Anything from the Dems on what's happing in the Mideast?

If Bush won't say anything, it seems to me that our party's leaders should.

I don't condone Hezbollah, but what Israel's doing is totally disproportionate to the offense. Hezbollah's focus has not been on the U.S.
It might be different now. I see condoning this kind of attack (if not materially abetting it and supporting it in the UN) as horrible American policy. The Democrats should say something about it.

They obviously wanted this to happen... the question now is why.

of whats goingon


So this is why Israeli

is doing what its doing to povoke a strike on Syria then retalation from
Iran, then the US gets to fight Iran. OMG im going to be sick.

This probably has a lot to do with Hezbollah wanting to increase its power in the new Lebanese government by casting themselves as the only ones capable of opposing Israeli agression towards Lebanon. But there's enough weird internal politics between Hezbollah, Syria, and Iran that I wouldn't rule out the possibility that this is some kind of misguided shit-stirring operation supported by either of those countries..

to have our allie that knows we have their "back" stirrup some trouble, then we can step in and on Iran, with out having to go threw all the crap they did with making up the WMD for iraq.

...we would NOT want it to look like it had ANYTHING to do with Israel. The damage that would do to the US would make the Iraq war look like peanuts.

You hit the nail on the head! :cry:

They haven't said anything up until now. Why should they start now?

In such matters, I don't know if I trust what they might say. If they do, it should be guarded. I prefer to let the repugs make all the mistakes in discussions about this.

The only people who should be making statements are the leadership (hah!) in the WH. So where are THEY???

If the Israelis are just our proxies (and from our reaction, I think they are), then a fair question is, why in God's name are we permitting this?
Haven't we got enough problems in Iraq and Afghanistan without turning Lebanon into hell again?

We are supposed to be the loyal opposition. We aren't supposed to be potted plants. Maybe we can't do anything to stop it. But being silent about it could be misinterpreted as approval. It's also morally wrong.

"Israel has the right to defend itself."
"We mourn the loss of life.."
"Voices of reason must be heard.."

The usual play it safe drivel.

they keep getting $ from aipac.

even run for office in the USA with a balanced approach to the ME.

(With a few exceptions.)

AIPAC owns them as well.

and not frolicking around in Russia. He should have canceled part of the trip to return to Washington and do his effin job.

This couldn't have happened without our express or tacit approval. Bush wants this to happen. Witness the UN veto and our tepid diplomatic statements. He doesn't want a cease fire. He wants Lebanon invaded.

there are cameras following him and Putin. This allows them to record Putin's behavior and attitude toward same. This can also help tell if Russia is in someway backing the Arab world. And China and North Korea etc, etc, etc...

Much more likely that an Israeli will criticize their government than a congressional democrat.

For example, here:
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/736009.html

Democratic Party leadership statements of support for Israel

The following are excerpts from some of the many statements of support for Israel issued this week by Democratic leaders in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives:

House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (CA) and House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (MD)(7/12/06):
"The House Democratic leadership strongly condemns the seizure of Israeli soldiers by Hezbollah terrorists operating from Lebanon... Countries with influence over Hezbollah, particularly Syria and Iran, must move quickly to bring about the return of the soldiers and the end of rocket attacks on Israeli civilians from Hezbollah positions in Lebanon. The Palestinian Authority, and countries with influence over Hamas, must take similar action in Gaza.

"Those who finance, direct, or otherwise support acts like these need to understand that they have produced an extremely dangerous situation and that they are responsible for the consequences. Israel has an inherent right to defend itself, and the United States supports our ally."

Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid (NV) (7/12/06):
"Today's attacks by Hezbollah in Israeli territory were disgraceful and unwarranted acts of violence by a terrorist organization. Hezbollah must release the captured Israeli soldiers immediately. Hezbollah must be dismantled, and all nations have an obligation to cease any and all assistance to this terrorist organization. Israel has a right to live in peace and security, and the United States will stand by our ally in this difficult time."

U.S. Representative Gary Ackerman (NY), Ranking Democrat of the House of Representatives International Relations Subcommittee on the Middle East and Central Asia (7/12/06):
"If the world is serious about peace in the Middle East, then Tehran and Damascus need to be held accountable for feeding, fostering, and occasionally unleashing, these rabid, blood-spattered killers. The money, weapons and political support Hezbollah and Hamas receive from Iran and Syria are not uncontrollable or natural phenomena and the international community must demand that they stop. Cross-border attacks on Israel should result in tough international sanctions on Syria and Iran, and the UN Security Council should immediately pursue this option...

"Israel has an absolute right to defend itself from this aggression and the Israeli Defense Forces has shown it knows how to do this."

U.S. Representative Alcee Hastings (FL), Co-Chair, House of Representatives Democratic Working Group on Israel (7/12/06):
"Hezbollah's actions against Israel are unconsciousable. Instead of working towards peace, Hezbollah has chosen to perpetuate the violence. Terrorist attacks such as these are cowardly and resolve nothing... Let us not be misled into believing these attacks arise from a single source. The terrorist organizations, Hezbollah and Hamas, are unquestionably sponsored and guided by the Iranian and Syrian governments... The Syrian and Iranian governments should be condemned along with the terrorist groups they harbor.

"Israel must have the right to defend herself. Like the United States and other sovereign nations, Israel is justified in reestablishing its deterrent posture."

U.S. Representative Gene Green (TX), Co-Chair, House of Representatives Democratic Working Group on Israel (7/13/06):
"Attempts by Hezbollah to open a second front after the kidnapping from Gaza are an attack on Israel's sovereignty. Hezbollah's actions require Israel to defend itself, and Israel's actions to take out terrorist camps along its borders to prevent this from happening again are warranted and justified.

"Israel has had to defend itself from terrorist organizations that have felt it shouldn't exist throughout its history, and must continue to do so following these killings and kidnappings to protect its people and free the soldiers taken by the terrorist group Hezbollah."

U.S. Representative Robert Wexler (FL), Ranking Democrat of the House of Representatives International Relations Subcommittee on Europe and Emerging Threats (7/12/06):
"I strongly condemn the horrific attack on Israel's northern border carried-out by Hezbollah terrorists based in Southern Lebanon. The murder and abduction of Israeli soldiers – in conjunction with the infiltration of Israeli military bases and rocket attacks on Northern Israel – are inexcusable acts of aggression that further destabilize the Middle East.

"These provocations stand in stark violation of international law, and I strongly support Israel's unequivocal right to self-defense."

http://mparent7777.livejournal.com/10243164.html

Nancy Pelosi, $57,000 from pro-Israel PACs.
Steny Hoyer, $92,000 from pro-Israel PACs.
Harry Reid, $318,000 from pro-Israel PACs.
Alcee Hastings, $23,000 from pro-Israel PACs.
Robert Wexler, $11,000 from pro-Israel PACs.

I guess if we're no different than Bush on this, then maybe I don't belong in this party.

It really does not bode well. This is a bad, bad situation.

:(

As expected.

Pelosi statement

Washington DC-House Democratic Leader
"The House Democrats strongly condems the seizure of Israeli soldiers by Hezbollah operating from Lebanon.This action, following so closely the seizure of an Israeli soldier by Hamas terrorists.Operating from Gaza,further dims the prospects for peace in the Middle East. Countries with influence over Hezbolla,particularly Syria,and Iran,must move quickly to bring to bring about the return of the soldiers and end of rocket attacks on Israeli civilians from Hezbolla positions in Lebanon. The Palestinian Authority,and countries with influence over Hamas,must take similar in Gaza.
Those who finance,direct or otherwise support acts like these need to understand that they produced an extremely danerous and that they are responsible for the consequences.Israel has an inherent right to defend itsself,and the United States supports our ally.The sonner the soldiers are returned and those who seized them brought under control,the better for everyones concerned about the future of the Middle East."

I will post updates as soon as I recieve them

Unlike the craven Pelosi, Chomsky thinks critically about this attack:

http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=06/07/14/146258