Ok, this is not much of a diary it is more of an open thread to exchange and talk about the Free For All that is M.E. and relations to the U.S.
Welcome to week two. Remember this is like an open thread so just be cool.
Notice BTW, I use the word FRYDAY instead of Friday... I do that because most of us are Fried after a long week at work. Some of us are fried because of the posting we do and/or both.
I want to try to do this on Fryday's as a way to get people to talk to about whatever comes into their heads regarding this.. Sort an open forum for people to meet... ask questions.
Follow Me
I don't want this to be a flame forum. Rather something that we can present articles to each other from sources in the U.S. and M.E. and discuss. It does not have to be I/P. I can be about Lebanon, or Iran, or Saudi Arabia or what have you. Also have fun... If you have a great story from the region or what not - let's have it.
So... Here are the articles and salient points, I think could be discussed. Please chime in with some of yours.
I choose these articles:
A sad development:
Netanyahu aide: PA thwarted Mitchell bid to renew peace talks
By Barak Ravid and Akiva Eldar, Haaretz Correspondents, Haaretz Service and Agencies
Officials in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's bureau accused the Palestinians on Friday of thwarting the latest efforts of the U.S. Middle East envoy, George Mitchell, to reach a deal on resuming peace talks.
"The differences that exist are with the Palestinians, in light of the stance they presented," said a senior official in the bureau, after Mitchell held a series of discussions with officials in Israel and the West Bank.
Way to go Hezbollah
The leader of Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah, vowed on Friday that his Shi'ite militant organization would never recognize Israel and that no Arab state had the right to do so either.
"No one has the right to recognize this entity [Israel] or approve its legitimacy," the black-turbaned Nasrallah said in a televised address to ceremonies marking Quds (Jerusalem) Day, an annual occasion created by Hezbollah's patron Iran to show support for the Palestinians.
Yet again Hezbollah opens mouth and this time inserts the whole leg. My god, would someone take Nasrallah around to the back and hit him in the head for sheer dumbness. I mean come on... we are trying to talk peace here and this idiot decides to ratchet up the war of words a bit. He and Avigdor Leiberman. God God what did our people do to deserve these guys.
I don't know this guy at all but he sounds interesting and we were talking about sports before. Can anyone clue me in to who he is beyond what Avi Issacsharoff says here:
>From an ex-Fatah Security chief
"All my life I have fought against the Israeli occupation, but I have always believed in peace between the two nations. Peace is not only a Palestinian interest but an Israeli one, too; you're not doing us a favor. The State of Israel was the result of a United Nations decision, but don't forget that that decision gave legitimacy to an additional state. In the final analysis, if the occupation continues the world is still liable to say that Israel no longer has legitimacy
Let the discussions begin.
On thing obvious racism towards either Arab or Jewish posters is not welcome - please leave the bullshit at home. If you have nothing to say - don't say it.