LMAO @ Bush "Spreading Democracy"

[Taymelo]

Hamas Militiamen, Palestinian Police Clash

In Washington, State Department spokesman Tom Casey condemned the violence and criticized the Hamas-led government for failing to protect its people. "We're troubled by this kind of escalation in intra-Palestinian violence," Casey said.

The nearly hourlong shootout Monday sent Palestinians fleeing and left a wide swath of Gaza City deserted.

The Preventive Security Service, a branch loyal to Abbas, said the fighting started when Hamas militiamen stopped one of its vehicles and fired on it. Hamas said the trouble began when some of its members came under fire during a patrol, sought cover and fired back.

A running battle ensued, with Hamas gunmen sealing off streets between the parliament and police headquarters and taking up positions behind trees, walls and cars. Some Hamas gunmen holed up in two buildings under construction hurled grenades and fired a rocket-propelled grenade at police. Palestinian police responded with rifle fire.

A small group of black-clad women marching with signs protesting the chaos ran for cover when gunfire erupted behind them.

Elsewhere, a car raced down a street and screeched to a halt after the driver was wounded. Hamas fighters accidentally shot at another car, which was carrying their comrades.

Khaled Radaida, 55, an aide to the Jordanian ambassador in Gaza, was killed as he drove past the gunfight in his Audi, which had a red diplomatic license plate. Three bullets hit the car's front windshield.

TV footage showed a Hamas gunman pressed against a wall firing a burst of gunfire across the road before a comrade fiercely gestured for him to stop. A few moments later, the Jordanian vehicle, with a bullet hole in the windshield, was seen slowly moving down the road before stopping and rolling backward.

The ambassador, Yehiya Qarallah, was not in the vehicle. He was taken under police escort to the morgue to identify Radaida and sobbed as he left the building.

Jordan demanded an immediate inquiry into the shooting, which came amid increased tensions between Hamas and the Jordanian government. Jordan has accused Hamas of smuggling weapons into the kingdom for use in attacks against public institutions and officials.

Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh called the Jordanian ambassador, offering condolence and pledging an inquiry.

Fatah held Hamas responsible for the killing. Maher Maqdad, a Fatah spokesman, said the existence of the new militia violated the law, and it had no business patrolling near police headquarters. "When are they (Hamas leaders) going to realize that this unit is illegal and when are they going to dismantle it?" he said in a text message to The Associated Press.

Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said the fighting was triggered by "suspicious figures" who he said fired on both Hamas and police to stir trouble.

In all, 11 people were hurt, including a paramedic sent to tend to the wounded, hospital officials said.

The fighting followed two weekend assassination attempts against security commanders loyal to Abbas. Fatah officials hinted they believed Hamas was behind the incidents but stopped short of making an open accusation.

Early Monday, a gunman linked to Fatah was killed near the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis. Fatah said two of its fighters were ambushed in their car, while Hamas said the firefight was triggered by a Fatah attempt to kidnap a Hamas member. A second Fatah gunman was wounded.

Where is old George going to spread democracy to next? Chimps? I'd say chimps are as prepared for democracy as a system of government as the Palestinians are. Who knows, with chimps, perhaps there would be less violence, and a quicker transition to law and order?

PS: No. I am not comparing palestinians to chimps. I'm just dumbfounded that Bush thought he could take a historically unattached, disloyal, nomadic people, who have never had any shared identity, and have literally been fighting amongst and indeed stealing from themselves for centuries, and expect them to unite behind the government of the majority.

Did god really tell Bush to do this? It seems to me God would have had a better understanding of history, and would have known better. Perhaps George simply misunderstood this one, and God really wanted him to spread democracy in middle eastern north america?

[Uncle Mxy]

It's hard to generalize on who a Palestinian even is, especially in a historical context. Does "Palestinian" refer to ethnicity, religion, location or what? It's morphed over the years.

It's the "Mussolini made the trains run on time" principle that led to Hamas being in power. That's a promising development, IMO, and it's that sort of pragmatism that will need to be encouraged to get to a useful place in that region.

[DennyMcLain]

Nobody likes the Palestinians. Syria hates them. Iran hates them. Egypt hates them. Even historically, the "people of Palestine" have been looked upon as backwash. The only saving grace they have is that all of the above hate Israel MORE, and thus the Palestinians own a shared cause with the nation-states of the area. It's also the very reason why the palestinians get away with what they can get away with. Hamas, as a political force, is a joke, and despised throughout the region. But, like the U.S. aiding Saddam during the Iran/Iraq war, they are the lesser evil willing to do the dirty work in ridding the region of Israel.

On the flip side, it's a brilliant strategy by the Israelis that's paying off before our very eyes. Flip the ultra-orthodox right the bird, and give the Palestinians what they want -- sovergnty. Then, kick back and watch them destroy themselves from within.

[Uncle Mxy]

http://www.time.com/time/world/artic...151969,00.html

When you have to choose between two turds, choose the turd that helps you the most. Hamas didn't get voted in because they were despised by the rest of the region. They got in -despite- that, because of their relief programs.

As for the "brilliant strategy", Hamas was aided by Israel in its early stages to be a destabilizing force to the PLO/Fatah. It was brilliant right up to where Hamas starts attacking Israel and goes beyond focusing on relief efforts.

[TK]

When you have to choose between two turds, choose the turd that helps you the most.

Nice to know they've caught up to the American election process so soon.