Category Archives: Foreign
Hamas and the Iron Dome
Hamas has fired over 1200 rockets claiming “every Israeli is a legitimate target”. So far only one “legitimate target” has been killed. That’s because of Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense.
Israel doesn’t consider individual Palestinians “legitimate targets”. Before striking back at Hamas it warned civilians with pamphlets and phone calls. Hamas responded by telling them to stay in place as human shields.
Charles Krauthammer writes in the Washington Post, “Rarely does international politics present a moment of such moral clarity”:
“Here’s the difference between us,” explains the Israeli prime minister. “We’re using missile defense to protect our civilians, and they’re using their civilians to protect their missiles.”
Hamas and the Iron Dome
William Saletan in Slate says there’s plenty to argue about in Gaza, “But one thing should be clear to everyone: Hamas is insane. It’s destroying Gaza.”
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, is perplexed:
“What are you trying to achieve by sending rockets?” he asked rhetorically in a TV interview. In another appearance, he pleaded: “We are the losing side, and every minute there are more and more unnecessary deaths. … I don’t like trading in Palestinian blood.”
The Guardian disagrees. Seumas Milne says, “The idea of Israel defending itself from unprovoked attacks is absurd.”
The Border is Secure
Don’t worry. Be Happy. The Border is secure. Harry Reid says so. The White House isn’t so sure.
Dr. Krauthammer thinks the Senate Majority Leader is off his meds.
Chicago Mayhem
Why are all those kids showing up at the border? The New York Times says they’re escaping gang violence in big cities in El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala.
Chicago
Should some of them find their way to Chicago they can enjoy the blessings of liberty while feeling right at home. Over the Fourth of July weekend 17 people were murdered and 82 wounded by gunfire in Chicago.
Update:
Looks like some have found their way to Chicago.
Beer Billiards Border
Moving on from broncos, beer and billiards in Denver, the president attended more fundraisers in Texas. But still no run for the Border Crises. He did propose that Congress throw $4 billion at the problem. When Governor Perry suggested he use his executive power to solve the problem he demurred, saying that when he acts on his own he gets sued.
Undocumented Children
Fifty-two thousand undocumented children have crossed the border so far this year. A union spokesman for the Border Patrol claims agents are now spending most of their time babysitting. Families in Central America believe the children will get asylum as refugees. An LA Times story documents that deportations have fallen under the Obama administration.
Under the Clinton administration the border patrol forcibly seized an undocumented Cuban political refugee. 
That was six year old Elian Gonzalez. Elian wasn’t living at government expense. He was living with relatives in Miami. His mother had drowned during their escape from Cuba. Fidel Castro publicly insisted that Elian be returned to his estranged father in Cuba and AG Janet Reno complied.
