Regarding the Middle East and who is right: Both are wrong...very wrong. With that, I am not saying that the U.S. shouldn't support Israel as a nation, because I think they should. Why? Because Israel is the closest think to a democratic, western Nation in all of the Middle East. This is important because religeous freedom and stability does not exist in most (maybe all) of the Arab nations. That is politically why Israel must be supported. Teh Palestinians have no real government...and the spokesman for the Palestinians can't be trusted, politically.

I question the motivation in the west's support of the "state of Israel" in the 1940's as it was, in part, based on what I believe to be incorrect interpretation of the Bible (perceived prophesy). But it is unreasonably to think that going back to pre-1948 is the right thing to do. Would any of us want to go back to pre-1776 America?

Like many parts of the world, the real battle is over religeon and based on hatred of people who aren't just like you. The Palestinians clearly have no regard for the lives of Israeli citizens and Israel has treated non-Jews poorly because Israel has little motivation to treat non-Israelies any different.

Also, since Palestinians have no more hsitoric right to land that anyone else, Why don't the other established Arab countires provide a place for them? Does Jordan or Syria, Egypt or Saudia Arabia really want a Palestinian State? Maybe, but I'm not sure that there is a load of evidence that it has been a top priority.

The question that we should ask in all of this is: What is the common thread? Why is Christianity limited in Egypt, the Sudan and other Northern Arfican countries? Why, did the Taliban destroy ancient religious symbols in Afghanistan. Why are Jews hated and Christian persecuted in so many Muslim countries?

Liberal thought will tell you that it is because the big bad U.S of A has pushed these countries to the brink or that it's all about oil. It's all about religion. There may be some side issues, but the core issue is clear, I believe.

That brings me back to the original point and the other reason to support Israel. the philosophy of Israel isn't to persecute or hate or limit Christians because they believe in Jesus. I'm not sure you can say that about several Muslim countries.

Now that's why that the liberal minds are partly right here (of course, they're still wrong about everything else) ... it is about oil. If the US didn't need the Arab countries and the elite power brokers of those countries didn't get rich off of US oil need/desire, how much would the situation change? Drilling in ANWR? It would have helped, but the US should start to focus on renewable energy and greatly reducing the need for foriegn oil. relying on Mexico and Russia might help, but it just puts us in the same sitiation only different faces.

For you have been born again not of perishable seed,
but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of
God. (1 Peter 1:23)

All that foreign oil controlling American soil, Look around you, it's just bound to make you embarrassed. Sheiks walkin' around like kings, wearing fancy jewels and nose rings, Deciding America's future from Amsterdam and to Paris And there's a slow, slow train comin' up around the bend.

Man's ego is inflated, his laws are outdated, they don't apply no more, You can't rely no more to be standin' around waitin' In the home of the brave, Jefferson turnin' over in his grave, Fools glorifying themselves, trying to manipulate Satan And there's a slow, slow train comin' up around the bend.
-Bob Dylan

But lest we get too much of a desire to get involved in this:

They say that patriotism is the last refuge
To which a scoundrel clings.
Steal a little and they throw you in jail,
Steal a lot and they make you king.
There's only one step down from here, baby,
It's called the land of permanent bliss.
What's a sweetheart like you doin' in a dump like this?
-Bob Dylan