When intelligence leaks in on a location (i.e someone spots a targeted individual) a speedy response is desired.

Israel has an AMPLE supply of well trained special forces which could have been air dropped by helicopter into this building while also securing the ground stealthily.

Yes, a short and fierce firefight might ensue and you might lose a man or two tops - but it would still have yielded far fewer casualties and been a better choice.

Bombs are notoriously indiscriminate - and often inaccurate. It's a careless operation ordered from the top - and so Sharon must take the blame.

He does this sort of stuff constantly though - so it is no suprise - and in the next three weeks we will hear of another round of horrible terrorist bombings taking out more innocent Israelis.

If I were an Israeli I would be aghast - and packing my bags for less hazardous climates.

Comparison with the way we deal with Afghanistan is inaccurate - because Afghanistan is half a world away. We wouldn't wage the same sort of war with Mexico's terrorists because of proximity - and it is simply Sharon's agenda to keep the bloodshed and hate going.

He is Israel's largest liability - and only a small percentage of the Israelis know it.

Too much emotion rides on the issue for many too see clearly.

Put another way...if my next door neighbor is a psycho and armed - I don't goad him or try to spite him, because you simply can't live in a vacuum and 100%+ security just is not achievable in such a proximity situation. Eventually I would feel repercussions.

Likewise, endless suicide bombings will result from the Sharon approach - because it reeks of holding all Palestinians as expendable collateral damage.

If you're one of a small group of Americans in Baghdad, you don't go around shouting anti-Saddam slogans and shooting up passersby - no matter how well armed you are. Eventually you AND your unoffending comrades will pay the price - and sooner rather than later.

Sharon is the loudmouthed gunslinger in this scenario and one of the biggest dangers to unoffending Israelis minding their own business. ;-)

SDAI-Tech1