i also have to add that i dont deny the fact that there are some extemists coming from out side as well, that really do hate all arabs and would rather have the palestinians gone, however, these extereimsts arent running the country, as apposed to palestine ;)

I don't believe that all governments are terrorists. There are some decent people in government, but it gets really dangerous when a terrorist or some really dishonest person gets elected (George Bush, for one.) Governments are there to provide order, everything would fall apart without them.

 

Hamas were a terrorist organization long before they were elected. This is a group that will grab little children off the streets and use them as a human shield when bombs and rockets are flying towards them, or fire from school buildings full of little children, so that the Israelis are provoked into blowing it up, and little children are killed. They're not decent, they're evil, and they're waging a war against Israel (who were trying to settle this thing peacefully, and have now proceeded to extreme measures.) I don't agree with what Israel is doing right now, but it's a hell of a lot better than what Hamas were and are doing. Israel is only defending themselves, Hamas have been killing innocent civilians (including children) in Israel for 8 years. I understand their frustration.

Seeing that a UN school was attacked sort of pissed me off.

I wonder what it's all about.. Hamas militants attacking Israeli towns within rocket range - surly they knew the Israeli government and military would respond.. Did they hope for lots of innocent civilians getting killed to then further enrage and turn more Palestinians into Hamas supporters? Hmm..

Still, the video footage I've seen on Mosaic through Link TV shows major buildings being blown up with "pinpoint precision", yet this is a pretty big target, compared to a setup of rockets..:confused: It looks pretty excessive from what I've seen, and that's unfortunate. I think the French negotiators might have the right idea - to get aid in quickly, but the Israeli government makes a lot of sense in wanting to inspect aid convoys for weapons! Included in the deal is the closing of tunnels and a ceasefire naturally.

But looking at the news from the region - I get the funny feeling that Gaza is being used as a political "football" to be battered about for political reasons. How sad to see human life treated so cheaply, when discussed by those far removed and safe within their own jurisdictions..

One thing that does make me wonder - since I know the track record of powerful states (U.S.'s use of NAPALM in VietNam, Saddam's gas attacks, etc.).. Is the Israeli military using burning phosphorous in their bombs??

Hamas were a terrorist organization long before they were elected. This is a group that will grab little children off the streets and use them as a human shield when bombs and rockets are flying towards them, or fire from school buildings full of little children, so that the Israelis are provoked into blowing it up, and little children are killed. They're not decent, they're evil, and they're waging a war against Israel (who were trying to settle this thing peacefully, and have now proceeded to extreme measures.) I don't agree with what Israel is doing right now, but it's a hell of a lot better than what Hamas were and are doing. Israel is only defending themselves, Hamas have been killing innocent civilians (including children) in Israel for 8 years. I understand their frustration.

 

you couldnt have said it better :)

 

Seeing that a UN school was attacked sort of pissed me off.

 

if im not mistaken hamas used that school for their own benefits just so this would happen... so israel would have to attack and then internationally ppl would start raising eyebrows

hamas activists also like to hide in hospitals and public places for that same reason

it's exactly like them using women and children as human shields

 

and fyi, israel always gives a head up before it drops a bomb and a building and tells all the ppl inside to evacuate... wrecking the buildings is to ruin the places from which hamas works and shoots missles, not to kill ppl!

Well I hope you're right about all that.. I'm sure Hamas does use these buildings for just that reason, but what was their motivation in your mind? Were they just not thinking and acting on impulse, or were they planning the rocket attacks to intentionally cause a response??

But it does seem like the Palestinians are 'used' in the region as a football of sorts. They're often the labor force in many well-off Arab countries, as well as employed by contractors building the wall.. I just feel bad when a group of people gets used as cheap labor and misled so much; it's not making life any better, and then they might keep going more radical, which only worsens things.

What do you think, green eyes?

i agree that the attack was abit too strong...

 

and about the killing of children...

for your knowledge, hammas activists grab little children and women in the streets to use them as a human shield, and then make us look bad

 

please when you say somthing dont just say it cause you heard it somewhere...this is not true they would never do anything like that...and if you have proof I'd be happy to see it.

and as im 21 i have friends who are serving the israeli army this days and ppl i know who were recruited for the attack....

 

believe me that the way ppl are acting in the streets here is that they all want this war to be over... nobody likes the situation...

but we also want the shootings to stop...!

 

I know...I dont hate or disagree with all of you there...but I really think that you dont get the whole truth.

actually everyday I realize more that the situation is very very complicated there is alot of lies too.

but honestly I'm very much against your govermtent and the way the handle things.

 

and the civilians in the gaza strip really didnt know what was good for them when they chose hammas as their political party in 2006. The were blindsighted by the social and economic benefits that hamas bring and forgot that a significant about of hamas' budget goes to terror...

If this is true...they would say that they dont want them anymore now...but that's not what's happening...they still support them and still accept them as their leaders...and so does almost everyone in the arab world.

 

not to mention, we also have a captive soldier, Gilad Shalit, who's been captive for almost 1000 days... 2 and a half years... and we believe he's still alive

along with wanting to stop the missle shootings we also want Gilad back... it's one issue that's very sensitive among the israeli popultion...

I dont think you know this...because as I said before...the media makes sure you dont get these things...but there is a lot of palestiniens that are kept in Isrealin prisons some of them are politiclas and some are just citizins. not just one solider. everyday there is arrests all over palestine.

 

and to be honest, i think the world should think twice about this. Try to imagine what would happen if Palestine was a legetimate country who could gather military power... do you really want another terrorist country run by hamas???

at least this way we have it somewhat under countrol, but a country run by hamas can be just as bad as Iran

 

I just want to remind you that one day they were a legetimate country...before Israel existed...and they were just fine...nobody complained about them.

 

I wonder what it's all about.. Hamas militants attacking Israeli towns within rocket range - surly they knew the Israeli government and military would respond.. Did they hope for lots of innocent civilians getting killed to then further enrage and turn more Palestinians into Hamas supporters? Hmm..

 

If you are sitting in your home with your family and you have a gun...and a group of people comes and closes all the doors of your house and ban you from getting out or getting anything in...soon your food and gas would run out...your kids are hungry and cold...they're dying slowly...you're talking to these people no one is listening...what do you do?? watch your family die?? or you use your gun although you know that they're too many and you cant beat them??

 

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KntmpoRXFX4]YouTube - CNN Confirms Israel Broke Ceasefire First[/ame]

please when you say somthing dont just say it cause you heard it somewhere...this is not true they would never do anything like that...and if you have proof I'd be happy to see it.

 

i hadnt just "heard" it... it's a fact and seen in the news

and anyway, neither one of us is out there fighting and neither one of us truly knows whats going on, but let's say this isnt the first time hamas are using innocent children as for their opposition...

a pic:

and you can read about it here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Child_suicide_bombers_in_the_Israeli-Palestinian_conflict

need i remind you there were young suicide bombers who were simply brainwashed?

im pretty sure that in a time of war the hamas activists wouldnt think twice about using a child in order to save their life.

 

but honestly I'm very much against your govermtent and the way the handle things.

i completly understand that, and it's completly natural!! and i of course have nothing against you on any personal level, we just have to agree to disagree on political matters

the problem is that on both sides ppl sometimes get confused and mix political disagreements with personal ones ;)

 

If this is true...they would say that they dont want them anymore now...but that's not what's happening...they still support them and still accept them as their leaders...and so does almost everyone in the arab world

 

i know about this too.... i just think they still dont realise their mistake or actually would rather deny it... i mean - who would wanna blame themselves for the situation?

and just so you know, in the past months there has been serious rivalry inside the palestinian commutiny because of the political disagreements. Dozens of palestinians were killing each other everyday... (patah against hamas)...

im sure that back then they really did regret that hamas took over things

 

and also, if im not mistaken, mubarack (egypt's president) told the hamas leader, ismail hania, that he believes hania made a mistake by handling things the way he did and he should have seen the attack coming

 

 

I dont think you know this...because as I said before...the media makes sure you dont get these things...but there is a lot of palestiniens that are kept in Isrealin prisons some of them are politiclas and some are just citizins. not just one solider. everyday there is arrests all over palestine.

 

OF COURSE I KNOW THIS

but there is a difference....

many of these prisoners were arrested because they had a connection with terrorist attacks or plans that may not know about or heard of. Like Yasser Arafat was given the noble prize for peace but there's no doubt in mind that he did have something to do with some of the terror that was used against israel

just because you dont know something doesnt mean it's not there

and alsoooo

there's a difference becasue the palestinians are kept as prisoners!!They're are given humane conditions; food, shelter, clothes, hygeine.... they're kept in a prison! anddd they're families know where they are and their conditions and they can be in touch with them on the phone and also they've all been sentenced and got a sentence time. They know when and if they will be out

 

Gilad shalit on the other hand is innocent!!! He was simply captured when he was gaurding the border!!! Today, we dont know where he is, how he is... is he alive?? what are they doing to him!!!!

all this behaviour is a violation of international laws!!!

read about it here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gilad_Shalit

it's completly different....!!

 

I just want to remind you that one day they were a legetimate country...before Israel existed...and they were just fine...nobody complained about them

 

the was never a "palestine" country... before us the british were here and before that all sorts of other colonies...

but seriously, let's not get into that because it's really irrelevant

and even if there was a palestine country, there was no hamas back then ;)

Well I hope you're right about all that.. I'm sure Hamas does use these buildings for just that reason, but what was their motivation in your mind? Were they just not thinking and acting on impulse, or were they planning the rocket attacks to intentionally cause a response??

But it does seem like the Palestinians are 'used' in the region as a football of sorts. They're often the labor force in many well-off Arab countries, as well as employed by contractors building the wall.. I just feel bad when a group of people gets used as cheap labor and misled so much; it's not making life any better, and then they might keep going more radical, which only worsens things.

What do you think, green eyes?

 

I think hamasw motivation is to simply wear us down... i think they think that if they attack us more and kill more israelis and make us be afraid to live in our own houses they will ulitametly make us wanna leave and give them their country...

obviously it's been kind of working for them

many ppl living in the south of israel, in missle range, moved north

it happenned in 2005 when we cleared gaza trip

it happenned in 2001-2002 when there were many suicide bombings and ppl truly didnt leave their home... i remember that time, it was just horrible! Many ppl wanted to leave the country

so we've been taking it and taking it from them and not responding is such harsh measures except for "Homat Magen" in 2002, that stopped the suicide bombings... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Defensive_Shield

and since we've been taking it so much, i bet they didnt really think we'd respond this way

but there was only so much we could take!

 

and i agree with you when it comes to the paletinians situation labor-wise and also eduactionally

i think many time there are stigmas towards the arab community and ppl dont think that they're very progressive or open to the west...

but that's definetly untrue. I think that arabs who have an israeli ID and that live inside israeli borders do get opportunities... they become doctors and lawyers and whatever... just like everybody else

The hebrew university here in jerusalem has many arab students... and also you should look at cities like Haifa were there truly is co-exsistence

however there will always be stigmas and they may have a harder time getting a job... but that's just sad that the world is like that...

 

and the palestinians living in the palestinian borders really dont get any opportunities.... if we could co-exsist with them like the other palestines the situation would have been different... this was all brought on both sides by poor leadership!

here..

i found proof:

 

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_46cGArhEk]YouTube - Palestinian using kids as human shields[/ame]

708 dead and 3100 injured!!!:(

 

UN: No fighters in targeted school

 

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2009/01/20091805410769377.html

 

does the UN lie too?? no one believes us when we say that mosques are not being used as weapon shields...now this.

Israel fires on UN Gaza convoy

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2009/01/2009181119551714.html

 

Israel rains fire on Gaza with phosphorus shells

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article5447590.ece

green eye...If the little boy from the video is in danger and is being used as human shield...then dont you think that all the others around him would as well...I mean shouldn't they be runny or hiding? it's not clear to me that he was being used as human shield. sorry.

 

that baby pic is silly:

"According to BBC News the baby's grandfather, Redwan Abu Turki, said that the dressing of the infant baby as a bomber was from a rally at the university and that "the picture was taken just for the fun of it""

I know it's not that much fun. it's actually sick...but I said that they dont use them as human shields...the Idea of 14-17 year olds bombing themselves is not the same...not that it is right in any way.

green eye...If the little boy from the video is in danger and is being used as human shield...then dont you think that all the others around him would as well...I mean shouldn't they be runny or hiding? it's not clear to me that he was being used as human shield. sorry.

 

that baby pic is silly:

"According to BBC News the baby's grandfather, Redwan Abu Turki, said that the dressing of the infant baby as a bomber was from a rally at the university and that "the picture was taken just for the fun of it""

I know it's not that much fun. it's actually sick...but I said that they dont use them as human shields...the Idea of 14-17 year olds bombing themselves is not the same...not that it is right in any way.

 

like i said

neither one of us really knows whats going on there

but i dont think that any israeli would have so much hate as to go and shoot a child on purpose...

i really believe that....

and it's fine if you disagree, although it would be kind of sad because itd mean that you have absoloutly no belief in ppl, or specifically in israelis

all the soldiers out there are ppl like me, my age... i was in IDF myself until 3 months ago.... so i think i do have a right to say that i know abit of whats going on out there

 

but factually children and teenagers have been used by hamas in the past, forget this specific picture... there were other cases...

they're trained by a young age to use weapons

and this whole costume thing just sounds like a lame excuse to me... either way it's really sick

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YQ3fKVi39Q]YouTube - The Children of Hamas[/ame]

 

and this is the brainwashing im talking about:

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56Rtx04TYPo&feature=related]YouTube - Muslim Palestinians teach children to hate in cartoons 2[/ame]

 

you wil never ever ever see israeli TV shows like that, teaching hate!

The unemployment rate in Gaza Strip is 34.8%.

 

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/gz.html#Econ

 

That's why they've got so much free time to stir trouble. Everything goes back to economics.

They is us, and we is them. Anywhere unemployment soars, and people are frustrated with time on their hands, plus looking for a reason and a cause to vent their frustrations, extremists find recruits and safe haven. Now that goes just the same in any country (except maybe Argentina, where they dance the Tango when unemployment goes up.. keeps them busy - they've got the right ideas!)

But I think when modern military equipment is used, it might be pinpoint, but dependent on coordination with ground spotters or it's a real gamble, and from what I'm seeing on Free Speech TV and Link's mosaic, it looks like a lot of really sad mistakes - yes, leaflets were dropped, but the bombs followed before many could escape in at least one case, and hitting houses, apartments, schools.? Looks like the wrong targets to me. Not enough intelligence directing the air strikes, and way too much power in the blasts, killing and maiming a lot of innocent citizens there. I wish it weren't so.. The rockets the Hamas militants are using do damage roofs and buildings.. Still, they have killed and injured innocent citizens in Israel, so both are bad. I just wish the Israeli army's response would have been much more careful to say the least, and no closing down of the Palestinian economy in essence, if that was the case. Frustrated and out of work, anyone might turn to the extreme, or tolerate militants in their midst - it's basic human nature.

Unfortunately, I think air power is used in close quarters, and terrible mistakes result from it. The weapons being used are simply too powerful, and when in close quarters, a police action might be called for with mobile ground units, but airstrikes are too hard..

It's not the sort of military action that I think will lead to a cessation of violence and a lasting peace..

They is us? C'mon Chuck that's not even proper english:cool:

 

But in all seriousness, good post. I enjoy your views on these issue's.

Chuck, a lot of it has to do with demographics, also.

 

If I had to guess, I'd say Palestine (and the middle east in general) have a higher percentage of youth in their population. Men under the age of 35 are the ones who are going to go crazy when they've got no job (plus they're probably sexually repressed because of Islam). There's a whole witch's brew of reasons for the crap going on over there.

 

Hamas is well known for their socialist policies, which probably cause unemployment to be higher than it otherwise would be. I'd love to see if there's a correlation between minimum wage laws and crime - regardless of the country... I can't believe I research this after midnight. God I'm a geek.

I think hamasw motivation is to simply wear us down... i think they think that if they attack us more and kill more israelis and make us be afraid to live in our own houses they will ulitametly make us wanna leave and give them their country...

Yes, I agree - that's not a civil approach to any matter! But I wonder, given modern intelligence and surveillance, how the Hamas militants manage to position the rockets in visible locations and send them off - maybe actually using more drone aircraft to spot and prevent missile attacks would save lives both by preventing the launches, and by targeting only the militants responsible? I would be peeved too if rockets were raining down with explosive tips, but prevention is always better than intervention..:\

obviously it's been kind of working for them

many ppl living in the south of israel, in missle range, moved north

it happenned in 2005 when we cleared gaza trip

it happenned in 2001-2002 when there were many suicide bombings and ppl truly didnt leave their home... i remember that time, it was just horrible! Many ppl wanted to leave the country

so we've been taking it and taking it from them and not responding is such harsh measures except for "Homat Magen" in 2002, that stopped the suicide bombings... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Defensive_Shield

and since we've been taking it so much, i bet they didnt really think we'd respond this way

but there was only so much we could take!

I sense your frustration, and understand what pressures you must have been under! We all deal with terrorism, but not from such a constant, direct threat like that. It must have been awful!!

Good reason to have better security, but also better economics, so there's less tension that way.. I wish there was an answer.

and i agree with you when it comes to the paletinians situation labor-wise and also eduactionally

i think many time there are stigmas towards the arab community and ppl dont think that they're very progressive or open to the west...

but that's definetly untrue. I think that arabs who have an israeli ID and that live inside israeli borders do get opportunities... they become doctors and lawyers and whatever... just like everybody else

The hebrew university here in jerusalem has many arab students... and also you should look at cities like Haifa were there truly is co-exsistence

however there will always be stigmas and they may have a harder time getting a job... but that's just sad that the world is like that...

Well, that's refreshing to hear!:) Hopefully improved economics and education will change the situation elsewhere as well..

 

and the palestinians living in the palestinian borders really dont get any opportunities.... if we could co-exsist with them like the other palestines the situation would have been different... this was all brought on both sides by poor leadership!

Well, somehow you will probably need to encourage improved economics in Palestine, or the past and present will be the future. Even when a bad government takes power, I've never see sanctions or closed borders do any good - and the US tried this as well with Iraq in the 90's, with disastrous results. I can understand what happens when bad governments take power; hopefully that will change as well!

Keep safe & sound you and your family, and thanks for the chat!

Chuck, a lot of it has to do with demographics, also.

Maybe so! ;)

 

If I had to guess, I'd say Palestine (and the middle east in general) have a higher percentage of youth in their population. Men under the age of 35 are the ones who are going to go crazy when they've got no job (plus they're probably sexually repressed because of Islam). There's a whole witch's brew of reasons for the crap going on over there.

Jay, that's probably true in many senses, as the student revolutions here were youth revolutions as well (and as was the case in Iran with ousting the Shaw, etc.). The turn movements take can turn out for the better or for the worse.. Hmm.. sexually repressed under Islam? I never thought about that being a factor, but perhaps it could be? One thing I'm pretty certain of - the loss of pride in oneself, and a level of frustration when meaningful work and income isn't there can have a large influence. Growing up in a militant madrassa, with the cult of the martyr.. hmm.. that's sewing seeds that, when something does cause massive unemployment and constraint, may lead to some very bad outcomes.

 

Hamas is well known for their socialist policies, which probably cause unemployment to be higher than it otherwise would be. I'd love to see if there's a correlation between minimum wage laws and crime - regardless of the country... I can't believe I research this after midnight. God I'm a geek.

I tend to disagree about socialism, but it may depend more on how it is applied. Anyhow, thanks for the great conversation!;)

Perhaps not all is right with the Israeli military? Please explain this:UN rights chief wants investigation of Gaza abuses - Yahoo! News

I think the broad majority of Gaza's residents are good, honest individuals, and just like anywhere, just want to have good lives. The same is true for Israelis - but unfortunately people in power can make callous decisions..

I think the broad majority of Gaza's residents are good, honest individuals, and just like anywhere, just want to have good lives. The same is true for Israelis - but unfortunately people in power can make callous decisions..[/quote ]

I agree.

 

If I had to guess, I'd say Palestine (and the middle east in general) have a higher percentage of youth in their population. Men under the age of 35 are the ones who are going to go crazy when they've got no job (plus they're probably sexually repressed because of Islam). There's a whole witch's brew of reasons for the crap going on over there.

I'm afraid I don't agree with you.

Palestinians have been under war for almost 60 years now...a lot of people lost members of their family...others lost their houses and got no place to live...and many lost the place they work in...the land that is Israel now...had millions of Palestinian citizens that got departed to Palestine now...or other countries...and a lot of them couldn't find work.

all that, the war...the siege...watching your children hungry and cold and not be able to do anything about it, and many other reasons cause the anger and violence that is being used.

They learned over the years that nothing is going for their interest when they peacefully talk and try to make truces...so they go and use the other way.

now about the other things you said...you say that this is going on in the middle east...but the other countries is fine...maybe now things started to be different because of what's happening in Gaza...it might cause some anger and violence...but before we were just fine.

The United states have a very high rate of crime...but yet they are not sexually repressed or any of "the crap" that you think is going on here. it's actually the other way around...I mean the crimes that happens is because of the things that you do and we don't...high rates of divorce because husbands cheat on their wives cause they're not used to being with one partner...and that is one of the reasons that cause the children to do drugs and be morally corrupted...not to mention drinking that causes a lot of accidents and crimes.

anyway that's a whole other subject...I just wanted to tell you that I don't think that is the problem.

UN: No fighters in targeted school

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/mi...410769377.html

 

does the UN lie too?? no one believes us when we say that mosques are not being used as weapon shields...now this.

Israel fires on UN Gaza convoy

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/mi...119551714.html

Israel rains fire on Gaza with phosphorus shells

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/new...cle5447590.ece

 

UN: One-third of Gaza dead, injured are children

 

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090109/ap_on_re_mi_ea/un_un_gaza_humanitarian_toll;_ylt=AhUwFQk0OpM6pWS3dtc1tCkLewgF

 

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofgiqfCMyt4]YouTube - Praying in defiance of Israel's war in Gaza - 09 Jan 09[/ame]

 

Reports of one journalist injured in northern Gaza, building was used by several news agencies and pan-Arab satellite channels.

 

Red Cross prevented from accessing injured, starving survivors in Gaza

http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article10142.shtml

 

Palestinian medics come under fire in Gaza

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2009/01/20091853249762874.html

 

Israel 'shelled Gaza civilians'

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2009/01/200919135323309745.html

 

UN halts Gaza aid after convoy hit

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2009/01/2009181482839688.html

 

All innocent mistakes??? I don't think so!!

Palestinians have been under war for almost 60 years now...a lot of people lost members of their family...others lost their houses and got no place to live...and many lost the place they work in...the land that is Israel now...had millions of Palestinian citizens that got departed to Palestine now...or other countries...and a lot of them couldn't find work.

 

War is a distraction from real life. It's a flight of fancy, a fear of the mundane (sort of like sports), only far more dangerous.

 

Psychologically speaking, I don't see a whole lot of evidence the Palestinians are very interested in peace. They are preoccupied with their own sense of victimization and oppression. Why don't they just stop throwing rocks and get on with their lives? Because to do so would be the ultimate acknowledgment that the past 60 years (as you put it) have been an utter lie and waste of human life. They can't admit that, not now, not ever!

War is a distraction from real life. It's a flight of fancy, a fear of the mundane (sort of like sports), only far more dangerous.

 

Psychologically speaking, I don't see a whole lot of evidence the Palestinians are very interested in peace. They are preoccupied with their own sense of victimization and oppression. Why don't they just stop throwing rocks and get on with their lives? Because to do so would be the ultimate acknowledgment that the past 60 years (as you put it) have been an utter lie and waste of human life. They can't admit that, not now, not ever!

 

nicely said...

i couldnt agree with you more

too bad there are those palestinians who've been trying to get with their lives and the extremists screw it for them... the situation is really sad

One thing I am concerned with is what happens when individuals in the military (any military, for that matter) have been so trained as to be completely insensitive to what they are being asked to do. Why does this matter? Well, launching rockets at civilian homes, for one thing. But on a larger scale, using precision guided weapons to blow up entire buildings just because a ground spotter sees a militant going into the building.

Maybe I'm mistaken, but that looks a lot like some of the worst things the U.S. military did during the Iraq war, and it could be what some of the military personnel are doing on the Israeli side using U.S. weapons systems. I remember watching one TV program on returning US vets, and how they were having nightmares as they came to full realization of what they had done in so desensitized a fashion, and they were having significant psychological problems from coming to terms with this. In Vietnam, the often quoted "we had to burn a village to save a village" is used to represent this extreme bend on justifying the destruction of a whole village, inhabitants and all, just because one suspected member of the enemy could be hiding there..

And then there's action-at-a-distance. When a bomber at several thousand feet drops a load of bombs, it's hard to sense what's really being done, as the removal from actual circumstances is so great. Hence, the US government under Nixon justified carpet bombing Cambodia, hitting a full 50% of the land surface.. Imagine what that was like on the ground - fully half of the country's surface was being pulverized with high explosives - everyone and everything being seriously affected; but the pilot and the bomber does not hear nor see anything but little explosions down below. So today, these guidance systems turn the targeting of objects into little more than a video game for the operators, and this is what has me concerned. We cannot go on with such methods to respond to attacks, as they will only enrage those who suffer from these extreme measures. There simply has to be a better way to deal with things by either side; have we forgot all the lessons of the 60's and 70's??

Anyhow, I'll get off my soap-box now. Just a little concerned about what's really afoot.