Monday, December 19, 2005
I don't know what to say about this. I'm incredulous. The Europeans have resisted calling Hamas a terror group, they have never forcefully and unequivocally assaulted their hate propaganda and demonization -- a way of life rampant in the region...I suppose I should be saying it's "better late than never" to be taking a stand like this (for as long as it will last), but frankly, it's too late.
EU Warns Palestinians Against Hamas Win
Javier Solana, the EU's foreign policy chief, said during a tour of the region that European taxpayers would have a hard time supporting the Palestinian government if it included a party that supports violence and advocates Israel's destruction.
The U.S. House of Representatives approved a similar declaration Friday. The Palestinian Authority counts on foreign aid for half its budget...
I suppose you could imagine that they are at least hoping that Hamas moderates itself as it moves into legitimate circles, but that's a whole lot of shifting they're hoping for (and won't happen any time soon -- read: decades, if ever). Tis a consumation devoutly to be wished, and wished, and wished. They coulda/shoulda started years ago.
In somewhat related news, Meryl noted something missing in yesterday's Presidential Address.
Yes, absolutely. It's true, any sign of hope should not be dismissed out of hand, though it needs to be rightly and responsibly appraised and weighed in the balance. In that vein, what will be important is to assess whether Solana, the E.U. trans-nationalist elites, et al. back up their words with action and resolve or merely end up equivocating and employing double-speak. Pragmatics, practicalities, real-world consequences, sober assessments and articulations; in the end that is what will count. "Trust, but verify."
Within this general scope or framing, Barry Rubin at MEF recently helps forward the debate along some general and strategically conceived lines.
I saw Solana and that EU lady from Spain on Oreilly in 2002. I don't care what that guy says or does. I wouldn't want that guy running my company, working for me, running anything important in my country and certainly not involved in anyway in mediating a complicated mult- dimensional conflict in the Holy Land.
The guy has the backbone of a jelly fish and is so thick in EU moral equivalency it's sickening for any average American. The guy gushes over Arafat you'd think the 2 had the hots for each other. (I won't make the joke, yeah wey're thinking it)
When the EU sanctions the PA then give me a call... pigs will be flying over my head.... and I'll be riding the Purple Rainbow with Rose McGowan of 5 years ago.
Now that I cleared that up for you.
Go check out my blog and give me a friggin hat tip. I put up lots of great posts today.
www.dailyscorecard.blogspot.com