What Middle East is Rice visiting?

47 comments so far ↓

• 1 Nathan // Oct 5, 2006 at 2:42 am

  What’s such a disappointment is that Secretary Rice like the rest of the world is wasting her time on this line of thinking. It is the solid belief of the US government and civilized worlds that somehow making the Arab states and “palestinians” recognize Israel as a state is going to transform our world from war to peace and make the Middle East the greatest place to live since Las Vegas. This path is wrong and will not produce any results of that magnitude what so ever. The reality is the planet is dealing with a group of individuals that follow a religion called Islam and they believe that Allah is the almighty approval master. Everything in the Arab world is based off of Allah, Allah said this, and Allah said that. That is 12th century thinking. The only thing they want is war and to destroy Israel. Finally the Arabs of the Middle East are well trained Nazis of the modern era (let me know if you need proof). Bottom line there are about five hundred million Nazis walking around over there. Hitler and his people had Nationalism to rally behind; the Arabs have their religion of peace, different tools but the same hate. Hitler’s true goal was not an Aryan race but merely the destruction of specific ones, but more specifically the Jews. We must realize this and we must address this issue, the hardest issue to face the civilized world to date. Turning away today will destroy us tomorrow, and there are only so many days you can keep turning. My argument is the evil never died with Hitler in that bunker; it only transferred itself to another host. Why before the early 1930’s did the Arabs and the Jews live in peace? What changed?

• 2 Pamela // Oct 5, 2006 at 4:09 pm

  Nathan,

  I agree with you 100%. The United States must also stop arming these so called “moderates,” for paying us lip service to us about Israel’s right to exist. It is only lip service - their true aim is to gain access to weaponry that can be used to succeed in their ultimate goal - to wipe Israel off the face of the earth.
  These are fearsome times. If the United States does not take a firm stand for Israel, but continues to arm these Arab nations, are we not just as guilty as they? Paying lip service to Israel? God said I will bless those who bless you (Israel) and curse those who curse you.
  Throughout history Israel has, time and time again, given in to these rediculous demands from western countries to give land for peace. Each time they’ve done this, it never accomplished peace. It only made the arabs even more greedy and blood thirsty.
  Beware America. You cannot drink from the cup of God and drink from the cup of Satan. We will surely be judged - we are as guilty as anyone of “dividing the land.”

• 3 Esau I Have Hated // Oct 5, 2006 at 4:20 pm

  “The Zionists are NOT Jews according to RACE. Rather, they are the DESCENDANTS of a HOARD OF PAGANS who pressed into Russia in the first century of our era and in due time became PROSELYTES of Judaism.

  In 692 A.D., they formed the Khazar Kingdom. In 955 A.D., Russia conquered them. They are neither JEWS BY RACE , nor are the GENUINELY JEWISH IN RELIGION .

  They PASS THEMSELVES OFF AS JEWS , AND PRETEND that they are descendants of ISRAEL , and therefore, have RIGHT TO PALESTINE as their homeland, but they are FALSE IN THEIR CLAIMS AND ARE IRRELIGIOUS in their living.

  The ORTHODOX Jews who have long been settled in Hebron, Jerusalem, Tiberias, and Safed, DO NOT WELCOME THEM to the Holy Land. Orthodox and Reformed Jews alike DISCLAIM ALL SYMPATHY WITH THEM, and DISOWN THEM .”

• 4 Victor Passenheim // Oct 6, 2006 at 1:23 am

  It’s really simple.

  People like Condoleeza Rice say the things they do not because they’re ignorant or don’t know what’s going on. In the long run, they hate Israel too.

• 5 Nathan // Oct 6, 2006 at 5:01 am

  Politicans are fools anyways. America has been hijacked by foreign nations and governments interests. Our Senate is the biggest joke on the planet (democrats and republicans - I am beyond a neo con so I can equal opportunity and I assure you GW is a faker). But my point is we have people who are helpless and hapless to do anything to advance civilizations anymore. Were stuck with fat cats who don’t even truly represent the people. Mankind is so flawed and currupt its just going to roll over us soon.

• 6 Ben // Oct 6, 2006 at 5:18 am

  1/1000 of the land in the Middle East- and their ancient cousins cease not from desiring to kill them; sad.

• 7 FERN SIDMAN // Oct 6, 2006 at 6:06 am

  TRUST AND FAITH IN G-D - THE TRUE MEANING OF SUKKOT

  BY: FERN SIDMAN

  As we take this time to reflect on the events of the past year, the Jewish nation is faced with the stark realities of its future. There is no question that the state of affairs of the State of Israel and the Jewish nation have ominous overtones of Europe in 1938. Global anti-Semitism has seen a dramatic rise and the incidents of blatant Jew hatred have catapulted to new and dangerous levels.

  Terrorist organizations of all stripes and ilks in the Middle East have increased their political and military strength and are gearing up for more major conflicts with Israel. Whiles Hamas and Fatah are engaged in their internal power struggles, their common denominator and raison d’etre still remains the complete annihilation of Israel. Hezbollah forces in Lebanon are currently re-arming and beginning the next stage in their battle to vanquish the Jewish nation.

  Hezbollah’s chief sponsors, Syria and Iran have made their objectives clear in the form of bellicose rhetoric directed toward Israel, while the world applauds the words of Iranian President Ahmadinejad at the United Nations.

  While the United States repeats its vows of not negotiating with terrorists and those who harbor or support them, we watch as US Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice engages in direct negotiations with the very same organizations that the State Department lists as foreign terrorist organizations. According to an article by David Bedein on the Israel Resource Review web site it states:

  “Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice has arrived in Israel and scheduled meetings with the Fatah, which operates the Al Aksa Martyrs Brigade, designated by the US State Dep’t as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) on March 27, 2002, and which remains on the official list of terrorist organizations on the US government’s terror “watch list”.

  Our agency asked an American government official as to how whether the US government holds Machmud Abbas, the head of the Fatah, accountable for an organization that he heads which the US Government as a terrorist organization defines.

  The American government official responded, “The US Government views Abbas as the head of the Fatah, and the Fatah as separate and distinct from the Al Aksa Martyrs Brigade”.

  It would seem that this American government official is not familiar with the US State Department web site. Only ten months ago, the US State Dep’t annual report on terror in which it linked the Fatah and Al Aksa Martyrs Brigades states that Al Aksa Brigades is openly linked by the US State Department to the Fatah.

  The relevant sections of the annual report speak for themselves:

  p. 126

  “Middle East and North Africa Overview:

  Terrorist activities in the Middle East and North Africa continued to be a primary concern in the global war on terror. Active extremist groups in this region includes: al-Qaida, the Islamic Resistance Movement, Hizballah, Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), the al-Aqsa Martyrs ‘ Brigades (Fatah’s militant wing), the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC), Ansar al-Islam and its offshoot Ansar al-Sunna, and Abu Musab al-Zarqawi’s organization, Tanzim Qaidat al-Jihad fi Bilad al-Rafidayn, a.k.a. al-Qaida of the Jihad Organization in the Land of Two Rivers (a.k.a. al-Qaida in Iraq).”

  p. 132

  “Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza.

  Palestinian terrorist groups conducted a significant number of attacks in Israel, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip even after a “period of calm” was agreed in February. All of these groups used a variety of terrorist tactics, including suicide bombs, rocket attacks, pipe bombs, mortar attacks, roadside bombings and ambushes, and shooting at Israeli homes and military and civilian vehicles. The number of victims killed in Israel in terrorist attacks was less than 50, down from the almost 100 individuals killed in 2004. Israeli security forces successfully thwarted other planned attacks. Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), the Fatah-linked al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade (AAMB), HAMAS, and the Popular Resistance Committees (PRC) were responsible for most of these attacks.

  BACKGROUND: THE LINK DISCOVERED

  The Fatah-Al Aksa Martyrs Brigade connection is not new.

  Yael Shahar, a researcher at the International Policy Institute for Counter-Terrorism wrote back in March 2002 that among the documents seized in a raid on the Fatah chief Arafat’s headquarters were invoices the Al-Aqsa Martyrs asking for reimbursement for, among other things, explosives used in bombings in Israeli cities.

  Another document found was addressed to Brig. Gen. Fouad Shoubaki, the Palestinian Authority’s chief financial officer for military operations, and contained numerous handwritten notes and calculations, apparently added by Shoubaki’s staff.

  That document was the first direct proof that the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades are not a “rogue militia” as Arafat had claimed earlier. Instead, its members were found to be on the Palestinian Authority’s payroll, and that its activities are financed out of Palestinian Authority coffers, and that its attacks are carried out with the knowledge and backing of Yasser Arafat’s inner Fatah circle.

  Another invoice discovered in Arafat’s headquarters was dispatched by Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades to Shoubaki’s office, located in the Palestinian Authority’s headquarters in Ramallah, dated 16 September 2001 outlining expenses through September 6 and asks Shoubaki’s office for money to build additional bombs, and to finance propaganda posters promoting suicide bombers.

  These internal documents showed that Shoubaki was also responsible for financing the activity of the al-Aksa Brigades in the Bethlehem region, transferring monthly salaries to the organization’s activists in the area. In addition, he was involved in purchasing a cache of weapons stolen towards the end of the year 2000 from an IDF base in the area. These weapons were later used to carry out attacks against Israeli civilians in the area of Jerusalem.

  Shoubaki had visited Baghdad in August 2001 in order to coordinate positions with the Iraqi government, and in May 2001 he was present at a meeting in Moscow during which the draft for joint activities between Iran and the PA was agreed upon.

  In addition, documents that Israel seized from Orient House, the PA’s East Jerusalem headquarters, show that the PA had transferred funds to Fatah, the Tanzim, and its affiliated fighters.

  Example: July 9, 2002 letter, signed by Arafat, empowered Kamil Hmeid — a Fatah leader in Bethlehem — to disburse payments to twenty-four Al Aksa Martyrs Brigades members, including Atef Abayat, an Al-Aksa commander in Bethlehem.

  Colonel Miri Eisin, then a senior Israeli intelligence officer and now a senior advisor to Prime Minister Olmert who was the ranking officer who presented the document to the media at the time, pointed out that in the time since the letter was sent, the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade had carried out eight suicide bombings in Israel. In addition, the group had by then carried out about 300 attacks in which Israeli civilians were killed or wounded; including roadside ambushes, drive by shootings, and car bombings. “You could probably call this a terror invoice. How much does terrorism cost?”, Eisin asked reporters.

  Even the Council on Foreign Relations, the academic group most identified as an advocate of negotiations with the PLO, revealed in 2002 that “The Al Aksa brigades are affiliated with Palestinian leader Yasir Arafat’s al-Fatah faction. While the group initially vowed to target only Israeli soldiers and settlers in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, in early 2002 it began a spree of terrorist attacks against civilians in Israeli cities. In March 2002, after a deadly al-Aqsa Brigades suicide bombing in Jerusalem, the State Department added the group to the U.S. list of foreign terrorist organizations in early 2002; the al-Aqsa Brigades’ attacks killed more Israelis than those of Hamas”.

  FRANK ADMISSION BY FATAH LEADER

  This week, a Fatah member and terror group leader told the World Net Daily news service in Jerusalem that the Fatah party does not recognize Israel and that any final accord that doesn’t include flooding the Jewish state with millions of Palestinians will not be supported by the Fatah party and will lead to Palestinian civil war.

  “The base of our Fatah movement keeps dreaming of Tel Aviv, Haifa, Jaffa and Acco. There is no change in our position. Abbas recognizes Israel because of pressure that the Zionists and the Americans are exercising on him. We understand this is part of his obligations and political calculations”, said Abu Ahmed, Fatah member and leader of the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades in the northern Gaza Strip.

  Abu Ahmed went on to day that “there is an opportunistic class at the head of the Fatah leadership that for personal and political interests says it accepts the existence of Israel. There is no change in our official position. Fatah as a movement never recognized Israel. It is the PLO who did so for the reasons I mentioned.”

  Abu Ahmed explained, on the record, that the Al Aqsa Brigades is “one and the same” with the Fatah party.

  “We are members of Fatah and there are normal organic relations between us and the Fatah. We are in the Al Aqsa Brigades because we are Fatah members. We participate in all political decisions making of the Fatah movement.”

  Abu Ahmed told WND that Brigades members consider Abbas their legitimate leader and answer ultimately to the PA President.

  “Of course we are loyal to Abbas. He is our elected leader. We would of course prefer if his policy toward Israel was different but we understand his obligations and calculations, and we do not consider ourselves limited by these calculations,” Abu Ahmed said.

  Abu Ahmed explained the difference between Hamas and Fatah is that the Fatah party “is ready to discuss a political arrangement for the Jews.” And added that any arrangement must include the “right of return” of millions of Palestinians to Israel.

  THE PALESTINIAN MEDIA ITSELF TRUMPETS THE FATAH-AL AKSA LINK

  The Arabic language Palestinian Authority media runs frequent news stories that feature the Fatah-Al Aksa Brigade link.

  Here are some examples:

  http://www.kataebaqsa1.com/arabic/modules.php?name=Byanat&get=blast179

  On February 5th, 2005, the official website of the Al Aksa Brigades featured a letter from the Al Aksa Martyrs Brigades to the Fatah Revolutionary Council which quotes the late Yassir Arafat who officially declared the Al Aksa Martyrs Brigade to be the “military wing” of the Fatah and that the Al Aksa Brigades would continue to follow the Fatah leadership of “the brother Abu Mazen”

  http://www.alkrama.com/mkablat/mkablat57.htm

  On August 4th, 2005, the official web site of the Fatah ran an interview with a member of the revolutionary council of the Fatah in which he was asked about the Al Aksa Martyrs Brigades, to which he responded that the Al Aksa Martyrs Brigades remain an integral part of the Fatah, and that Fatah takes pride in the Al Aksa Martyrs Brigades

  http://www.islamonline.net/Arabic/news/2005-11/26/article13.shtml

  on November 26th, 2005, in an “Islam on Line news” feature, a prominent Palestinian pundit noted that a victory in the forthcoming election for the Fatah will be a victory the leaders of the Al Aksa Brigades”"

  http://www.daralhayat.com/arab_news/levant_news/01-2006/Item-20060111-bb39e99a-c0a8-10ed-015e-9e357716a77/story.html

  On January 12th, 2006, the official Palestinian Authority Fatah newspaper Al Hayat editorialized that Machmud Abbas would have to use all of the Fatah’s forces in the election campaign, especially the Al Aksa Martyrs Brigades From the clear documented connection between Al Aksa and the Fatah, it would seem that Secretary Rice would be hard pressed to defend herself against an allegation that she violates American law by giving sanction to an organization which operates a terrorist organization that has been designated by her own US State Department as a terrorist organization. “

  So much for American promises not to negotiate with terrorists. And what of our own leaders? Why do we not hear loud and raucous protests from Israeli leaders over this flagrant violation of US policy?

  Our own leaders are paralyzed with fear, confusion and ambiguity concerning a clear cut trajectory for the future of the Jewish nation. They are of the belief that the US is sacrosanct and therefore immune to Israeli criticism of these kinds of actions. They are leaders whose density and obtuse nature is guided by ineptitude, riddled with corruption, and who remain devoid of any belief in the Divine destiny of the Jewish people. They are leaders who charter of course of suicidal destruction of Israel, by insisting on implementing a plan that would see the removal of more Jews from their homes in the settlements of Judea and Samaria, and the subsequent demolition of those communities. It is a government that does not respect the religious freedoms of Jews, as was evidenced by the confiscation of the Sukkah from Jewish Legion members in the settlement of Tapuach, and the adamant refusal by the government to return it.

  As we approach the joyous holiday of Sukkot, we stand at a precipice in Jewish history. We stand at a critical juncture in time for the Jewish nation. As the world remains silent and apathetic towards the rapid rise in Jew hatred and the increased isolation of Israel, we must come to realization that we are a people that stand alone. Our only source of comfort, salvation and hope in these trying times and always is our unwavering faith and trust in the Almighty G-d of Israel. The entire reason for our existence in this world is for the sole purpose of glorifying the name of G-d. The holiday of Sukkot speaks directly to this point.

  As the Torah tells us in Vayikra (Leviticus) (23: 42-43 ) “In booths you are to dwell for seven days …so that your generations will know that I caused the children of Israel to dwell in booths when I took them from the land of Egypt….” According to Rabbi Akiva, the Sukkah commemorates the greatness of the Jewish people. Their faith in G-d was so complete and so total that they traveled into the uninhabitable desert wasteland at G-d’s command. In this wasteland, the Jews did not even have permanent dwellings, but merely booths, trusting in G-d that He would care for their every need in the wilderness, which of course, He did.

  The Sukkah is reminiscent of the Clouds of Glory that protected the nation of Israel during their journey in the desert (Talmud, Sukkot 11b). The Sukkah reminds us that we remain completely reliant on G-d’s mercy, and protected by His constant presence. Our joy on Sukkot is “complete not when the harvest is reaped and our barns filled to overflowing, but when we dwell in the Sukkah and realize that G-d is the true source of our security”.

  And so for an entire week, we live our warm, comfortable homes and dwell in the Sukkah, for this is the ultimate act of faith and trust in the Almighty G-d of Israel. We leave our homes not in the summer when the weather is amenable to outdoor living; however we do so at a time when the weather turns colder. The Sukkah reminds us that our life on earth is unstable and transitory, and that we must maximize each moment. We must spend each moment in servitude to the Almighty, taking steps to exalt His holy name.

  The Sukkah provides us with a unique closeness with G-d. Gazing at the stars through the greenery of the s’chach (roof covering), we experience a connection to G-d that is almost palpable. Source: Essence of the Holy Days. The Sukkah reminds us of the Beis Hamikdash (Holy Temple). Just as the Jews would leave their homes and journey to the Temple’s courtyard, so too we leave our homes and enter the Sukkah. Source: The Joy of Succos (the S’fas Emes). The Sukkah symbolizes a chuppah (marriage canopy), reminding us of the “marriage” between G-d and the Jewish people. Source: S’fas Emes: The Joy of Succos. The mitzvah of the Sukkah involves the entire body, thus reminding us that our entire body and soul – our entire essence – must be involved in the service of G-d.

  The Sukkah represents not only a place of honor in this world, but also a taste of what is to be found in the World To Come. In fact, the Talmud (Bava Basra 75a) refers to the reward given to the righteous in the hereafter as a “sukkah”. Source: S’fas Emes (The Three Festivals). The Sukkah is the embodiment of the potential for Jewish unity. The Sukkah is an inviting meeting place for Jews of all stations where they can join together and be at one with G-d. The Talmud (Sukkah 27b) states that “the entire nation of Israel may, and ought to, dwell in a single Sukkah”. Each Jew, no matter how far he or she has strayed from her/his Jewish roots during the year, can band together with fellow Jews in the shelter of G-d’s embrace. As the Lubavitcher Rebbe, z’tl, wrote, “the Sukkah represents a oneness so deep and all embracing that all distinctions pale in significance before it.” Sources: Week in Review; S’fas Emes (The Three Festivals).

  There is another commandment which is also unique to Sukkot - the commandment to take the Four Species. In Vayikra - Leviticus (23:40) the verse says “And you shall take for yourself on the first day the fruit of a goodly tree, branches of palm trees, the boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook, and you shall rejoice before Hashem your G-d for seven days.” The Gemora in the tractate of Sukkah (35a) explains the verse as follows: the “fruit of a goodly tree is an Esrog (citron); the branch of the palm tree is the Lulav; the “boughs of thick trees” are Hadasim (myrtle); and, the “willows of the brook” are Aravos (willow branches).

  The Esrog represents the heart, the Lulav represents the body, the Hadassim represent the eyes and the Arovos represent the mouth. Taken together, these Four Species represent the unification of the person in the service of G-d. The Four Specifies represent the components of the Jewish people: (a) the Esrog (a tasty fruit with a pleasant aroma) represents one who possess both Torah knowledge and good deeds; (b) the Lulav (a branch of a date palm which produces a sweet fruit but has no fragrance) represents one who is proficient in Torah but lacks good deeds; (c) the Hadassim (which are sweet smelling but produce no edible fruit) represent one who performs good deeds but is deficient in Torah knowledge; and (d) the Arovos (which are both odorless and tasteless) represent one who lacks both Torah and good deeds. Taken together, the Four Species symbolize the totality of the Jewish people, all extending a helping hand to one another, all striving toward the same goals: fulfillment of the Torah to the best of their ability, thereby proclaiming to all humankind that G-d is the Creator and Master of the universe. Taken together, the Four Species further signify that each group contributes its particular qualities and strength to the communal whole.

  On this holiday of Sukkot, let us raise our collective voices to the Heavens and proclaim the Oneness of G-d and let us remember that it is G-d alone and our service to Him that will insure our salvation as a people and as a nation.

• 8 Bert // Oct 6, 2006 at 8:56 pm

  Please chill with the LONG comments. Just put in some web LINKS.

  Here is a question. What if this is a REAL war, cold or otherwise? Should the US stop using mid-east oil? Do we have a choice? Should we continue to coddle Muslims? Do we have a choice?

  Last month the US military tested a jet fuel made from coal. This is significant because until now alternative fuel options have been useless for aviation and the military (US Tanks use jet fuel).

  So if we have an alternative should we employ it immediately, or should we SUCK THE MIDEAST DRY first? Thank GOD for China.

  Surely the US Govt knows the true nature of Islam and the prospects for peace. Should we shed light on Islam’s true nature? If the goal is for Muslims to at least read the Khoran, calling Islam a “religion of peace” or “cult of hate” may produce the same results.

  I cringe everytime Bush calls Islam a “religion of peace”. I shudder at the pull back from the use of “Islamo Fascist”. I think they are unproductive in that they confuse the general public. Whenever radicals’ actions prove otherwise, we make excuses to reconcile the contraditions - somehow it is our fault.

  The strategy does buy us time. While the enemy sees weakness in our leaders they plot and plan rather than act. Liberals are allowed to sympathise until they will have to pick sides (lthinking they have come to a tougher stance on their own).

  When we see an insurgency in the streets of London or Paris by tens of thousands of armed Muslims (beyond rioting) all bets will be off. We will lament the years of underestimating the threat, but only if we discount our own intelligence.

• 9 Charles Wesley // Oct 6, 2006 at 11:25 pm

  Bert , When we push this nuclear confrontation to its conclusion or not , the Iranians sooner than later will use oil to throttle us to submission. We will be pressured to abandon Israel and Christianity . More than likely we could be forced into bankruptcy and into a deep depression from which there will be no recovery. Also there is a strong possibility that those nuclear suitcase bombs that Russia misplaced will end up on U.S soil . Check out World Net Daily
  (Osama biographer say Nukes in U.S. ). Any one of those would cut our oil dependence. Or we could knuckle under to Iran.

• 10 Marsha Carol Watson // Oct 6, 2006 at 11:31 pm

  Secretary of State Rice is not unlike me. I too am an only child. With “only child-dom” comes different circumstances to many who are not “only’s.” Only’s get all of the love an attention, encouragement, accolades that would come to a number of siblings in a family. It carries with it a high price to pay in many ways that children who have siblings do not know about. First, we are expected to rise and change the world. Condi is giving that her “best shot.” It is, however, unfortunate though, that with all of the love and adoration and education that she applied herself to and received….somewhere along the line, she lost sight of the most important thing in the development of a strong and solid leader. She became so absorbed in the process of Standing Strong and making a name for herself and holding up her adoring President, that she failed in the necessary development of true leadership…..I am speaking in the time and study of God’s Word…..Alll true wisdom, knowledge and understand—-Yes, all Truth is found only in the Word of God…..Therein lies the answer to all of life puzzles, equations, problems…..the answers to everything are found only in the Word of God.

  I have been praying for Condi, because I understand her all too well….we share a common bond in “only child-dom.”

  With God, all things are possible…..We are dwelling in negativity if we do not believe this Fact of God’s Word. So as we pray for her, I am Believing that our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for her also, will open the eyes of her understanding. It may be that Condi and Condi alone may be the catalyst that brings our President George W. Bush around to the understanding that He is off course before it is too late for America.

• 11 Nathan // Oct 7, 2006 at 12:12 am

  Rock on Bert!

• 12 Bert // Oct 7, 2006 at 2:40 am

  Charles - you missed my point. And shed light on another.

  It is pointless for us to FEAR that Iran or OPEC might use oil as a weapon. While we may be addicted to oil, they have no option but to pump it and sell it. Russia and China represent alternative markets but remember we consume 65% - that is a lot to replace.

  OPEC is an open market and can’t say who buys their oil. Side deals isolate our enemies and gives competitors more OPEC market share. The side dealers willl find themselves vulnerable to Russian and Chinese economic fluctuations (get a mop for those negotiations).

  I thank God for the Chinese and Russian demand because it makes our job (sucking them dry) easier. This is betting on our ability to adapt quickly enough to stave off the economic meltdown you fear.

  Consider our problems and options. Ethanol. We have so much food we can’t give it away (Africa wont take geneticly modified food that we eat - thanks EU). I would like to see corn with kernels the size of my fist (think Gilligan’s Island) for our fuel needs.

  If we switch entirely to fuel derived from coal we would have 250 years of accessable resources. Add some of our own oil, throw in some ethanol, and hybrid batteries - our coal would last 750 years.

  Any other arguement assumes the US would not, could not adapt. While I understand negative feelings about our government, society, culture, people - we still went to the moon, invented the TV, and PC.

  I would rather solve these problems sooner rather than later. We must remove oil from the equation. But, it would do us less good to solve our problems while the world remains addicted to oil.

  So take heart my friend and have faith. While conservation and the environment may not have been strong enough to change things the need for independence may get us moving (eventually).

• 13 Charles Wesley // Oct 7, 2006 at 3:24 am

  Bert,
  Have you investigated the amount of reserves that Iran has. Its staggering ! We couldn’t use it up fast enough to make a difference. When we go down ;China will have no market , Chavez will not have a market for his oil as the rest of the world fall into economic chaos, and the idiots that caused the fall would live as they did before, in stone huts.
  This is their objective, to bring the rest of the world down to their level, The radicals are just that. They could care less about money, to be sure 25 million dollars didn’t get Ben Laden.

• 14 Nathan // Oct 7, 2006 at 5:25 am

  When the Middle East dries up the Arabs will die. Oil is the only thing that keeps them in the equation. Without that as their sword they have nothing. When the United States finally gets with it and creates a set of new technologies and new sources of fuel we will surpass every country on earth. The price of oil will drop to two cents a barrel the Arabs will fall into even deeper despotism, but this round will be different because they won’t have any money and then they can’t buy flags to burn, or their little suicide aprons. And I say don’t share it with them either; let them have their dirty nasty Arab oil let all the other vile nations like the Soviet Union and China drink it up because when it comes to the end they will be so far behind they to will fall out of the equation. We have smart people; most likely the smartest and we should get are lazy capitalist asses into gear and make some new energy. I wonder is it a coincidence that the most evil people on earth have the most energy on the planet in the modern era? Are we destined to be at their mercy forever or are we supposed to design new ways of doing things. We either make it or break it in the next 20+ years, if not then indeed God help us all.

• 15 Richard // Oct 9, 2006 at 3:11 pm

  http://www.myspace.com/nialfire

  Shall The Watchman Cry Aloud to the ears of not?
  To a people so vain their sin has left them stained.
  Yet my house in time no more shall be gathered nonetheless!

  Wizz!

  http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.ListAll&friendID=98677644&MyToken=a3189388-995d-4094-9b67-383b07302479ML

• 16 Charles Wesley // Oct 10, 2006 at 3:36 am

  We already have plenty of oil ,but the oil prices have to be up to make it profitable . The oil companies can make more profit on Arab oil. But time may not allow for depletion of Arab oil and they are all against Israel. The oil industry will never give up their cash cow.

• 17 Bert // Oct 10, 2006 at 11:46 am

  Changes in energy do not have to happen overnight. In a stable (relatively peaceful world - pre 9/11) there is time. Time to accurately estimate how long mideast oil will last - time to determine the value of building more pumping capacity, etc.

  The biggest threat to the mideast is a desire to move toward the future earlier rather than later. Esimates of mideast oil put supply at 50 to 100 years. This assumes increasing interest in accessing harder to obtain supplies.

  A major disadvantage for the mideast is that the oil is so easy to get to. What happens when the low hanging fruit becomes scarce.

  A continued interest in accessing oil (and spending the money) puts the end out near 100 years (though these estimates do not consider the unexpected increasing demand we are now seeing). What happens if Asia, Africa and even South America gets its act together? Seem unlikely? What about in 50 years, or 100?

  Consider that there is lots of oil in the “world”, and the reluctance to drill for it. The shape of the end for the mideast oil industry will not necessarily be when they do not have a drop left, but when no one is willing to go get it.

  With the animosity and danger that is now a part of the equation the threshold for “too much trouble” has changed. Potential oil in the mideast is not greater than in the US - it is just easier to get.

  Our coal resources however are of greater value than all of the oil in the mideast. But who wants to go get it? Environmentalist opposition and established standards retard our progress.

  Consider this. With coal we can produce hydrogen. Coal in hydrogen out. You cant say this of any other energy source required to produce hyrdrogen.

  As for Isreal - they will be a major player in the technology to get us there. Isn’t it funny how the one country without oil is the one all of the others hate?

  Poor Isreal realy has only one problem. It is not the terrorist, or hate. It is the reluctance for allies (especially the US) to “say the words”. ISREAL IS UNDER OUR PROTECTION. ISREAL WILL ALLWAYS BE. Though some folks do not feel it is so, even Bin-Laden affirms it. Destroying the US is the only way to get Isreal.

  However atomic weapons could destroy Isreal in a blink of the eye - before the US could do anything about it. That is the reason for the interest. So we should say the words - “Mecca and Medina”.

• 18 Nathan // Oct 11, 2006 at 1:55 am

  Israel is under US protection but they are their own state not some child of the USA. Not until the 1980’s did Israel really get the full support of the United States. Nixon made attempts even the famous air drops during Yom Kippur, but take Carter for example he screwed Israel. Your trust in coal is well placed, no other source of energy produces hydrogen. Let the Arabs suck on that! HAHAHAHA. They can have their dirty oil, drink it up!

• 19 Charles Wesley // Oct 11, 2006 at 4:42 am

  Get rid off all these gas gusslers. Stop commercial passenger jets from dumping thousands of pounds of Jet A every time they come in to land to be legal weight for landing.
  They open the drains on their wing tanks to dump fuel. Stop shipping Alaska oil elsewhere.

• 20 Bert // Oct 12, 2006 at 2:52 am

  Isreal is not an ally or friend of the United States. Neither is the UK or Japan for that matter. They are FAMILY. The funny thing about family is sometimes there are a few you would like to disown (France, Germany, etc.).

  The relationship the US feels to certain nations may not seem evident when you hear some of the rhetoric. In fact it is the rise in internal hatred for America that we should worry about.

  Self hatred makes it impossible to feel friendship and love for others. That is why the “blame America frst” Liberals are the first to condemn Isreal and any nations that support the US in any way. Riights, genocide, oppression, rape - all take a back seat.

  Eventually all of this will come to a head. Perhaps we have another 10-20 years. In that time our enemies will be emboldened by all of the in-fighting.

  Our enemies (with no real experience in war) will underestimate our will to survive (we are only human). While I do not believe anything will lead to armaghedon anytime soon, many nations will be in ashes (and it wont be the USA).

  Isreal will be on the front line. The threat of US retaliation will hold Pakistan and Syria (sure to buy some nukes) in check. Iran however will be a problem.

• 21 Marsha Carol Watson // Oct 12, 2006 at 7:28 am

  So true, Bert…I am remembering what my 86 year old mother has said throughout the years…You can pick your friends, but you can’t pick your family. We don’t have to like everything people do…..but we are commanded to love them and pray for them. I have found at times, the loving and praying part was not so easy….and yet, as I continued to pray for them, somehow (I am sure it has been God’s Hand at work) over the course of time as I have prayed, it seemed to change me and as I became more understanding and tolerant of the “faults” of others…..I seemed to be able to see my own. At this point, I am able to focus on myself and my need for some “purging” of old thoughts and habits, not to mention that old foe, we all deal with at times: becoming judgmental.

• 22 Charles Wesley // Oct 13, 2006 at 2:39 am

  Bert
  The feeling is that we will be attacked any day now from within with nuclear devices ( neutron ,pure fusion or fission ) that are believed to be smuggled in this country. The site Worldnetdaily new has articles to this effect.
  Secondly I think that we will be pulled into an exchange with
  Russia when they come against Israel. Check out the site Mosnews. gatesofvienna blogspot.com Putin Russia is Islams Protector.
  Ya got ta lov-um

• 23 Nathan // Oct 13, 2006 at 3:03 am

  Charles - I must say I disagree with the above. The chance of somebody actually smuggling a nuclear device of any real substance into the USA is slim to none right now. Thats not to say in 20 years it could not happen. The Soviet Union will never fight an actual war with us, because in the end they would lose. Like Bert I believe in the end many nations will in fact be nothing but ashes, and I also believe it won’t be the USA. “Russia” is nothing. They offer nothing to the global equation, and as much as Putin would love to stay in power his days are numbered. I think of the statement Bert made “Our enemies (with no real experience in war) will underestimate our will to survive (we are only human).” What a statement! Its very powerful Bert and I would like to use it in my book if that is ok with you. China has no military experience and Russia has never actually fought a true enemy, they only invaded people and fought arab terrorists.

• 24 Charles Wesley // Oct 13, 2006 at 3:53 am

  You must read a little more about :
  Worldnetdaily , has articles about suitcase nuclear bombs by a captured smuggler.
  Osnews Russia’s still a very capable power. Still has more nukes than us. has an antimissile defense over our heads that will fry the circuitry of our ballistic missiles while in space and kill all communications and satellites . Also we are hated by the UN thus NATO and we might be the ones to initiate the whole thing in a showdown over Israel.
  There is a world of information about the nuclear evolution of bombs that does not destroy structures but kills every living thing and leaves little if any radiation. Nuclear war is becoming more palatable . But who will start using the old heavy radiation bombs during a neutron war ? That is possible. Look up Sam Cohen the father of the neutron bomb.

• 25 Bert // Oct 13, 2006 at 8:58 pm

  As for nukes - there is a lot of disinformation out there. As I have stated, some of it is by our own leaders (a right decision) to belay our fears. Making nuclear weapons is NOT hard.

  Consider this - the first ever nukes were “un-tested”. Sure we did a test before Hiroshima and Nagasaki, but that was to test the advanced implosion method of detonation - Fat Man prototype. The Little Boy gun type weapon worked the very FIRST time.

  There is a rumor that the Japanese tested their own nuke a week after Hiroshima. This technology (tested in the conquered N. Korea) went to the Russians - thats why they got one so fast.

  Size does matter for the latest N. Korean test. Not the size of the blast, but the size of the device. I find it troublesome that reporting rarely references the significance of plutonium vs uranium. Plutonium means less material and more radiation - ie smaller deadlier bombs.

  I agree with Charles that a nuke in the US is a major threat. Our enemy does not care to have a small elegant device or even an effective one. While we can easily make one the size of a football, I worry about the one the size of a shipping container, or a ship!

  The barbarians we face have spent centuries dehumanising us. Even as their poverty and backwardness make us seem like aliens from a another planet.

  What we need them to understand is that we are in fact human. With all of the base charactaristics that entails. That despite our rhetoric - if it is a holy war they want…

• 26 Charles Wesley // Oct 13, 2006 at 11:20 pm

  Bert
  Osama is supposed to have some where about 43 suitcase nukes ,2 of which are believed to be in the U.S. They are thought to be 1 kilo ton each. Think what those would do one Monday morning about 10 am. Also Sam Cohen the man that developed the neutron bomb said with the ballotechnic Red Mercury a 1 kilo ton pure fusion bomb could be made the size of a grapefruit. This could be shot up in the air to maximize the kill radius at of all things a fireworks show. Who would ever suspect a 10# nuke. It would be a killer show. I just don’t feel we can do anything to stop it. Also Sam says a pure fusion bomb can be made without any radioactive materials. You are right it is just to easy for radicals to create them and they will.

• 27 Bert // Oct 14, 2006 at 3:04 am

  Ok Charles - now you’re just talking crazy.

  If they had more than one nuke , they would have used it by now. If they had only one, they would have at least theatened us with it.

  I think the danger is real enough without going off on tangents of conspiracy or paranoia. We must know our enemies and ourselves.

  Nathan - consider this quote from J Michael Straczynski (”the great maker” Babylon 5 TV Series)

  “The war we fight is not against princes and principalities, but against chaos and despair. Greater than the death of flesh is the death of hopes, the death of dreams. Against this peril we can never surrender.”

• 28 Charles Wesley // Oct 14, 2006 at 3:38 am

  Bert
  You probably would like to check out the site (worldnetdaily:al-qaida). Many things to review there.
  In order to collapse our economy and to shut us down they will to make a well organised effort to place all of their bombs in our major cities and set them off simultaneously . Otherwise further attacks would be much harder. So read the news in the worldnetdaily . It is a matter of time . They may feel they will be unaffected as we will retaliate against what,where,who. Will we bomb the oil fields. They aren’t worried about the consequences.

• 29 john // Oct 17, 2006 at 11:13 am

  I think you all have taken the responsibility of the world security. You all are time wasting people and making unnecessary noice. Enjoy life guys dont take or give the tension to athores….

• 30 Bert // Oct 24, 2006 at 12:27 pm

  What is up with this site? Is your staff off for Ramadan or something?

  Perhaps there is no news in Isreal. Well I got news for you. Things are happening in the US and Europe that directly affect Isreal.

  Wake up. Get back to work!

• 31 Charles Wesley // Oct 25, 2006 at 2:39 am

  Please share those things with the rest of us Bert . We can still communicate and share thoughts.

• 32 Marsha Carol Watson // Oct 26, 2006 at 5:33 am

  Bert, They are observing the Feast of Tabernacles. It is a most sacred and holy time….they will return in just a few days.

• 33 Nathan // Oct 28, 2006 at 12:04 am

  Were just sitting around while Iran gets a nuclear weapon, North Korea blows one up, Syria raises its military alert, Iran and Syria are rearming Hizbullah, the worthless pals are still shooting each other like the wild west, Russia is stabing us in the back with China as they form their Alliance, were playing Candyland in Iraq with hardly any troops instead of dropping MOABS like we should be doing, Iran is flooding Iraq with money and terrorists, the UN has failed in Sudan, what a grand ole time. No lets talk about Madonnas stupid baby! Just kidding.

• 34 AMorton // Oct 31, 2006 at 3:40 pm

  As I read the recent articles by Ryan and Stan at Jnewswire I see who really wants who to be driven into the sea and it is all based on fear. Fear that a few extremists will kill a few Jews while peace loving nations are in the process of trying to establish peace in the region. The articles by these two men indicate that any cost for peace is to high and they in fact are striving to just eleminate the whole people for a small part who are extremists in order to just make the problem go away. This is not love but racism and eliteism and whats worse, they say this is what God wants.

• 35 Bert // Nov 1, 2006 at 7:09 pm

  Yea. Right…

  Some folks are getting frustrated, so they are saying new things that may sound harsh, but are warranted by the events. Islam is front and center - and what do we get from this “religion of peace”? Violence.

  Has the violence increased, or are we finally paying attention? There is still a resistance to reporting ALL of what is going on (thanks liberal media - hide the full picture so we can stay in the dark a little longer).

  “Christians are all murderers because their governments drop bombs.” “Jews are all Zionist because they all want Isreal no matter who it hurts - or kills.”

  Those kinds of statements make my flesh crawl (when I think about them), but they are so common, even expected - I am used to it.

  “Islam is the spawn of the devil. Muslims are all racist haters of everyone non-Arab. There are no good muslims.”

  Christians and Jews take the critism, and try to peacfully counter accusations - even defending the “right” to voice them.

  It is not the riots and beheadings that bother me as much as that Muslims on the other hand, say nearly nothing (oh yea Allah Akbar).

• 36 Nathan // Nov 2, 2006 at 5:58 am

  “Fear that a few extremists will kill a few Jews”
  AMorton

  Are you kidding me…. a few Jews. Do you know how many Jews have died at the hands of Arabs. In all the wars that Arabs have started with Israel? Arabs don’t just want to kill a few Jews, the Arabs want to exterminate all Jews, and Christians, and every other non-Islamic religous groups. And who wants peace? Who AMorton is working for peace in the middle east, who are these “peace loving nations” who try so hard to solve the mystical Arab/Israeli question? Syria? Iran? or maybe the Hizbullah? Please help me understand that.

• 37 AMorton // Nov 2, 2006 at 6:12 am

  I don’t need to help you understand anything. You are predisposed to what you want to know. The main point is this. Is God happy with you wanting the elemination of any people? You. I know He isn’t but you still need to figure that out. In the day of grace, which by the way comes through belief on His Son, you tell me what is more important to God, dirt or people? Its a no brainer and God has already declared what he wants from us. Stop and think about that for once in your life and stop trying to influence a war.

• 38 Here we go again // Nov 3, 2006 at 2:52 am

  God said it was going to be this way in Genesis. Every war that has happened in the region has been to eliminate the existence of any possibility of a Jewish state . Have the Jews bombed airlines ,bus stations , children’s nurseries , restaurants , or any public place where they were not at war .
  How about killing any one preaching Islam , or someone of another sect. All hostilities originate from Muslim Radicals .
  They kill each other , but Jews are the favored child and the redheaded stepchild can’t stand them . The bible said that they would be savages and it was right.

• 39 Liam // Nov 3, 2006 at 3:00 am

  what about the jews and 9/11?

• 40 Here we go again // Nov 3, 2006 at 4:33 am

  No connection except that we support Israel.

• 41 Liam // Nov 3, 2006 at 5:51 am

  supporting israel? foolishness.

• 42 Here we go again // Nov 4, 2006 at 2:03 am

  So you dont have too!

• 43 Samuel // Nov 6, 2006 at 4:57 am

  The best thing Secretary Rice could do is keep her mouth in the shut position. When her mouth is open at times, all that comes out is garbage. Enough garbage is spewed forth from the Arabs, none needs to come from America.

• 44 Charles Wesley // Nov 6, 2006 at 5:35 am

  Agreed. She has a less than well advised boss .

• 45 Nerah // Dec 28, 2006 at 6:02 am

  A. Morton,
  Have you actually read the koran? Have you really sat here and read any articles from Israel, have you watched any real news? done any real research? read any books?studied prophecy? You sound like you are trying to say you are a Christian..?but you are obviously speaking before you know what you are saying. These are men who have lived in the thick of the war, who have seen God’s people murdered by terrorists! There may be some muslims who are not violent but the radicals will kill them or they will join them becuase their koran, their beleifs say they are to participate in jihad! Jihad is the most important!
  you can read the koran online, read mohamed 1st.

• 46 James Reesor // Jan 10, 2007 at 12:35 am

  “Good news or a joke? Finally, there will be peace in the world? We have learned from anonymous news sources that the Saudi peace initiative has been accepted by everyone except Israel. The sunny, popular resort mecca of Lebanon will soon play host to this optimistic, diplomatic Arabic contingency, allowing select world leaders to explain to the media why Israel was reluctant to attend. Nobel Peace Prize recipient Yassar Arafat will return from the dead, along with, surprisingly, Muhammad Usama bin Laden who will be present to offer enlightened versions of his futuristic plan. It is expected that Israel will relinquish rights to Jerusalem, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip — along with publicly renouncing statehood and their right to exist as a nation on ‘occupied’ land won during a war they did not start. In exchange for unconditional surrender, Jews will be given two free oil wells, alternate weekend visiting privileges to the Wailing Wall, and half-price tickets to any destination of their choice in France, Afghanistan or Germany. Also, President Bush must agree to stop the war on terrorism, turn New York City and Washington D.C. over to liberal Demoncrats who crave votes from fundamentalist Muslims in exchange for a cessation of sporadic tongue-in-cheek comments. Once the Palestinian State is formally sanctioned by the U.N. — with IMF and EU funding — they will occupy land that is now Israel. The New World Order will take control. It is being rumored that a hand-picked ‘new god’ has been secretly revealed, and will bless himself during a televised ceremony during the peace treaty signing ceremonies. “Mr. God” will then appoint himself ‘King of Jerusalem’ and ‘Chairman of the World,’ before declaring peace. Questions regarding this plan should be E-mailed to FOX NEWS, CNN, ABC, CBS and NBC. Satan will provide further details upon proof of identify to liberal non-Christians!” — Tennessee Elijah

• 47 PIZAEROKEDIELD // Jul 8, 2007 at 1:15 pm

  I just don’t have anything to say these days, but eh. Today was a total loss. Pretty much nothing seems worth bothering with. I’ve more or less been doing nothing worth mentioning.
  I haven’t been up to much , but maybe tomorrow.

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