Winning Hearts and Minds
Secretary of State Smashing Condaleeza Rice has been engaged in a dramatic world tour which started in the Middle East, then moved on to an Asian piano recital, and now apparently involves another visit to the Middle East. She has been a very busy woman. Effective? Well, no, but she does play a mean piano.
Her visit to Lebanon, which is currently being bombed by Israel, was not viewed as particularly helpful by the Lebanese, as this satirical op-ed piece in Lebanon's Al-Anwar shows.
The Cinderella of American Diplomacy has arrived on an urgent mission to find her lost slipper, upon which is marked, "the New Middle East." Would whoever finds it please call the White House? He or she will be generously rewarded with green dollars.
One of the lessons of this terrible war: Lebanon now knows that it cannot compete with Israel for America’s warm lap. Nevertheless, some people thought that America would shine at least a small portion of this warmth on Lebanon. Don't waste your efforts! Remove from your memory that cozy reception that the American president prepared for Lebanon’s prime minister. That hug, that arm over the shoulder and that friendly stroll through the Rose Garden of the White House.
Keep in mind that the heart only loves once, and such a love is destined only for one's first lover [Israel]. All the Arabs, both big and small, have courted America, hoping to be treated as more than a pageant's runner-up, but have been rebuffed.
...America can divest the Resistance of its weapons through justice, not force. When Lebanon regains control of its occupied lands, frees its people from Israeli prisons, and stops the abuse of its sovereignty on land, sea and air, what justification would the Resistance have for keeping their weapons?
But Israel with America behind her, will not take these steps, because if it did so in Lebanon, it would have to do the same in Palestine … and Israel would have to end its attacks! [Emphasis added]
Sadly, Raouf Shhoury (the author of the piece) has nailed it. Justice is incompatible with the Emperor's view of the "new and improved" Middle East, and intentionally so.
Her visit to Lebanon, which is currently being bombed by Israel, was not viewed as particularly helpful by the Lebanese, as this satirical op-ed piece in Lebanon's Al-Anwar shows.
The Cinderella of American Diplomacy has arrived on an urgent mission to find her lost slipper, upon which is marked, "the New Middle East." Would whoever finds it please call the White House? He or she will be generously rewarded with green dollars.
One of the lessons of this terrible war: Lebanon now knows that it cannot compete with Israel for America’s warm lap. Nevertheless, some people thought that America would shine at least a small portion of this warmth on Lebanon. Don't waste your efforts! Remove from your memory that cozy reception that the American president prepared for Lebanon’s prime minister. That hug, that arm over the shoulder and that friendly stroll through the Rose Garden of the White House.
Keep in mind that the heart only loves once, and such a love is destined only for one's first lover [Israel]. All the Arabs, both big and small, have courted America, hoping to be treated as more than a pageant's runner-up, but have been rebuffed.
...America can divest the Resistance of its weapons through justice, not force. When Lebanon regains control of its occupied lands, frees its people from Israeli prisons, and stops the abuse of its sovereignty on land, sea and air, what justification would the Resistance have for keeping their weapons?
But Israel with America behind her, will not take these steps, because if it did so in Lebanon, it would have to do the same in Palestine … and Israel would have to end its attacks! [Emphasis added]
Sadly, Raouf Shhoury (the author of the piece) has nailed it. Justice is incompatible with the Emperor's view of the "new and improved" Middle East, and intentionally so.
posted by Diane at 6:32 AM
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