*grin* No- you are just a good person with a reasonable and polite personality with the ability to discuss and disagree without needing to insult the other "side" and you don't approve when others do.

Ok- in short- you're just cool. ;)

I would agree with you except it isn't "in a blink". Surely you can see the distinction between the two sides right now?

I don't disagre that Israel is a focal point now, but I also don't necessarily think that removing Israel entirely will significantly reduce support for radical Islam. Israel might be gone, but "the West" will remain as the boogeyman to be blamed for economic failures. And as long as governments can retain power by keeping the people relatively poor and focusing the blame elsewhere they will.

Yes, but I think you'd see a big difference in world response if they act as agressor towards someone other than Israel, against which they have a semi-legitimate gripe.

Where is the outrage in Africa with respect to the specific (and undoubtedly others) situations I mentioned? The world response has been pathetic.

Where is the outrage in Indonesia, where Al Qaida is very active? What was the world response to embassy bombings in Africa or the Kovar Towers in Saudi Arabia? Or the train bombings in Spain? There was no response, with the recognition that strongly worded condemnation is not a response. That means nothing to radical Islam. I would suggest they simply laugh at attempts at diplomacy when their goal is not to get along or live in peace.

I don't know. I mean, I'm sure there would be more world indignation, but the terrorism model changes things. I'm already uncomfortable with the steps we are allegedly taking to prevent terrorist attacks here. If we became the focus, I'm not sure "here" would be some place I'd want to stay. Islamic states will fund the terrorists, the west will retaliate by attacking the Islamic states, which will retaliate with direct attacks on the west.

Yes, it's total speculation. No this isn't an area I know much about. Yes, I'm sure my "re-education" will begin shortly. Doesn't change that I personally believe that much as Isreal is a thorn in the paw of Islam, the radicals draw strength from the have-nots, and removing the thorn won't remove the underlying problem.

Link- Israel deaths ignored

Reuters admits to using altered photograph (yes, they pulled it and apologized...)

What I found sad and ironic about yesterday's report on CNN is that the people that were killed in yesterday's Hezbollah attack on Haifa were Israeli Arabs. It was several minutes into the story before someone pointed out that the people racing to help the victims were shouting in Arabic. This is an ugly ugly war, and the propaganda machine only blurs it further.

Reuters dismisses photographer

additional link with photo at issue

The lie

The truth?

Will add link when I find it-