Israel/Lebanon War Updates

- One of the four UN observers killed in the Israeli missile strike on UNIFIL in Lebanon on Tuesday was Canadian and, frankly, Olmert can take his apology and shove it, especially considering that UN officials had been in repeated contact with the IDF throughout the day urging them to stop bombing the area. Seven members of a Canadian family were also killed in Lebanon earlier this month. Yet, our BushLite prime minister is still defending Israel and had stated at the beginning of this war that Israel's response was 'measured and justified'. Booting him out of office will certainly be 'measured and justified' when the time comes, unlike Israel's literally overblown response to the kidnapping of two of its soldiers by Hezbollah.

- The Rome talks concluded without an agreement on Wednesday. Even though Iran and Syria have been blamed for supporting Hezbollah, they were not invited to participate in those talks. Those who were there refused to collectively call for a ceasefire. So, while they can't get their act together politically, people will just continue to die. Rice has stated that she does not want a ceasefire unless it can guarantee that all of the fighting will stop forever. That is not the way to exercise diplomacy. There are no guarantees. The blood of the victims, including that of the dead and wounded Israelis, Condi and George, is on your hands. You can find the current death toll here.

- Despite objections by the Democrats, who chastised Iraq's PM Maliki for not toeing the line on US foreign policy regarding Israel and demanded that he not be allowed to speak to congress, Maliki received a standing ovation following his lofty speech in congress on Wednesday. He made no mention of the Israel/Lebanon war. The speech was also interrupted by a protester, reportedly wearing a pink t-shirt (a Code Pink member?) Update: It was a Code Pink member and C&L has the video.

PROTESTER: Iraqis want the troops to leave! Bring them home now! Iraqis want the troops to leave! Bring them home now!

HASTERT: If our honored guest will suspend for the moment, the chair notes disturbance in the gallery. The sergeant at arms will secure order by removing those engaging in disruption.

(APPLAUSE)

PROTESTER: Bring them home now!

HASTERT: The gentleman may resume.

more to come...