Haha, the nicer type of tangents :-)

But, on topic, Israel already HAS nuclear capabilities, as well as the most capable and professional military in the region, as well as demonstrated will to invade other countries at random. Why do you understand so much of the nervousness of the Israeli people, but so little of the people surrounding Israel?

Of course I understand it. It's not hard to understand. Israel has one of the most capable militaries on the world. What's wrong with that? Why is that a bad thing? Israel is not going to nuke anyone in the name of their religion like Iran would. Israel isn't going to fire missiles into a nation in the name of their religion like Hamas would. Israel can't even defend itself from Hamas because people keep saying that Hamas has its own state now and that would mean a declaration of war. Why can't the concern go both ways so that both sides will actually try and make peace and stop doing this dumb shit?

If you think I favor an Israeli takeover of the entire Middle East, you're misreading my intentions here. I simply favor Israel's borders now (including Jerusalem, fuck the UN, we all know how much good they are doing) and Egypt/Jordan/Saudi Arabia/Syria/Iran/Iraq/Gaza/Lebanon all staying how they are now too. I simply want the rockets to stop and the fundamentalism to stop.

"Israel is not going to nuke anyone in the name of their religion."
No Israel is going to nuke due to its paranoia.

America is helping arm Israel and Taiwan, both small uninteresting territories, to the gills.
I wonder why.

If Israel, the land that three religions have fought over for thousands of years, is considered uninteresting, then please, help Newt Gingrich and offer to found his moon colony.

There is so much to unpack in your post bo_sox!

Israel has made dozens if not hundreds of landgrabs in the name of religion. Each mission and war Israel has fought has been codenamed for passages and characters in the Torah (a far cry from names such as Operation Enduring Freedom). Iran is only getting nukes because Israel refuses to sign on to the Middle East Nuclear Free Zone, not to nuke anybody.

As many of the onlookers, I also just want the violence (not only rockets, landgrabs too!) and the fundamentalism to stop. But to pit it as reasonable 'heaven' against fundamentalist 'freakshows' is trying to suit reality to your political view. It's a polarisation being fed by politicians in both camps, because it keeps them in power. We already know that Israel has just reasons for wanting action against Hamas. But only once we also accept that Palestinians have just grievances against Israel can we get out of this.

Oh, and if you think the UN is ineffective, then please make sure to write your congressman who I'm sure has been blocking implementation of any and all effective UN actions on Israel and Palestine.

Iran is getting nukes because Achmedinejad is an insane power-hungry tyrant. You should try listening to people like the President and delegates around the world before blaming Israel for his craziness. You should also consider that Iran's government is set up as a theocracy - the only one in the world that is actually working right now - so that only Islamic extremists can hold power. Do some research before you blame Israel for Iran's fundamentalism.

Palestine can have grievances against Israel. That's cool. I'd be thrilled to see it all end. It's just unrealistic.

Actually, my Congressman, who I've written to a number of times, says things like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcTt6oOrBAQ

In fact, Ahmedinejad is a powerless figurehead, masking powerstruggles between several factions vying for Khamenei's blessing. The only thing the can unify around is the opposition against Israel, which is why it's being exploited. In that aspect Iran and Israel may be more alike than either is willing to admit: polarization against each other is the only viable political strategy in either political theatre.

Nice to see you congressman. I agree with almost everything he said, mostly because he didnt call other countries freakshows. And dude, 'do some research'?

Hey, all you asked me to do was prove he wasn't blocking any UN measures, which he isn't. He's a nutcase; I rarely agree with him. Demographics keep him in, not political prowess. All I did was answer you.

The Council is the only thing in Iran that holds power but they put Achmedinejad forward to hold that power and act as a spokesperson for them. If he's sponsored by them, he's an idiot. Nuff said.