Our warships have been off the coast of Lebanon for the past two weeks manipulating this situation. We're trying to start a war between Hezbollah and anyone else in the region to finish what the Israeli's failed to do in 2006.

The main picture breaks my heart.

Golda Meier said it best: There will be war in the Middle East until the Arabs (and Muslims) love their children more than they hate us (Jews/Israelis).

Which pretty much means there will always be war in the Middle East since Arabs can't get along and Muslims can't get along and there's no hope of Arabs or Muslims getting along with anyone else if they can't even get along with each other.

Adonai Elohenu, Adonai Echad. Shalom y'all.

Our warships are always floating around there, 24/7. They are called Mobile Expeditionary Units and the idea behind them is to be around in case something goes down... So while we might get involved here, its important to note that those same ships are the ones that hopefully will be providing cyclone releif to Myanmar, if Bush can convince them to let us help.

Dana Perino speaking on cyclone relief: "In addition to the $3 million, the other thing that we have in the region is a Marine expeditionary unit with ... ships there with naval personnel that were doing exercises for disaster assistance and disaster relief. So we have multiple ways that we can support them,"

As far as I know, there really isn't anyone on those ships who is powerful enough to manipulate the sitauation though.

Unless you mean the mere prescence of the ship is manipulation...

I shouldn't have said those same ships, I should have said "ships like those" my b!

Of course US presence is manipulation. It's like having big brother, or a parent watchin over you....

According to Statfor (an intelligence gather information corporations use to predict regional conflict for investment purposes http://www.stratfor.com) they were reporting that US military was behind several initiatives in the area to counter the Hezbollah/Hamas threat. For a few days last week, they thought it was going to take place in Gaza and predicted an invasion, but now I think we've decided to take on Hezbollah with Lebanon's help. Lebanon would never start a war with Hezbollah without our backing. They simply don't have the muscle to fend off Iran's proxy alone.

interesting...

my only point was to point out that these ships are always out floating around and that they do more than military offensives...

but otherwise i'd have to read up more on this particular situation...so no comment!

This child is in the middle of a war zone and he takes time to style his hair! Talk about diva.

On a serious note I'm beginning to loose hope that some equilibrium of peace will bless that land. These conflicts scattered through out the region are deeply rooted in religion not just politics and boarder lines.

History shows that some religious conflicts have gone on for decades if not a century.

Let us be thankful that our religious conflicts here at home choose words as the weapon of choice.

I know, I was just saying that it may not have been the ship manipulating the situation, but rather there to support what they knew was coming today. I have to say the situation in this region is so exhausting. I feel for these people, I really do, but after 6,000 years you begin think "enough already!"

I blame it on their religion. There isn't any room for forgiveness and understanding. When you can't see the other side, it narrows the field of vision greatly

"I have to say the situation in this region is so exhausting. I feel for these people, I really do, but after 6,000 years you begin think "enough already!"

I resoundingly agree!

Good point, cabaker.

This is such a complicated region and I understand why Hezbollah exists. While I disagree with their message, I fully support their right to express it. However, I have a big problems with their methods (kidnapping Westerners, suicide bombings, etc.). I also have a problem with the fact that Iran backs them so heavily. This being said, it seems like Hezbollah might be heading in the direction of becoming more of a political party and less of a fringe organization by actually working within the government instead of using terrorist methods to get their point across. Hopefully this trend will continue.

Yes, Cabaker. Good point. After so many years you just want to wipe your hands of the whole situation and give up. If they don't care about their futures why should we?

Look, I'm glad Cabaker and I actually agree on something but she was quoting me. So let's give a little credit where credit is due people.

See, this is what I mean about not being taken seriously because you're a nocturnal scavenging mammal.

Many Americans can't forgive or try to understand Muslims who we think of as terrorists, so why blame their religion? Money and power have as much to do with their warring than religion.

My good point was in response to the idea of the war ships being everywhere and not just to incite violence. It takes me forever to post comments sometimes.

However, good point to you, too, rac! It is such a difficult region with so many nuances and trying to evaluate it gets so frustrating sometimes.

Kimbo, sometimes I feel that way about commenting here.

Jerusalem has been the focal point of conflict for thousands of years and I don't think it's a coincidence that it houses some of the world's most popular religion's shrines.

Raci: In Italian, a raccoon is also called "l'orsetto lavatore" -"washing bear."
So, like Paul's grandfather, you're clean?

That's funny, I always thought that translated into "Pooping Bear". I really should have studied Italian harder. I would have been slapped a lot less while in Rome.

Stephley, I see what you're saying; however, just as it is unwise to overlook the power and money aspects of the fighting, it is unwise to overlook the religious aspects of the fighting as well. Hezbollah is a group that bases their philosophies on religion. It translates to "Party of God." They are radical and not representative of all Muslims by a long shot, but to disregard the religious aspect would be to overlook a large piece of the puzzle.

"I don't think it's a coincidence that it houses some of the world's most popular religion's shrines."

I think the point is that you said religions, not one. I don't think people realize that BOTH the Muslims in the region and the Jews in the reagion are unreasonable and would rather fight than work it out.

We get it, Israel has biblical claim, Palestine had actual possession, 60yrs ago the super powers decided to put them back - now both sides won't concede that they must share, regardless of who is right and wrong, in order to stop the blood shed. Both draw up their own crazy demands knowing there is no way the other side will agree to it, and both keep attacking each other. Both have countries backing them, giving them fuel for the fire, weapons and money, (I'm sure we all know which two countries I'm talking about here)and both of the countries also can't agree to back off for the sake of peace because both of these governments want it their way only. And the cycle continues on and on and on...I think my grandkids in the year 3030 will be talking about Muslims and Jews fighting over the ity-bity land in the mid-east.

haha poor Rac! Its not been a good morning for him!

"If they don't care about their futures why should we?"

I do understand the frustration that brings this statement. However, I do believe that on some level we do care because it's human.

It is my opinion that the U.S. in relation to the region feels that we have to impose our two cents because if things get out of control they can easily set the entire region into a militaristic chaos. It is not a pleasant thought but the match and the gun powder are already in play in regards to a possible third world war. We have found our selves in the position of having to protect our interests (mainly oil) and keep the match and the gun powder separated at the same time.

Of course I don't want the region to inflame a world-wide conflagration. I suppose what I meant was that Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Syria and Iran, if they really had the desire to do something for their Palestinian neighbors besides using them as a pawn against Israel have the money and the resources to fix this problem tomorrow. But it's worth more to the Middle East Arab states to use this issue against Israel than to actually help the suffering.

oh sweet Xenu

All the pictures are sad, but the most heart wrenching are the two children. Just awful.

I just got to comment 10 Hypno, I had to stop and say, No doubt! What you said just practically rang in my ears. And I'm knocking on wood.

hypnoticmix said: This child is in the middle of a war zone and he takes time to style his hair! Talk about diva.

Actually, that isn't as funny a remark as it first seems. We have learned that these pictures are sometimes staged. Do you all remember the case--I believe it was during the last flare-up between Israel and Lebanon--where a child's death was blamed on Israeli fire, the coffin was marched through the streets to much wailing and carrying-on. It was discovered later that the whole thing was faked, and our (Western) media fell for it.

Never underestimate people's powers of manipulation, and the TV crews are *way* too trusting.

I know Lain! I was thinking of that too. Really I was. Remember the one where the boy was huddled up to his dad on the street? They later found out that was staged. Or, is that the same story???

I can definitely see staging as a possibility. But if I put myself in Palestinian shoes being corralled by the Lebanese gov., the Israeli gov., flanked by the U.S. and told that we have no home land as well as being treated as second rate citizens. I could see a certain desperation begin to develop to show the world what is going on.

This may manipulation, but I think this manipulation is a cry for help. Not just manipulation for propaganda sake.

*may be

I definately agree with that too. I think we have to just keep our minds open to both.