Reply #118: I can't support Wes's position on this....

[Totally Committed]

I have two friends. One is from Lebanon and one is from Israel.

My Lebanese friend was here for the funeral of a mutual friend when the current fighting broke out. He has not been able to return. From phone calls to Lebanon, he's learned he's lost everything. His business, his home are gone. His family and friends are scattered and displaced, the lucky ones to other countries, but most to relatives homes in the hills to the north. He is a good man. He works hard, has two post-graduate degrees, and always displayed a small American flag on his desk in his office. He despised Hezbollah.

My Israeli friend is a fervent believer in peace, and is part of the Peace Movement there. She believes that the Palestinians deserve their own land and that the settlers are wrong when they steal land to settle on. She is a strong believer in co-existence and mutual respect. Her home and everything she owned is gone because of a Hezbollah rocket. Had she not been at work when it hit her home, she would be dead.

Both of these people are hard working, intelligent, gentle people. And, both feel Hezbollah needs to be dealt with. But, neither of them feels what Israel has done of late is the correct way to deal with the situation. And, they both feel betrayed by and resentful of the American politicians who are now handing out their "opinions" freely without having to live with the consequences they now have to live with for the rest of their lives.

These stories are just a way of putting some perspective on what I am about to say. And here it is:

As most on this board know, I have been a Wes Clark supporter for a very long time... back to his "draft", in fact. I believed then, as I believe now that he is a good, decent, honest, and peaceful man. I believed then, as I believe now that he would be a great President. That having been said, I must say that his quotes in this article, as they are presented (I will be looking for a fuller, more complete position later on) disappoint me in the extreme. I wrote yesterday about Kerry's comments about Limbaugh that they weren't correct because they seemed to be boasting about putting weapons in the hands of Israel while civilians on both sides of the conflict were dying and/or losing everything. And so, when I see the man I have supported make statements I don't agree with, I have two choices: I can pretend I didn't come here at all today... that I never saw them, and quietly allow this thread to pass. Or I can do what my personal integrity says I must and weigh in on this subject.

Personal integrity aside, somoene who is a friend started this thread, and with that I feel a sort of gauntlet has been tossed at my feet to repsond. So, I've decided to weigh in.

I feel the comments Wes made, as they are presented in this article, do not represent my opinion on this subject. I disagree with him. Do I still respect and admire him? Indeed, I do. Am I disappointed in what I've read here? Yes, I am. Very. His comments in that article are uncharcteristically one dimensional, and one-sided. I see none of his usual compassion there. All this leads me to believe they are incompletel and cherry-picked, but as they are expressed here, I must break with him, and say I can't support what he's said.

For those on either side who feel they must attack me for that, I will tell you I have no joy in doing or saying this. I have loved and supported Wes loyally for years now, and I respect so many of the people in the Clark camp. But, I must say that I stand on the side of disarmament, diplomacy, and peace-making now. I find the current carnage ON BOTH SIDES reprehensible. And I am siding with all the civilians who are suffering, whether they are there now, in the midst of war or here, with no way to go back and gather friends and family and make sure of their safety. It all appalls me. It's all no fine with me. None of it is okay. And, no one, including Wes, who backs the actions of either side in this horrendous bullshit fighting is correct in my eyes. I cannot support his position in this matter.

My heart is so heavy right now, I can't write another word.

TC