You wish it hadn't happened. I sure wish it happened happened. No excuse. Pretty clear Hamas isn't under control of the leadership.

And, three weeks since the last attack, three weeks with the Israeli tanks still romping through the occupied territories. Three weeks with no suicide bombings, and three more weeks of settlement building.

Three weeks of GWB, Powell, Cheney, and Rice telling Arafat to stop the violence. Yes, telling the Palestinians to stop the violence, while Israel is romping around the occupied territories with tanks, APCs, helicopters, etc.

The Palestinians had refrained from bombings, the Israelis hadn't moderated their attacks. Sharon had finished and pulled out of some places, gone into others.

Another point. Wouldn't the Israelis want to deal with someone who has credibility with the Palestinians?

Does Sharon think he can replace Arafat with a puppet, and get peace?

Doesn't he realize that the hatred he has fostered among the Palestinians will result in whatever leadership they will have reflecting that hatred? Imagine a WTC in each state. Would you be real, real interested in "peace" with the people who did that?

Or, if they don't, that leadership won't have credibility with the Palestinians.

Arf