More Israel v. Lebanon ugliness

OK, there is no cease-fire in sight. Condi will not push for one - which would be hard even if she were, as she doesn't plan on talking to anyone on one of the fighting sides - and Israel has no plans on letting up unless Hezbollah releases its Israeli prisoners first.

So, it's all come down to a game of chicken. Who blinks first? Israel says getting the prisoners back is an absolute prerequisite for a cease-fire; Hezbollah says a cease-fire is a prerequisite for a prisoner exchange - meaning they want some of THEIR people back, too, something Israel seems unlikely to agree to.

In the meantime, Condi also spoke to Palestinian PM Abbas. Seems like Palestine may soon be receiving the same treatment from the Israelis that Lebanon is currently "enjoying."

After talking with Iraqi PM al-Maliki, Bush reiterated his stance that no cease-fire will receive U.S. support unless it is "sustainable." You're a genius, Bush. How are you going to know a cease-fire is sustainable without giving it a chance to be sustainable? Oh... that's right... you're the boss of the world. YOU, and you alone, are the "decider" for everyone. So, therefore, whatever you decide is "sustainable" will be sustainable... of course, until it is no longer sustained... or, well, non-existant. More war for everyone!

The policies of the U.S. administration have done little but foster MORE terrorism. Iran's PM Ahmadinejad has said that Israel's aggression could set off a "hurricane" of violence in the Middle East. The Saudis, who have already given Lebanon $1.5 billion and Palestine $250 million in aid, has said it will join the fight against Israel if Israel continues in its "arrogance."
*Edit!* Even Iraq has something to say and do here. PM al-Maliki has said, “[Israel's] destruction of [Lebanese] infrastructure is not even consistent with the rules of war," and Iraqi deputy PM Barham Salih pledged $35 million of support for Lebanon.*End edit.*

Way to win the war on terror, monkey boy. Creating more of the problem you are fighting was not considered winning the last time I checked.

In other related news, 2 more Lebanese Red Cross trucks were bombed. And the Israelis are reacting with restraint? I fail to see it.

-R.