"You must tell the world we do not support Hezbollah."

The quote in the subject line was the headline of Anderson Cooper's most recent post. It demonstrates who's suffering in this conflict, and who always suffers in war. Right now, the middle east is a battlefield. And the greatest casualties are those that have no say in whats going on. Unfortunately, those that have the power to make the change are sitting in white mansions, heading to bed a 9pm when there are thousands suffering from the result of military spending.

I've been terribly busy the past few weeks, and have not blogged about much that is terribly important. But this situation has risen to the level of being absolutely ridiculous.

I don't support Hezbollah's military action ... and I definitely do not support Israel's retaliation. Both sides are behaving foolishly, and while in this instance, Israel may have been provoked - there is absolutely no justification for it's response.

Lets look at where we started from - a raid resulting in eight soldiers killed and two kidnapped from Israel. In itself, that is shameful and disgraceful. In retaliation, Israel commenced air strikes - most notably the 23 tons of bombs dropped on South Beirut just an hour ago.

How about a comparison of the body count? In one week, 29 Israelis have died - may Allah forgive them and have mercy on them on the day of Qiyamaah. Over 300 Lebanese civilians have died. That's almost ten times the number of Israelis. Over a 1000 Lebanese civilians have been wounded. I can't seem to find a number on the Israeli side, but I can guarantee that if it were in any way significant - the news would have been all over it.

300 to 29.

I'm shell shocked. I'm weighed down with concern ... how can we allow this to happen? Yes, one cannot support the raids and kidnapping, but how can Israel's response be anything but excessive force? How can this be merely self defense - if we all operated under this logic, we would live in a barbaric society. Imagine someone shooting into your house, or entering your house and kidnapping one of your family members - if you picked up your AK-47, chased after the kidnapper and fired at anyone that came in your way ... and killed them ... would you not be tried for murder? Does self defense extend so far as to encourage insanity and such immense arrogance? Can we allow a nation to be above the law?

At this point, I don't even care who started this fight - if this is going to be a fight, it had better as heck be fair. What blows me away is the absolute arrogance of Israel's current administration. How in the world can you think that two of your people, are in anway worth killing hundreds of another nations people - most of whom are entirely innocent.

300 to 29.

Civilians do not deserve to die over the stupidity and arrogance of those that have arms.

I'm waiting for the day when political leaders stop listening to their egos and attempt to rise above this stupidity... case in point:

"The Israelis say they are fighting to end the control of Hezbollah over the
lives of ordinary people on both sides of the border." BBC.

The way things are going now, Israel will probably achieve its goal. Not because it was a genious diplomatic strategy, but because all the "ordinary people" on the Lebanese side will likely be exterminated.

The art of war has been lost in the technological advancement of arms ... and in the advanced corrosion of the soul.