Palestinian Elections

[Az]

Wait, we can't kill members of a gov't? If they're in the security cabinet, and the PA is in a state of war with us, we can, as they are part of the chain of command. If they're doing some "extra-curricular activity", we also, can, for the same reason.

[Az]

you do have to wonder, though.

Sweden's foreign minister, Laila Freivalds, said Hamas' showing was "a protest against those in power who have not done enough, a reaction to the incapacity to lead the political process forward."

a reaction to the inapacity to lead the political process forward is electing Hamas?

[Last Conformist]

Originally posted by Az
you do have to wonder, though.

Sweden's foreign minister, Laila Freivalds, said Hamas' showing was "a protest against those in power who have not done enough, a reaction to the incapacity to lead the political process forward."

a reaction to the inapacity to lead the political process forward is electing Hamas?

Far be it from me to defend Ms Freivalds, but I don't see your problem with this statement of hers. Do you really think Hamas had done this well if Fatah had been more successful at negotiating a political solution?

[Az]

Yes, but that's not what she's saying. She's saying that disappointed with Fatah's ability to wage peace ( i.e. they want more active negotiations ), they've voted in a party known for nothing else but waging a criminal war.

Had she said that the palestinians were disappointed with the peace process in general, and thus chose Hamas, it would've made sense internally, even if wasn't really correct.

[Last Conformist]

Originally posted by Az
Yes, but that's not what she's saying. She's saying that disappointed with Fatah's ability to wage peace ( i.e. they want more active negotiations ), they've voted in a party known for nothing else but waging a criminal war.

And your problem with this is?

[Az]

if you're disapponted with someone's ability to do A, it means that you wanted him to do A. not -A. thus, you elect someone who you think can achieve A better, not -A.

[KrazyHorse]

Or, you don't think about whether his opposition can do A, and are simply punishing him for failing to do A

Voter revenge is a very real phenomenon

[Last Conformist]

What KH said.

[molly bloom]

Originally posted by Az
Wait, we can't kill members of a gov't?

Only your own. Play fair.

[Az]

Maybe. I do feel that all of this is rubbish. My explanation: The last elections were 10 years ago, when the euphoria of the triumphant return of Fatah was still very much alive. I'd say that Fatah lost their majority a long time ago.

[Imran Siddiqui]

And like they say "Only Nixon could go to China".

[Az]

Only your own. Play fair.

Their questionable dietary habits seem to be doing the job just as well, it seems. In any case, I don't think that members of the security cabinet, or "interpreneurial types" are immune.

And like they say "Only Nixon could go to China".

And only Begin could give back the Sinai.
And only Rabin could've met with Arafat.
And only Sharon could dismantle the Gaza settlements.

And only Arafat could've ended terr.. wait, that doesn't work. Actually, it seems that there are no such thing as sobered up old men on the other side.

[molly bloom]

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui
And like they say "Only Nixon could go to China".

And also:

Birds of a feather flock together.

It takes a thief to catch a thief.

Like goes to like.

A rolling stone refuses no drug.




Err, perhaps not the last one....


Mao: "So, hijacked the government yet ?"

Nixon: " You got it easy, you ***%$3 mother!!$%%."

[Imran Siddiqui]

And only Begin could give back the Sinai.
And only Rabin could've met with Arafat.
And only Sharon could dismantle the Gaza settlements.

And only Arafat could've ended terr.. wait, that doesn't work. Actually, it seems that there are no such thing as sobered up old men on the other side.

How about: Only Arafat could negotiate with Isreal

[Arrian]

Baby steps.

Hamas, if it wishes to receive aid, can take the baby step of recognizing Israel. Recognizing Israel does not mean they surrender their claim to the West Bank or even the right of return (which is a pipe dream, but that's another matter). It just means they accept reality and are willing to pursue a negotiated settlement.

Refusing to do that is a... hey, I can use this one too!... de facto declaration of war. They are not just a fringe group anymore - they are the majority party in the government of Palestine (such as it is).

-Arrian