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Slims · 12-30-2008, 11:08 AM

Ok, I was pointing out the disparity between men and women killed, not because none of the men were 'civilians', but because it shows target discrimination. According to the list of targets I have seen in the popular press, it seems as though Israel is targeting Tunnels, Caches, Rocket and Mortar positions, etc. There is a lot of activity around these sites now as militants are trying to employ those weapons and are being blown up for their efforts. If Israel were 'randomly' bombing civilian targets, they would have killed roughly an equal number of men and women. Additionally, Hamas has renewed it's vows to destroy Israel, which makes it's members and assets valid military targets, and like it or not, Israel is going after them.

Israel has shown a willingness to lift the embargo. They have asked in return for Hamas to return Galil Shalit, stop trying to kill Israelis, and police the people of Gaza so they won't launch rockets either. Since Hamas, as the elected mouthpiece for Gaza has refused, the embargo remains.

At the core of it, I really don't understand the difficulty here. Sure there is a lot of violence on both sides to distract from the main issue, but the bottom line is Hamas has sworn to destroy Israel and has refused to back off on it's position of total destruction.

I feel Israel has been provoked, and has every right to kill until Hamas either surrenders or the people of Gaza capitulate. That's how warfare typically works. Instead, you have an enemy who pokes you with a stick until you retaliate and then cries foul to the international community...

Incriminator: It is common knowledge how reluctant Israel and the West are to destroy Mosques. For that reason, they are frequently used to stage weapons, hide fighters, and as a base from which to conduct attacks. I have seen it first hand in Afghanistan, where Taliban will hide large caches in Mosques because they don't believe you will search them, or will flat out conduct mortar/rocket attacks from within the Mosque because they believe you will not blow it up. I am sure that Israel did not make that decision lightly because of the outcry they knew would follow.

12-30-2008, 11:08 AM	#66 (permalink)
Slims Eccentric insomniac Location: North Carolina	Ok, I was pointing out the disparity between men and women killed, not because none of the men were 'civilians', but because it shows target discrimination. According to the list of targets I have seen in the popular press, it seems as though Israel is targeting Tunnels, Caches, Rocket and Mortar positions, etc. There is a lot of activity around these sites now as militants are trying to employ those weapons and are being blown up for their efforts. If Israel were 'randomly' bombing civilian targets, they would have killed roughly an equal number of men and women. Additionally, Hamas has renewed it's vows to destroy Israel, which makes it's members and assets valid military targets, and like it or not, Israel is going after them. Israel has shown a willingness to lift the embargo. They have asked in return for Hamas to return Galil Shalit, stop trying to kill Israelis, and police the people of Gaza so they won't launch rockets either. Since Hamas, as the elected mouthpiece for Gaza has refused, the embargo remains. At the core of it, I really don't understand the difficulty here. Sure there is a lot of violence on both sides to distract from the main issue, but the bottom line is Hamas has sworn to destroy Israel and has refused to back off on it's position of total destruction. I feel Israel has been provoked, and has every right to kill until Hamas either surrenders or the people of Gaza capitulate. That's how warfare typically works. Instead, you have an enemy who pokes you with a stick until you retaliate and then cries foul to the international community... Incriminator: It is common knowledge how reluctant Israel and the West are to destroy Mosques. For that reason, they are frequently used to stage weapons, hide fighters, and as a base from which to conduct attacks. I have seen it first hand in Afghanistan, where Taliban will hide large caches in Mosques because they don't believe you will search them, or will flat out conduct mortar/rocket attacks from within the Mosque because they believe you will not blow it up. I am sure that Israel did not make that decision lightly because of the outcry they knew would follow. __________________ "Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery." - Winston Churchill "All men dream: but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act out their dream with open eyes, to make it possible." Seven Pillars of Wisdom, T.E. Lawrence Last edited by Slims; 12-30-2008 at 11:15 AM..