Hamas plans talks

After reading the responses to this article I've come to realize that my response was made with only a superficial knowledge of the situation. I see now that this is an extremely complex problem caused by incidents happening through many years of Middle East history. I'm impressed with the passion and knowledge expressed by your responses and in the future I'm going to do more investigation on a subject before giving my opinion.

Hamas does not represent the Palestinians and their struggles for self-determination. They are however every bit of what Israel wishes for all Palestinians.

"Ha, now when they are getting their asses handed to them they want to talk...."

LOL =D how colorfully well-put that is. And I'd bet a large majority of Palestinian sympathizers here in the U.S. suck at the estrogenated breasts of the homo' agenda crying for the milk that never comes too, all the time wondering why, and making it everyone else's problem...it's as if the mere act of sympathizing without sense was somehow elevated to sancrimony only they don't seem to realize. *shrug* ...the way of the world today. Damn.

DIDN'T I TELL YOU??

Hamas wanting to talk to Egypt isn't good news; it's bad news. The people are pissed; the army is pissed. This govt. may well be overthrown simply because they tried to join the majority of govt's on the planet instead of maintaining solidarity with arab nations against the West and the Jews. The govt wanted it; not necessarily the people.

You needn't blame the Jews for this. If they hadn't started it, something else would have. Israel has been on the receiving end this for 60 years. I'm surprised Iraq didn't set it off.

The arab nations simply don't view the world as everybody else does. It's us & them to those folks, and always has been. The worlds dependence on oil these last decades has provided them the financial clout to try pretty much whatever suits them. Our weakened condition is prime time for them to act. Marquis of Queensbury doesn't apply to international politics.

This could spiral out of control real quick. Are you sure we shouldn't try to keep nukes out of the hands of these folks?

Ha, now when they are getting their asses handed to them they want to talk. Of course that will only last until the Israelis pull out, and then it's right back to firing rockets again.

What a nightmare.............

I'm sure the children are delighted with the humanity of it all indeed......

Are Cluster Bombs Falling on Gaza Today?
http://oxdown.firedoglake.com/diary/2777

There’s more evidence today of Israeli use of cluster bombs, originally noted by Laura Doty at Oxdown. The Times of London features a photo in it’s coverage (see Gaza Conflict slide show) with the following description: An artillery round sends out bomblets above Gaza City, which continues to be attacked by Israeli forces
http://firedoglake.com/2009/01/03/gaza-update-nowhere-to-hide/

(h/t Brandon of VoteVets who points in email to this description of the weapons seen). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DPICM

The use of cluster bombs - which have a large footprint when initially dropped and then remain a threat for decades - in a location like the Gaza Strip which is so packed with people is horrifying. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cluster_bomb

Children Main Victims of Cluster Bombs
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines03/0419-05.htm

In a poor city, they live in the poorest quarter of all, where the closest things to toys are bits of plastic scavenged from the rubbish that covers the muddy ground.

“They thought it was a kind of ball,” said Hala’s aunt, weeping. “They only wanted to play.”

But the object picked up by the two children was a bomblet from an unexploded cluster bomb. It went off in the front yard, leaving a neat six-inch hole in the concrete floor.

Tiny fragments of shrapnel flew upwards into Hala’s legs and into Ali’s face. At least one of them is still lodged deep in his cheek. Their father clutches the screaming boy, weeping silently.

I'm not holding out much hope for any results here. There is more going on here than is seen at first glance. I believe that the timing here is too coincidental. Two weeks and Obama is in. I think that the West Bank, as well as Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Jordan, if not more, are wanting to see Hamas destroyed as a governing body. There is a lot of posturing going on but I would dare say that all of these groups, America included recognize that there can be no going forward while Hamas has any control left. Iran has it's foot in the door with Hamas and I am willing to bet Israel is willingly being used as the scapegoat to step on their toes.

As bad as Israel's behavior has been concieved by many, Humas needs to shoulder a lot of the responsibility for the crises.

I think a number of us are missing the point here.

Aside from the virulent whoop-de-doo about events in Gaza, every bit as much animosity is being aimed at "moderate" arab countries. Egypt is one of those.

I suspect the words coming from Hamas will start with traitor and then get serious. Egypts govt & Egypts people are not all of one accord. This could make it worse, not better.

Hope I'm wrong.

I don't think Israel should talk to Hamas-they don't care about peace for the Palestinians!!

Hamas should just show up and take a bullet.

Finally, a positive post with decent information.

Hopefully these talks can get things settled, but i doubt it. Both sides need to turn to the future and put the past behind where it belongs. Senseless killing and torture are no means for securing a future for our children.

Any talking is better than none, but tell them to bring the real wizard of OZ out of the closet to talk peace.

Not Just wolves in sheep clothing?

WHO IS THE REAL LEADER? or Corporation?

I think
It's the steroids in the food. that makes us all crazy!
Hey that a TV show IDEA!

live love life

White phosporous has that affect on people. It's easy to negotiate with someone whose skin is sizzling off.

HAHA! Go Israel! Root out those terrorists!

Wow looks like the bombs might be working..