Prominent Lebanese Politician Assassinated

Anti-Syrian Christian Leader Pierre Gemayel Gunned Down Near Beirut

(CBS/AP)  Prominent anti-Syrian Christian politician Pierre Gemayel was assassinated in a suburb of Beirut on Tuesday, increasing tensions in Lebanon amid a showdown between opponents and allies of Damascus that threatens to topple the U.S.-backed government.

Gemayel, the industry minister, was the fifth anti-Syrian figure to be killed in the past two years and the first member of the government of Prime Minister Fuad Saniora to be slain.

Saniora went on national television to call for unity and warned that "sedition" was being planned against Lebanon. He linked the slaying to the issue that sparked the crisis with Hezbollah: plans to try suspects in the 2005 assassination of former prime minister Rafik Hariri before an international court.

"I pledge to you that your blood will not go in vain," Saniora said, eulogizing Gemayel. "We will not let the murderers control the fate of Lebanon and the future of its children."

The assassination, in an afternoon shooting in Gemayel's mainly Christian constituency of Jdeideh, threatens further instability in Lebanon at a time when Hezbollah and other parties allied with Syria are planning a massive wave of street protests unless Saniora reforms his government to give them more power.

President Bush denounced Tuesday's assassination of a Lebanese leader as "the vicious face of those who oppose freedom" and said that Syria and Iran are trying to undermine the democratically elected government of Prime Minister Fuad Saniora.

"We support the Saniora government and its democracy, and we support the Lebanese people's desire to live in peace," Mr. Bush said after having breakfast with U.S. troops stationed in Hawaii. "And we support their efforts to defend their democracy against attempts by Syria, Iran and allies to foment instability and violence in that important country."

Mr. Bush is voicing concerns that this latest political killing will undermine Lebanon's already shaky government, CBS Radio News correspondent Peter Maer reports. And the president is already trying to rally support for Saniora's government.

Mr. Bush did not specifically blame Iran or Syria for the shooting death of Pierre Gemayel, one of the country's most prominent Christians, but he urged a full investigation to identify "those people and those forces" behind the killing.

In New York, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, John R. Bolton, raised the possibility of Syrian involvement in the slaying of Gemayel.

Referring also to an investigation into Hariri's assassination, Bolton told reporters: "I think people can draw their own conclusions."

Syria condemned the assassination. "This despicable crime aims to destroy stability and peace in Lebanon," the state news agency said, affirming Syria's keenness on Lebanon's stability, security and unity.

Damascus' opponents in Lebanon have accused Syria of being behind previous assassinations, particularly that of Hariri, who was killed in a massive explosion in downtown Beirut in February 2005. Syria has denied any role.

Gemayel was driving in his car in Jdeideh when another vehicle rammed him from behind, then a gunmen stepped out of the vehicle and shot him at point-blank range. Footage from the scene showed Gemayel's car, the driver's-side window dotted by nearly a dozen bulletholes, and the second car behind it with a crumpled hood.

Gemayel was rushed to a nearby hospital seriously wounded, the Lebanese Broadcasting Corp. and Voice of Lebanon, the radio station run by his Phalange Party, reported.

The party radio later said he was dead, as did the National News Agency.

Saad Hariri, leader of the anti-Syrian parliamentary majority, broke off a televised news conference after hearing that Gemayel had been shot.

In an interview with CNN later, Hariri hailed Gemayel as "a friend, a brother to all of us" and appeared to break down after saying: "we will bring justice to all those who killed him."

Hariri implicitly blamed Syria for the assassination, saying, "We believe the hand of Syria is all over the place."

Gemayel was the scion of one of Lebanon's most prominent political families and had been expected to carry it into the next generation. His father, current Phalange leader Amin Gemayel, served as Lebanon's president between 1982 and 1988 and his grandfather, the late Pierre Gemayel, led the right-wing Christian Phalanage Party that fielded the largest Christian militia and was allied with Israel during the 1975-90 civil war between Christians and Muslims.

Amin Gemayel's brother, Bashir, was elected president in 1982 but was assassinated days before he was to take office in an explosion.

The slain Pierre Gemayel was a prominent figure in Lebanon's anti-Syrian bloc, which dominates Saniora's Cabinet and the parliament — and which is now locked in a power struggle with the Muslim Shiite Hezbollah and its allies.

On Sunday, Hezbollah leader Sheik Hassan Nasrallah threatened a wave of street protests aimed at bringing down the government if it ignores the group's demand to form a national unity Cabinet, in which Hezbollah and its allies would have considerable influence and would be able to block major decisions.

Nasrallah accused Saniora's government of falling under the influence of the President Bush's administration and called it "illegitimate" and "unconstitutional."

Gemayel's assassination was the first since Gibran Tueni, prominent anti-Syrian newspaper editor and lawmaker, was killed in a car bomb in December. In June 2005, the journalist and activist Samir Kassir and former Communist Party leader George Hawi were killed in separate car bombings in June last year.

[mjv2944]

Looks like just another day in the middle east. I doubt if there will ever be real peace in that region, whether we are there or not. They are really violent people, always have been and always will be. To tribal to ever get along. They have allowed radicalism to govern their everyday lives.

[ammermantm]

so what do radical Chistians do when they disagree with...lets say abortion doctors?

doesn't sound all that civilized.

[jimibear]

I think that radical Muslims are just a few thousand murders ahead; although, if you count the governmentally sanctioned murders committed in the illegal war in Iraq, maybe the US and the Christians have killed more by a huge margin!

But I take your point about the abortion doctors. The ironically named Dr. Gunn, for instance, was aborted in about his 150th trimester.

[jimibear]

And before you folks get all high and mighty with your comments about radicalism and how violent the Muslims are, bear in mind that the US has far and away the highest rate of murders in the world, and has had more leaders assassinated per year of existence than any other country as well. 4 presidents killed while in office, and at least 5 other very-nearly-successful assassination attempts. Pretty hard work for a country that's only been around 230 years. Until we can keep our own Presidents alive, maybe we shouldn't point the finger at other peoples' political assassinations.

In fact, isn't not casting judgment yet another totally ignored cornerstone of Christianity?

[ammermantm]

JimiBear

you are completely correct, they could have left the fact that this was a Muslim killing a Christian and just said it was an assassination of a political person and not to many American would have looked twice..

[blondmadison]

They have allowed radicalism to govern their everyday lives.
Posted by mjv2944 at 10:38 AM : Nov 21, 2006

What governed the lives of the Americans and the English during the slave trade? How about when Abe Lincoln was assasinated? Keep your Holier Than Thou Judgments in check.

"That's the way it's always been. That's the way it will always be. That's the way it is."

Dear Broken Records: Here's a revelation for you to introduce to your brains:

That is sure how it used to be. For certain how it always was. But, this is how it is now...and where it is going in the future...

Love thine enemy for he knows not what he does. Love thine enemy as thine own brother. Love thine enemy as thine own self. And, do not judge lest ye be the judged.

He who is not against us is for us.
GET BACK ON THE PATH FOLKS, YOU GOT OFF SOMEWHERE ALONG THE WAY...

[bob_burd]

There is no doubt whatsoever that this planned execution was carried out by Hezbollah under the orders of Syria, which has long had a meddling hand in Lebanese politics. Their public "withdrawal" after the Hariri murder was a farce.

How comforting it is to know that this is the same Syria that is extending its benevolent hand to help stabilize the situation in Iraq. Some jet pilot needs to errantly drop a few bunker-buster smart bombs on say, the palace of Syrian leader Bashar Asaad one day.

What's good for the goose is good for the gander.

Selah

[bob_burd]

Just gotta love the unending array of dreary biblical quotes permeating half the stories on the CBS comments section. You sheep and Lambs of the Lord need to get a life; you're as gullible and easily led as the simpleton morons of the muslim suicide bombing squads.

Quote enough of this hellfire-and brimfire $hit and maybe one day your Lord will let YOU into Paradise. You're as stupid as any 13th century follower of the fundamentalist muslim persuasion.

Selah

[mjv2944]

blondmadison

Maybe you should volunteer to work in the Sadr City slums to see if there is real comparison to USA and England of 200 years ago, and I believe you are the holier than thou one, and quite naive. The real world is not a pretty picture, there is lying and dying everyday and it generally all in the name of the Lord or Allah.

[bushrocks1]

Would I send my son to this war? You might ask would I send him to WW II? Or Vietnam? Maybe you would distinguish those conflicts and whether you would send your son to fight in them. But that question is misdirected in a very important way: I can't command my son to go to war. He has to make that choice. So the better question would be: would I volunteer to fight in Iraq, WW II, Vietnam? Would I volunteer to fight in any war? Respond if drafted? I don%u2019t know. I'm not equivocating, only addressing that it is a hypothetical. As a hypothetical, I can say, sure I'd fight. But I have nightmares of battle (from my past life as a Jacobite). So how do I feel toward those who do volunteer? Impressed and maturely knowing that many things go into their decision. But I do strongly believe that a country who can't find those men is doomed. The fact that we can find them is one reason why I say there is no failure in Iraq. Objectively, I also believe it for other reasons. An attempt to establish democracy in the Middle East is a bold, brilliant, noble effort, facing a high chance of failure. That's why I greatly respect and admire those who have made the attempt--the Bush administration. They have been resolute, something I have not seen in my lifetime. They may not succeed, for reasons outside their control or fault: traitors on the home front, being a big one. But now those traitors have apparently occupied the high ground. Yet... we're still in Iraq. Why?... I'm waiting.

[blondmadison]

blondmadison

Maybe you should volunteer to work in the Sadr City slums to see if there is real comparison to USA and England of 200 years ago, and I believe you are the holier than thou one, and quite naive. The real world is not a pretty picture, there is lying and dying everyday and it generally all in the name of the Lord or Allah.

Posted by mjv2944 at 12:22 PM : Nov 21, 2006

Does this blog mean, "This is the way it is. This is the way it has always been. This is the way it will always be." ??? Huh, Broken Record?

There's no fire and brimstone here, and no, I am not being holier than thou in bringing you up by the boot straps. Eat it and close your mouth while chewing on it.

If war were an answer, it would have been the answer the first time around, not the millionth time. If killing and dying were the answer as you suggest, then go die, just you.

Do you have any ideas which have not been attempted? How about this idea: Global Peace

What can be done to bring this about, without killing, without discriminating, without racism...without the U.S.A claiming to have all the answers and everyone just needs to follow them?????

If the USA or Britain or Israel had ANY answers EVER---I should think we would not be experiencing any problems at all-because USA, Britain, and Israel would be leading all of us safely, without hate. FAT CHANCE OF THAT.

[saransk]

Hezbolla no longer needs Syria to "green-light" its political tactics. Syria is becoming a non-entity in the region.
Unfortunately, the politics of Lebanon are such that honest discourse and compromise are dead. Ever since the 1980's when the influx of radical palestinians led to the Civil War, it probably is no longer possible to settle things in the area.
Hezbolla no longer feels it needs to even give "lip service" to the concept of Lebanon as a state, and with good reason - the state cannot prevent Hezbolla from doing what it wants. And it now appears that Hezbolla - like all facist organizations -wants the falsehood of being elected to run the country. They want a veneer of democratic action to cover while they "hijack" the country. Much like the Nazis did to the Weimar republic in Germany.
While nominally still within the Syrian sphere of influence - Syria no longer can control Hezbolla, even the Iranians exert little control. Hezbolla wants nothing less than convert Lebanon, once one of the least radical Islamic countries, into a state modeled on the Iranian war -and a launching pad for another war with Israel.
I am sorry for the death of Lebanon.

[perception5]

Even more reason for us and the rest of the world to support young democracies especially in Lebanon, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Iran and Syria and their "unelected leaders" have no morale beliefs and put up the money/man for these terrorist acts. We need to shore up each country through development of their security forces and their instutions......... and then pull out of the region while maintaining yearly aid to each of the three countries....
Yeah it's hard work.......... if it was easy it would have been done long ago.
It would be nice if the UN and rest of the world would pitch in but we can't expect that...... they continue to watch as thousands in Sudan die while busy publishing more "global warming" and "human rights abuse" reports......
We don't need any more "reports" from the UN or others we need action to save people thoughout the Middle East........
The biggest help would be if our worldwide liberal media would support these efforts....instead of providing aid and comfort to all of our enemies......

[mjv2944]

blondmadison

Yup, thats the way it is. Been around a lot longer than you, see death and dismemberment up close, Vietnam, have seen do-gooders come and go, and it always ends up the same, money has the power and the power has the money. And by the way, if you brought me up by the bootstraps and if I did eat it, chances are you'd be a skeleton. Thump the Bible all you want, I doubt that it will change much. Its an ugly world and has been since day 1.

[lebanon22-11]

I read the comments,and I'm hurt cuz I'm Lebanese and I am a muslim,and I'm proud.I am 13 years old and I'm french educated and I'm really doing my best in the English class cuz since I was little,I've always wanted to come 2 the U.S and study,but u broke my dream,cuz I have no harm for the american people, unlike that,I adore them and wish if I'm one of them.Now, there's a big part of the Lebanese people who are against the terrorism and Hezbollah,and who are stuggling for peace and unity,not everyone is a "Saddam"or a "Ben ladden",but there are people who consider these names as the Devil,and I'm one of them..

[truthwillwin]

Let's Get Real:

You and I know too well that the only party that benefits from these poster-boy killings is the United States and its alliars.

Rafiq Hariri, killed on Valentine's Day in 2005, victim of Con Rice & Company. He was a pacifist Lebanese voice in the Lebanon/Syria relations. His car-bombing assassination helped the USA achieve Syria's withdrawal from Lebanon, which Bush had been pushing for years.

Anna Politskovkaya's violent death in her apartment elevator has created hundreds of times the trouble she caused as a "Kremlin critic."

Bush had to retaliated against Iraq's and Syria's restoring diplomatic relations, so they set up another rift between Syria and Lebanon, to pre-empt a Syria/Iraq/Lebanon/Iran coalition against the USA's war crimes and crimes against humanity, for which they will pay much, much sooner than the vast majority could imagine.

[perception5]

TruthWillWin, I'm sorry but you sound very "contaminated". Are you Howard Dean????

[blondmadison]

Posted by mjv2944 at 01:43 PM : Nov 21, 2006


Dear Set-In-Stone:

I have never read the bible. I do not own one. I learned as a child that I do not need a bible or church to know the father of life. You seem very disconnected to that kind of energy.

That is why I say there is no fire and brimstone going on here. I am not a bible thumper. So you are mistaken on this count, as well as others.

I have seen death and dismemberment too, right here in "America". From car accidents to serial killers. We see it every day on the news w/o exception. It is the "American" way of life...death and dying.

Time to switch gears Set-In-Stone. Back can't stand up straight? Buy a brace and strap it on. Time to do something different. Get of the mind-set that something different might mean, non violent fun which takes over a village... non violent humorous ways of doing things...candid camera style...

Remedies come in various means. Killing was never considered a remedy of anything. That's a cheaters way to a silent victory. A win achieved by silencing the voices.

[verrz]

What hypocricy: Bush says he supports Lebanese democracy and yet allowed ally Israel to pummel it to the breaking point in yet another deluded attemmpt to settle a political and social issue militariy, al la neocon neofascism.
One can only hope the lid does not blow off this situation with pixilated neocons pulling the strings and a man-child president in office.

[bushrocks1]

Would I send my son to this war? You might ask would I send him to WW II? Or Vietnam? Maybe you would distinguish those conflicts and whether you would send your son to fight in them. But that question is misdirected in a very important way: I can't command my son to go to war. He has to make that choice. So the better question would be: would I volunteer to fight in Iraq, WW II, Vietnam? Would I volunteer to fight in any war? Respond if drafted? I don%u2019t know. I'm not equivocating, only addressing that it is a hypothetical. As a hypothetical, I can say, sure I'd fight. But I have nightmares of battle (from my past life as a Jacobite). So how do I feel toward those who do volunteer? Impressed and maturely knowing that many things go into their decision. But I do strongly believe that a country who can't find those men is doomed. The fact that we can find them is one reason why I say there is no failure in Iraq. Objectively, I also believe it for other reasons. An attempt to establish democracy in the Middle East is a bold, brilliant, noble effort, facing a high chance of failure. That's why I greatly respect and admire those who have made the attempt--the Bush administration. They have been resolute, something I have not seen in my lifetime. They may not succeed, for reasons outside their control or fault: traitors on the home front, being a big one. But now those traitors have apparently occupied the high ground. Yet... we're still in Iraq. Why?... I'm waiting.

[gaye5]

Lebanon22-11, you are obviously a thinker, you can be proud of yourself.
We in the west do not want war, this is why our fathers decided that a demrocracy was the answer, where the government is elected by a majority of the people. Of course it is not perfect but the beauty of it is that if the majority isnt happy with what the government has done they kick them out next elections...war comes about for us as people who do want war try to kill us. we dont go to war for a slight or a remark, but we will try to protect others, and sometimes we have been wrong in doing that..
Dont be hurt by what you read in remarks here, as if you saw world wide carnage done by another religion, you would also be against that religion, and even though there are wonderful people in that religion it taints the whole lot. There have been over 6668 terrorist attacks since sep 11th, done by Muslims, and that is not counting the horrors going on by Muslims in other countries. If you havent already done so I would suggest that you read the Quran yourself, as I have done (with parts of it), and see why your brothers are doing what they do and see if this is what you want for your life and children... then read what many ex clerics have to say about Islam.

[hamiltongrad]

To CBS: Why not show the picture of the man killed ?

Didn't Cond. Rice just meetwith this brave man ?

[kailo6]

Gaye5, shame on you for talking to a 13-year-old like that! Shame! That's a child you're using to play "We're God and you suck." A heart-broken child!

Wonder why the world hates us? Because of people like you who think only one people can be right and everyone else wrong. The world is complicated -- you must be a child yourself.

Perception, perhaps think about why no one is entering Darfur. Because they have nothing of value to our multi-national corporations. If Bush is so rockin', why is he happy to invade countries and do nothing to stabilize them afterward, as long as we maintain a stranglehold on their oil, but does nothing in the Sudan, or to China, who invaded Tibet, or to Saudi Arabia, which has the fewest democratic elements in its government around, and which funds Bin Laden and terrorists like him? Oil. This is not a brain teaser. It's easy.

Lebanon, the world is complicated, so complicated that no one really understands why humans do what they do. Any religion can be used for good and evil, and has been. Listen to you heart and to God, in whatever voice you hear it, and you will know what to do. You are a good person already, I can tell. Americans too, are complicated, and some of us understand that good people come in all forms, as do bad. You will get through this and be alright.

[one_american]

All the worlds leaders need to stand up and condemn the murderous terrorists known as Hezbollah, and send them back to Iran where they came from.

[sunshine_2]

ANGRYliberal:
"unfortunatley, this is what Muslim's do to people they disagree with because they know they stand no chance in the area of civilized debate. "

Please Stop you Anti-Muslim Bigotry and Ethnic and Religious Slurs ... It is against the Rules of this site & I am making a Complaint About You Again.
Try to find a "diplomatically correct" and Civil way to voice your opinions.
Your comments are Raciallsy & Religious Bigotry and Insensitive in a Steriotipical way.
Your Hate Messages should all be sessored & Edited to Conform to the the "Rules To Post Here".

[sunshine_2]

Posted by Ammermantm at 11:34 AM : Nov 21, 2006
"JimiBear
you are completely correct, they could have left the fact that this was a Muslim killing a Christian and just said it was an assassination of a political person and not to many American would have looked twice.. "

I dis agree wiht the assumptions that All Americans would look the other way, or in the Ill stated assumtioons that it is "a Muslim's way of doing it"... I Totally disagree with the Religious and Racial Slurs I constantly Read in these blogs.
Can't we all just stict to the Topic at hand and not make it "Steriotypical Hate Messages"? I have friends of many faiths adn many races from other countries outside America and find so many offensive Post Here ... That are actually Againt the "Sites Posting Rules" of Encouraging Civil Debate.
The Assination of this Leader is upsetting to me, as would be the assination of anyother people or Leader of any other Government, regardless of his Nation or Religious Beliefe. That would include anyUS. sanctioned attempts on anyone, for the "sake of America or any other excuse".

[cbgb31]

An anti-Syrian Christian Lebanese politician, I'm surprised he made it this long. A brave man indeed.

[hamiltongrad]

ATTENTION PC LIBS:YOU CAN GENERALIZE
Concerning generalizations, why not. You can not make any sensible judgment unless you can observe, and come to a conclusion. If it is correct to say most Janpanese are thinner vs.most Polish people , why not make other ethnic statements that follow emperical observations.
Our Univeristies are teaching us to be stupid.
In this world, it is dangerous not to know your enemy and what they are most likely up to, either from their past or what "they" say.
That there is a pattern of killing the Christians in Leb who speak our for freedom, killed by Muslims, is a fact. Go to International Herald Tribune site for complete list of Christians recently killed, one after another. Our media has a short memory, and too PC, or too involved in fluff or selling its own shows.
The International sites have been warning of Hezbollah trying to take over for last few days.

[sunshine_2]

perception5:
...... . We need to shore up each country through development of their security forces and their instutions......... and then pull out of the region while maintaining yearly aid to each of the three countries....
Yeah it's hard work.......... if it was easy it would have been done long ago.
It would be nice if the UN and rest of the world would pitch in but we can't expect that......

You sound like the Republican Democracy Building Imperial Killers inOffice Today. Your resolution to the Middel East Issues, is to Arm All Of The Middle East and let all Hell Break Out ? That is a sick and Inhumain/Unchristion and UnAmerican Policy of War Mongering. That war would not stop at the Middle Eastern Borders.

It is a religious power struggle. Radical Islam against Moderate Christianity%u2026the problem here is turn the other cheek doesn%u2019t work against weapons and Hatred. People who have earned nothing Kill for what they want. They blame Israel and the United States and NEVER look at them selves as a problem, it much easer to blame the other person then stand for what%u2019s right.

[sunshine_2]

Posted by Lebanon22-11 at 01:48 PM : Nov 21, 2006
"I read the comments,and I'm hurt cuz I'm Lebanese and I am a muslim,and I'm proud.I am 13 years old and I'm french educated and I'm really doing my best in the English class cuz since I was little,I've always wanted to come 2 the U.S and study,but u broke my dream,cuz I have no harm for the american people, ..."

As An American I am sorry that the World reads only the Foul Mouthed Bigots some few Amercians have here.
Believe me when I say All of America does not live in such fear of "other peoples' adn dont think of all Muslims or Middel East Nations as "Saddam or Osam Bin Ladem".
Mush ignnorance still seen here, adn some people think Free Press, means thye can Spread Their Message of Bigotryadn Hate, Like the Terrorist do. I it is sad, that America has become so "devided", by racial and religious bigots.

[j-whitman]

janem -- When only 32 to 34% of Americans agree with this administration's policies, Bush 41's coalition says Bush 43's policies are upsetting the Middle-East & endangering the region, & countries therougout the Far-East are against Bush 43's policies,,, Don't you think you should analyze your thinking ???

[j-whitman]

janem ,, The United States has been envolved in many covert as well as overt operations pitting rebel groups, dissidents, political organizations in other countries for decades... Once more our President refuses to present any evidence of what he consistantly dangerously accuses nations of doing.... THIS IS BAD FOR NATIONAL SECURITY & A NO-BRAINER

[kailo6]

janem, I think the problem is that the Bush administration represents very, very big business, which has broken so many laws and done such really shocking things that it's easy to become paranoid. These people seem to have so few ethics that it's hard to tell where they would stop. Based on their domestic policies alone: repeal time and a half for over time, suppress raising the minimum wage, reduce benefits for veterans, relax safety standards for miners, increase arsenic in public drinking water, etc., etc., etc., it's clear they do not care about other human beings. This is not to even touch their horrible foreign "policies."

What I'm trying to say is, these folks will do absolutely anything to further their interests. They were around long before Bush was president, and he has been raised as one of them. Therefore, when someone is assassinated abroad and it just works out great for what Bush et al are trying to accomplish, many of us are starting to wonder if these folks were behind it. That doesn't mean they were. It has more to do with the levels to which we are worried they will stoop.

[j-whitman]

Kailo,,, Janem Cut & Ran

[antoniof123]

Did anyone except anything less than this to happen. With all this fighting going on it is a wonder that anyone would want to have children in this world. Oh well I guess that my time is getting up in years because now I really am starting to act like a Grandfather. Well, I saw it a long time ago it just goes to show you. We were left to work with from our parents was less than a straight line and now were are just like them.

[alphaa10-2009]

PC Hamiltongrad said, "ATTENTION PC LIBS:YOU CAN GENERALIZE-- Concerning generalizations, why not(?). You can not make any sensible judgment unless you can observe, and come to a conclusion... why not make other ethnic statements that follow emperical observations... Our Univeristies are teaching us to be stupid."
---

In your Philippic against generalization, you neglected to admit that your generalization about universities demonstrates the very thing you condemned-- ie. if Bush graduated from Yale, and Yale is a university, Yale made Bush stupid.

Bush, of course, early demonstrated his own limitations without heavy dependence on whatever he learned from Yale (Bush was president of his Yale-based "Animal House"-style fraternity, known for anything but scholarly focus), so Yale is off the hook. And I really do not expect to hear a roar of assent from you to this model of your proposition.

But having shown, if nothing else, the difficulty of truthful generalization, it is also clear all reasonable parties must agree a proposition fairly and truthfully represents the subject, and if they do not, that is why we discuss anything, after all, in pursuit of truth.

[j-whitman]

Alphaa,, How about this for a generalization,, 32-34% of Americans support Bush policies,, Most of Europe, Bush 41's Arab coalition says Bush 43's policies are wrong and endangering the region, the Far-East doesn't support his policies, Bush 43 Sandbags democrats with 470 Billion in unfinished spending bills including Veterans funding & school lunches,, Bush 43 aslo takes 7 Billion a month away from our military's modernization.

[j-whitman]

Alphaa,, Here's another generalization for you,,, WE ARE ALL LIBERALS

[j-whitman]

ACTUALLY,, IT'S RADICAL CHRISTIANITY AGAINST MUSLEMS

[j-whitman]

AND RADICAL REPUBLICANS AGAINST THE WORLD

[alphaa10-2009]

J.whitman said, (a lot of things)
---

Yes, all points well taken. In fact, some of the PC-GOP could have an argument with themselves. However, in line with the caveat about generalizations, they also would have to deal with those GOP members calling themselves true conservatives, among them the Buckleys, and John McCain (whose Heritage Foundation rating is higher than many GOP, including Bush).

Further, many, if not most, of the "liberal" side of the liberal-conservative spectrum have points of disagreement. If I am pro-life, for example, and/or have traditional Orthodox beliefs, that may not match what Hillary believes. So, one of the hardest things for outsiders to understand about this country is its diversity. Labels do not suffice for most intelligent and searching conversations with Americans.

The important thing for all of us is to subscribe to the rule of law for settling our differences, and working lawfully together, peacefully, instead of declaring a civil war. We once had a civil war, you know-- our most costly war in every respect.

[alphaa10-2009]

Hello to Lebanon22-11-- 3
Finally, imagine the situation in reverse-- an American student your age were to come to Lebanon, and this American student did not "look" Lebanese (if that might be possible), and suppose further that a group of young Lebanese happened to see him and presumed he was Jewish and threw rocks at him for what Israel did to their country. Would it be fair for him to say, "I hate all Lebanese, because now I know all Lebanese will throw rocks at me?"

I hope you visit this blog many times, because CBS is a great American news network with strong journalistic traditions, and enjoys a wide audience of Americans-- even Americans who are sometimes rude to those who disagree with them. I am glad you want to come to America-- perhaps one day, you may decide to live here, say, as a journalist for your country. Wouldn't that be an adventure? Just remember, deep down, most Americans believe in democracy, in fairness and want the world to live in peace-- even if that means loving their neighbors as themselves.

[alphaa10-2009]

Hello to Lebanon22-11-- 2
For better but not worse, this is what makes America so interesting to people all over the world-- someone in the United States is much like them, believes much as they do, and hopes to have a happy, peaceful life here. Most important, they expect a happy, peaceful life, even if the neighbors do not believe the same thing. You also may be surprised to learn Islam is one of the fastest growing religious groups in the United States, and most Muslims are very good people. I live near several, and one of them reminded me God is most pleased with prayers of simple gratitude.

So, in the same spirit, let me offer you something will help your feelings the next time anyone says hurtful things. Gandhi counseled a fellow Hindu to follow the commandment to "love your neighbor as yourself" and pray for them. God is pleased with that, surely.

[alphaa10-2009]

Lebanon22-11 said, "I read the comments,and I'm hurt cuz I'm Lebanese and I am a muslim,and I'm proud. I am 13 years old and I'm french educated and I'm really doing my best in the English class cuz since I was little,I've always wanted to come 2 the U.S and study, but u broke my dream, cuz I have no harm for the american people, ..."
---

Please accept my apology, and am sorry your feelings were hurt. You may wonder about America, but remember all Americans are not all the same-- just as all Lebanese or French or Syrians are not. So, please consider this possibility-- it may not be accurate to generalize about Americans, simply because one or two are not careful with their own reasoning and words. It also helps to remember, all of us on this blog do not agree with them, by any means. For that matter, you have only to read what they say on this blog about their own countrymen who disagree with them.

[lola12314a]

I have to agree with blondmadison. For the most part, the corrupt rich protect the interest of the rich, and I don't care what country you are in, they don't care about humanity. If I wanted to rule and become more rich and powerful, I would need most of the people to follow religious dogma, whether it be Christian, or Muslim. There is no room for free thinking, and questions, and you are just obliged to blindly follow. Most people are dying in the name of God or Allah, while the rich get richer, and the poor get poorer, or dead. Do you think the rulers at be care? I don't. They get what they want. And it will only change when we use reason instead of relgious dogma, and are free thinking, and speak up, and bring down pressure. I do support our troops, because we are free to speak these things, I'm saying, because we won't get killed for it, and I don't want another attack. We see what Moslem leaders are doing. I just question the motives of our own leaders. I am greatful for our troops and others there to fight to protect our freedoms. I just wish we would use reason to bring down pressure on our own leaders here at home to be more humane. There are too many things that are not Reason. We can try to speak up to bring changes now.

[alphaa10-2009]

Two possibilities with the Gemayel assassination--

1. The assassins have Syrian controllers, who are at odds with other Syrian factions, all fighting for Assad's attention. By reigniting the conflict in Lebanon between pro- and anti-Syrian groups, they hope to re-engage Syria in Lebanon. The condolences from Syria mean exactly nothing, except a reminder to anti-Syrian Lebanese of the Syrian plot against Rafik Hariri.

2. The assassins are a rogue, home-grown group sympathetic to Syria, in hopes its incendiary act leads Syria to re-enter the fray and intimidate the opposition.

Whatever the case, Bush and company did not help America's profile in Lebanon, in the least. In the annals of the Truly Astonishing, after Rice visited Lebanon and distributed warm fuzzies all around about Democracy, she proceeded to make monotonal "Give War a Chance" declarations while Israeli jets bombed Beirut neighborhoods. Perhaps Rice was simply unaware a group of American air freighters loaded with an urgent shipment of cluster bombs was headed for Israel, to be dropped in the very Lebanese neighborhoods she visited.

What is even more astonishing, however, is the concrete-for-brains attitude of whomever killed Gemayel. If they wanted American attentions, they could not have done more than renew their attacks in Lebanon. What they do not understand is Bush may be a political lame duck, but Americans are solidly behind Lebanese democracy-- and without the interference of Syria, thank you.

[krotec54]

I see Hezbolla taking over Lebanon, assasinating it's president, rallying the Arab States to make a final strike on Israel while hidding behind the Lebanese, and daring Israel to strike back again.
Syria needs Lebanon and the Golan Heights.

[bushrocks1]

Would I send my son to this war? You might ask would I send him to WW II? Or Vietnam? Maybe you would distinguish those conflicts and whether you would send your son to fight in them. But that question is misdirected in a very important way: I can't command my son to go to war. He has to make that choice. So the better question would be: would I volunteer to fight in Iraq, WW II, Vietnam? Would I volunteer to fight in any war? Respond if drafted? I don%u2019t know. I'm not equivocating, only addressing that it is a hypothetical. As a hypothetical, I can say, sure I'd fight. But I have nightmares of battle (from my past life as a Jacobite). So how do I feel toward those who do volunteer? Impressed and maturely knowing that many things go into their decision. But I do strongly believe that a country who can't find those men is doomed. The fact that we can find them is one reason why I say there is no failure in Iraq. Objectively, I also believe it for other reasons. An attempt to establish democracy in the Middle East is a bold, brilliant, noble effort, facing a high chance of failure. That's why I greatly respect and admire those who have made the attempt--the Bush administration. They have been resolute, something I have not seen in my lifetime. They may not succeed, for reasons outside their control or fault: traitors on the home front, being a big one. But now those traitors have apparently occupied the high ground. Yet... we're still in Iraq. Why?... I'm waiting.

[gaye5]

kailo6, there was no need to be nasty about my remark, which you have obviously taken the wrong way, I was praising the lad who I feel shows a good brain on him, what on earth is wrong with giving him the praise that I felt he deserved. And as I said,
"we in the west just want peace and that no system is perfect, then I explained how that was... then I tried to let the young man know why people are scared, so as he could understand some of the reaction of people. It was a very easy letter to read kailo6 and was meant one of encouragement and helping him to understand. I am sorry that you took offence at my note and sure hope that Lebanon22 didnt as no offence was meant..