Monday, November 19, 2012

ISRAELI – GAZA CONFLICT ESCALATES



Hamas Palestinians in Gaza are now launching sophisticated drones, rockets, missiles and mortar rounds into the heart of Israel, many aimed directly at Tel-Aviv.  Initial assessment is that the upgraded weaponry is being supplied by Iran with possible Russian support.  Although Obama has warned Israel against a ground campaign, Israel has called up at least 75,000 reservists and is staging equipment near its border in preparation for such an attack, which would be aimed at taking out all rocket launchers and missile capabilities.  International pressure is building for a cease fire, Israel has indicated it will readily stop retaliating when Hamas and Gaza stop firing, but the battles appear to be escalating. 

COMMENTS:
It is to Iran’s benefit to keep the conflict going; if Israel is tying up its military in Gaza, it has fewer assets with which to attack Iran’s nuclear facilities.  The U.S. stance against Iran has been weak at best, signaling to Iran that we probably won’t back Israel in any conflict.  There is some effort being made in the background to negotiate peace; however, there is no real impetus to make peace happen.  If this is not resolved within the next 48 hours, I expect things to go downhill fast. 

TODAY’S QUERIES & ANSWERS:
Q. With Egypt backing the Palestinians and Iran backing Syria, Israel could be in serious trouble.  With their backs to the wall, if they resort to using a nuke, this could be the start of a disastrous World War III.  Will the U.S. step in to help Israel and prevent that possibility?  (Reynaldo ~ Houston, TX)
A. The White House gave a strong clue over the weekend when they said that Israel is a sovereign nation and it certainly has the right to defend itself.  Get the drift?  We keep digging the deep hole we’re already in… deeper.  These things would not be happening if we had a strong President and an ominous presence.  It certainly makes one anxious to decrease the size of the Navy and the Air Force, doesn’t it?  I don’t know about you, but I’m getting more and more uncomfortable about our future. 

Q. Is lying to the public an impeachable offense?  (Cliff ~ Pomona, CA)
A. Not unless it’s done under oath and even then it may not be, as Bill Clinton proved. 

Q. Should John Boehner be replaced as House Speaker?  I hear some talk that suggests Paul Ryan would be tougher against the Democrats.  (Donna Marie ~ Norwalk, CA)
A. The House Speaker is only as strong as the support he/she gets from the rest of the House.  In this case, I don’t know that House Republicans would stand any stronger against the Democrats and Obama with God as Speaker.  They haven’t had the stomach for a real battle in decades, but they are well-practiced in the art of “cut and run.”  Think about it: they had both Houses under their control with Bush in the White House and can you think of anything outstanding that they accomplished?   Frankly, I don’t know why they don’t just let Pelosi have the job again and fold the Republican Party into the Democratic Party.   

TODAY’S QUOTE:
I celebrated Thanksgiving in an old-fashioned way. I invited everyone in my neighborhood to my house, we had an enormous feast, and then I killed them and took their land.” ~ Jon Stewart

TODAY’S VIDEO:  


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