Israel-Lebanon War: Democratic Talking Points

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Sunday July 23, 2006 · 10:43 AM PDT

2006/07/23 · 10:43

After posting several diaries on the topic:

...and reading hundreds of comments, I'd like to put up a set of Democratic talking points that I push if I were in charge of the party.

I'll keep it brief and add further detail in the comments. Here they are, in no particular order:

Hezbollah's war is Lebanon's war.
As such, UN Resolution 1559 must be completely implemented including the disarming of all militias, most notably Hezbollah.
America should throw its weight behind that initiative. Hezbollah will be more quickly disarmed if it is caught between the Israeli Army in the south and the Lebanese Army/international forces in the north.
America should do what it can to drive a wedge between Hezbollah and the majority of Lebanese (who are not Shiites).
The US should be talking to Syria and Iran to explore ways to end the violence.
It's crazy to isolate ourselves. Talking is ALWAYS better than the alternatives.
Egypt, Jordan, the Saudis (at least) should support the reconstruction of Lebanon.
It should support it in such a way as to make it impossible for Hezbollah to hijack the country again into a impossible and bloody war in the future.
Israel has a right to self-defense and self-determination.
This should go without saying, but there you are.
Israel's war is NOT America's war.
It is not the undercard to America vs. Iran. The fact is, America is mired in Iraq and Afghanistan and has its hands full. It has no business getting involved in another war.
Fast-tracking arms sales to Israel right now is a bad idea that should not have been undertaken.
If anyone needs arming, it is the Lebanese Army for the purpose of crushing Hezbollah.
Lastly, this is NOT World War III.
So Newt Gingrich -- sit down and shut up.

That's what Democrats should say.

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