In the most recent Newsweek Poll conducted by Princeton Survey Research Associates International, Aug. 10-11, 2006, on the question of terrorism, it was asked, “Do you approve or disapprove of the way Bush is handling terrorism and homeland security?” The results: 55% approve, 40% disapprove, 5% are unsure.
Meanwhile, in London:
UK terror threat level downgraded - BBC NEWS
The British did a fine job in stopping the liquids-on-a-plane threats. They continue to do the right things with regard to tracking down their jihadists, and sensibly protecting their public.
The Bad
Cease-Fire Begins After a Day of Fierce Attacks - New York Times
Both sides claim victory - Aljazeera.Net
Israel and Hezbollah both say they won as a UN-brokered truce to end the month-old fighting took effect.Israel ends this month-long battle with its tail between its legs. Though the Israelis did more damage to Hezbollah than vice versa, it was a sloppy endeavor. There were too many civilian casualties. Hezbollah has survived and can even claim a symbolic victory, being the first Arab force to last a month without being destroyed by the mighty Israeli army.
Israelis in North Are Pessimistic About a Truce - New York Times
KIRYAT SHMONA, Israel. Rockets whistling in from Lebanon have been a constant in Eli Ben-Abo’s life for nearly four decades. As he waited out a barrage Sunday in a cramped, airless shelter, he was sure a truce set for Monday would not end that enduring threat.The future looks bad for Israeli citizens, not only in Kiryat Shmona, but also in Tel Aviv.“I’ve been listening to these rockets from 1970 until today,” said Mr. Ben-Abo, 50, who was squeezed into the tiny cinder-block shelter with his wife and two daughters, along with four more relatives. “We keep hoping it will end, but it never does."
And then, in Iraq:
5 Bombs Kill at Least 57 in Baghdad - New York Times
As American forces conducted a new security sweep in western Baghdad on Sunday, five apparently coordinated bombings in a predominantly Shiite neighborhood on the city’s south side killed at least 57 people and wounded 148, an Iraqi government official said."Same old, same old.
The Ugly
The British were able to thwart the liquids-on-a-plane attacks because they are allowed to surveil and arrest suspected terrorists without the restrictions imposed here in the United States by the left, the Democratic Party, and the ACLU.
Despite the fact that Britain seems to be a more leftist country than America in many ways, on the issue of homeland security they are way ahead of us, because their left seems more rational than ours. We are endangered by our left.
Terrorism has lost some important actual battles recently, as in London and even in Lebanon. Yet, the terrorists remain united and can now actually recruit more martyrs to their cause after their symbolic victory in Lebanon. Again, for the first time in modern history, an Arab army has survived for one month an all-out assault by the mighty Israeli army.
It is not, as those on the left would have us believe, American or Israeli aggression which impassions Muslims to join the jihadists. Rather, it is perceived American or Israeli weakness. It is, in fact, the lack of sufficient aggression that eggs them on. They imagine at this time they have won some glorious victories, both in Iraq and in Lebanon. This means more jihadists will be willing to join their cause, so they too can become heroes.
Israel’s failure to disarm Hezbollah guarantees there will be more bloodshed there in the future. This ceasefire may last for some time, but the stories around the campfires now in Lebanon will resound with calls to action that will one day result in heartache for Israel. Perceived Israeli weakness will lead other troublemakers to get involved too, like Iran.
Why did Israel fail? Hezbollah was dug in, well armed, and well prepared, and Israel was unwilling to wage an all-out ground war, which would have meant heavy Israeli casualties. Israel’s reluctance to fight this kind of war led to more Lebanese civilian victims, because Israel had no troops on the ground to guarantee the accuracy of their air strikes. It was a mess. It is hard to fault Israel entirely. They love their children, and were not willing to lose them. Contrast this kind of humanity with that of the mothers and fathers of the suicide bombers, who cheer their sons and daughters to their deaths.
Ultimately, the blame for Israel’s failure lies with leadership. Olmert’s government will fall from power shortly. If Sharon had been in charge, this whole thing would have been handled differently. Olmert is a good man, but lacks the experience, cunning and sense of the jugular that Sharon had.
The one bright spot in the war on terror remains Britain. Lebanon is a setback, and the United States continues its two wars simultaneously, against the terrorists on the one hand, and against the left on the other. Whether we win the war on terror or not largely depends on whether we choose to behave like Britain in this crisis, or like Israel. Again, I don’t blame the Israelis. These are hard choices. None of us wants our children returning in coffins. I also don’t blame the left. They exist in their misguided beliefs that peace at any cost saves lives. I do hold the public responsible, though. I expect them to read, listen, express themselves, and vote intelligently. Our survival and way of life depend on it. Thank God the polls are starting to swing the "right" way.
(*Wikipedia is always my source unless indicated.) This Post’s Technorati Tags: terrorism, Bush, homeland security, Hezbollah, Israel, Lebanon, ceasefire, Iraq, liquids on a plane, Britain, Ehud Olmert, Ariel Sharon, truth
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