Hell on Earth

The New York Times has an article regarding the bombing in Lebanon, the country that cannot attack Tel Aviv, its air force comprises three ancient Hawker Hunters and an equally ancient fleet of Vietnam-era Huey helicopters. But Lebanon is being punished and people are dying.

Many residents, acting on Israeli warnings in leaflets dropped over the area, gave up their stand Monday and decided to brave the drive. A line of cars packed with families and piled with bags was seemingly endless on the mountain passes leading out of here.

Mr. Mehdi was one of those who stayed behind. The trip to Beirut had reached $500, an impossible sum for someone of his means, he admitted. But even if he could, he would not leave, he said, because he had to defend his home.

“I’m better off dying here,’’ Mr. Mehdi quipped as a fighter jet broke the evening quiet overhead. “You can’t go to hell from here because you already are in hell.’’

And just how was this hell formed? Why it was Richard Perle, Douglas Feith and David Wurmser in 1996 who had a plan for how to destroy Hezbollah: Invade Iraq. Think Progress has the whole story:

The problem could be solved “if Israel seized the strategic initiative along it northern borders by engaging Hizballah (sic), Syria, and Iran, as the principal agents of aggression in Lebanon.” The key, they said, was to “focus on removing Saddam Hussein from power in Iraq — an important Israeli strategic objective in its own right — as a means of foiling Syria’s regional ambitions.” They called for “reestablishing the principle of preemption.” They promised that the successes of these wars could be used to launch campaigns against Iran, Saudi Arabia and Egypt, reshaping “the strategic balance in the Middle East profoundly.”

Meanwhile Crooks and Liars has the link on James Woolsey who says: Attack Syria!

Woolsey says it’s really about Iran vs the US. No ceasefires or arrests. He wants air strikes on Syria immediately. Gibson asked him why the US shouldn’t just hit Iran.

Woolsey: Well, ahh, one has to take things to some degree by steps.

The Middle East is spiralling out of control and while other leaders are calling for peace negotiations, Bush is not. I guess these pictures really don't bother our President, but I weep at seeing them. (Warning: They are tough to take)

h/t: Fred at MCCS1997