Since yesterday, 33 people have been killed and an unknown number have been wounded in Israel and Gaza.

The short version: an extremely wealthy New Yorker with very close ties to Rudy Giuliani who has never given a dime to Texas state candidates has recently made his first Texas donation: $100,000 to Governor Rick Perry.  This unexpected donation came at about the time that socially conservative Rick Perry was endorsing Giuliani, giving the former New York governor significant political protection on his right flank.

This event has the appearance of the Texas Governor selling his presidential endorsement for a massive bribe of campaign cash.

Note: I am reposting and expanding a comment I recently made into a full-fledged diary, since I think this is an important issue.

McJoan recently noted (Same as it ever was) reports that as the US declares "victory" over Al Qaeda, it is finding itself in increasing conflict with Shiite militias.  She attributes this to more of the same, to the US being "bogged down in the middle of a sectarian civil war."  I would offer a fundamentally different take:

One war is ending.  A second and entirely different war is beginning.

Initial reports suggest a car bomb has killed 5 and wounded 20 in Beirut.  It apparently killed Antoine Ghanem, a right-wing Phlangist and anti-Syrian lawmaker, making Syria an obvious suspect in the attack.  The cycle of bloodshed spins on.

Just a brief FYI: the Houston Chronicle today discusses the impact of the netroots on the battle between Rick Noriega and Mikal Watts for the Democratic nomination for Texas Senator.  

Texas netroots take hold in battle for Senate seat

From today's Christian Science Monitor:

US farmers using prison labor

As states increasingly crack down on hiring undocumented workers, western farmers are looking at inmates to harvest their fields. Colorado started sending female inmates to harvest onions, corn, and melons this summer. Iowa is considering a similar program. In Arizona, inmates have been working for private agriculture businesses for almost 20 years. But with legislation signed this summer that would fine employers for knowingly hiring undocumented workers, more farmers are turning to the Arizona Department of Corrections (ADC) for help.

I wanted to write a big, complex diary about this awful practices, but frankly I'm not sure I have the heart.

These are just some news clips on events in Gaza and Palestine as a whole from the last 24 hours.  I apologize for the disjointed and somewhat rambling nature of my comments, but it is difficult to keep on top of such a fast-moving situation.  Any contributions of additional news or new developments will be much appreciated.

Of course, by now everyone likely knows that Hamas has taken complete control of Gaza.  Calm has settled over the area and residents have emerged from hiding:

Meanwhile, Gazans began emerging from their homes and returning to markets after life was brought to a standstill for the past week.
"Today's like a 180-degree change on the ground," journalist Safwat al-Kahlout told CBC News Friday.

The Hamas operations in Gaza appear to have reached the mop-up stage.  Rafah’s fall means that all important positions outside of Gaza City itself appear o have fallen to Hamas.  Additionally, two of Fatah’s four main positions in Gaza City have fallen, including the main headquarters of the Preventive Security Force.  There is nothing to indicate a substantial Fatah victory anywhere in the conflict or any Fatah ability to prevent a complete Hamas takeover.

To the I/P-ers who repeatedly raise the false meme that any criticism of Israel during the Palestinian civil war is "blaming" Israel or "absolving" Hamas and Fatah of all responsibility:

I don’t know why I’m surprised anymore at this tactic, since it matches so many of the other debating tactics used in I/P.  When someone makes a reasonable or accurate criticism of Israel, what should you do?

1. Take hold of the criticism yourself,

2. Restate the criticism to accuse Israel of being responsible for all evil in the world,

3. Mock the critic for being so over the top.

4. Repeat as necessary.

Just a short diary covering a few news stories from Israel, 2 good, 2 bad.

Just a short diary.  Haaretz reports today that a committee of the Israeli Knesset has passed a preliminary IDF budget:    

NIS 50.6 bn 2007 defense budget okayed in preliminary vote

Numerous reports about the conclusions of the Iraq Study Group suggest that it will follow a number of other observers in advocating that the US talk directly with Iran.  However, George W. Bush has categorically ruled out any such talks until Iran suspends it's nuclear program.  Bush's goal is to push the world past diplomacy with Iran and force it to take action, such as economic sanctions or even backing for U.S. military action.  However, his actions are almost certain to have the reverse effect.  His obstinacy will push others to simply delay rather than to take action.

Iran's nuclear program encompasses at least 40 known facilities across Iran.  Iran claims the program is entirely peace and is designed for research and electricity generation.  Key to the electricity generation is the Bushehr power plant.  This $1 billion plant is being build by Russia in one of Iran's most important industrial cities on its southwestern coast.

Tip of the hat to Arms Control Wonk and it's commentators.

We live in a dangerous era.  Terrorism, missiles, nuclear proliferation.  We are told that Iran is at the very doorstep of a acquiring a nuclear weapon, and something, even a military strike, must be done.

Have we heard this before?  At least two sources think we have:
1) A Feb. 27, 2006 article by The Gazette of Canada, and
2) A paper by Anthony Cordesman and Khalid R. Al-Rodhan and the respected Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington D.C.  (Extract of relevant facts)

In the fact of Lebanese resistance, strong international pressure, and open statements of intent to break the blockade, Israel is giving up its failed blockade of Lebanon.

I'm sure it will surprise no one to say that a reckoning is coming in Israel.  The IDF was humiliated.  The war against Hezbollah was a complete failure.  Hezbollah may well emerge stronger, while the government and nation of Israel saw its position weakened.  

Someone will have to go down for this.  The in-fighting in Israel is going to be brutal, as everyone moves to blame everyone else.  Already, the battle has started.

I meant to post this after the recent "Miami Terror Bust," where a weird little non-violent, non-Muslim Miami cult was suddenly accused of planning to bomb Chicago.  This bust occurred, oddly enough, the same day that the New York Times disclosed the existence of the Administration's program to sneak peeks at banking records.

Israel launched another air attack in Gaza Strip on a car carrying suspected members of the Al Aksa Martyrs Brigade.  The two occupants of the car escaped, but three children were killed and at least 13 other people, mostly children, were injured.  The dead children included Muhammad Roka, a 5 year old boy, and Nida Roka, 7 year old girl, and a Bilal al-Hizi, 16 year old girl.