Roberto,

Thanks again.

I have to confess that I too am sceptical about the idea that Hamas are to be trusted.

But as Gerald Kaufman also said, "they are the only game in town", meaning that if there are to be negotiations, Hamas can't be ignored.

However, I respect Carols assessment on the basis that Hamas, for all their ugly menace, are at least transparent about their intentions.

Their official line is more hardline than their behind the scenes stuff.

Their behind the scenes stuff is more about deal making and their on the sleeve stuff is about war.


I haven't engaged in the debates about who broke what ceasefires first the way that other mudcatters have, but I can say that Carol is pretty honest and advocates a clear, consistent and well supported view, as does her #1 opponent Bearded Bruce.



I do note however that while Israels official line is that they seek a fair and peaceful resolution, their unofficial backroom stuff seems to be about building more controversial settlements and about slandering their opponents.


I note Bobads public announcement that he has sent you a personal message, something that you will already know since you will have received it on your page, thus rendering his public notification of it obsolete.


I don't know what the subject of it is, but I can't help speculating that it involves a bit of back room character assassination.


Well once you have been given 'the lowdown' on how 'they' operate and the tactics 'they' use, feel welcome to post freely and expresss your opinion on the mudcat just as I do, Bobad does and Carol does without restriction.