Individual and Community

“Israel had been down this road in Lebanon before in both 1978 and 1982. It invaded to drive out Palestiniaan guerrillas and employed a heavy bombing campaign that drove many Shiites from the south to Beirut’s southern slums. Its 18-year occupation of the south brought Hezbollah into existence.

“Hezbolla had 20 years to hone their skills and hartred against Israel,” said Mr. Norton, a former Army officer who served with the United Nations in southern Lebanon and taught at West Point. “That hatred was created by Israel; it wasn’t there at the beginning.”

“The Isreales Are Powerful, Yes. But Not Quite as Invincible” New York Times, July 30, 2006

Iraq leader’s speech roils New York lawmakers

By DEVLIN BARRETT
Associated Press Writer

July 26, 2006, 5:26 PM EDT

…
Rep. Eliot Engel, D-N.Y., did attend the speech, but made a point of refusing to stand or applaud because the prime minister did not condemn Hezbollah’s rocket attacks on Israel.

“According to him, terrorism against Iraq was unacceptable and terrorism against Israel is fine,” he said.

Engel said the Iraqi leader’s position on Israel strains the fledgling government’s relationship with the United States.

“It makes me question what are we fighting for over there. Is it going to be enlightened leadership of Arab moderates, or the same old nonsense, replacing Saddam Hussein with some other unhelpful government?” said Engel.

Reps. Jerrold Nadler, D-Manhattan, Anthony Weiner, D-Queens, Nita Lowey, D-Westchester, and Gary Ackerman, D-Queens, also stayed away.

…

source : Newsday

No my power-hungry silly little man, we ostensibly invaded Iraq to give this guy the right to express his opinion.

bless google video:

Stephen Colbert’s White House Correspendents’ Dinner Video