From what I've gathered... correct me if there's any misinformation.

Hezbollah is a political organization that are recognized as a "terrorist group" by both the United States and the Israel government. Hezbollah holds about 1/3 of the seats in Lebanon's government.

Members of Hezbollah crossed over into Israel, killed a few Israeli soldiers, then took 2 as prisoners and attempted to get things from Israel for their safe return. Israel said "No, absolutely no negotiations... you return them unharmed right now or we'll bomb you." Hezbollah refused and attempted further negotiations... Israel bombed their main airport's runways, blocked their seaports. Hezbollah retaliated with missiles... Israel fired back with missiles. Israel has stated they will continue fighting until the safe return of the soldiers. The leader of Hezbollah has called for an "open war" on Israel.

Lebanon's prime minister stated that it would be "STRANGE" for Hezbollah to act alone in starting this... without Iran or Syria involvement. Iran OR Syria's involvement is almost probable at this point. Lebanon is on the northern border of Israel... on the Gaza strip, which is the southern border of Israel... muslims are rallying there, praising Hezbollah.

Now... The question has arised... What should the U.S. do?

My opinion: As of right now... the only involvement the U.S. should have is encouraging them to work this out peacefully. However, if Syria, Iran, or other large countries attack Israel, I believe the U.S. should standby Israel. This is why I think this:

1: Israel didn't start it.
2: Israel has tried to ONLY attack Hezbollah, not the Lebanese government. (The airports/seaports were being used to import missiles.)
3: Israel agreed to a ceasefire to allow 3 commercial airlines to leave Lebanon, and even Lebanon's prime minister's personal jet. They knew this was his personal jet, and still agreed to cease-fire while it took off. This is a sign to me that they are TRYING to only attack a terrorist group, not Lebanese civilians.
4: One of Syria's diplomats was on CNN obviously twisting facts + playing rhetorical games to make Israel look like they're slaughtering Lebanese civilians. (Sen of VA, George Allen called this guy out, stated facts, and blew him out of water... Larry King just laughed at the guy and cut him off.)


Maybe this is the big one? We've got the Iraq mess... We've got the korean nut doing "nuke" tests... Japan threatening Korea... Iran's nuclear program has had constant attention... and a major war in the Middle East is on the horizon. I think we're as close to WWIII as we've been thus far. (I'M NOT SAYING WE'RE THERE.)


I read some prophecies of the Bible a while ago... IIRC it stated that towards the "end", Israel would be a great thriving nation. All other nations would be against Israel in a great war, but Israel would win. There would be record weather and unpredictable weather, and many natural disasters... and there would be "wars... and rumors of wars." All Israel has left is American + England. There has been natural disaster after disaster as of late... Israel just became a nation again in the 1950's.... global warming + climate changes... constant war crap... Now... we certainly aren't all "friendly" and ready to go against Israel... but looking at this from an unbiased point of view... could it be leading there? Or maybe it's all coincidence?

What do you guys think about this particular situation? What about the "world" situation as a whole?

YZF... PLEASE just say what you wish, and be done. Do not fill this with huge font pages upon pages of the Bible. Use it as a reference if you like... but say it and be done.

I think the world situation sucks, and I think that Dubya is practically drooling over the thought of more countries to attack.

I'm not even going to address the Biblical stuff, I'm just gonna say that I hope cooler heads prevail and these few guys don't fuck the world up for everyone else.

Seriously, think about it: The fate of the world literally rests in the hands of about 10 people on a daily basis.

More shit:

"World powers threaten Iran"
http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/07/12/iran.nuclear.ap/index.html

Japan/U.S. debate Russia/China over Korea
http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/asiapcf/07/14/japan.korea.ap/index.html

Oh... Israel fired missiles in the Gaza strip after Hamas militants blew up a huge gate on the egypt border to allow a crapload of "muslims" to flow in...
http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/07/14/gaza/index.html


This shit is crazy right now...

A side of me wants Israel to attack and not hold back. They're always holding back.

A side of me wants Israel to attack and not hold back. They're always holding back.
I was thinking the exact same thing, i mean think about. Really think about it. There they are, their tiny little nation, right in the middle of a bunch of countries/nationalities/peoples that hate Israel's guts. They face attack after attack, day after day. SOMEHOW through all of this, they generally keep a level head. I have a bad feeling that this may be the final straw. Israel may just say, "fuck it, we've had enough!" It would be justifiable, but it would mean absolute chaos for EVERYONE.

my $0.02

Seems as though if Israel keeps this up Iran will become involved draggin Syria in also. I think Israel finally had a reason to show they are not afraid to take on everyone. However it seems as though nations not in the area are trying to stay out of it as long as they can.

I laughed tonite when CNN was talking about airstrikes on a Lebanese strong point by an "Israeli" F-16. Built by the Israeli's? No. Bought from the US by them? Of course.

They are going to buck up to these other countries and start whuppin ass US style with US weapons and US backing (eventually) and give the Middle East even more of a reason to hate us. Thank God for cable television, the Apocalypse WILL be televised.

If Jews are the ones who are going to repopulate then wouldnt it be a good idea to start converting now? According to the bible is this the first time or are they pulling Matrix stuff on us.?

good post zero



not exactly right, but kind of ballpark

the prophetical scenario is:

1. "After many days" the Jews are regathered to the land of Israel after being scattered all over the world since 70 A.D....to a land that "had long been desolate"
2. Israel is in a state of constant turmoil...as the Tribulation nears, the Jews are living in "the center of the land" with "walls and gates and bars" (NOW)
3. There is an extended period of war in Israel, nothing specific is stated
4. World attention is drawn to the need for peace in Israel
5. Great leader from the E.U. (the "revived Roman empire") comes to power after appearing to come back from the dead, and orchestrates a seven year peace treaty between Israel and her Arab enemies
6. Jews rebuild temple in Jerusalem and begin O.T. practice of animal sacrifice again (key point)
7. Blissful world peace for 3-1/2 years, Israel is properous under a false messiah, everyone will think the world's problems have been solved, everyone will think the European leader is the greatest guy ever, world religious system of "tolerance", intense persecution of Christians
8. After 3-1/2 years, the European leader has enough of the phony religious system, goes into the newly rebuilt temple in Jerusalem, and declares Himself to be God, everyone must worship him and take the mark
9. All hell breaks lose on earth, essentially everyone dies, virtually every green thing burned up, world's armies gather for Armeageddon in Megiddo (a vast plain northwest of Jerusalem)
10. Christ returns to rule and usher in the Millennial Kingdom....remaining Jews repopulate the earth

is this the time of war that leads directly to the Tribulation?

who knows....could be


Yeah I knew I didn't know the specifics, but much of what said is going on now.... however, this could easily be settled just like it has a hundred times before. Pretty striking that they were scattered about since 70 A.D.... but just gathered back in Israel in what... the 1950's?

Also, Dubya is backing Israel despite other countries in the region blaming Israel. Dubya "blames Hezbollah" because.. simply, they provoked all of this. Israel was receiving criticism that this was too strong of a reaction for 2 kidnapped soldiers. However, this seems to be not he first time this has happened before... and when Israel would release prisoners (not soldiers, prisoners.) then the terrorists groups would just go kidnap more soldiers for more releases.

I just hope this crap ends soon... Send the message... and be done. Drawing a line is one thing... WWIII over 2 kidnapped soldiers... is another.

damn i don't want it to be armageddon

at least not until i attend a couple seasons of hpde and autox

One of the reasons the Arab nations hate Israel is that their land was carved up and given to a bunch of European born Jews. How would that make you feel. Why should we care about the Jews' "ancestral homeland" when we put native americans in mini third world nations inside our own country. I doubt there will ever be lasting peace in the Middle East as long as the governments use religions as a basis for policy. True world peace cannot exist while different religions preach different messages.

One of the reasons the Arab nations hate Israel is that their land was carved up and given to a bunch of European born Jews.
How would that make you feel.
Oh... it should've been "given" to those groups of Jews who were warmly welcomed throughout Islam nations right, and not the 100% that fled to Europe as refugees forever because they'd be massacred there?

Why should we care about the Jews' "ancestral homeland" when we put native americans in mini third world nations inside our own country.
The Jews have Israel.. it's done... over with. This conflict has to do with surrounding countries attacking them/kidnapping them. Indians can live among us... they choose reservations due to not as many laws. Why can native Americans pay taxes (i know this is a fact with Virginia state taxes) in turkeys + shit they hunt? There's lots of lowrider 2wd pick up trucks in these "third world countries" too. I don't quite see suicide bombs coming from the Indians or "Us" in either direction. Poor over-simplified analogy.

I doubt there will ever be lasting peace in the Middle East as long as the governments use religions as a basis for policy. True world peace cannot exist while different religions preach different messages.
Or while Nation 1 runs into Nation 2 kills a few of their soldiers, kidnaps 2, then make demands that must be met in exchange for their release.

I'm not even sure what news story you're even replying to...

so long as when it happens I can have my guns and go down fighting, I don't really care either way.

Oh... it should've been "given" to those groups of Jews who were warmly welcomed throughout Islam nations right, and not the 100% that fled to Europe as refugees forever because they'd be massacred there?


The Jews have Israel.. it's done... over with. This conflict has to do with surrounding countries attacking them/kidnapping them. Indians can live among us... they choose reservations due to not as many laws. Why can native Americans pay taxes (i know this is a fact with Virginia state taxes) in turkeys + shit they hunt? There's lots of lowrider 2wd pick up trucks in these "third world countries" too. I don't quite see suicide bombs coming from the Indians or "Us" in either direction. Poor over-simplified analogy.


Or while Nation 1 runs into Nation 2 kills a few of their soldiers, kidnaps 2, then make demands that must be met in exchange for their release.

I'm not even sure what news story you're even replying to...

It should have not been given to any Jew. Just as today would it make sense to just say "hey, we presicuted you indians enough, here we give you back america and we'll leave. That is what happened, effectively, to Palastine... by force.

And if you really think that the Isreal government is really just sitting around trying to be peaceful with their neighbors, please take your head out of the sand. With our backing they've been trying to expand their boarders almost as soon as we gave them state hood.

Yep, some idians choose to live on reservations, just like some blacks choose to live in ghettos, and white live in trailer parks. Once you start a cycle it's not very easy to break. And what the fuck does a lowrider have to do with anything?

It should have not been given to any Jew. Just as today would it make sense to just say "hey, we presicuted you indians enough, here we give you back america and we'll leave. That is what happened, effectively, to Palastine... by force.

The jews purchased lots of Israel (then Palestine) legally from arabs. Other arabs wanted them completely out, and the modern day Jews vs Arabs as we know it was born (Read about Zionists). Look throughout the history of it.. most of the fighting has been started by surrounding arabic nations that want all Jews out of the middle east.

And if you really think that the Isreal government is really just sitting around trying to be peaceful with their neighbors, please take your head out of the sand. With our backing they've been trying to expand their boarders almost as soon as we gave them state hood.

Who blew up their southern gates + fences just this very past week? Not Israelis.

Who went into the northern border this very past week, killed a couple of their soldiers, and kidnapped two? Not Israelis.

Yep, some idians choose to live on reservations, just like some blacks choose to live in ghettos, and white live in trailer parks. Once you start a cycle it's not very easy to break. And what the fuck does a lowrider have to do with anything?

^This last paragraph was as pointless as the rest... but you didn't even take a shot at a false point this time.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2006_Israel-Lebanon_crisis
I posted something like this on rx7club. Hezbollah was acting pretty recklessly here but the reason they kidanapped the Israeli soldiers was to free their own captive soldiers. Ironically CNN has yet to report the fact that Israel is holding Lebanese soldiers captive. I sure as hell don't agree with Hezbollah but I'm getting more and more pissed off at Amrican journalism leaving out important details.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2006_Israel-Lebanon_crisis
I posted something like this on rx7club. Hezbollah was acting pretty recklessly here but the reason they kidanapped the Israeli soldiers was to free their own captive soldiers. Ironically CNN has yet to report the fact that Israel is holding Lebanese soldiers captive. I sure as hell don't agree with Hezbollah but I'm getting more and more pissed off at Amrican journalism leaving out important details.

And, I'm sorry, but bombing the shit out of Lebanon left and right is going WAY too far over two soldiers.

And, I'm sorry, but bombing the shit out of Lebanon left and right is going WAY too far over two soldiers.

Israel has never been known for measured response...Though it seems they want the region to hate them; and of course as long as we back them up, that hate is transferred to us aswell.

Im guessing Israel is trying to do what we did to Afghanistan... they were tired of the terrorists. Where Iraq fit into our "war on terror" i have no clue other than them hating America also. Why not bomb Lebanon and North Korea, Im sure they dont like us either.

so long as when it happens I can have my guns and go down fighting, I don't really care either way.


Amen to that! Fuck everybody else. I don’t want to end up like the Jews or Russians or anybody else rounded up and shot.

And, I'm sorry, but bombing the shit out of Lebanon left and right is going WAY too far over two soldiers.

I guess wrapping it up like that, perhaps. However, considering this isn't the first time it's happened and throughout the history of this BS the routine is usually:

1: Kidnap someone.
2: Offer to release innocent individual in exchange for convicted criminal.
3: When they make the trade, kidnap more people to get more criminals released.

The line has to be drawn somewhere... and I really don't think it's "too much"...

1: Hey Israel, Hezbollah here... we just killed several of your soldiers [unprovoked] and kidnapped a couple. We'll give them back in exchange for some terrorists you have imprisoned so that we can use them against you in the future.

2: Hey Hebollah, Israel here. Return our soldiers safe or we're going to bomb you.

3: No Israel, we won't do that... that isn't how terrorists work.

4: Israel starts blowing them up.


Too much for 2 soldiers? You're a pretty smart guy $100t2. You went through grad school and all... I'm not following you wrapping this entire situation of principles and constant bullshit into "2 people"; It isn't that simple.

8 canadians were killed in the bombings yesterday... forgot who's bomb it was...

8 canadians were killed in the bombings yesterday... forgot who's bomb it was...


Israel's. They should've left already or been at an embassy.

So by saying that all other nations would be against Israel would include who?

Tonga?

China?

4th Reich?

USA?

Any of those nations against Israel and it's game over............ of course God would come down with a red cape and help out those foreskin-less chumps........

what... lol

up in the sky
its a bird
its a plane
no, its yahweh

http://puffin.creighton.edu/jesuit/andre/images/yahweh_edited.jpg

http://deoxy.org/gif/yahweh.jpg

Israel has never been known for measured response...Though it seems they want the region to hate them; and of course as long as we back them up, that hate is transferred to us aswell.


It is a measured response, 10 - 1.

Israel has never been known for measured response...Though it seems they want the region to hate them; and of course as long as we back them up, that hate is transferred to us aswell.

And I think part of the reason Israel goes above and beyond is because they have a very big dog (the US) on a tight leash. Would they do that shit without backup?

I sure as hell don't agree with Hezbollah but I'm getting more and more pissed off at Amrican journalism leaving out important details.

No kidding... For instance, know that the US Govt. is charging the 25,000 Americans that are stuck in Lebanon for transpo?


http://beirut.usembassy.gov/lebanon/Lebanon_Situation_Update.html

"A message to the American citizens in Lebanon:

The Department of State continues to work with the Department of Defense on a plan to help American citizens depart Lebanon. As of the morning of July 15, we are looking at how we might transport Americans to Cyprus. Once in Cyprus, Americans can then board commercial aircraft for onward travel. Commercial airlines provide the safest and most efficient repatriation options to final destinations.

The Department of State reminds American citizens that the U.S. government does not provide no-cost transportation but does have the authority to provide repatriation loans to those in financial need. For the portion of your trip directly handled by the U.S. Government we will ask you to sign a promissory note and we will bill you at a later date. In a subsequent message, when we have specific details about the transporation arrangments, we will inform you about the costs you will incur. We will also work with commercial aircraft to ensure that they have adequate flights to help you depart Cyprus and connect to your final destination.

The Department of State continues to work around the clock and will continue to send updates as appropriate."

To get on the ship, Americans must sign a note pledging to reimburse the U.S. government. They will be charged the cost of a single commercial flight from Beirut to Cyprus — usually about $150 or $200, although officials refused to specify. If they have no way to fly onward, they also will be asked to reimburse the cost of an airline ticket from Cyprus to the United States.

That's pretty ridiculous.

House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi objected to billing evacuees.

"A nation that can provide more than $300 billion for a war in
Iraq can provide the money to get its people out of Lebanon," Pelosi said.

Anyone disagree with that? I sure don't.

going to have to disagree,

If you are going to hang out in a sorry ass place like that then you can figure out how to get your own ass out.

An effort was made to help them out... The government could've just said "not our responsibility." The people should be thankful they're getting to leave... having to pay a little dough is their own responsibility.

If the government did offer to pay for it... it'd lead to trouble due to how shitty Americans are in general.

You know it'd be exploited... everyone would claim to live in hawaii and want to be flown there. Then there'd be several lawsuits against the government for a million reasons shitheads could think up... Having them pay for it... means they WANT to leave... and it's something they're buying, not something the government is "forcing" upon them.

The gov't will throw away our money one way or another. It will cost more in labor to log all the peoples names and bill them than the whole trip would have otherwise.

WHo know how long they have been in the other country. They havnt paid taxes in who knows how long. Plus, the ticket is only 100-200. Thats nothing, I thought the prices would be closer to 1k. I'd been more worried about people ho are vaction and happen to stumble apon something than people who just happen to have been born here but have been living over there for how ever many years.

http://www.ogrish.com/archives/casualties_of_war_lebanon_Jul_19_2006.html

definitely not the USA's responsibility to pay to evacuate

agree with CO

definitely not the USA's responsibility to pay to evacuate

Yeah, maybe we should have our pal Israel foot the bill.


Speaking of which, now Israel is hinting at a full scale invasion.

Yeah, maybe we should have our pal Israel foot the bill.


Speaking of which, now Israel is hinting at a full scale invasion.


Heh, as if that was really a surprise...

http://www.aljazeerah.info/Opinion%20editorials/2006%20Opinion%20Editorials/July/18%20o/Israel%20and%20America%20Transforming%20the%20Midd le%20East%20Into%20a%20Massive%20Gaza%20Strip%20By %20Mike%20Whitney.htm

"Israel and America Transforming the Middle East Into a Massive Gaza Strip"

Check it out, it makes some really good points and might clear up the reasons as to why Israel's so hell-bent on this battle...

See the pics of Lebonese helping USA out?

It is a measured response, 10 - 1.

Are you serious?

http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/D259C343-ED88-4C43-B839-BCEFBED61924.htm

Read this, and become enlightened...

Aljazeera.net: Israel says its assault on Lebanon is in self-defence against Hezbollah's Katyusha rocket attacks and the capture of two of its soldiers.

Hezbollah says southern Lebanon has long been an area of conflict with Israel occupying Lebanese land and that it wants indirect negotiations to secure the release of its prisoners in Israeli jails. How did the situation deteriorate so rapidly and so violently?

As'ad AbuKhalil: This particular conflict, and Israel's act of aggression on Lebanon, did not take place in a vacuum, and Israel did not act in some spontaneous fashion.

Hezbollah did not surprise Israel with the capture of the two Israeli occupation soldiers. Hezbollah leader Hasan Nasrallah has repeatedly warned that if Israel does not release its Lebanese prisoners, he will be compelled to take Israeli soldiers as bargaining chips.

And Israel has not been sitting idly by since its partial withdrawal from South Lebanon in 2000. It has not only continued to occupy parts of South Lebanon, but also has been violating Lebanese sovereignty, by air, sea, and land.

Israel has also been kidnapping innocent Lebanese citizens: fishermen and shepherds. And one fisherman from Tyre - my hometown - is still missing, and at least one shepherd was killed last year.

Furthermore, Israel has adamantly refused to give to Lebanon a map of the more than 400,000 land mines that it left behind in South Lebanon, and which continue to kill Lebanese children in the region.

The recent crisis, as the article in the Washington Post by Robin Wright pointed out yesterday, is an international/regional conspiracy to implement United Nations Security Council resolution 1559.

The groundwork for this aggression began with the work of Rafiq al-Hariri [the slain former Lebanese prime minister] in 2004, when he worked with the US and France to pass that resolution in the Security Council.

The plan has the full support of Israel and client Arab regimes of the US: Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Egypt. But it will not work, and Hezbollah will not lay down its arms.

If the Lebanese government, led by the Hariri camp, thinks that it can now convince Hezbollah to lay down its arms and to trust the Lebanese Army - which has been sitting idly over the last week - to take care of Lebanon's defence, it is wildly mistaken.

and the UN cant do shit.

theres a reason for calling it "The toothless tiger". and lol @ god statment.

http://www.villagevoice.com/blogs/bushbeat/archive/images/jesus-with-rifle-thumb.jpg