Carol C: Agreed---we humans are basically inhuman. We live, however, in the current time and cannot pick the Intefada, for example, as the starting point for a discussion. We could use Balfour, we could use the U N (1948), we could use all the other dates I had mentioned but it brings us back to the need for compromise.   Which, in turn, brings us back to intansigence on both sides---except for Rabin. But, who,I ask rhetorically, fouled the peace plan---forget the assasin now.   Does Arafat ring a bell?   

Someone on this thread mentioned that he is a "moderate"--I believe. Right!!   A moderate carries a pistol into the UN to show his machismo. A moderate tolerates the Olympic terrorism.   So--now, we are back to tit for tat and the chicken and egg question. Though I will say that buildings are less important than human lives---say athletes, say innocents at a bus stop, and so on.

The point I am trying to make is that it would be nice if if the moderates on both sides could win the day. Sadly, however, that does not seem to be happening. It also makes me believe that Israel/Palestine/Middle East situations will not be resolved so easily given that our own government will play the political game that serves the party in power's agenda. SO--let me not get into W and Iraq. Part of the problem. Hardball politics all around--as always--and not any kind of idealistic thought in sight.   I will, finally, add that Sharon (as I said before) is no saint. But, given, what happened to all the peace overtures that Arafat has rejected and renegged on, given all the innocents killed by suicide bombers (trained by and indoctrinated at a young age by Palestinians), and given the hardships placed on the only democracy in that sad area I, sadly, add that perhaps a strong hand is called for.

Bill Hahn