Turn, turn, turn

So goes the Biblically-inspired lyrics of the once popular song by the Byrds, which discusses seasons of change. After 50 years of U.S. tactical diplomacy in the Middle East it would appear our current president is ready for some change:

"The tacticians would say: 'Get an immediate cease-fire. Deal first with the humanitarian factors.' The president would say: 'You have an opportunity to really grind down Hezbollah. Let's take it, even if there are other serious consequences that will have to be managed.' "

Ex Clintonites are not impressed, pointing out the rise of Hizballah occurred due to the past meddling in Lebanon years ago, and suggesting we're in for more of the same. But after years of trying to wage peace with the same ole crappy results, perhaps a change is needed.

The leaders of Hizballah understand. In his recent apology for the collateral damage deaths of two Arab youngters in Nazareth Sheik Hassan Nasrallah said the following:

"Israel was told by America to go ahead and finish this issue," he alleged. "This is what Israel is doing. This is what America needs to recreate the region anew."

By the way, the Sheik called the young victims 'martyrs', which made me wonder how the 72 virgins fit here. Perhaps there is a consent clause?

Interestingly, Saddam has also mentioned a similar 'strategy' at times, triggering his calls for unity in standing up to coalition invaders in Iraq. They believe Bush's simple plan is to divide and conquer.

The key may be the moderate Arab leaders, since they are faced with either standing with Saddam, Hizballah and Ahmadinejad and their jihad, or with the more civilized west. Indeed, Bush's plan may well be to divide the bad actors in an effort to conquer freedom for the region, but he can't do it without the moderate states.

SPEAK OF THE DEVIL 7/21

As if by magic, our Dorito-loving friend has managed to weigh in (again) from his jail cell on the current ME crisis:

"I see that officials of your administration are still lying to you and they still do not give you a true explanation for the reasons that motivated them to rush on the road of aggression against Iraq,"

The Butcher went on to say that "..seven years of U.N. inspections failed to find evidence that Iraq was still trying to build weapons of mass destruction". Geez, can somebody please get Claudia Rosett over to Baghdad? And perhaps she can take Bill Clinton with her, more than anyone else a man who would know about Saddam's claims, and a man who is openly supporting Joe Lieberman, who openly supports the Iraq war.

MORE 7/21/06

better add Cap'n Ed to the list of those who need to make a televised visit to question Saddam.

ht Regimeofterror

SPEAKING OF THE MODERATE ARAB LEADERS.. 7/22/06

The New York Times has found some division in the ranks and appears to be mighty preachy about what it might mean:

The tone of the sermons suggests that the fighting in Lebanon is further tarnishing the image of the United States in the Arab world as being solely concerned with Israel’s welfare and making its allied governments look increasingly like puppets

Perhaps the Times should occasionally stop and ponder just who Hizballah really is, then remind readers how many Americans they've killed and injured over the years. Guess scare-mongering about our regional image and feigning indignation about s words and backrubs will sell more papers to the blue-blooders.

Thing is, a lot of fly-over rednecks understand the difference between a terrorist and an innocent Jew sitting on a bus or in a cafe. They instinctively know what we're dealing with here, and not too many hearts are breaking for Hizballah.