I thought it was interesting how Olmert (Israeli PM) was all over American TV doing direct interviews the day Israel invaded Gaza. Can you imagine another PM from another country doing the same thing the first day of a conflict? Seems unlikely.

Furthermore we must remember the political time frame of these attacks in Israel, with the failure to form a coalition government Kadima leader Tzipi Livni informed President Peres in October, that general elections will have to take place on February 10th 2009.

Likud (Benjamin Netanyahu) and Kadmia (Tzipi Livni) are the major contenders to win over the Knesset, both are trying to replicate the momentum of change generated in the US elections. Both have the problem of seeming old and tired without the necessary 'change' aspect, Bibi had lead Israel before and Livni is number 2 in Olmert's office. Though Livni edges out being a woman and a new face.

One of the major striking points that Likud pushed forward was that Kadima being the Sharon party that imposed the Gazan withdrawal and is committed to the road map to peace would be too soft on Palestinians as a whole and endanger the Israeli national security. Likud also refuses to negotiate over Jerusalem.

With the recent military actions there is no longer a question of softness with regards to Kadima and the Palestinian people. This would work favorably towards assuring a victory in the Knesset for Livni.

But at what cost to the peace process?

However recent polls show that Likud is still in the lead with 29 seats. Not surprising since the Gaza pullout and the corruption charges leveled at Olmert. But we need to see how the international pressures that Livni is reaching out for will shape the public perceptions.

We shall see, there is disengagement taking place now, and truce has been declared with Israel withdrawing from Gaza soon.

Condi has denied everything, but she also did abstain from voting on the resolution she authored.

But, what does it mean when Olmert can lie like this and the US just says well Israel can say what they want, but it isn't what happened. This is another black eye for the US if they do not correct the record.

No, it is funny as Olmert has shown in his little bragging speech. It funny in that sad kind of way.

Send in a special forces to infiltrate the palace(s) after a bunker buster or two-
Take out every dictator on the planet first. Leave the Nations intact.
Send same forces to the Largest corporations on the planet, take out the dictators.
Launch captured assholes in catapults, on National Television.
Party Naked.
Vote Ben Franklin's exhumed bones for President.

Iran conducted a test launch Tuesday night of the Shihab-3 intermediate-range ballistic missile, which is capable of reaching Israel and US targets in the region, Israel Radio reported. The test came hours before Prime Minister Ehud Olmert met with US President George W Bush in Washington to discuss the Iranian threat.

Military officials said it was not clear if this most recent test indicated an advance in the capabilities of the Shihab 3. They said the test was likely timed to coincide with the Washington summit and with comments made by Hizbullah leader Hassan Nasrallah during celebrations in Beirut marking the 6th anniversary of Israel's withdrawal from southern Lebanon.

The Arrow missile, he said, could intercept and destroy any Iranian missile fired at Israel, including ones carrying non-conventional warheads. Experts believe that if Iran is attacked by Israel or the US, Teheran would respond by firing long-range ballistic missiles at Israel.-AP Jerusalem Post

-Hizbullah is rearming quickly, Syria feeds the hate-Iran has an insane idiot-stick for a leader, a passionate delusional with missiles-Where is the valley of Megiddo again???....Why won't these motherfuckers simply die??....I am talking about the folks who manufacture and sell them the shit as well(and their families)....some French, some Germans, some sick rich cocksuckers from all nations need killing.....

In other news....

" Secretary-General Kofi Annan said he was "shocked and deeply distressed by the apparently deliberate targeting" of the U.N. post. Two U.N. military observers were dead and two others were feared dead, Annan said in a statement Tuesday night.

He said Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert had assured him that U.N. positions would be spared, and the U.N. force commander, Gen. Alain Pelligrini, had been in contact with Israeli officers throughout the day stressing the need to protect the post.

The Israeli military said it was investigating and had no immediate comment. "