People will do anything but give up their myths.

I've been reading Arthur Schlesingers "A Thousand Days" about Kennedy. He relates how Kennedy tried to work with the steel industry, and realized he was up against a myth - that the Democrats were against business.

He couldn't get them past it.

There's the myth that Israel is this plucky little country surrounded by enemies who simply want to drive them into the sea. I believed it when I started on this board. Didn't question it.

However, having bit of compassion for the Palestinians, I had to research some of the issues. The reality, known well to Israeli historians, is that the wars were fought for one of two purposes.

One, reluctantly to protect Palestinians, who were raped, pillaged, killed, and driven out of the country which was theirs, too. They were given citizenship in Israel.

Second, the Israelis wanted to expand. For land.

The Palestinians have been persecuted, given second-class citizenship, and been the object of what very responsible Israelis regard as ethnic cleansing.

The Arabian world has watched this with dismay.

They have also watch the US support the Israelis in their persection of the Palestinians, in their invasion of Israeli territory, in their ethnic cleansing.

And, that chicken is coming home to roost.

However, a lifetime of exposure to the myth that Israel is this gutty country surviving against all odds has led to that situation you find on this board. Beliefs held against all facts.

And, you'll never convince them. At first I thought there was the possibility that rationality could prevail. Myths win.

Kennedy found that out, was able to accept that reality.