That Was the Week That Was – The Expected, the Unexpected

Posted on June 10, 2009
Filed Under Clinton, Europe, European Parliament, European Union, Hassan Nasrallah, Hezbollah, Hillary Clinton, International, Israel, LAF, Lebanese Armed Forces, Lebanon, Netanyahu, News, President Obama, Sa'ad Hariri, Secretary of State, Terrorism, Tzippi Livni, Zionist Entity, enlightened Europeans, violence | Leave a Comment

Between some heavy projects and family matters I’ve hardly been around for the last couple of weeks. The projects have been very challenging yet interesting and rewarding, the family matters are resolving themselves nicely. I’m still battling various deadlines, but every once in a while I must surface for air.

Last week was very eventful. President Obama’s trip to various Arab nations and his speech at Cairo University were newsworthy, if only because they marked a drastic departure from previous policy. Many blogs, worthier than mine, devoted much cyber ink to the speech’s implications and dangers. Thus, I will not bore you with my personal take. Suffice it to say, that was I flabbergasted (though deep down I expected it!) that after 9/11 our President wants our attitude to Islam to change without having asked for a change in Islamic attitudes towards us… Should tell you tell something about our top politico’s character and (mis)understanding of political realities.

The American economy continues its descent and jobless numbers are getting worse, even if the official spin is that they are not as bad as could have been expected. But, our top politicos find the subjecty not worthy of their attention as, throughout the week, pressure was applied on Israel without any being applied on the Palestinian leaders. The message is very clear, terrorism pays, at least if its victims are Jews and Jewish interests. Hillary (now that she no longer represents New York in the Senate) has finally revealed her true colors and especially her feeble grasp of truth by saying that there never was or at least it never was official that natural growth of “settlements” were allowed by previous administrations. She continues to advocate against the natural growth of these settlements and does not allow inconvenient but incontrovertible truths to get get in the way of her boss’ agenda or her threats. All the while there’s been nary a word on the Palis having to comply in any way with the obligations signed under previous agreements or even having to acknowledge Israel’s right to exist… Is Obama engaging in foreign adventures to distract us from the impending economic doom?

Meanwhile Tzippi Livni, that lame excuse for a politician with a spine or even a smidgeon of integrity, whose public record reeks of opportunism, lies and self importance has suddenly become an expert on democracy… at least in the pages of The New York Slimes. All this was done in an effort to ingratiate herself and worm her way into Obama’s and Clinton’s hearts so that they may force Netanyahu’s fall and thrust Tzippi upon the Israelis. Such meddling into another country’s internal politics, the arrogance of our liberal elite knowing better than that country’s denizens what is best for it, is appalling to say the least. Tzippi’s bowing and kowtowing is not only self serving and detrimental to Israel, but is repulsive to watch, repulsive to read and only exposes Kadima’s leader’s fecklessness.

This past Sunday, the Lebanese stopped – at least temporarily – Hizbulla’s, Iran’s and Syria’s dreams of taking over Lebanon. Blacksmiths of Lebanon presents an exhaustive analysis of the election. Most political pundits expected Hizbullah and its political block to emerge victorious but Lebanese sanity prevailed. People have not yet forgotten the destruction wrought on Lebanon by Hizbullah’s recklessness and are therefore not ready to trust their future welfare to these thugs. I can only sit back and admire Lebanon and its democratic ways, so unlike the rest of the Arab world. Having said that, Saad Hariri (murdered Rafik Hariri’s son) will probably become the next Prime Minister… Rightfully, he insists on all militias disarming. Considering that Hizbullah is stronger than the Lebanese Armed Forces and that many of the LAF’s members are Hizbullah sympathizers this will not be easy to accomplish. Hariri’s choices then are either risking yet another bloody civil war or ignoring Hizbullah… Neither alternative is healthy, both are VERY dangerous! What will his choice be and what price will the Lebanese people have to pay for any compromise?!?!?

Rafik and Saad Hariri

Also on Sunday, over in Europe, right wing parties are on the ascendancy as shown in the EU parliamentary elections far beyond their staunchest supporters expectations. This is already causing heavy trepidations in the hearts of the EU’s commissioners and the horse trading has already began. As Europe veers away from socialism and its failures, we on this side of the Atlantic are plunging headlong into that very same abyss of failed leftist policies. No wonder, the Europeans feel Americans are years behind them. Pity!