The 'Moral Equivalence Brigade' Reign Supreme

"The Brazen Serpent" by Michelangelo 1511, Fresco, Cappella Sistina, Vatican

 

There is no question that the MSM machine is working very hard at producing over and over again the same images of the bodies of women and children taken out of the block of flats in Qana, rigor-mortis and all. It is an absolute public relations win hands down for Hezbollah, a coup d'état, and a set back in public opinion, which is now being milked for all its worth.

If only we had been shown the video of Hezbollah launching rockets either from or immediately next to blocks of flats

Israeli officials noted that the Lebanese rescue teams did not start evacuating the building until hours after the collapse and only when the camera crews came. The rescue team then took out the bodies of children slowly for the camera crews.

Too late, it seems, because the images of the dead bodies being carried away from Qana are now repeated over and over again; the ratio would be 100-1 in favor of Hezbollah. No surprises there....Meanwhile, Liquid, points me to this (includes video)

Eshel and the head of the IDF's Operational Branch, Major General Gadi Eisnkot said the structure was not being attacked when it collapsed, at around 8:00 in the morning. The IDF believes that Hizbullah explosives in the building were behind the explosion that caused the collapse.

You have to give it to Hezbollah they know how to work the PR machine like a dream

As Ed Morrissey reminds us, "let's hear a little less moral outrage over Qana, and let's start hearing a lot more moral outrage over Hezbollah's tactics."

I watched intently the live broadcast of the UN Security Council's emergency meeting held in New York, and gritted my teeth throughout the scripted speech given by Kofi Annan and throughout the lies and distortions delivered by Nouhad Mahmoud of Lebanon; yet another shameful exhibition of utter bias and relentless refusal to condemn Hezbollah's actions. The Lebanese Prime Minister Fuoad Siniora fully backed him by expressing his 'gratitude' to Hezbollah and its leader Hassan Nasrallah for "sacrificing their lives for the country."

As a breath of fresh air and sparkling sanity at the UN meeting, came the unscripted speech given by Israel's Dan Gillerman, [from my own notes] who in no uncertain terms named Hezbollah as the monster the Lebanese Government had allowed to spread its tentacles everywhere totally unchallenged; who would not have taken such a massive stronghold had they enforced resolution 1559 as they were obliged to do; that the atrocities carried out by the Hezbollah thugs would not have happened.

He talked about how Hezbollah has infiltrated every pore of Lebanon, like a metastasizing cancer from within. He said that we have witnessed civilian casualties, and that Israel grieves for each one of them. Also, we have heard how difficult it is to distinguish between Hizbullah and civilians. He pointed out the admission by the Lebanese Ambassador, only the other day, that

It is impossible to differentiate between Hizbullah and civilians in Lebanon. Hizbullah is everywhere in Lebanon, and has become part of Lebanese society.

He also said that he would not be surprised if Hezbollah had not allowed the civilians to leave the building, despite repeated requests by Israel to do so. My own view is rather mixed regarding this particular issue: Although I believe that this is not only possible but in fact highly probable, I nonetheless think the Lebanese Government bears the heaviest burden of guilt, for it failed throughout this crisis to provide any of its citizens with the most basic means to evacuate.

Gillerman went on to say that the world has learned how deeply Hezbollah has penetrated Lebanese society, and that we have learned once again how ruthless and indiscriminate Hezbollah is. The same international community and this very Council has learned how right they were in repeatedly demanding the disarming of this terrorist monster.

We have been aware, for years, Gillerman said, of this deadly, cancerous growth, insidiously invading this beautiful, potentially prosperous country, and Israel has warned about the danger repeatedly. UN Council took the threat seriously at that time, as witnessed by its Resolution 1559.

And now, he said, sadly, the peoples of Israel and Lebanon are reaping the miseries of war, sown long ago, but nurtured by those who chose to turn a blind eye to what was so clearly happening.

Terrorism has occupied, ravaged, raped and pillaged Lebanon. Terror is the true occupying power of Lebanon. For years, Hezbollah has been amassing thousands of rockets, aimed at Israel, preparing for this attack. Its forces may be concentrated in the south, but it tangled web holds the entire nation of Lebanon hostage to its violent agenda.

The government of Lebanon, for its own political reasons, has chosen conflict with Israel instead of battling the cancer that occupies the body and soul of its very country. This cancer must be excised. It cannot be partially removed or allowed to fester. It must be removed without any trace, or, as cancers do and will, it will return and spread, striking and killing again.

Brilliant speech. For only a moment of peace, I was relieved of my constant urge to jump into the TV screen and display the very bellicose Christian attributes, I am often accused of possessing. Did not last long....Israel has submitted to the pressure with the Prime Minister Olmert agreeing to an immediate 48-hour halt in the airstrikes beginning at 2 a.m. today, while the military concludes its inquiry into the attack on Qana....Hezbollah has achieved a lot by placing those Lebanese people in harm's way on Sunday, although an unconditional and immediate cease-fire is still off the negotiating table, and there is no change in the Israeli Government's resolve to end the problem once and for all.

The French have stepped forward as the champions of the Lebanese peace drive. As their first diplomatic move the French foreign minister Philippe Douste-Blazy has announced that "Iran is a respected, stabilizing force in the Middle East". This is like something straight out of a Monty Python sketch. Michael van der Galien has more.

UPDATE: Don't miss Fausta's Rockets in the Garden

The house next door is intact after the bombing. The owner claims that he's not with Hezbollah, but there are many photos of Nazrallah on display, including the daughter's certificate from Hezbollah's school. The homeowner very calmly claims that his family had taken shelter in the building that was bombed and they all died. The reporter, Loic de la Mornais, concluded the segment by saying that this area had become radicalized after the Israeli occupation.

UPDATE II: Greg Tinti shows a video where Wolf Blitzer allows "the Syrian Cabinet Minister Bouthaina Shaaban to get away with rhetorical murder without ever bothering to challenge her B.S.: “Nazi Germany was claiming that it was fighting terrorism and then the whole world had to stop that. We are fighting something very similar to what happened as a result of the actions of Nazi Germany against civilians.”

UPDATE III: Via Dave in the comments: "Now villagers in Qana tell them there are only five people that are unaccounted for, not the 25 or 30 they originally thought. The excavation teams give up the dig at about 7:30 p.m. Sunday. A beautiful soft dusk falls over the surrounding hills and valleys, a sharp contrast to the death and destruction they have been knee-deep in for more than 12 hours."

UPDATE IV: Barry Meislin brings me a fresh update from my friend Joe Katzman @ Winds of Change 'Either way the Jews lose'

Comments

[Don]

There's an interesting article at Christian Science Monitor. Their take is that Hezbollah's actions are a result of Israeli cross-border incursions.
Hizbullah's attacks stem from Israeli incursions into Lebanon

Kind of like every time the Israelis negotiate a truce with Hamas, the IDF restarts its targeted assassination program.

Every time there's a battle, the Muslims raise funds from their followers and the Israelis ask the US for more money.

I think Jon Stewart is right, there's nobody involved in the issue that doesn't profit more from war than peace. Unfortunately, it's the every day citizen that ends up paying the price.

[Patrick]

GD,

The Asymmetric bible these days is Unrestricted Warfare. At only 228 pages, there are many current events that seem to come straight from this work by some very competent Chinese military officers.

BTW, all plans are based upon assumptions. No one will ever be correct in all of their assumptions. So let us not forget a timeless military truism, "No plan ever survives contact with the enemy." You can only hope your plan is flexible enough to adapt to the situation as you perceive it unfolding.

Being an army at war is like being a guy who is married: you are always wrong. The good news is that there are degrees of how wrong you are. The best one can hope to do is to be a little wrong, instead of being very wrong. Have no illusions, if you fight a war, (oops, sorry, get married) any situation can always be presented to show you were wrong regardless of your actions. Sometimes the best you can do is to do what you know is right and accept the condemnation.

[Ghost Dansing]

Oh, I agree Patrick...no absolute comparison intended. Every war is like a unique diamond in it's own right...just as LTC Thomas said: "... the most important point may be that there is no "standard urban combat operation." Each is unique to the opponent, the city, specific operational and tactical issues, and geopolitical considerations, among other factors...", so too there is no "standard" war...

I would point out that asymmetric conflicts do have a separate set of considerations, the formost of which is dealing with civilian populations.

Also: "Just because you can take a country, doesn't mean you can hold the country."

Amen.

There are so many lessons learned from past wars that Dubya and this Republican administration violated, and are relearning again in Iraq...criticism started early on within the American military and professional Diplomatic corps. But they were all arrogantly dismissed...

Weak chickenhawks who don't know their business, they.

[Patrick]

GD,

Forgot one major thing above...excellent post GD!

[Patrick]

GD,

I would like to point to Les Grau's take on Grozny. He is also with FMSO and an excellent speaker. Some key points to remember is the strategic importance of Grozny. All jet fuel used in Russia was refined there. Control of the pipelines and the refinery would have allowed a stranglehold on Russian forces. Russian forces needed to regain control of Grozny.

Who lived in Grozny? Prior to the "independence", the population was mainly Russian (control of the refinery) and so were their loyalties. They expected the Russian forces to rapidly restore order and get rid of those "hooligans". Unfortunately, the Russian forces arrived looking for a fight and came in with guns a blazin'; no discrimination of friend or foe. When it was over, everyone still there were now enemies of Russia. It is what happens when you bring in a couple of sledgehammers to do knifework. Let us not go into how many times the Russians had to fight over Grozny and the problems of the forces and communications they tried to employ. You pulled an excerpt about the Battle of Grozny, but I think if you look at the campaign for Grozny, you can see a few different lessons.

Some people are proponents of the coup de main similar to what the Soviets used in Afghanistan. There they executed an almost perfect coup de main. Of course long term, they had to relearn the most basic of tactics as can be seen in "The Bear Went Over the Mountain" (Soviet After Action Reviews of combat operations that were edited by Les Grau). Just because you can take a country, doesn't mean you can hold the country.

Grozny is not like the ME right now. I believe the Israelies were hoping for a coup de main and then a withdrawal. It has not turned out that way yet. Luckily, they are using knives, instead of the sledgehammers that they have in their toolbox.

Another reason I do not support the Grozny comparison to what the Israelis are going to do in this buffer zone is that I think the urban combat the Israelis are going for is the WWII variety. Much more like the scenes from Saving Private Ryan than what the US did in Iraq. Fighting in rubbled towns and cities is a completely different urban fight.

As to the make-up of the population and whom they support, who is still left within the country? Where are the journalists and their "minders" when these questions are asked?

(Sorry, I have been gone so long, had an internet free weekend with the family and am behind on an article I have to get published soon).

Regards,

[Ghost Dansing]

Thanks Alexandra, my post looks a lot nicer now :)

Lieutenant Colonel Timothy L. Thomas (USA Ret.) is an analyst at the Foreign Military Studies Office, Fort Leavenworth, Kans. He has written extensively on the Russian view of information operations and on current Russian military-political issues. During his military career he served in the 82d Airborne Division and was the Department Head of Soviet Military-Political Affairs at the US Army's Russian Institute in Garmisch, Germany.

If a military solution is to be pursued in this instance, be prepared for many civilian deaths and displacements. Both sides will be cognizant of the war's effects on public opinion...public opinion might be the only thing that produces any restraint...strikes like the "Cana" strike should be avoided, intentionally and unintentionally unless the military significance of the target outweighs the heat you get in the theater of public opinion...in a previous post I noted the usual logic of war (at least from a Western perspective) is turned on its head for an insurgency...understand the political effect...the effect on public opinion IS the military objective for the terrorist and the insurgent. The insurgent will goad you into actions that will make you appear heavy-handed...disproportionate in your response, in both the military and political arena. Israel's objective will be to somehow separate the enemy from popular support, from governmental support...

Interestingly, the strategy of the terrorist or insurgent may not trully be to evict you from the land, but rather to hold you in place, bringing you into range for attacks by their inferior forces, where they can neutralize air and artillery, and your ability to maneuver.

Another consideration when entertaining the military solution is, of course, whether or not you actually have the capability to achieve your strategic objective by military means...or the staying-power within the context of public opinion both foreign and domestic.

[nofate]

Thanks. I'm still here. Amazed at what you are able to accomplish. I'm still trying to find time to finish installment three! My wife thinks I've got a girlfriend online, I spend so much time reading these sites and replying. At least, every time she checks in on me, I'm either reading about the latest in Iraq, Israel or whatever. After reading a few paragraphs, occasionally, she at least believes I'm the same nerdy old fart she married over 20 years ago. I guess it's a good thing I don't put links to you much, or you'd be fixing a lot of them. I've tried HTML over @ the NewsBusters site, and I don't seem to have much luck with it. Have to work on it some more.
I find it hard to believe that people are so blind to what's really going on regarding the Israeli situation. So many seem to be fixated on "negotiation", and "sustainable cease-fire", that they fail to realize that in the long term time lines the terror masters work under, these terms are meaningless except as a means to rearm, resupply, and infiltrate more willing jihadists into every society in the world. Unfortunately, I think Bush and Olmert(sp?) are guilty, ala LBJ in Viet Nam, of holding back their generals, which not only creates and sustains the media problems, but allows the terrorists to buy time to go after what they percieve as our weakness en mass, via nukes or any other large casualty weapon they can get their hands on. These people are far from peaceful, and the Jews, the world over, not just the Israeli's, are in mortal danger as long as this cancer is allowed to keep spreading unchecked. Here are three more links I thought were eye opening. The first, in The American Thinker, Apocalyptic Muslim Jew-hatred, July 17th, 2006. Excellent article showing the extent of islamist hatred of Jews dating back to the origins of the Koran. Also explores the motivations driving present day Hamas and Hezbollah. The second, Muhammad’s Willing Executioners, By Andrew G. Bostom, FrontPageMagazine.com, July 31, 2006, contains the following gem: "Notwithstanding that he may never have encountered an actual Jew, the 17th century Indian Sufi jurist Sirhindi (d. 1621) expressed an (archetypal) sentiment, whose ultimate origins can be traced to the sacralized behaviors of the Muslim prophet Muhammad himself. Sirhindi wrote: Whenever a Jew is killed, it is for the benefit of Islam."
Sadly, this ugly belief retains widespread legitimacy amongst contemporary Muslims.. The third, Muhammad’s Dead Poets Society: The assassinations of satirical poets in early Islam, by James M. Arlandson, is an in depth article, but well worth the read, and full of references.

You all keep up the good work.

[Alexandra]

MAIN TEXT UPDATE: Barry Meislin brings me a fresh update from my friend Joe Katzman @ Winds of Change 'Either way the Jews lose'.

Ex-leftist Colin Meade reproduces a translated version of a letter from Dr Mounir Herzallah that appeared July 30th in the Berlin daily newspaper Die Tagesspeigel:

"Until 2002 I lived in a small village in southern Lebanon near Marjayoun, the majority of whose inhabitants were, like me, Shiites. After the Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon, it was not long before Hezbollah were in control in our village as they were everywhere else. Hailed as victorious resistance fighters, they seemed to be armed to the teeth, storing missiles in bunkers in our village. The social work of the Party of God consisted in building a school and some housing on top of the bunkers! A local sheikh laughingly told me that whatever happened the Jews would lose out, because either the rockets would be fired at them or, if they attacked the camp, international public opinion would condemn them for the civilian deaths. These people have not the slightest interest in the Lebanese civilian population; they use them as shields and, when dead, as propaganda. As long as Hezbollah are there, there will be no peace."

[nofate]

Alexandra: I did a quick perusal of the blog and comments and did not see these (I'm sure you are probably aware of them, but just in case): EU Referendum here and here
American Thinker and last, but certainly not least, Michelle Malkin Vent on Hotair.
Got this amazing string of links due to Rush's mention of it and then linking to the EU site today.
nofate

[No prob, I fixed them, and excluded the ones we have in the main text, you just have to use raw html. Thanks, and good to see you Nofate]

[Alexandra]

RL,

I asked you earlier, in order to attempt to politely understand your rabid anti-Semitic comments:

RL you are causing quite a stir...I have not known you to be this er, passionate before, in what seems to be the opposite to your usual direction. I know you are vehemently against Islamofascists. May I ask if you are perhaps of Lebanese descent, which may explain a few things...and may help us to understand your position a little better.

So, I ask again, what is your background? It certainly seems to affect your judgment on this issue quite drastically, to the point of insulting quite a few people here

I'm not exactly sure as to what the chicken-hawk zionists in the idf have, other than a whole bunch of unfortunately dead golani brigade mercenaries who returned home in body-bags.

Bible believing, and true followers of The Messiah (The Lord Jesus Christ) is to totally Boycott the pagan and zionist republic of Israel.

You have been a commenter at ATB for a long time, interested in Christian issues and seemingly an anti-Islamofascist. You are now advocating Hezbollah, and are quite obviously not only simply anti-Israeli actions, but making obvious anti-Semite comments. I ask again, what is your cultural background, so that we may understand your position a little better. Talk TO us not AT us.

[liquid]

I just find it odd that RL dogs the very source that we get most of our training sessions from on many tactics from dealing with suicide bombers to other anti terrorist strategies.

[Saul Davis]

Alexandra: Thank you again for a very insightful (and perhaps, in the eyes of 2 of your commenters, inciteful) article; a lot has been said, so I will try to be relatively brief: 1. as I have mentioned on a number of occasions, the actual/true facts are not always disclosed until after a true objective observation of the actions being observed; sometimes history is not revealed until months after the act (a la Jenin), sometimes years, and sometimes decades; the true facts of Qana will not be known for sometime; however, one must realize that there are serious limitations on the ability to report true facts when Islamists control the scene, and journalists are afraid for their lives; a recent example is the difference between Egland's (not sure of the spelling -- he's the head of one of the UN Human Rights Org., I believe) statements while in Lebanon, and those he made in Cyprus regarding the criminal acts of Hizbullah in using civilian shields; why wait until Cyprus? Why not state the truth and condemnation in Lebanon? Because he did not want to be killed -- Lebanon is not at all like Israel, where journalists and UN observers are free to speak; I digress -- getting back to Qana; please remember Pallywood; for an interesting analysis of facts available to date, PLEASE read the following link:

http://web.israelinsider.com/Articles/Diplomacy/8997.htm

As the facts develop, we may see a more clear picture of what really occured.

2. I have also mentioned on a number of occasions my philosophy that it serves no purpose to respond to trolls such as Byron; the same applies to "Dr." Vega and RL; when statements demonstrate that an individual lives in a parallel universe, discussions of facts that occur in this universe are to no avail. Kenny's perception is, in my opinion, the best; do not feed the trolls; they will get tired and leave.

[weekenderman]

I'm not sure whether RL is an old, bitter fart or a teenager? Anyone else wanna guess?

[liquid]

RL...the Americans have gained most of their counter terrorist tactics from Israel!

[RL]

Ghost,

This is why the most lethal, smartest, most-humanitarian, and greatest Military power in the history of the world, our US Armed Forces, have: US Navy SEALS, Delta Force, US Army Rangers, and USMC Recon Units.

i'm not exactly sure as to what the chicken-hawk zionists in the idf have, other than a whole bunch of unfortunately dead golani brigade mercenaries who returned home in body-bags.

[liquid]

Gosh Ghost, I actually enjoyed reading that but aren't you at least going to give credit or a link to Timothy Thomas since you practically quoted it all word for word? The Battle of Grozny: Deadly Classroom for Urban Combat

Another question that must be asked is if Hezbollah isn't taken out then how is the world and Israel going to deal with them taking over the lebanese govt and becoming just like hamas in the political rhelm and then there is going to be another terrorist group that has exclusive right to continue to do Iran's work via proxy? Can you imagine how many rockets will be set up in that area then if Iran gets it's way? Isn't that what is taking place? Isn't Hezbollah taking over the Lebanese govt by proxy for Iran to control? Does the world want that as a permanent situation?

[Ghost Dansing]

So, there will is war. Crusader was asking about civilians...when they become targets...In this type of warfare if you are not prepared for the killing of civilians and all the problems that entails, other means than military action should be thoroughly explored.

Best policy in war--thwart the enemy's strategy,
second best--disrupt his alliances through diplomacy,
third best--attack his army in the field,
worst strategy--attack walled cities.

-- Sun Tsu, Art of War

[Blockquote and link added by ATB]

The battle for Grozny, the capital of the small Russian Republic of Chechnya, took place in January 1995. It pitted a hastily assembled and unprepared Russian force against a Chechen force of regulars and guerrillas equipped with Russian weapons and a belief in their cause. The Chechens held their own for three weeks but eventually lost the city to the Russian armed forces in late January (the Chechens retook the city in August 1996).

Both sides learned or relearned many lessons of urban combat, most of them the hard way.

Grozny had nearly 490,000 residents in 1994. It included many multiple-story buildings and industrial installations and covered some 100 square miles. (By comparison, the Joint Readiness Training Center for urban combat in the United States covers less than a tenth of a square kilometer, offering but one indication of how urban training can differ from reality.

The first unit to penetrate to the city center was the 1st battalion of the 131st "Maikop" Brigade, the latter composed of some 1,000 soldiers. By 3 January 1995, the brigade had lost nearly 800 men, 20 of 26 tanks, and 102 of 120 armored vehicles. For the next 20 days and nights Russian artillery rounds rained down on the city, sometimes at the rate of 4,000 an hour.

Local residents left the city or took refuge in basements while the Russian armed forces fought Chechen "freedom fighters" or "bandits" (depending on one's perspective) on the streets and in the buildings above them.

Modern urban sprawl continues to make this aspect of military operations in urban terrain (MOUT) more appealing to the defender. The Chechens reverted to a battle of "successive cities" after the Grozny battle ended, hoping to recreate their Grozny successes elsewhere.

They moved their operations base to Shali, Argun, and other city centers. They recognized that they could accomplish two things with this tactic: they could negate Russian advantages of firepower in the open from helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft, and tanks, and they could blend in with the local population to their advantage.

This not only continued to make it difficult to distinguish combatants from civilians, but it also helped the Chechens get the local population on their side. This was usually the result when Russian forces entered a city, destroyed property and buildings, and killed or wounded civilians while searching for their armed opponent.

The Chechen weapon of choice was the rocket propelled grenade launcher (RPG). The RPG was most feared by the Russians because of its multiplicity of uses. It could be used to shoot over buildings like a high-trajectory mortar, and it could be used either as an area weapon when fired over troop formations or as a precision weapon when fired directly at armored vehicles. Some destroyed Russian tanks were hit more than 20 times by RPGs.

The principal Chechen city defense was the "defenseless defense." They decided that it was better not to have strong points, but to remain totally mobile and hard to find. (Some strong points did exist but were limited to dug-in tanks, artillery, or BMPs to engage targets head-on.)

Hit-and-run tactics made it difficult for the Russian force to locate pockets of resistance and impossible to bring their overwhelming firepower to bear against an enemy force. Russian firepower was diluted as a result and could be used only piecemeal. Chechen mobile detachments composed of one to several vehicles (usually civilian cars or jeeps) transported supplies, weapons, and personnel easily throughout the city. Chechens deployed in the vicinity of a school or hospital, fired a few rounds, and quickly left.

The Russians would respond by shelling the school or hospital, but usually after the Chechens had gone. Civilians consequently viewed this action as Russians needlessly destroying vital facilities and endangering their lives, not realizing who had initiated the incident. The Chechen mobility and intimate knowledge of the city exponentially increased the effect of their "defenseless defense."

The slaughter of the Russian 131st Brigade was a result of this tactic. Russian forces initially met no resistance when they entered the city at noon on 31 December. They drove their vehicles straight to the city center, dismounted, and took up positions inside the train station. Other elements remained parked along a side street as a reserve force. Then the Chechens went to work.

The Russian lead and rear vehicles on the side streets were destroyed. The unit was effectively trapped. The tanks couldn't lower their gun tubes far enough to shoot into basements or high enough to reach the tops of buildings, and the Chechens systematically destroyed the column from above and below with RPGs and grenades. At the train station, Chechens from other parts of the city converged on the station and surrounded it. The commander of the Russian unit waited until 2 January for reinforcements, but they never arrived. His unit was decimated.

Some Chechen soldiers pretended to be simple inhabitants of Grozny, volunteering to act as guides since it was so difficult to navigate in the city. They subsequently led Russian convoys into ambushes. Russian forces tried to counter Chechen ambush tactics by using a technique called "baiting," in which they would send out contact teams to find Chechen ambushes. In turn, the Chechens used a technique called "hugging," getting very close to Russian forces. This technique eliminated the Russian use of artillery in many cases, and it exposed baiting tactics.

The lessons of the fight for Grozny are several and sobering for anyone who contemplates using troops in an urban environment. While some of the lessons learned by Russian and Chechen combatants are peculiar to that region, others have wider applicability. No army wants to engage in urban combat, but increasing urbanization and the danger of strikes from high-precision weapons may well force the fight into the city, where the defender has all the advantages.

Preparation for urban combat should begin in peacetime. There is a vast array of possible courses of action, options, constraints, limitations, force mixes, enemy compositions, legal factors, and city characteristics that must be studied and understood. The most important point may be that there is no "standard urban combat operation." Each is unique to the opponent, the city, specific operational and tactical issues, and geopolitical considerations, among other factors. Understanding the elements and ramifications of urban combat is a difficult but crucial task for any army, but especially for one moving from a forward-deployed to an expeditionary state. In the latter case, the tasks required to sufficiently sustain or support urban combat are enormous.

[Blockquote added by ATB]

[antimedia]

RL, Hagel "broke" with the President long ago. Old news, buddy. In case you haven't figure it out, the Pres doesn't pay attention to Hagel or polls or re-election campaigns or any of that other stuff. He does what he thinks is right, and the devil take the hindmost.

[liquid]

Ummmm...wasn't it the Apostle Paul that said that if he were a pleaser of men he could not be a pleaser of God?

[RL]

"The sickening slaughter on both sides must end NOW. This madness must stop."
Senator Chuck Hagel

A courageous American leader who truly values the sanctity of human life. Senator Hagel broke with the POTUS today and said that Israel's merciless and relentless pounding of Lebanon was hurting America's image in the Middle East (i think that this might be known as speaking the truth to "power"). www.fromisraeltolebanon.inf

[Crusader.NoRegrets.]

RL thinks Hizb'allah are brave soldiers.

Of course he refuses to answer my questions. Maybe Dr Vegas will:

If Hizb'allah are so brave, why are they hiding among women and children instead of engaging the IDF "man to man" out in the open? Compare Hizb'allah's tactics with the Charge of the Light Brigade.

Light Brigade - brave to a man, not one ran away, they rode into certain death knowing their orders were totally FUBAR. "Then they rode back, but not the six hundred."

Hizb'allah - talk a tough game, but when the fighting breaks out, they cut and run for the shelter of their women and children. I have yet to see Hizb'allah charge a dug-in Israeli gun emplacement. Hizb'allah, I'm calling you out as cowards.

[liquid]

For real RL....do you even pay attention to half of the sites you toss around? Ha Ha OR have you just become a spam bot for AntiZionism?

I read World Mag all the time and even post on their blog occasionally! Lets take a look and see....OH yeah...they are exposing Hezbollah too! How could you not notice?
Take a look RL at Here's evidence that Hezbollah fighters operate in Lebanese neighborhoods and put civilians at risk

[weekenderman]

RL: If you enjoy getting your news from World Magazine so much, what do you think of the fact they support Israel's fight against the terrorists in Lebanon 100%? :)

[Gang of One]

RL says:

"Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, but they are not entitled to their own facts." Daniel Patrick Moynihan

Geez, project much?

Okay, RL. We've put up with your non-sense long enough. You have come here to say nothing but spread the same sick, twisted propoganda and anti-Semitic filth that ushers forth from the mouths of the KKK, the Aryan Nation-types, Hezb'allah, Hamas and all the other mindless trolls who have no clue or no soul. Yes, those photos are graphic -- graphic evidence of the perfidy and insanity of the Islamofascists you defend and cry over. Those dead are the direct result of terrorists using them as shields and then exploiting those same dead as propoganda props for the yellow journalism squads who take photos of the same bodies that have been schlepped to different locations just to whip up the anti-Israel, anti-American and anti-Semitic contingencies that you belong to. Their own brothers, fathers and sons have no respect for them, RL.
You have been had, not by clever deceit but by your own burning hatred of anything and anyone Jewish or better than you.
The massacre memes have been debunked and thoroughly exposed for the filthy lies they are. The Israelis have submitted for all to see incontrovertible proof that their enemies launch rockets from residential areas with or without the backing, consent and cooperation of the so-called innocents.
That Alexandra allows you to remain posting here is not only a testament to her patience and forebearance, but is also a way for sane people to see just how deadly you and your misguided trash-talk is.
Keep it up, brother. In the end, you will have only your Creator to answer to.

So from now on, I will just GAZE at you. You are no longer worthy of a response.

[RL]

Qana Massacre II

www.fromisraeltolebanon.info

[RL]

rich, your comments are generally not applicable to, AP.org
This is just one of the many reasons why i like getting my news from, worldmag.com

You can look at graphic photos of the zionist genocide and holocaust in Lebanon at, lebanonembassy.org

"Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, but they are not entitled to their own facts." Daniel Patrick Moynihan

[rich]

No need for a conspiracy if people are well indoctrinated.

The MSM is indoctrinated and they do not even know it.

Unfortunately the indoctrination is leftist, and thus includes a strong anti Israel bias.

The indoctrination starts at the journalism schools and continues in the newsrooms.

The writers who respond to the indoctrination get hired, get the best assignments and get promoted.

[Michael van der Galien]

Very handy what you're doing nowadays Alexandra, the way you respond to comments. Good idea.

[Michael van der Galien]

No wonder the entire (non-Arab) world hates the French. I don't know what the heck this was all about, but it's pretty sickening. This wasn't establishing diplomatic ties, it was more of a love affair. What's next, they start kissing on tv to 'express' their mutual respect?

[Dave]

Good to see Vanderleun back at the keyboard:The Weaponization of Children

[Dave]

Alexa, Link to Hotzone Here

Still find it strange that the "news" is buried well down in the article as opposed to in the headline.....

[Cool, thanks Dave]

[Alexandra]

FURTHER UPDATE: The French have stepped forward as the champions of the Lebanese peace drive. As their first diplomatic move the French foreign minister Philippe Douste-Blazy has announced that "Iran is a respected, stabilizing force in the Middle East". This is like something straight out of a Monty Python sketch. Michael van der Galien has more.

[Alexandra]

MAIN TEXT UPDATE: Greg Tinti shows a video where Wolf Blitzer allows "the Syrian Cabinet Minister Bouthaina Shaaban to get away with rhetorical murder without ever bothering to challenge her B.S.: “Nazi Germany was claiming that it was fighting terrorism and then the whole world had to stop that. We are fighting something very similar to what happened as a result of the actions of Nazi Germany against civilians.” I mean are these people for real?

Anyway, RL you are causing quite a stir...I have not known you to be this passionate before, in what seems to be the opposite to your usual direction. I know you are vehemently against Islamofascists. May I ask if you are perhaps of Lebanese descent, which may explain a few things...and may help us to understand your position a little better.

[liquid]

For those that forget what Israel and the western world is up against...
Obsession

[Dave]

Kevin Sites via Hotzone is now reporting:

First two paragraphs:

"QANA, Lebanon - In the worst incident of civilian casualties in Lebanon since the beginning of
Israel's offensive against Hezbollah over two weeks ago, at least 25 people were killed early Sunday, including at least 19 children, when missiles struck a house where many were huddled in the basement, according to Red Cross and Lebanese army officials at the scene.

Reports of the death toll varied, as is often the case with an event as chaotic as this. News agencies reported that more than 50 were killed, citing conflicting numbers from officials and eyewitnesses."

Third from last para:

"Now villagers in Qana tell them there are only five people that are unaccounted for, not the 25 or 30 they originally thought. The excavation teams give up the dig at about 7:30 p.m. Sunday. A beautiful soft dusk falls over the surrounding hills and valleys, a sharp contrast to the death and destruction they have been knee-deep in for more than 12 hours."

[Thanks Dave, I have updated in my main text, do you have a link?]

[Crusader.NoRegrets.]

Alexandra,

I just know you are sitting laughing while we demolish these twits, and that is probably the only reason these anti-semites are here, trying to ply their trade. This is what free and open exchange is about. The bad ideas are being given the international smackdown, in the truest Western traditions.

I used to think that bad ideas, once defeated, were laid to rest for good, but I see now that this is a continuing work throughout history. It is tiring, demanding and at times frustrating, but it is necessary lest we descend to the level of Arab culture, and trade instead in bullets.

Thankyou for leaving the vile anti-semitic drivel up for us to bash and smash.

RL, you've just been given a "der Stuermer" award! Well done, you've beaten last week's prestigious nominee, Kofi Annan, to the prize. Interview to follow. Your Mum's going to be so proud.

[weekenderman]

Like I asked you before, RL, why in the world would a Jewish nation be expected to "obey" the directives of a Catholic bishop? And like Crusader asked, "So?"

[Crusader.NoRegrets.]

RL

If ceasefires caused peace, the ME would be the most peaceful place on earth.

[Crusader.NoRegrets.]

Er, so?

I'm not a Catholic. The Bishop of Rome doesn't speak for me. He is free to state his opinions though.

I have Christian Compassion, but I am not required to commit suicide.

[RL]

The Honorable Bishop of Rome has called for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in the Holy Name
of God Almighty.

Christian Compassion ?

CRS.org

[liquid]

RL---"They are nothing more than a bunch of cruel and cowardly zionist chicken-hawks, who are absolutely terrified of
a fair fight (ie. man vs. man"
-------------------------------

RL, you don't live in reality! If you did then you would realise that it's never a fair fight with these islamic crazies that are fighting their holy war by using politics and when they strap bombs on their little children and then glorify that practice or when they hide out in civilian neighborhoods then that makes them the true cowards that they are!!! Maybe one day you will get it how they do not value women or children unless they can be used for their own selfish agenda--be it a domestic slave/baby making machine or as a human bomb to fight all the nonbelievers in their quran inspired teachings!

RL...lets take an honest look at who is wearing uniforms in this fight! That should give you a clue but no, you would rather spout off all your anti-zionist bull and overlook the facts because your hate for Israel having their right to be a state over-rides what is really going on doesn't it? I think you have made your "PRO PALESTINE" viewpoint here enough without constantly posting all your anti-zionist sites! We got the picture on whose side you are on!

[Crusader.NoRegrets.]

RL

Hey RL if the IDF are so terrified of a man-man fight, why is that all you Arabs always hide behind your women and children, and won't come out and fight in the open like men. You Arabs are all cowards. Remember Osama bin Laden, and Saddam Hussein hiding like rats in a hole? Yeah, you're all so brave. You want brave? Try the Charge of the Light Brigade, you miserable, flea-bitten pile of horse manure!

[Crusader.NoRegrets.]

RL

There are no innocent civilians in the ME. Read our posts on the previous topic. And if the Israelis were committing "genocide" doesn't it seem odd to you that they supply the so-called "palestinians" with water, food and electricity? And that in fact the population in Gaza and the West Bank is GROWING? Aren't populations supposed to actually shrink in times of genocide?

SShhh. Don't let the Israelis know how badly they're doing at wiping out the "palestinians", they might actually take corrective action and start really killing things. Sorta like Rwanda.

RL, switch off your Mum's computer (the old girl is due back from shopping anytime now) and get back to doing the dishes like you're supposed to, and I promise I won't tell on you.

[jess1dering]

In every single picture of dead children that I've seen, it's the same two children. The photos were taken from many diffferent angles , but it's been the same couple of poor kid's. Maybe I need to keep looking and I will. I'm sad to say that I share Crusader's lack of sympathy for these families. And I feel absolute conviction that Israel is not to "blame".

[RL]

You can check out the human-statistics/toll of the zionist invaders' zionist genocide and holocaust in Lebanon at,

lebanonundersiege.gov.lb

Nice job "idf".

idf: immoral, indifferent, infidel, death, destruction, and doom forces.

They are nothing more than a bunch of cruel and cowardly zionist chicken-hawks, who are absolutely terrified of
a fair fight (ie. man vs. man).

[antimedia]

I see so many people citing TV or newspapers as if that was the truth. If the media actually began telling the truth, I'm certain that some hearts would be changed and the true nutjobs on the left would be marginalized. But that's not going to happen any time soon.

[The Ugly American]

As I said at the beginning of all this; the Lebanese government is either complicit in Hezbollah's crimes or cowards who are afraid to face them.

Now it appears the citizens of Lebanon are also complicit. The gullibility of foolishness of the Arab world never ceases to surprise me.

Hezbollah started this war. They have stated publicly they have been planning for this war since Israel withdrew from Lebanon in 2000.

The government of Lebanon should be cooperating with Israel to rid Lebanon of Hezbollah.

The people of Lebanon should be rioting in the streets and hanging Hezbollah leaders in the public square. Instead they have taken the cowardly way out blaming the Jews instead of themselves for the destruction of their country.

[liquid]

I agree antimedia!

That's why I asked earlier in the last thread, even if the proof came out (and I meant on an international level) and if they actually saw all the evidence of how Hezbollah was firing rockets from behind this building and shielding themselves in civilian neighborhoods would the world then think different? I am not sure because as in the past, you can put direct proof and facts in front of ome people and they still refuse to see it as truth. It's very sad but basically it's just a reminder that some minds and hearts are already made up and full of hate for Israel-- kinda like the Lefties refusing to see the WMD's in Iraq because their hatred for Bush over rides everything! What the media plays up on is the unification of grief for children and yet they don't explain how in this region martyership of children is treated as honor!

As for the children that were in the building that was bombed, from what I understand, it was the children of two families: Shalhoubs and Hashams

As for if their families supported Hezbollah or not, or if their fathers were part of the cowards fighting within those neighborhoods...I find this statement by one of the mothers interesting...
-----------------
Shalhoub said that she had been excited — her older daughter would soon begin school. Her eyes filled with tears at the thought. But a few beats later, she insisted that her children were martyrs and said she was glad for their deaths.
------------------
SOURE

[Alexandra]

Antimedia,

What I found really worrying is that Michael Totten tells me that 82 percent of Lebanese support them now. That is a scary number.

[antimedia]

Doesn't it seem more than passing strange that all the people killed were women and children? No men? Where do you suppose the men were?

The real tragedy of this story is that the media lies about it — lies, lies, lies — and so people who don't read blogs have no idea that there's any more involved than a "tragic" mistake on the part of the Israelis. If the media showed the video of rocket launches from beside the building, and the photos of Hezbollah fighters in civilian clothes, heavily armed and firing cannons beside residential buildings and revealed that the building didn't collapse for more than 7 hours after it was hit (why didn't those people get out? - because they couldn't? - because they were being held hostage?), then the world's outrage might be directed differently.

Hezbollah are brute animals, beasts who should be slaughtered indiscriminately until they no longer exist.