tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5041404668013008872.post4651158590098343071..comments2023-10-31T07:08:49.579-07:00Comments on RADARSITE: From Other Sites on the Line: 9 May 08Roger W. Gardnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10255672744176037466noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5041404668013008872.post-16616401984610462242008-05-10T09:56:00.000-07:002008-05-10T09:56:00.000-07:00Good points as usual Shawmut. There's a lot at pla...Good points as usual Shawmut. There's a lot at play here. Although many will say that this "civil war" in Lebanon doesn't really concern us, we know better.<BR/>I'm afraid that I've become an unapologetic hawk. Now is the time for us to flex some of our own awesome muscle in this area. Now is the time to scare the pants off some of these petty hoods, who are puffed up by the apparent weaknesses of the Liberal democratic governments, both in the EU and here at home. <BR/>We owe Hezbollah big time. They are still gloating over our withdrawal from Lebanon after the bombing of the Marine barracks. Now is the time for a real Shock and Awe campaign. We must do what it takes to be perceived once again as the Strong Horse. <BR/><BR/>Whether it is in Beirut, or Syria, or Iran we simply must act -- and to hell with the UN and "world opinion"; the only opinion that matters now is our enemy's opinion of our strength and our willingness to use it. And right now I'm afraid they regard us with contempt. <BR/><BR/>Procrastination only increases our ultimate peril.Roger W. Gardnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10255672744176037466noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5041404668013008872.post-24001713053296851442008-05-10T09:34:00.000-07:002008-05-10T09:34:00.000-07:00What we seem to slide by too easily is the fundame...What we seem to slide by too easily is the fundamental question of Lebanon's statehood (in its own eyes or the world's). It's been an arena for anarchy for too long. If it is a 'state', which usually implies a government, it seems unable, afraid or too compromised, to commit it's own armed forces to properly restore order.<BR/>Remember Pristina, Kosovo, the control of the airport, a point which Great Satan's Girlfriend points out, (an issue so obvious, I've always held with irony, that it was never suitably controlled -and so obvious for so long). It has never been put under any form of interdiction. And it's not as though it could not be monitored.<BR/>Along with buds of spring that I am observing here in Boston, I also see the nearly seasonal stepping up of teasers that develop in the Middle East. (whether it be "Lebanon 06 or Sanai 67').<BR/>Reasonable it may seem, as Findalis suggests, is holding off for the US Election results. But there is also the "black swan", that Hezbollah may commit to more extreme action to further indulge the anarchy. The opportunity to play this out is Iran's advantage with Nazrallah leading the charge.<BR/>Think about this; 'The pro's' have been bandying the term "asymmetrical warfare" for some time. (Let's think 'asymmetrical strategy' for a moment') So let's line up the reasonably logical in one matrix; consider movements, logistics, (even factor in the UN and EU, and the US Election). In another create the extreme (of course factor in the UN and EU, indifferent to the US Election {after all there's no time to debate an exit strategy}) and remember - there is a 'no-loss ratio' with Hezbollah.<BR/>Well, I guess we'll have to wait and see.David Barry O'Connorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08331007985962351381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5041404668013008872.post-2491440938916879422008-05-09T17:00:00.000-07:002008-05-09T17:00:00.000-07:00I have written a follow up to my original post in ...I have written a follow up to my original post in which I outline a scenario that could happen.<BR/><BR/>http://findalismonkeyinthemiddle.blogspot.com/2008/05/lebanon-is-now-in-hezbollah-hands.html<BR/><BR/>With Hezbollah poised to take over Lebanon it is just a matter of time before all Hell blows up.Findalishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02881549378886491540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5041404668013008872.post-87748918906274662442008-05-09T14:55:00.000-07:002008-05-09T14:55:00.000-07:00Roger, thanks for the link. Findalis, the implica...Roger, thanks for the link. Findalis, the implications are truly awful for Israel and the prospect of the coming elections adds a dimension that every Israeli must be dreading. Hezbollah is more evil than we can get our heads around here in the west. Having spoken to a Lebanese man who knows them first hand, I got the picture that they're a vicious, territorial Mafioso style gang of thugs and worse. Now they've got their finger on the Lebanese army as Findalis points out and a consolidated base, they're in a position to inflict a huge amount of human misery on that region. I fear for the people there.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5041404668013008872.post-29338915172056186712008-05-09T14:16:00.000-07:002008-05-09T14:16:00.000-07:00Thanks for the update Findalis -- even though it's...Thanks for the update Findalis -- even though it's not very pleasant.<BR/><BR/>And right on Ben. Brigitte Gabriel is a perfect example of the plight of the Lebanese Christians, and the comparisons she makes between the Muslim world, from which she came, to Israel, to which she fled, are powerful and unforgettable.<BR/><BR/>An aside from Radarsite: <BR/>Now, I hate to brag - lol, but I think that Radarsite has some of the smartest commenters on the web. <BR/>Thanks to all.<BR/>rgRoger W. Gardnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10255672744176037466noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5041404668013008872.post-53868024449825024702008-05-09T13:34:00.000-07:002008-05-09T13:34:00.000-07:00I agree regretfully with findalis; her assessment ...I agree regretfully with findalis; her assessment of the situation is too accurate. <BR/><BR/>This situation is a historical object lesson for the world: there is no compromise with Isdamn. <BR/><BR/>With a near 50/50 Christian/Isdamn split, they tried to compromise, institutionalizing a Christian Presidency and Isdamn Prime Minister. <BR/><BR/>As Christians were slowly driven out family by family by constant harassment, and weakened by corrupt and treacherous leadership, the state of the nation deteriorated so much that it can not be saved. <BR/><BR/>Isdamn must be eliminated; there is no way to coexist with it. Let the world observe and learn.Benhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01975775791961343435noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5041404668013008872.post-76236654213430340952008-05-09T13:11:00.000-07:002008-05-09T13:11:00.000-07:00The Lebanese government is collapsing, the Lebanes...The Lebanese government is collapsing, the Lebanese Army is just sitting back watching it all happen. And Hezbollah will control Lebanon by the end of the weekend. G-d help Israel. They will be attacked within the next 12 months.<BR/><BR/>Israel's only hope is to strike Lebanon hard and fast. Strike with everything she has and not to worry about the UN. For once Obama is elected, he will sell Israel out.Findalishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02881549378886491540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5041404668013008872.post-16276524895570977702008-05-09T13:02:00.000-07:002008-05-09T13:02:00.000-07:00Great points GSG. And good luck with your exams. K...Great points GSG. And good luck with your exams. Keep us posted.<BR/>rgRoger W. Gardnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10255672744176037466noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5041404668013008872.post-988455922807465872008-05-09T12:40:00.000-07:002008-05-09T12:40:00.000-07:00The airport plays a big bit here too. It's HBA's d...The airport plays a big bit here too. It's HBA's direct supply line to Preacher Command in Tehran. So the legit Leb gov makes a move to seize it and cut off HBA's communications.<BR/><BR/>Body Part Collector General Nasrallah was very plain in his 'defiant speech' that HBA needs those weapons, runways and commo lines to survive.<BR/><BR/>Leb may be taking an Iraqi style 'Basra' blitz and also check out that USS Truman hit the hood to hook up with Nassau Expeditionary Force. <BR/><BR/>As sworn enemies of Great Satan - the most proficient killers and serial tormentors of Americans til 911 time - holders of a blood debt that has no statue of limitations - few tears would be shed if Hiz'B'Allah was taken out - all the way out.GrEaT sAtAn'S gIrLfRiEnDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09760252542953109449noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5041404668013008872.post-58359796649223584582008-05-09T12:17:00.000-07:002008-05-09T12:17:00.000-07:00Thank you Findalis and Shawmut. We will be followi...Thank you Findalis and Shawmut. We will be following events in Beirut very closely.Roger W. Gardnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10255672744176037466noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5041404668013008872.post-73617174398850310992008-05-09T11:50:00.000-07:002008-05-09T11:50:00.000-07:00Let's not fail to look at Lebanon with a long view...Let's not fail to look at Lebanon with a long view historically; to ages before the War of the Great Powers, and even before that. It was a stage upon which inter-religious and inter-sectarian communities once acted without compromise of confessional ethics.<BR/>Since then Christians have been marginalized, Jews abandoned and the more moderate of the Arabs live in absolute fear. As an example, even the Grand Mufti is finally speaking out. http://yalibnan.com/site/archives/2008/05/grand_mufti_leb.php<BR/><BR/>The "Switzerland of the Middle-East (1950's)" has become the "Chicago of Capone".<BR/>The very element taking this country over is doing so at the cost of our Marines and civilian personnel; not to mention the amount of money (US Currency - Dollars - $$) raised in the United States.<BR/>As Goethe wrote: "Against frustration, even the gods struggle in vain."<BR/>(And that part of the Levant has known most of those gods personally.)David Barry O'Connorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08331007985962351381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5041404668013008872.post-28343142853730257732008-05-09T11:29:00.000-07:002008-05-09T11:29:00.000-07:00As I write this, Hezbollah has control of 14 neigh...As I write this, Hezbollah has control of 14 neighborhoods in Beirut. The Lebanese government will soon collapse and a Islamic regime will take its place. With Hezbollah controlling Lebanon's military, there will be no stopping them from attacking Israel. They can now hit every city in Israel.<BR/><BR/>What will keep them from attacking this summer is they are waiting for the results of the US elections. <BR/><BR/>If McCain wins, they know Israel has a strong friend in the US and the US will help Israel.<BR/><BR/>If Obama wins, they know the US is weak and won't fight. Israel would be on its own.<BR/><BR/>It is not if Hezbollah will use the Lebanese Army to attack, but when and it will be a coordinated effort with Hamas with Iran pulling the strings. That is why Iran has been spouting rhetoric all year.<BR/><BR/>This operation that Hezbollah is doing has been planned well in advance by Iran. Now Israel is waiting for the other shoe to drop and the attack to begin. Let us pray that Olmert and his government is out and Bibi is in.Findalishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02881549378886491540noreply@blogger.com