LH:

I may disagree with some of your points, but I admire your writing. I think there is plenty of open criticism of Israel, its people, its conduct. I don't sense a fear of criticizing Jews. I've seen plenty of criticism and disagreement about and with Jewish people and subjects. Most of it, in my experience, comes from Jews but it certainly ain't limited to 'em. About eight years ago a non-Jewish young woman wrote and had performed in my town a play about the Holocaust. She received some criticism and a lot of defense over it. I think we're beginning to see more of this on other supposedly PC-reserved subjects. And you have made free with your opinions, and I certainly react most strongly as I think you'd agree but I respect not condemn you, (except once about Shatner).

Anyhow, I think the image of Israel as bully is very much arranged and hyped. The truth is there are powerful forces arrayed against Israel by countries with essentially limitless resources. And they get their money from the USA, orders of magnitude more than Israel. These are huge social, economic, cultural, and financial sources. They are powerful enough to settle every one of the residents of Gaza and non-native residents of Jordan (itself a Palestinian State). But they choose to maintain the impoverished and miserable residents in place as an ever present wedge issue. They choose to fortify, arm, and defend many terror groups.

Israel is at present a 'local maximum' as far as conventional arms go. But the situation is fluid. The US is a sort of major maximum, but in reality conducting a balancing act which cannot last. In any case I don't believe in an Israel that is dependent on the Us for existence. That is a doomed scenario.

What will work is a stringent policy toward the terrorists. They cannot be allowed to find even a single winning strategy. They and the people they live among must be convinced that there is no violent way they will win out. They have been trying such a way. It involves violence and publicity. Many of the posters here are guests from outside who are aligned with that policy. They don't answer straight questions and constantly winge on about their chosen victims, whether or not the reports are verified.

Don't you see if the Israelis were Nazis now or ever: THERE WOULD BE NO PALESTINIAN PROBLEM!