Sandmonkey Discussion

Not really an initial post but a thought. I mostly keep myself occupied with forums. However, I would like to start consolidating my positions in a single thought. So no better place to cut and paste my other rantings and ravings than a ... shudder... blog.

Here it is:


This is such a sticky mess. Every day reveals not only another layer but adds another as well.

In terms of folks rising up within Lebanon to put down the Hezabollah...

That's really really hard. Especially when the standing militia has superior weapons. In modern warfare, the lesser force will take such dramatic damage in the initial foray that true success for the lesser force can't really come about without tacit support from an external, well armed, force. Even then, there usually is enough loose ends left afterwards by PREMATURE conclusion to conflict (by way of the UN and the 'international' community) that a low grade war will be forever fought. Unfortunately, with low grade wars over generations it leads to radicalism, despotism and extreme proverty. So even if the folks in Lebanon rose up against Hezbollah the conclusion they are seeking - a stable and healthy nation - would never come about.

Unfortunately battles like this continue to radicalize all those who observe it, experience it and are part of it. I am *almost* of the mind to say that Lebanon as a nation doesn't exist and they should redraw the lines to better reflect the factions and population. If even a government with the ability to monitor it's borders is offensive to a large bulk of the population then it might be high time to say this won't ever work. Then again - that's the observations of this eternal conflict manipulating my emotions to lend itself to cynical thoguht.

Whatever the outcome, let's hope it's fully realized.

-v.