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June 27, 2006
Giuliani and History
My latest column on Giuliani's 2008 presidential prospects is up at the American Spectator site.
An excerpt:
With Rudy Giuliani crisscrossing the country in support of Republican candidates and raising money for his new political action committee, it is beginning to look inevitable that he will seek the presidency in 2008. Despite his lead in many early polls, skeptics still dismiss his chances of winning the Republican nomination given his personal background and liberal views on social issues. There is no doubt that these will be obstacles for Giuliani, but compared to the forces that will propel him into the White House, they are small potatoes.
As the saying goes, read the whole thing.
Posted by Philip Klein at 1:29 AM | Comments (1)
June 16, 2006
Berg's Post-Traumatic Bush Disorder
In my latest Spectator column, I explore the pyschology of Michael Berg and the radical anti-Bush left.
Posted by Philip Klein at 12:45 AM | Comments (1)
June 10, 2006
Hamas Ends Truce
This news is no surprise. The best way that Hamas can win back the support of the West is to kill Israelis so that Israel has no choice but to respond, leading to images of Israeli tanks rolling into Palestinian villages, and using that as propaganda to make Israel look like the aggressor. It also helps them gain an upper hand in the internal struggle against rival Fatah by showing themselves to be more willing to kill Israelis.
According to Hamas, the inciting incident was an errant Israeli artillery shell that killed 7 Palestinian beachgoers in Gaza. A tragedy no doubt, but that's what happens when Israel is forced to respond to the daily rocket attacks directed toward Israel from Gaza.
It's also worth contrasting the way Israelis view innocent life, with the way Palestinians do.
In response to the incident, Israelis expressed deep regret, saying:
"Harming innocent civilians is of course totally unacceptable and we will do whatever we can to avoid civilian loss of life," said Mark Regev, an Israeli foreign ministry spokesman.
A skeptic may argue that, "Of course Israel is going to say that publicly for PR reasons, any government would to make themselves look better."
But I know one government that wouldn't issue such a statement--the Hamas-led government of the Palestinians. Back in April, Palestinian suicide bombers specifically targeted civilians, killing nine people by a Tel Aviv fast food stand. Far from condemning the attack, the Palestinian government said it was self-defense:
Hamas spokesman Sami abu-Zohari said that the attack was an act of self defense: "Our public is carrying out defensive fighting and it has every right to use all means to defend itself."
Back then, many Israelis wanted a stronger response to the attack by Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's new government, but the government decided to show restraint instead:
Israel's leaders held the Hamas-led Palestinian government responsible Tuesday for the deadliest suicide bombing in 20 months, but decided against a large-scale military operation in an attempt to avoid escalating violence.
Meanwhile, today the so-called militant "wing" of Hamas has vowed more such suicide bombings are on the way:
"The earthquake in the Zionist towns will start again and the aggressors will have no choice but to prepare their coffins or their luggage."
Stay tuned.
Posted by Philip Klein at 11:54 AM | Comments (0)
June 6, 2006
Marriage and the States
With the Marriage Amendment up for a vote in the Senate today, I argue in favor of leaving marriage to the states in my latest column for the American Spectator.
Posted by Philip Klein at 12:11 AM | Comments (1)