Reply #60: There are two sides to this issue

[davidthegnome]

And I can really see the reason in both of them. Yes, the Palestinians should drop Hamas if at all possible - but while this blockade is maintained it makes sense to rely on a more militant form of government. Not that Hamas would be able to really stop a full force ground invasion in any event.

Of course there have been far more civilian casualties in Gaza. Israel has superior firepower and technology. It stands to reason that if this were reversed, however, Hamas would be far less merciful. No, that doesn't justify the overwhelming civilian casualties in Gaza.

It's hard for me to really decide where I stand on this issue. Frankly I don't particularly like or care for the politics of either. I'd like to see a lasting peace, but it's unlikely that we ever will. These are two opposing forces that (generally speaking) hate each other so much that open conflict seems the only possible solution.

They've been fighting for ages, and will most likely still be fighting for many years to come. Half-hearted peace efforts and throwing money at the problem isn't going to solve it.

In any event, I like Kucinich a lot and he was my first choice too. It's a shame there aren't more like him in positions of authority. I think a UN probe is a good idea.