting spree.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 01:00 AM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
January 29, 2004
Four months
Suicide Bomber Kills at Least 10 on Jerusalem Bus
It was Sept. 9 the last time an Islamikaze struck in Jerusalem. Four whole months! It's like a golden age.
The Islamikaze was from al-Aqsa Martyrs. As most of you probably know, they work for Yasser Arafat. Who is the guy Israel is supposed to make peace with. Kofi Annan indicated that this is no big deal and the Israelis should just forgive and forget the latest atrocity as they should all the others. Kofi Annan is a twit.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 12:36 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
Further Comments about Judy Dean & Howard Dean's awful position on ISRAEL.
Neil,
I am amazed that you won't be voting for Dean because your comment wreaks of Dean speak.
First, you are wrong about the issue of feminism. If both Deans would step back for a second and think, they would realize that having an extra person high up in the Dean campaign, aka Judy Dean, could help Dean cover a lot more territory if she would campign with him through the next 7 states. That's a lot of ground to cover to basically be a "man short"--because you know Hadassah Lieberman, Theresa Heinz, Elizabeth Edwards, & Gert Clark will all be hitting the campaign trail for their husbands.
And again, let me make this quite clear: If Gert, Elizabeth, Hadassah, Judy, and Theresa were running for President, I would full expect Wes, Joe, John K., John E., and Howard to be out there putting their careers on hold to capaign for their wives.
It's the PRESIDENCY you dolt. This is the most important job in the most important country in the world. Did you ever see "Star Trek"? The Spock principle is a good one to go on: the good of the many outweighs the good of the ONE.
It's rather ironic I am making this imassioned speech that Judy dean should be out campaigning considering how much I despise "Dr." Dean as his supporters remind everyone to refer to him as; I hate him and I wish him to lose every single damned state he runs in.
On to the Judy is too "Jewish" remark, I am Jewish and a lot of my friends are Jewish; the Jewish friends I have that are not tree hugging liberals all admit the same thing: a woman named Judy Steinberg Dean who looks as Jewish as she does may not be an asset to guy running on a far left platform, particularly one that includes strongly anti-Israel views.
This flies in the face a bit of my remark that she owes it to her husband to be campaigning, but it also flies in the face of my liberal Jewish friends INSISTING that dean would support Israel because his wife is Jewish.
That is the stupidest and most insane comment. That's like assuming if JC Watts (former republican black congressman from Oklahoma) is going to be a leader on all issues African American, etc. It's simply not true. In fact, as a Jew, I can confidently say, that some of the most strongly ANTI Israel people I know are left wing Jews. I trust a right wing christian to be fairer and more supportive of a Democratic ally like Israel, a country besieged by daily terror, then I do a bunch of Palestinian loving liberal Jews.
This is exactly why I move further center everyday and why I need documented proof on polticians stances regarding Israel and why I am now coming around on John Kerry more after seeing him positive stances, despite his initial AWFUL suggestion that Jimmy Carter, who is HORRIBLY anti Israel, handle peace negotiations in a Kerry presidency.
Anyway, I have gotten way off topic but Howard Dean is a menace and his wife is no asset. Give me Laura Bush any day; she looks lady-like and she's intelligent and classy and nice. Say what you want about George W. Bush but give me Laura any day over Judy.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 07:03 AM | Comments (12) | TrackBack
December 10, 2003
I'm sure they're unbiased
U.N. Asks Court's Opinion on Israeli Wall
If they rule against the security border, I expect every country in the world to immediately remove all obstructions at their borders. Unless the claim is that Israel, uniquely, isn't allowed to protect itself, which seems to be a normal claim but is tough to sustain legally.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 10:17 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
November 12, 2003
Loathsome person
German prosecutors: Humana worker under investigation for manslaughter
The company is saying that "human error" led to the lack of B1 in baby formula, leading to two deaths. Yes, but was it really error, or intentional? The manslaughter investigation makes it look more like the latter. Meanwhile, the company had for several days claimed that there was B1 in the formula, but finally admits that it was missing.
Israeli police are investigating, suspecting that executives of the importer knew all along about the problem.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 09:33 AM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
November 10, 2003
Don't let this be true
CNN.com - Report: Mossad probing baby deaths - Nov. 10, 2003
What kind of lowlife scum would tamper with baby formula? Apparently, the German company that manufactured kosher formula for export to Israel somehow left out the thiamin (Vitamin B1), leading to three deaths and at least 20 sick babies. The company (majority owned by Heinz) suspects sabotage. Given that this is Germany, and yesterday's anniversary... There's no way this ends well.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 03:20 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
October 15, 2003
Do you get it yet?
Gaza Strip Blast Kills Three Americans
Does the attack on a U.S. diplomatic convoy clear some things up? We are at war with Hamas and the rest of the murdering bastards. They've attacked Americans before and will again. There will be no peace while Hamas exists.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 09:37 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
October 08, 2003
It's probably the Jews' fault
Archives | October 5-11 2003 | Yourish.com
A French-language news site says that Arafat is finally dead. I hope so, but I won't believe it until I see the march down the streets and the mourners fighting over his coffin.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 05:11 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
October 06, 2003
Some assertion
Bush Asserts Israel's Right to Defense
Is there any other country whose right to self-defense isn't widely accepted?
Posted by Mac Thomason at 12:12 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
October 05, 2003
And yet another double standard
AP Analysis: Israel's strike on Syria threatens to widen Israel-Palestinian conflict
Because it's okay for Syria to shelter terrorists who kill a bunch of civilians in restaurants. But if Israel strikes at that shelter, it's widening the conflict. Because everything is Israel's fault when it isn't America's fault.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 04:15 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
October 04, 2003
Target of Opportunity
CNN.com - Terror blast kills at least 18 in Israel - Oct. 4, 2003
I'm a little late on the newest atrocity... You may know this already, but the Maxim restaurant that the Islamikaze took with him this afternoon in Haifa is Arab-owned. The lesson, as always, is that it's all about killing and they don't care who they hurt.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 10:27 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
September 25, 2003
Let the feeding frenzy begin
Edward Said Dies; U.S. Scholar Was Leading Voice for Palestinians
I'm sure a lot of webloggers are going to get in a few more kicks before he's buried. I, personally, can't seem to care.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 10:49 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
September 18, 2003
And yet...
ajc.com | News | Bush says Arafat has failed
The Administration still opposes any Israeli action against the terrorist bastard. Go figure.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 01:14 PM | Comments (4) | TrackBack
September 13, 2003
Feature, not a bug
CNN.com - Erakat: Arafat would not survive expulsion attempt - Sep. 12, 2003
Speaking of bugs, Arafat is a cockroach. He survives everything, and he'll survive this.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 12:09 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
September 12, 2003
Well, if the French are against it...
France Urges Israel Not to Expel Arafat
Israel always listens to France, of course. The two countries are very close. After all, there are no anti-Semites in France. And France has been such a booster of Israel's attempts to protect itself. And would never pander to Arab nations that want Israel destroyed.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 12:41 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
September 09, 2003
Again
At Least 2 Dead in Jerusalem Cafe Blast-Witnesses
Another good place to find lots of innocent people packed closely together is a restaurant. In this case, the Hillel Cafe in West Jerusalem. Twice in one day, though it's likely from different terrorist organizations. The Korei government is dead before it even got started.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 03:44 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
There they go off again
CNN.com - Dozens reported injured in blast near Tel Aviv - Sep. 9, 2003
At least three are reported dead. It was at another bus stop. The terrorists love bus stops, because that gives them the best chance to kill a gathered group of innocents.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 10:47 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
September 05, 2003
Another fun job title
Israel Kills Senior Hamas Commander in West Bank
Reuters has moved on from Israel "threatening the road map" by eliminating terrorist scum to "deal[ing] a blow to reformist Palestinian prime minister Mahmoud Abbas". If you've forgotten -- as Reuters collectively has -- it's part of the road map that the Palestinians break Hamas and other terrorist groups. They aren't doing that, and aren't even pretending to. Israel's doing the Palestinian Authority's job for it, and getting nothing but blame for it.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 09:28 AM | Comments (5) | TrackBack
September 02, 2003
Yeah, that's going to happen
PM's spokesman: Israel still trying to release Pollard
Still, it would be interesting to see, if only because it might make some Indymediots' heads explode.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 11:13 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
August 25, 2003
You heard the woman
Rice: Israel must fulfill its responsibilities for peace
Israel, just sit there and let Hamas and the rest of them blow you up. It's your responsibility for peace.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 07:32 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Francophonies
France: No proof Hamas and Islamic Jihad are terror groups
Apparently hundreds of dead and maimed people aren't enough. This is pretty typical for the French, of course. Hey, remember 1938? "There's no proof that Hitler won't be satisfied with Austria and the Sudetenland!"
(Jerusalem Post requires registration, or use ID: warliberal, Password: warliberal. Via Meryl.)
Posted by Mac Thomason at 10:17 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
August 23, 2003
"Nobody here but us not-terrorists!"
Hamas: Europe Should Rebuff U.S. Demands
Why not? The Euros swear up and down that Hamas isn't a terrorist organization (hey, they just kill Israelis) so why should they freeze its assets? Why not give them all medals?
Posted by Mac Thomason at 08:25 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
Poor misunderstood puppies
CNN.com - Thousands of Palestinians protest leader's death - Aug. 22, 2003
They were chanting that "the road map is dead". They probably left off the "and we killed it in its cradle" bit, though. Also, "It is time for martyrdom" and "It is time for revenge." Poor little babies, so oppressed and misunderstood.
The Euros still won't call Hamas a terrorist group...
Posted by Mac Thomason at 02:35 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
August 21, 2003
Great moments in taking their word for it
Islamic Militant Groups Say Truce Dead After Israeli Strike
Oh, I see. The execution of a mass-murdering terrorist leader killed the truce, not the 20 innocent civilians blown up in a bus. Makes perfect sense, in the Bizarro World.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 11:50 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
As they should
ajc.com | News | Israel strikes back
Down for the count, Hamas bigwig Ismail Abu Shanab and two of his bodyguards. What's the point of having bodyguards when your enemies have attack helicopters?
Hamas says that they are no longer bound by the Hudna. You know, the whole "blowing up a bus full of civilians" thing could be seen as a sign that they weren't taking it very seriously to begin with.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 09:33 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
August 20, 2003
Start with your boss, Abu
Palestinian Leader Orders the Arrest of Islamic Militants
No, Abbas is only talking about those who worked on yesterday's atrocity, and that was a Hamas operation. So Yasser is still in the clear.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 12:53 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
August 19, 2003
Great moments in oxymorons, or just morons
Mideast Violence Since June 29 Cease-Fire
Somebody somewhere has a problem with the concept of a "cease fire", but I don't think it's me.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 06:56 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Another atrocity
Fatalities confirmed in suicide bombing on Jerusalem bus
I suppose this is what they call a truce? Other reports speak of bloodied children being led away from the carnage. I'm sure now I'll get lots of posts in the comments about how the Palestinians are poor oppressed little kittens who are only striking out the only way they know how. And I'll have to repress the urge to ban the bastards' IPs.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 01:53 PM | Comments (6) | TrackBack
August 17, 2003
Air Afat
Palestinian Airlines to Resume Flights
Make your own jokes; my joke function has overloaded.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 05:04 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
August 14, 2003
Mass murderer dead
Israeli Troops Kill Islamic Militant
I like my headline better. Israel holds the Militant (TM) responsible for the deaths of 19 Israelis and two international observers, one from Switzerland and one from Turkey.
Supposedly, the removal of the murdering scumwad Militant (TM) is a danger to some cease fire. What cease fire? There was a cease fire? It must have started yesterday, seeing as how there were two Islamikaze attacks on Tuesday.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 09:46 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
August 12, 2003
What truce?
2 Suicide Bombings, One Claimed by Hamas, Kill 2 Israelis
Palestinian suicide bombers attacked a strip mall in Israel and a bus stop in a Jewish West Bank settlement less than an hour apart Tuesday, killing two Israelis and raising new doubt about the fate of a shaky Mideast truce.
Seriously, what truce? If there'd been any stop in terrorist attacks, then there would have been a truce. Which would have just ended. All this is is a stepup in terrorism.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 08:14 AM | Comments (5) | TrackBack
August 07, 2003
The difference
Temple Mount Secured for Jewish Holiday
When a law that kept Palestinians who marry Israeli citizens from living in Israel was passed, Israel came under the usual fire. I disagreed with that decision, but here's a little perspective:
In the West Bank town of Ramallah, meanwhile, Palestinian militants executed a Palestinian they accused of collaborating with Israeli intelligence, security officials and witnesses said.Palestinians said the victim was married to an Israeli woman, worked in Israel and had a reputation as a longtime collaborator. Witnesses said militants, from the Al Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, drove the man to the town's central square and shot him six times in the head and chest.
Yep, it's Israel that's the oppressor here, no question.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 10:52 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
August 05, 2003
Of course!
Security sources: Iran has financed most attacks since truce
I mean, Saddam's out of business, it's up to Iran to finance the Islamikazes and other Palestinian terrorists.
It also appears that the attacks during the "Hudna" have largely been organized by the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades -- Yasser's own terrorist group. And their link with Iran is mostly through Hezbollah.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 03:54 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
August 01, 2003
I'm kind of concerned about this
Archives | July 28- August 2 2003 | Yourish.com
Israeli ERA watch
Meryl links to this story about Israel starting a mostly female infantry battalion, which would start service next spring.
As an ardent feminist and supporter of Israel, I'm of two minds about this. I'm in favor of women getting any opportunity to do any work a man can do. At the same time, what it looks to me is that Israel is facing, if you'll excuse the expression, a manpower shortage. They've been forced by the Intifada to keep too many of the reserves on duty and the IDF on pretty constant alert status. It's taken its toll.
Historically, when a nation starts using people it normally would not in military duty -- old men, boys, or women -- that's been a sign of trouble. In normal times, I would be cheering alongside Meryl. But what it looks to me is that the Israeli government is doing something it normally would not because they're running out of men.
But hey, maybe I'm wrong. Go get 'em.
(Story from the Jerusalem Post: registration required, or use ID warliberal password warliberal.)
Posted by Mac Thomason at 04:17 PM | Comments (13) | TrackBack
July 29, 2003
What are they looking at?
Israel to Continue Building Security Fence Criticized by Bush
Sharon, in particular, looks like he's afraid he's going to step in something. Of course, that look is probably due to being pressured to release murderers and terrorists. (Once again: there is no release of prisoners called for in the "roadmap".)
Posted by Mac Thomason at 12:57 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
July 28, 2003
This is a peace process?
Israeli Cops Find Body of Missing Soldier
Israel frees a bunch of terrorists. Meanwhile, some Palestinians grab and kill an Israeli soldier. But no, these are Palestinians from splinter groups, not from any of the legitimate terrorist organizations.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 08:52 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
July 24, 2003
A reminder
Meryl Yourish, Laurence Simon, and Michele, whose last name I have forgotten at the moment are blogging for Magen David Adom this Saturday. Give until it doesn't hurt anymore.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 12:34 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
July 17, 2003
So damned typical
EU shelves moves to outlaw Hamas political wing
Hamas occasionally gives to charity, or so they say. So the European Commission says that "You can't say that the whole of Hamas is a terrorist organization." The whole of Hamas is a terrorist organization. There, I said it.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 03:52 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack