Good News in Lebanon....but

[Praxeas]

BEIRUT — Lebanon's pro-Western coalition declared victory early Monday, as local television stations reported the faction had successfully fended off a serious challenge by the Shiite militant group Hezbollah and its allies to grab the majority in parliament.

Official results for Sunday's election were not expected until later Monday, but the winners were already celebrating by shooting in the air, setting off fireworks and driving around in honking motorcades
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,525354,00.html


This is good..a good sign. However, I fear that the extremists will just resort to violance. Hezbollah is an out of control faction. It was them that attacked Israel, not the Lebanese government. I hope this does not come to pass but I have no doubt, after loosing in a legitemate process they will resort to illegitemate operations

[Aquila]

Thank God for those Muslims who are pro-Western and for peace. We need to hear their voices more.

[Praxeas]

Originally Posted by Aquila

Thank God for those Muslims who are pro-Western and for peace. We need to hear their voices more.

Not just "pro-western" but moderate even if they can't consciously be pro-western...Im not sure I am pro-western....I am certainly not anti-western though.

But more moderates need to speak up and take action

[Jermyn Davidson]

Originally Posted by Praxeas

1) This is good..a good sign.


2) I hope this does not come to pass but I have no doubt, after loosing in a legitemate process they will resort to illegitemate operations

1) I think the success of President Obama is part of the reason for this. Unfortunately, another Republican American President would have stirred up more resentment.

2) What can be done to keep them involved in peaceful operations? How are the Lebanese government failing to involve this significant portion of their population in a way that fosters socially acceptable behavior?

[Praxeas]

Originally Posted by Jermyn Davidson

1) I think the success of President Obama is part of the reason for this. Unfortunately, another Republican American President would have stirred up more resentment.

Success at what? BTW actually I don't see how Obama being president can help moderates somehow win an election.

2) What can be done to keep them involved in peaceful operations? How are the Lebanese government failing to involve this significant portion of their population in a way that fosters socially acceptable behavior?

The Lebanese government is over run with Hezbollah

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Praxeas

Success at what? BTW actually I don't see how Obama being president can help moderates somehow win an election.

It's called rhetoric. If we voted in McCain the extremist leaders would be chanting,

"See Americans hate Islam, Allah, and all who are for peace. An American Present unilaterally invaded the Arab world and declared war on Islam, and America voted in another man who is a man of war from the same party. We must take a stand against the Great Satan. This isn't a war against corrupt government, this is a war against the infidels who are determined to destabilize our region and destroy Islam. We must take a stand and attack American interests where ever they might be found. Martyrs shall be heartily rewarded by Allah!"

But we voted in a man who shares a bit of his heritage with Muslims. A man who respects Muslims and speaks peace to them. A man who looks like them. It completely disarmed the rhetoric of the Islamic extremists and now Pro-Western coalitions have some political ground to admonish them to work with America to bring peace and undo what President George Bush has done to their region. The Arab world views Republicans as Christian extremists bent on war and determined to destabilize their region and exploit oil resources. Voting in Obama completely pulled any legitimacy out of the rhetoric of Islamic Extremists.

The Lebanese government is over run with Hezbollah

I don't know about overrun. I'd say the Hezbollah has them under siege in some ways. But there's still hope.

[Praxeas]

Originally Posted by Aquila

It's called rhetoric. If we voted in McCain the extremist leaders would be chanting,

"See Americans hate Islam, Allah, and all who are for peace. An American Present unilaterally invaded the Arab world and declared war on Islam, and America voted in another man who is a man of war from the same party. We must take a stand against the Great Satan. This isn't a war against corrupt government, this is a war against the infidels who are determined to destabilize our region and destroy Islam. We must take a stand and attack American interests where ever they might be found. Martyrs shall be heartily rewarded by Allah!"

But we voted in a man who shares a bit of his heritage with Muslims. A man who respects Muslims and speaks peace to them. A man who looks like them. It completely disarmed the rhetoric of the Islamic extremists and now Pro-Western coalitions have some political ground to admonish them to work with America to bring peace and undo what President George Bush has done to their region. The Arab world views Republicans as Christian extremists bent on war and determined to destabilize their region and exploit oil resources. Voting in Obama completely pulled any legitimacy out of the rhetoric of Islamic Extremists.



I don't know about overrun. I'd say the Hezbollah has them under siege in some ways. But there's still hope.

Aquila.....the extremists want power. They don't give a hoot who the president is. They use America as their touch stone of rhetoric. Obama has nothing to do with this

Hezbollah has politicians in power in Lebanon. They are just like Hamas in Palestine

[n david]

Originally Posted by Jermyn Davidson

1) I think the success of President Obama is part of the reason for this. Unfortunately, another Republican American President would have stirred up more resentment.

What success has BHO had in the Mid-East? Nothing. Just elegant speeches with the help of the teleprompter.

Hold up, he did have some success ... he's alienated Israel and set them on edge.