shanawazt - I totally AGREE with you the US response to Gaza was pathetic and it's current tone to Israel is not strong enough. But frankly was the Arab response - broadly meaning Syria, Egypt, the GCC... any better? Lot of frustration in the Arab press at the time over the lack of unity in Arab response.

I'm not looking to start an argument with you have freely recognised the many problems the US has either caused or made worse by remarkably stupid and short-sighted actions in the region. However I do not think anyone can blame the US, or indeed the West, entirely for everything that has happened here... and when I hear rants like yours it drives me crazy, just as I expect you would be upset if I pointed that many fingers so generally at you.

I have not read the HRW report but HRW is an international organisation with an HQ that happens to be in the US. It is also calling for investigation of Bush's human rights abuses, as well as levelling charges against Nigeria, Russia, Chechnya, China, the Congo...

Let us hope together for improvements, including that a Palestinian state will be restored.

Salaam

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A wise young crackpot knows no fear - Ian Dury.