And it is beside the point too. Right now, we are accumulating a similar list against the new Iraqi government. Should we let the missiles fly now, or can we give them another couple months to get their shit together?

We have another list against the Afganis who actually have had some time to get their shit together. Should we start planning the bombing campaign now?

Hiz holding seats in parliament is actually a pretty good tool, if used the right way. Most of Lebanon does not want to be at war with Israel. If the case can be made that Hiz is claiming the right to declare war for the entire country, then Lebanon will take a hard look at what they can do about them. The way to make that case is not to do everything in your power to make your average Lebanese citizen think that Israel is the aggressor.

If you took a poll today asking the Lebanese if they think they should go to war against Israel, you would get higher affirmatives today than you would two weeks ago. That is the exact opposite of progress.

So how to use that tool? One possibility: at the time of kidnappings, instead of destroying the bridges and airport and bombing everything in sight Israel pauses and says: "This is an act of war. A member of your government has claimed credit for it. Are we to understand that Lebanon wishes to be at war with Israel?" After the negative response: "Then what will Lebanon do to remedy the situation? What will Lebanon do to keep it from ever happening again?" What is Hiz saying at this point? Are they spliting themselves into a political portion that disavows the actions of the militant portion (not likely, Hiz has not operated this way in the past)? Briefly: Israel makes the case to the world that Hiz is the aggressor, that Hiz is tolerated by Lebanon, and that an act of war is an act of war. And they get the international community on their side.

I assume that Lebanon does not come up with any concrete way to return the hostages and rein in Hiz. Then, expressing great regret, Israel does pretty much what they have done (only I think the civilian casualty numbers could be a lot lower - I don't think Israel is trying hard enough), only now they have given Lebanon and the world the clear message that Lebanon was in control of the situation for a while. All the while repeating over and over, we will stop if your government ceases to condone Hiz's terrorist activities against Israel.

What has our aid to Lebanon bought us? Influence. Cut it in half when Lebanon screws up. Increase it when she makes progress.

Name specifics? Man, my posts are filled with them. Turn your filter off, is my advice.

Why can't liberals admit that they're utterly helpless in the face of true hostility? Because we aren't?