Hamas: Arabian Fable?

Published on March 14, 2006 By stevendedalus In Politics

Obviously the preferred scenario in Palestine is that the Hamas go away. Nevertheless, it must be reckoned with and would be foolish for the Bush administration, originally cool but accepting, to repeat the mistakes — not unlike those in the early Fidel Castro days — by not backing Palestine’s new government or insisting on preconditions. We should not lecture them, but rather encourage that they scramble for decent governance and wish them well. The US can always withdraw moral and financial support after and if a trial run has gone sour and abrasive.

Far better than to force them to seek support from Iran as Eisenhower, in snubbing Castro, caused him to seek support from the Soviets. It’s worth a try.

http://stevendedalus.joeuser.com

Comments

bakerstreet

on Mar 15, 2006

It boggles the mind that you'd offer up such a perspective, knowing that the people in question are functioning members of a terrorist organization. It's like saying that Americans would have been foolish not to allowed the Nazi Party to remain a political force in Germany, and not condemn their actions, but rather encourage them them to govern well.

We should have *zero* diplomatic or financial contact with the Palestinian government, period. No aid, no talks. You can't for a moment compare this to Castro. At worst Castro let the Soviet Union park some missiles there for a short stay. Hamas has systematically murdered Israelis and offers no assurance that they won't continue to do so. To sit down with them is to sit down with Al Qaeda or any other murderous organization.

Dr Guy

on Mar 15, 2006

The US is not shunning Hamas. As a leader of a people, they have to realize that a manifesto that calls for Genocide is not welcome in a family of nations, and repudiate that plank of their platform. Barring that, they are not a true leader, just a terrorist organization, and like all terrorist organizations, should be marginalized and quarantined. If Iran thinks it can further its goals by supporting them overtly or covertly, they are going to find out the dangers of snake handling.

You always get bit.

stevendedalus

on Mar 16, 2006

If Iran thinks it can further its goals by supporting them overtly or covertly, they are going to find out the dangers of snake handling.

Rayttling Bush's sword again!

It's like saying that Americans would have been foolish not to allowed the Nazi Party to remain a political force in Germany, and not condemn their actions, but rather encourage them them to govern well.

Far-fetched analogy. We conquered the Nazis, and rightfully condemned them. All I'm saying is that Hamas was elected to run the country and show some patience as to how they do, just as we may have to tolerate a theocracy in Iraq.

bakerstreet

on Mar 17, 2006

"Far-fetched analogy. We conquered the Nazis, and rightfully condemned them"

So you accept that people CAN be so bad that we simply cannot support them as political entities? Is the difference here the fact that Hamas hasn't been conquered, or that the Palestinian people agree with their tactics in large enough numbers to give them power.

Is it possible for a people, as a whole, to embrace hate democratically? Do we just, maybe, want so badly to avoid the conclusion that the Palestinian people are now so saturated with hate they they can't be dealt with, so we deal with them anyway?

Dr Guy

on Mar 17, 2006

Rayttling Bush's sword again!

No, you missed the metaphor. We wont have to do anything. When you lie down with dogs, expect to get up with fleas.

Manopeace

on Mar 17, 2006

Steve, this was the best analogy I've seen on the situation here at J U.. thanks.

stevendedalus

on Mar 17, 2006

Is it possible for a people, as a whole, to embrace hate democratically?

Ask that of gays and pro-choice folks.

Is the difference here the fact that Hamas hasn't been conquered, or that the Palestinian people agree with their tactics in large enough numbers to give them power.

Actually it was a protest vote against the ineffectiveness of the Arafat legacy and the PLO. There are two sides to the coin, you know, Hamas has also done much supporting Palestinians in social needs. Still, and again, I think your vitriol is uncalled for--though par for you--when I say what's there to lose in giving it a try?

stevendedalus

on Mar 17, 2006

Thanks, Peace.

When you lie down with dogs, expect to get up with fleas.

Get up with the "dogs of war," you mean.

bakerstreet

on Mar 17, 2006

"Still, and again, I think your vitriol is uncalled for--though par for you--when I say what's there to lose in giving it a try?"

Given our relative purity, not much. We stand to gain, though, yet another black spot on our history, much like the photos of our leaders shaking hands with Saddam Hussein, Hitler getting Time's man of the year, arming Osama bin Laden, etc., etc...

But I'm hateful, evidently. Never mind.

stevendedalus

on Mar 17, 2006

Nah, not hateful--just a Republican elephant with lasting memory.

Leauki

on Mar 17, 2006

Perhaps what is needed is another partition of Palestine.

Hamas can keep Gaza, and the West Bank will be given to Fatah. I trust Abbas a lot further than I trust Hamas. (Or should I say that I trust Hamas to try and kill all Israelis while I cannot say that I am absolutely certain that Abbas will try the same?)

stevendedalus

on Mar 17, 2006

They have been trying to drive Israelis to the sea for fifty years; they should begin to realize that this is thoroughly impractical as they have not that kind of power, and surely it is nothing but the mouse that roared.

Leauki

on Mar 18, 2006

Unfortunately these things have a tendency to become practical, if one is not vigilant.

bakerstreet

on Mar 18, 2006

"They have been trying to drive Israelis to the sea for fifty years; they should begin to realize that this is thoroughly impractical as they have not that kind of power, and surely it is nothing but the mouse that roared."

Oh, but you forget. The point isn't whether you win or lose, it is how you play the game. These people would go right on killing Israelis even if they KNEW they'd never win. Why? Because it is their religious duty to resist, and the prize isn't a Jew-free Palestine, it is heaven.

stevendedalus

on Mar 19, 2006

Oh, those seventy virgins again!

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