And best of all it's all posted in one place! On the CBS News web page there are two articles linked; one a
news lead out of Israel, the other a
bullshit opinion piece from the NRO. Taken together, the constitute some of the most humorous reading you're likely to do today, under the heading of 'What Planet did you wake up on this morning'?
Gil Troy,
shilling writing for the NRO, glowingly effuses over the high-spirited solidarity among the Israelis evacuated ahead of the Hezbollah rocket attacks. So
inspiring. Makes you want to go be a refugee yourself, just to be able to enjoy the camaraderie of the air raid shelters:
In visiting air bases, the front lines, and the home front, all I heard was "ein breira": We have no alternative. There were expressions of patience, determination, and a renewed idealism.
'Whatever we have to endure for the good of the Mutter Country', apparently. How very - oh, what's the word? -
communistic of them. And after all, we all know how supportive the NRO is of
that particular philosophy. But perhaps the engagement with Hezbollah is just what the Israelis have been needing:
Just as Osama Bin Laden imposed a sense of camaraderie on Americans after 9/11, Israelis are now determined, united, and focused. They healed the searing wounds of last August's Gaza disengagement (ed: It's Not fighting that wounds! Who knew?) and resolutely faced the threat posed not just by their nihilistic (ed: Wait, I thought nihilists didn't believe in religion??) neighbors, but by the dastardly manipulators in Syria and Iran.
Those Dastards! Or perhaps (back in the Reality-based universe) Shill Gil Troy just hasn't been talking to a representative sample.
The news piece, entitled "Olmert tries to defuse anger over war", discusses the negative opinion that has formed in Israel since the invasion and the potential impact on the ruling government. (for those of you overwrought with worry, it doesn't look like this scandal will cause the Kadima party to collapse) Contrary to the sunny situation so glowing described in the NRO, the focus group people of Israel seem to think things did not go so well:
The war, launched in response to a Hezbollah raid in which two soldiers were captured and three killed, initially enjoyed broad public support that withered as the fighting dragged on and the Israeli death toll grew. Critics said Israel's political and military leaders were indecisive, set unrealistic goals and settled for an insufficient truce.
The harshest criticism has come from reserve soldiers, who form an integral part of the military. Reservists returning from Lebanon complained about poor command and a lack of food, water and equipment.
"No goal was achieved. ... Nothing was done in this war," Roni Elmakyes, whose son Omri was killed in the fighting, told Israel Radio.
But then, who really cares what people think, so long as the Neo-cons can claim some small victory out of it? I have to give Mr. Troy credit for one thing though. He certainly has a good sense of who is paying him and is at least 'reality based' enough to give them what they want to hear.
A+ to Gil Troy for effort and creativity. It must be hard work to take a steaming pile of horse shit and sell it as fresh oats.