Israeli Ambassador to the US makes outrageous comment on Tucker Carlson....

[Postman]

In response to a question from Carlson...

Carlson: Don't you think Israel is harming their objective of wiping out Hezbollah by destroying Lebanese infrastructure? (rough interpretation)

Ambassador: We're doing Lebanon a favor....

Great. Tell that to the innocent people you're killing that you're doing them a favor, asswipe.

[ShortnFiery]

1. Hezbollah holds 23 seats in Lebanon's Government!

Oh, if Israel does NOT agree with democratically elected Hamas and Hezbollah politicians, they're free to bomb and kill until there's no more left? :puke: :grr:

[cali]

10. I'm firmly opposed to Israel's

brutal and disproportionate response, but I don't give a damn how many seats in Parliament H'zbollah has, it's still a repugnant group with a horrifying and totalitarian fundamentalist philosophy. Israel's bombing of Lebanon is wrong, but they have every right to go after H'zbollah. H'zbollah has been firing rockets for years into Israel, and they just crossed the border, killed israeli soldiers and captured them.

[malaise]

12. That's cool as long as it doesn't disturb you

that the people in the ME don't give a damn about Likud either. People in a sovereign state have the right to choose their leaders.
The slaughter of innocent Lebanese is barbaric - nothing less.

[cali]

14. Comparing Israel

to H'zbollah is absurd, but hopefully you're consistent and you're also comfortable drawing a moral equivalency between the US who has slaughtered thousands upon thousands of Iraqis and Afghanis, and H'zbollah.

[bloom]

22. Actually

The US is responsible for hundreds of thousands of deaths - killing people in other countries.

Israel is responsible for thousands of Palestinian deaths since Hezbolla has been in existence.

And according to AIPAC - Hezbolla is responsible for hundreds of deaths - since it's existence.



So yeah - I'm not getting the idea that Hezbolla is such a big, bad entity. Not in comparison to the US and to Israel.

Some people seem to think that the bigger, more established the country - the more they have a right to bomb people. But I'm not one of them.

I think the propaganda that tries to get people worked up, fearing and hating the small, mostly ineffective groups of people - is just that. Propaganda. I think it when the US is doing it. I think it when Israel is doing it. I am consistent.

[malaise]

24. Any thoughts on this

http://www.guardian.co.uk/israel/Story/0,,1822923,00.html?gusrc=rss

[madeline_con]

13. By your logic, Hezbollah is perfectly justified, too.

That settles it for me.

[cali]

16. come again?

does my logic justify H'zbollah?

[madeline_con]

18. Those in the Israeli government driving this bloodbath

are "a repugnant group with a horrifying and totalitarian fundamentalist philosophy".

[cali]

28. Why not actually learn something about the

people you so abhor?

[ShortnFiery]

20. "a repugnant group with a horrifying and totalitarian fundamentalist ...

philosophy."

Some of us would say the same description holds true for fundy RW republicans. ;)

Repugnant to who? The Lebanese DEMOCRATICALLY elected 23 Hezbolla politicians. It's NOT Israel's call to tell Lebanon who to elect within THEIR Government.

This group developed initially as a response to ILLEGAL OCCUPATION by Israel. How many prisoners does Israel hold?

No, neither party is innocent and labeling a part of the legitimately elected Lebanese government as TERRORISTS to justify targeting civilians doesn't cut it with me. :thumbsdown:

[JackNewtown]

35. I agree nm

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

2. Question.

Two or three days ago I read on DU that some Israeli official made the statement to the effect that "There's no such thing as Lebanese civilians." Can I get confirmation on that?

I was skeptical at first, but this latest comment has me wondering.

Because that's Nazi level rhetoric. No bitter irony intended.

[alfredo]

3. How did Pucker Carlson react?

[Postman]

4. He let it slide.

after all, he is also an asswipe.

[alfredo]

31. Looks like the brain damage from that damn bow tie

is permanent. He might as well put it back on.

[Cha]

5. As a DUer so eloquently

wrote in the headline..

"Ok, that's it, BLOWING UP A COUNTRY DOES NOT STOP TERRORISM"

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=1663633&mesg_id=1663633

[Postman]

7. A co-worker of mine said after viewing film footage of a toppled bldg..

in Beirut (one of many) on the news today asked...

Why did they blow that particular bldg up? Did Hezbollah have a falafel stand in the street, so they needed to hit that too?

[Recursion]

6. What a jackass

But I'm curious, are you under the impression that the majority of Lebanese people like having the southern half of their country occupied by an armed Hezbollah? Israel's only making that situation worse, but I'm getting the impression people on this board think Hezbollah represents the wishes of most of Lebanon, rather than a dominant Shia minority.

[Postman]

8. No. I think the majority of people just want to live in peace.

But what Israel is doing by blowing up Lebanese infrastructure is ensuring another generation of Jew haters.

[Master Mahon]

11. Understanding Hezbullah of Lebanon for What it Really Is

(Hezbullah - Formed in 1982 in response to the Israeli invasion of Lebanon)

Understanding Hezbullah of Lebanon for What it Really Is

By Sam Hamod
Al-Jazeerah, March 14, 2005

It is time that America understood Hezbullah for what it really is, not what the Israelis and their Zionist friends say it is.

Hezbullah is a social, political, educational, medical and military organization based primarily among the Shi’a of Lebanon. In addition, Hezbullah also includes many Sunni and even Christians who ally themselves with Hezbullah because of the good this organization does in Lebanon. Many of the doctors who work in their centers, as well as teachers in their schools are Christian and Druze.
As the Christian President of Lebanon, Emile Lahoud said of Hezbullah, when it was under attack by President Bush, “Hezbollah is an integral part of the Lebanese government, it is also part of our military, it part of our social order.” This was echoed by the late, beloved, Prime Minister, Rafiq Al-Harriri.
This is the truth about Hezbullah; not what Bush and his Zionist cronies, and the uneducated Conde Rice has to say about the organization.

Let us look at what Hezbullah has done in Lebanon: it has set up over 50 hospitals; it has set up over 100 schools (secular schools primarily) and many libraries; it has participated in the governing of Lebanon in the parliament and in the life of the country; it has driven the Israelis out of southern Lebanon and kept them out—to this day, it is the force that stands guard against another Israeli invasion of Lebanon. Many of us who witnessed that, and Robert Fisk, the esteemed, award-winning columnist for the Independent of the United Kingdom will back me up on this, saw the Hezbullah fighters armed with small weapons, mines, bazookas and human bombs chase the Israeli tanks, Bradley fighting vehicles, armored cars and troops out of Lebanon.Even with planes and helicopters, the Israelis could not sustain themselves in Lebanon; they were defeated by the Hezbullah.

Thus, at this point, Israel is the biggest campaigner to have Hezbullah labeled a “terrorist organization” by the world—but all that Hezbullah did was to kick the Israelis out of Lebanese land—to kick the occupying Israeli IDF off of Lebanese soil This was defensive action; not offensive action. Hezbullah has never invaded Israel, nor has Hezbullah ever attacked Americans—though the U.S. media said it has—but this is nothing but lies. True, some of the Shi’a did fight back, as Amal, against the Americans when the American troops were siding with the Falangist Gemeyal family in attacking the Muslims, especially the Shi’a—but it was not then Hezbullah and every honest historian knows this. But there is no end to lies that the Zionists will go to because of their shame at being beaten by Hezbullah.
So why is Hezbullah labeled as a “terrorist organization”—it’s pure and simple, because it is a strong nationalist Lebanese force that refuses to bow to Israel or America or the Falangists.

Remember in America the patriots who fought against the British; Hezbullah is like those American patriots—just fighting for their land, their country. As an American, I am all for that. Any decent, educated and moral human being is for that.

We must call those who label as liars those who call Hezbullah a “terrorist organization” because they have no facts to back up their assertions. That Hezbullah defeated the Israelis is a fact, that the Israelis were an illegal occupying force in southern Lebanon (the area of the Shi’a) is a fact, that Hezbullah is now part of the Lebanese defense forces is a fact, that Hezbullah ever attacked American troops is an out and out lie.

It is time the world, especially the American people, knew the truth about Hezbullah and its charitable work, its social work, its medical work, its educational work and its standing in the hearts of most Lebanese and its standing in the Lebanese government. The lies of President Bush and his mistress of state, Conde Rice, must be undone.

http://www.aljazeerah.info/Opinion%20editorials/2005%20Opinion%20Editorials/March/14%20o/Understanding%20Hezbullah%20of%20Lebanon%20for%20What%20it%20Really%20Is%20By%20Sam%20Hamod.htm

[madeline_con]

17. A million thanks for your post.

:hi:

[Recursion]

19. I agree with that post, and I didn't call Hezbollah "terrorists"

I called them warmongers (well, I didn't call them either in my OP, but I do think they are warmongers), and I guess I have had a different experience of Lebanon than Mr. Hamod, one where the people do not like Hezbollah running half of the country and starting wars with Israel after they withdrew.

[Nothing Without Hope]

26. Here's the ***BBC VERSION OF WHAT HEZBOLLAH IS***:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4314423.stm

[mom cat]

29. Thanks ... That was helpful.

[Solo_in_MD]

30. An apologist article that ignores a key point...

where does does Hezbollah get its money and to whom is it beholden. A key point. Answers to that question from mulitle sources are:
- Syria
- Iran
Note that the Lebanese national government has disavowed Hezbollah and its actions.

Furthermore many of the things the author states as facts are wishful thinking as best and some are out right lies including that the Hezbollah militia are not part of the Lebanese national army.

Nasrallah, the leader of Hezbollah has already stated he will scorch the eacth in Lebanon before he disarms and allows the Lebanese national government to control the border. Sounds like warlord that a Lebanese patriot...

[Laotra]

25. Not minority

Shia are plurality, 45-48 percent of population by current estimate, majority in the next decade.

Politics in Lebanon go by sectarian lines, but that does not mean there would not be lot of support for Hizbollah also among the other groups - it's not a two party system. The owner of a pizzeria in my home block is Lebanese-Palestinian Christian, and he hopes Hezbollah kicks Israel's butt again.

[malaise]

27. The Lebanese Ambassador

was on Tweety andhe stated very clearly that Hezbollah is part of their government and society. My Lebanese neighbour is in touch with his parents and family and they weren't particularly pro Hezbollah, but he told me this morning that the more Israel locks them in and bombs up their homes and infrastructure the more they support Hezbollah.

People can't work, can't find food; their airport is blocked, their ports and blocked and you're expecting love and support from Lebanese. All that's going on here is the perpetuation of hate and the growth of more hatred for generations to come. You think the US and Israel are going to provide money for them to rebuild their country when this latest destruction is ended.

[Clarkie1]

37. Hezbollah cannot be part of a Democratic government and society

any more than Hamas can be. To think otherwise is delusional.

[malaise]

44. Likud can though

Only Zionists terrorists with US made bombs and nukes are acceptable.
Add.

[Clarkie1]

36. Bingo! nt

[Ian David]

9. Tucker Carlson is still alive? I thought Rush Limbaugh ate him in Thailand

[warrens]

15. Their lunatics are as bad as our lunatics and Hezbollah's lunatics

The religious zealots are taking over the freakin world.

[quickesst]

21. Interesting Sharon quotes...

"It is the duty of Israeli leaders to explain to public opinion, clearly and courageously, a certain number of facts that are forgotten with time. The first of these is that there is no Zionism, colonialization, or Jewish State without the eviction of the Arabs and the expropriation of their lands."

-- Ariel Sharon, Israeli Foreign Minister, addressing a meeting of militants from the extreme right-wing Tsomet Party, Agence France Presse, November 15, 1998.

"Everybody has to move, run and grab as many (Palestinian) hilltops as they can to enlarge the (Jewish) settlements because everything we take now will stay ours...Everything we don't grab will go to them."
-- Ariel Sharon, Israeli Foreign Minister, addressing a meeting of the Tsomet Party, Agence France Presse, Nov. 15, 1998.

"Israel may have the right to put others on trial, but certainly no one has the right to put the Jewish people and the State of Israel on trial."

-- Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, 25 March, 2001 quoted in BBC News Online

This is probably a lot less painful than a sledgehammer. Thanks.
quickesst

[Just Me]

23. DO NOT DO "ME" ANY FAVORS, YOU WAR-MONGERING,...

,...STONE-HEARTED, MUTHER FOCKER!!!

These individuals,...the LIKUDs, the NeoCONs, the soul-less corporate profiteers are the cancer of humanity.

[Zhade]

32. Well, when you're dead, you can't complain, right?

What's sad is that there are DUers here who are cheering this murder spree on.

Fucking disgusting - and equivalent to the attitude Hezbollah takes toward innocents.

Those supporting Israel's bombing Lebanon are hypocrites of the first order.

[Name removed]

33. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Clarkie1]

34. In a sense, he's right.

Hezbollah was/is a threat to a Democratic Lebanon. So in that sense, yes, Israel is doing a favor for the future of Demcracy in Lebanon.

It's a valid point he is making, despite the destruction going on. There is no way Democracy could survive in Lebanon long-term with a growing terrorist organization in control of the streets.

[JackNewtown]

38. "Israel is doing a favor for the future of Demcracy in Lebanon"

By decimating Lebanon's infrastructure, even things that have nothing to do with Hezbollah such as gas stations and medicine factories?

Israel should have limited it attacks to Hezbollah, not an all-out assault on Lebanon and its people.

[Clarkie1]

40. I'm not sure Israel is not having limited strikes against Hezbollah

I agree there should be no strikes except for strategic reasons, but unfortunately Hezbollah is integrated into the society so it makes collateral damage difficult to avoid. Still, Israel is not engaging in carpet-bombing. They are choosing their targets.

[JackNewtown]

39. "Israel is doing a favor for the future of Demcracy in Lebanon"

By decimating Lebanon's infrastructure, even things that have nothing to do with Hezbollah such as gas stations and medicine factories?

Israel should have limited it attacks to Hezbollah, not an all-out assault on Lebanon and its people.

[rman]

41. Kindof like how Bush is doing Iraq a favor

Isn't that what they call a catastrophic success?

[muriel_volestrangler]

42. Doing Lebanon a favour by bombing their army barracks

On Tuesday, the seventh day of the face-off, Israeli warplanes battered more targets in Lebanon, killing 30 people, including 11 members of the Lebanese Army, when bombs hit their barracks east of Beirut. Four of the dead were officers, and 30 more soldiers were wounded.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/19/world/middleeast/19mideast.html?ex=1153454400&en=2be19add3fbae3cd&ei=5087%0A

Yeah, that really helps, doesn't it - attack the army that you're claiming should be disarming Hizbollah. This shows Israel's real strategy - bomb anything in Lebanon that helps make it a viable country. Destroy its infrastructure, its tourist industry, its army, the people in southern Lebanon who got rid of the Israeli army that occupied them for 18 years.

[leftchick]

43. MFer!

freudian slip no doubt!

:grr: