Something must be done for the ordinary Palestinian residents of Gaza who find themselves caught between an out-of-control Hamas and the unconscionable Israeli response to Hamas’ rocket attacks. While I agree that Israel cannot let Hamas’ attacks go unanswered, not even “an eye for an eye” can possibly justify the massive Israeli response that has killed or wounded hundreds of innocent Palestinian men, women and children.
The problem with retributive justice is that it tends to propagate itself endlessly. The modern world looks most favorably on restraint, and Israel has, until eight years ago, been encouraged by the United States to occupy that moral high ground. But, for the past eight years, the United States has taken a laissez-faire stance toward Israeli aggression. We have been occupied with our own unjustified war in Iraq.
President Bush will leave office soon. It would appear that the Israelis are intent on inflicting the maximum punishment in Gaza that they can in the weeks before Barack Obama takes office and Hillary Clinton takes over as secretary of state.
John Van Horn
Kansas City
It is absolutely essential that we Americans stand up and demand a cease to the attacks of Israel on Palestinian citizens. We can no longer support a government that openly practices crimes against humanity and creates humanitarian crises by starving and killing innocents. Israel must be held accountable, and the United States must be the equitable broker of negotiations.
Israel is only creating more problems for itself by bombing Palestine, and the United States will be hated more by the rest of the Muslim world for allowing this behavior. We must not allow Israel to continue this path of killing.
Laurie McGuire
Kansas City
While I certainly hold Gazan militants and Hamas accountable for their actions that helped provoke this atrocity, I am outraged at the disproportionate response Israel has taken. This bombardment was delivered in broad daylight, apparently for maximum casualties, right at the time school lets out. For those who defend Israel no matter what, I think it is important to get some perspective.
The Palestinians have lived in apartheid conditions for multiple generations. The suffering of these people is unimaginable. They have some culpability in this recent escalation of violence, no doubt, but please consider the horrific conditions they have endured for decades — conditions no humans should ever have to suffer.
We need an immediate cease-fire and a new U.S. policy in the region that is much more even-handed and cognizant of historical realities.
Ken Gates
Overland Park
solomon
Good night after this.
So you are saying dropping bombs on civilians is wrong but firing thousands of rockets at civilians is ok?
Posted by: EL | January 03, 2009 at 10:17 PM
solomon
Where did I defend Israel?
Pointing out that murder is worse than robbery is in no way a defense of robbers, but fact.
Maybe you believe in Santa Claus??
Israel's budget is $200 billion. US gave them 2 billion. So if US ends all aid to Israel they are 1% weaker, still 990 times stronger than Hamas.
This is indeed ongoing historical strife and the stupidity of Hamas is condemning 2 or 3 more generations of Gazans to a miserable life.
Israel missed many chances to help establish and trade freely with a free Palestinian state.
Posted by: EL | January 03, 2009 at 09:47 PM
EL,
Before you get cross with me, remember I'm the one who says this is just one more ongoing strife in history.
Posted by: solomon | January 03, 2009 at 08:23 PM
EL,
Your defense of the one we are financing is the disgrace. Make no mistake, the US is bombing Hamas.
Maybe you're one of those people who think Liston actually was knocked out in the Ali/Liston fight, or that Pauley Shore is really funny.
Posted by: solomon | January 03, 2009 at 08:19 PM
Warsaw Ghetto
"the large Nazi force entered the ghetto. After initial setbacks, the Germans under the field command of Jürgen Stroop systematically burned and blew up the ghetto buildings, block by block, rounding up or murdering anybody they could capture." Over 400,000 Jews were killed.
The Gaza situation is very bad but comparing the two is a disgrace.
Posted by: EL | January 03, 2009 at 04:40 PM
Gaza is the largest concentration camp ever created.
The more things change, the more they never change.
Posted by: whispering_to_kc | January 03, 2009 at 04:24 PM
If you poke a bear's cubs with a stick the bear will not pick up a stick and poke you, but will bite your head off. Only an idiot would provoke a bear.
Only idiots would fire rockets at civilians into a country with 100 times the firepower they have.
Didn't Hamas watch Georgia/Russia last year.
Posted by: EL | January 03, 2009 at 02:22 PM
There will never be peace in the ME. Everyone thinks they are right, their religion is right, their gang is right, no balance, no middle road. Humanity is arrogant.
Posted by: NoMoreMrNiceGuy | January 03, 2009 at 10:41 AM
Maybe the Israelis should form an alliance with Hamas, and then betray and kill their allies along with their women and children.
Worked at the Black forest.
Posted by: solomon | January 03, 2009 at 10:15 AM
"While I certainly hold Gazan militants and Hamas accountable for their actions that helped provoke this atrocity, I am outraged at the disproportionate response Israel has taken."
Someone got his Hamas talking points.
Imagine if four bank robbers went into a bank to clear out the vaults. They took a dozen hostages in the bank and killed one to show the police that they were serious.
The police surround the bank with 50 police officers, and eventually a SWAT team enters the bank and kills all four bank robbers.
Would the letter writer whine about the police using "disproportionate" force?
Posted by: Arminius | January 03, 2009 at 09:12 AM
BB,
I don't mind you quoting the most widely political tool ever created, and don't fault you for believing it.
Posted by: solomon | January 02, 2009 at 07:58 PM
Solomon,
You seem to not like my quoting the number one selling book in the world. I can not help you with that. Israel is an exception. Is that not obvious? Happy ranting to you.
BB
Posted by: Brian Brookbank | January 02, 2009 at 07:27 PM
I have 3 bandaged fingires, forgive my errors.
Posted by: solomon | January 02, 2009 at 07:16 PM
Would you mind telling us what God thinks of Monatana, India, Greece, Angola, Harrahs Casino or anplace lese these learned sheepherders knew nothng about.
All I'm asking is that you play fait. something about limking Christianity with the world power might have spread its influence.
Just a reader who thinks Hebrew religionists were no more advanced than the Asian and African of the period.
Actually, much more crude. We already know much of the old book was taken from previou8s traditions, and Christianity and Fire worship in Persia had much in common. Even Islam was cosnsidered just another heretical theology. And what about the gospels that were denied for political reasons from 300-800 A.D
Just a guy looking for an answer to a biased opinon.
Posted by: solomon | January 02, 2009 at 07:14 PM
According to God, Jerusalem is the eternal capitol of Israel. According to Hamas, they want Israel to cease to exist and pledge their lives, or, cowards that they are, at least their children's lives, to this end. This creates a dilemma that may eventually compel Israel to take them up on their offer of martyrdom.
God, the author of a perennial bestseller, says, 'There is a time for war and a time for peace." This would appear to be a time for war.
Posted by: Brian Brookbank | January 02, 2009 at 06:56 PM
Isn't that always the question? No european based country (within its confines), would be willing to give an inch. anyone familiar with Native Ameican "reservations" know they are slums outside of booming american industrialization. Lets ask you, me, Engineeer, Mia Farrow and NEAWG to give our homes to the natives because the UN said its fair, millions of them had just been killed by Europeans while we allowed it.
Posted by: solomon | January 02, 2009 at 06:53 PM
And the American Jews and European Jews are responsible for 1%. No bias there my friend.
Hey, like i said, if you want a country it should not take my subsidizing it. You are free to disagree. Look at US aid and tell me what the infrastructure in Israel would be without our aid, specifically in military and logistical aid. If you think they could exist on their own stop the aid now. The Cree, Apache and Sioux would still be fighting if we gave them weapons at the rate we arm the Jews.
Posted by: solomon | January 02, 2009 at 06:29 PM
"HAMAS WANTS ITS LAND BACK."
Again, it all depends on how far back into history you choose to go. At some point, each side has claims to the land in question.
Posted by: Marctnts | January 02, 2009 at 06:24 PM
You miss the essential point: Hamas ASSUMES the Israelis will respond with force. HAMAS WANTS ITS LAND BACK. If Canada annexed Minnesota, would you expect the U.S. to shrug its shoulders? What effective weapons does Hamas have against Israel except world opinion?
Posted by: Henry Spencer | January 02, 2009 at 06:20 PM
I at no time said US should support Israel or give it money or bombs.
Israel's economy is $200 billion. Us gave them %2 billion .
If US cut off all aid to Israel it amounts to 1%.
Israel could and should survive without any US aid.
If US opposed Israel the US would have far less problems in the Islamic world.
That said, Hamas is totally stupid if it thinks Israel will not respond in huge force to attacks on its cities.
Hamas is 99% to blame for the current war.
Posted by: EL | January 02, 2009 at 06:08 PM