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Originally written by Nepharim:

And some wonder why America is overweight.

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Originally written by GremlinJoe:

That was the holy spirit.

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Originally written by Sir David:

If the situation were in the hands of PM Olmert's detractors, Israel would sit back and whine to the rest of the world while allowing avowed racists and terrorists to destroy its people, its buildings and its morale one shell at a time. That is if it hadn't already been destroyed in the mid-20th century, which would be entirely likely. Call it what you want, but to defend Hezbollah, Ahmedinejad, Hamas or any of their ilk is to say that the Nazis weren't so bad after all, just they were too... well, legitimate. We're talking about people who have publicly stated their intention to finish the job Hitler started, and I hate Nazi analogies as much as the rest of you.

I'm in agreement with Alorael about Israel's actions. About those of Hezbollah... the thought that anyone could justify their actions makes me sick. No, Lebanon's civilians shouldn't be killed for the actions of a terrorist organization within their ranks. But what can you do when confronted by such people?

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Originally written by GremlinJoe:

Oh for crying out loud, Israel is perfectly correct in its course of action. The only mistake they've made was to let the world boss them around in the first place. What I mean to say is, I'm angry that everyone is always telling them how they're wrong when they aren't. How long were they pressured by the international community into making peace with terrorists?

To many years have been spent giving in to to Israel's enemies. You know what I say, one big war to get rid of all those troublemakers is the only reasonable course of action. And it boggles the mind that anyone would say Israel is the bad guy in all this. I'll bet that if Israel had attacked Iraq and deposed of Saddam the world would be twice as outraged as it is about America doing so even though they'd have even better reason.

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Cute.

However, your argument simply proves my point: considering that German response to a percieved provocation was murder of 6 million people, and America's responce to a "provocation" of 9/11 was "regime change" in two countries, including one that had nothing to do with the attack, Israeli responce of bombing a couple of bridges and offices of people who ordered the "provocations" looks like an example of perfect restraint. :)

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Originally written by GremlinJoe:

I said five yerars ago that Israel would be confronted by Iran, China, And Russia, Plus Gearga and syria.

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And no one believed me! Why? Well I'll tell you why. Apperently a person has to have an I.Q. of 200 to be listened to and all I hade was 180 oh boo hoo. Well, what I said was true and no one cares. How about that? I'm so irritated.

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Actually they might not have believed me because I said I got it from the Bible. I can't remember. Its actually in Ezekial. And a few other places. Oh well.

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Originally written by Zeviz:

How long would Germany ignore "provocations"

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Originally written by Icky:

Civilians are dying because Israel is unable to not respond to an attack by what is, in a very real sense, Lebanon.

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Originally written by Zeviz:

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Originally written by The Worst Man Ever:

I did not ask you why Israel is killing civilians; that much is obvious. I asked you why civilians are dying here.

What will the civilian deaths in Lebanon accomplish?

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1. If you don't know a difference between a bridge and a home, I am not sure how we can continue this discussion.

2. If you do know the difference, the answer to your question is obvious: Hezbolla's attacks against Israeli houses are trying to kill as many civillians as possible. Israel's attacks against bridges and airport are trying to stop Hezbolla from moving supplies and reinforcements.

3. You still haven't answered my question: how would you respond to rockets falling on American border towns?

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Originally written by Zeviz:

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Originally written by The Worst Man Ever:

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Originally written by Zeviz:

I am wondering how USA, Canada, or whatever country you are from, would react to rockets fired at its border towns and an attack against border guards. (I have hard time imagining US shrugging off a barrage of Katusha rockets launched at San Diego suburbs followed by an attack against border guards.)

An attack like the one Hezbolla launched would be considered a start of war if it was directed against any other country in the world.

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You'd say the same thing if the Israeli response had been a nuclear attack on Beirut, Zeviz.

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You'd say the same think if Hezbolla had nuked Tel-Aviv, Alec.

Now that we've gotten that out of the way, I'd like to hear the answer to my question: What would USA do in response to a rocket attack against San Diego suburbs followed by an attack against its border guards?

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Originally written by Zeviz:

I am wondering how USA, Canada, or whatever country you are from, would react to rockets fired at its border towns and an attack against border guards. (I have hard time imagining US shrugging off a barrage of Katusha rockets launched at San Diego suburbs followed by an attack against border guards.)

An attack like the one Hezbolla launched would be considered a start of war if it was directed against any other country in the world.

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Originally written by Spring:

Lebanese Fear Israeli offensive

Infernal? You're there, aren't you?

Discuss.

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Originally written by Stugri-La:

Really, I find the most disturbing thing about this affair to be the general reaction to it- from the media as well as the vast majority of soccer fans. The incident of the headbutting and its aftermath came up just as I was beginning to sense a growing liking within me for this game. I'd always found soccer crushingly boring, at least compared to my favorite sports: basketball, baseball, football, and tennis. So little scoring, so much running from end to end, so little excitement generated for me, a standard American sports fan.

But, you know, I was just beginning to gain an appreciation for the artistry of some of the shots and the subtle drama of the game, I watched the headbutt and the controversy it generated. And then, clearly, I saw what was wrong with this game, what makes it not truly worth watching.

Really, the biggest problem with soccer is that it's a game for goddamn fruitcakes. The reaction to the head-butting made that clear. All this whining about the crushing blow Zidane had made to the game and his own reputation. And I thought: how many times have I seen a brawl break out in a baskeball, basketball, football, or hockey game? Tons, and no one really bothered to whine and complain about the degeneration of the sport and the shame incurred by the players involved.

Physical contact is a part of sport. So is emotion, and, as a result, so is violence. Zidane's headbutt was not a calculated attempt to cause injury to the Italian player. It was simply an expression of anger in an emotionally charged game. By all means, it was proper that he should have been given the red card. But it is not proper that he should receive the lambasting he has suffered from the press and fans.

The endless decrying of the incident is yet another reason why soccer will never reach the mainstream popularity in America that it has in many other countries. The rest of you can continue to watch your stylish, graceful, emotionally vacant game, but I'll stick to my basketball, thank you.

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