7/17    Get Syria to get Hizbollah to stop doing this shit
        \_ don't worry, the tape has the full blessing of the White House
        \_ Ummm... which is worse, that the President used a naughty word
           in a private conversation, or that the press likes recording
           private conversations?
           \_ Bush = evil.  Anti-Bush = good.
              \_ Newspapers listening in on private conversations of
                 politicians == evil.
                 Bush listening in on private conversations of
                 citizens == good.
                 \_ 1) true. 2) when did that happen?
                    \_ http://www.csua.org/u/ggq
                       \_ Yeah horrible.  At the time everyone said we
                          shouldn't bomb, we should use intel.  So we use
                          intel and now that's wrong too.  Let's just
                          surrender now.  Which way is Mecca from here?
           \_ Neither. What's worse is that Bush and Blair appear to believe
              that all of this can be stopped if Syria tells Hezbola to knock
              it off; this betrays a very simplistic view of the situation.
              \_ I kind of believe you, but why can't Syria just tell
                 Hezbollah to stop?
                 \_ Syria funds Hezbollah, but they don't control them. Also,
                    while Hezbollah relied heavily on Syria for funding in the
                    past, it no longer does so; Iran contributes a lot, and
                    Hezbollah has its own economy running now. The best Syria
                    could do is put pressure on Hezbollah to stop the rockets
                    and turn over the hostages, but it's unlikely Hezbollah
                    would listen since an aggressive Israel makes Hezbollah
                    look as much like victims as Lebanon, especially to the
                    punters.
                    \_ Still too simplistic.  Iran funds them, but the goods
                       have to pass through Syria, so Syria has influence, even
                       if they're not funding them.
                       \_ Agreed, actually, still too simplistic. -pp
                       \_ things are not that hard, though.  If you are Syria,
                          why would it even want to put pressure on the only
                          Arab organization that even put up with a fight
                          with Israel?
                    \_ If they fund them, they control them.  Also, how do
                       you think all those Iranian missiles and techs got into
                       the country?  And while we're here, how do you think
                       a small arms terrorist .org managed to target a ship
                       miles out at sea?  They weren't fluke hits on the 2
                       ships.  And were you aware that not only Syria but
                       Lebanon is still in an official state of war with
                       Israel?  Jordan signed and Egypt signed a treaty and
                       both have non-hostile relations with Israel since.
                       What is wrong with Lebanon and Syria that they can't
                       do the same?
                       \_ Read above where Syria is no longer sole funder of
                          Hezbollah. Also, Lebanon does not have the military
                          might to stop Hezbollah; parts of Beirut are de facto
                          state of Hezbollah. As for treaties, well, stop the
                          bombing, and let's talk.
                          \_ If Syria stopped funding Hezbollah they'd either
                             collapse or be much less than they are.  If Syria
                             didn't arm them and allow the Iranians to arm
                             them they'd not have thousands of rockets and some
                             mid-ranged missiles.  If Syria didn't host the
                             Hezbollah leader, they'd be less belligerant.  If
                             Syria didn't keep Lebanon as a client state as a
                             proxy to attack Israel then maybe Lebanon might
                             have been a real country with a real government
                             and a military that could be held responsible for
                             Hezbollah (a terrorist organisation) having it's
                             own economy(!!!!!!!).  Israel has always been
                             ready to sign treaties with her neighbors.  To
                             say "stop the bombing and let's talk" is so off
                             base I'm thinking you're either trolling or really
                             don't either know or care what's going on in the
                             region for the last 50+ years.
                       \_ China ships food and fuel to N.Korea every week.
                          And guess what, China is not really controlling
                          N.Korea
                          \_ Guess what?  China has a ready grip on NK.  The
                             last time the NKs got testy, China had a week
                             delay in shipments and NK suddenly had a change
                             of heart & policy.  The 6 nation talks are not
                             about the 5 countries talking to NK.  They are
                             about the 4 countries talking to China which is
                             why the US won't talk directly to NK.  There's
                             no point.
                          \_ What do you think will happen when/if China
                             cuts them off? Why do you think China sends
                             these? It's all about control.
             \_ How about this. Syria should sign a peace agreement with Israel.
                Israel made that as the only condition for giving back to
                Golan Heights. Then, Hesbollah will have to stop blaming
                Israel for occupying supposedly Lebanese Sheba farms..