There is an explanation for my failure to see any truth, beauty and justice in the Israeli actions. As a matter of fact, there are real concerns about this, and they should be more or less obvious. Please read between the lines on that, as I'm not posting this on the "Flame" board. Obvious to most people. Clear. Stand out, they do. Hard to miss.

I'm not impressed and neither should you.

The headline from your link is -

"JERUSALEM (CNN) -- The Israel Defense Forces said Thursday it intends to investigate the death of a Palestinian teen-ager during Israel's military offensive in the West Bank.

"The announcement comes after B'Tselem, an Israeli human rights group, released a report blaming Israel for the death. The IDF chief military advocate reviewed the case and made the decision to investigate further."

Now if you read that, it says "intends to investigate". Some day. Hasn't started. I'm still waiting for the results of the promised investigation into the 12 y/o they shot in front of the world. Bet it was white-washed, even though they admitted shooting the kid, and he clearly was a non-combatant. Even though you guys regard all Palestinians as combatants.

Now, after the investigation starts, it's true that is what is done when something is being processed. Wonder what will come out. What we do know is that so far there is an ACTIVE COVER-UP of this.

How, you may ask, can one tell it's a cover up? Well, there are several indications, again more or less obvious. There were brighter pups in the litter, and even so I can see them.

This death was brought to the attention of the authorities by an outside, credible agency which wasn't going away. They would insist on some answer. So, the authorities have to generate an answer. UNTIL THE OUTSIDE AGENCY COMPLAINED THERE WAS NO INVESTIGATION.

Why not? They had the killers, they had the body, they knew what happened.

If they had done anything, launched their own "investigation", the IDF would have announced that. They didn't.

Nope, someone really, REALLY SCREWED UP AND AN OUTSIDE AGENCY FOUND OUT about it. The IDF did not, repeat not, "investigate" this themselves.

That's just a start. What will be the results of that "investigation"? Well, clearly it will be one of two things. Either there is a murder, with prosecution of the murderers AND those who covered up so far, or there will be no prosecution.

Or, they will scapegoat some poor jerk, give him a nominal sentence, and parole him as soon as they can. However, if they do, they'd better bust the higher-ups who have participated in the cover-up.

And how many more of these are out there which haven't come to the attention of a powerful outside agency? If there's one, it's safe to say you have a culture. As a matter of fact, there is that culture.

We don't know how many, do we? We only know the only investigation into this sort of thing happened when the IDF was forced to launch an investigation by an outside agency.

And, they are presumably going to investigate themselves. I've watched the IDF go from one helluva an army to what it is. I have more faith in the Pope finding pedophilia than in the IDF to do anything but the bare minimum to get off the political hook.

As far as the looters, I saw report after report of looting. Five soldiers convicted, with UP TO 5 months each. Busted to private.

I wonder how long UP TO 5 months is, and I wonder how long one stays a private. I also know from experience the only people who get busted for that sort of thing are the screw-ups, the ones the commanders were looking for a way to get rid of.

I'm not impressed with that, either.

I notice the sack dance by you, Frank, Tom and Dan. I happen to believe it's not only premature, but unwarranted. Most teams need to score, or make a point, or do something to do them. I have to admit it's amusing. I'm glad they are in print, and not by private email or something. I'd hate to miss 'em.

Now, did you get my point? About your not being outraged? About your being smug because the Israelis said they "intend to investigate" and not about their killing a kid? What a crock.

DON'T KILL THE KIDS.

I HAPPEN TO THINK IT'S NOT RIGHT NO MATTER WHO DOES IT. You may try to retract it, but so far you condone it if done by the Israelis.

Cold.

(B)Arf