It looks as if it was a landslide for the Tiny Minority of Extremists: "Hamas Wins Landslide 76 Seats," from AP. Note something that Ashrawi says: "The Americans insisted on having the election now." Indeed, the Americans did, operating out of the widely held fantasy that free elections are a good thing in themselves, and that voters, out of the natural longing for freedom in every human heart, will always reject tyranny and hatred and fanaticism at the ballot box.
Unfortunately, reality is neither that simple nor that comforting. As I argued here several years ago (my section is "No," starting on page two), as long as the idea that Islamic Sharia is the law of God remains strong in Islamic countries, they will not be interested in exchanging it for laws based on human consensus. And, I might add -- and as today's news shows us -- Muslims who believe this will use their vote to choose Sharia when they have the chance. The fact that this is their democratic choice should not be comforting, for it is a choice for the institutionalized oppression of women and religious minorities.
RAMALLAH, West Bank - The Islamic militant Hamas won a landslide victory in Palestinian parliamentary elections, winning 76 seats in the 132-member legislature, election officials said Thursday. The rival Fatah Party, which controlled Palestinian politics for four decades, won 43 seats.Hamas supporters raised their flag over the Palestinian parliament and rushed into the building amid clashes with Fatah loyalists a day after winning parliamentary elections.
The two camps threw stones at each other, breaking windows in the building, as Fatah supporters briefly tried to lower the green Hamas banners. The crowd of about 3,000 Hamas backers cheered and whistled as activists on the roof of the parliament raised the Hamas banner again....
Palestinian legislator Hanan Ashrawi, who apparently was re-elected on a moderate platform, said the Hamas victory was a dramatic turning point. She said she is concerned the militants will impose their fundamentalist social agenda and lead the Palestinians into international isolation.
She said Fatah's corruption, Israel's tough measures and international indifference to the plight of the Palestinians were to blame for Hamas' strong showing.
Washington miscalculated in pushing for the vote, as part of its pro-democracy campaign in the Arab world, she said. "The Americans insisted on having the election now, so they have to respect the results of the election, as we all do," she said.
Israel has repeatedly asked Abbas to force Hamas and other militant groups to disarm but Abbas has refused, warning such an act could cause civil war.
Robert -- I clicked on the link ("here") and read every exegetical word under that great big "No" -- words written about a week after the American entry into Iraq. Now how many soldier's lives, how much money, how much desert-degraded materiel, might have been saved if, instead of going for Iraq the Light Unto the Muslim Nations, Bush -- when he declared in May 2003 that it was now "Mission Accomplished" -- had been capable of understanding that that was indeed the case, or a few months from it, and that it was time not to unpack and start building that $595 milliion dollar Embassy in Baghdad, but to quickly comb every weapons dump, kill or capture whoever could be killed or captured in the old regime, and then, by year's end, leave.
It's never too late to listen to reason, to stop obstinately standing not on ceremony but embarrassedly on a naive policy, not too late to get those American soldiers out of harm's way from everybody and his brother, and everybody's mortal enemy, and everybody's brother's mortal enemy, all fighting each other and the Americans (some by hook, and some by crook) clinging to the Iraqi tarbaby. And if someone -- a general who instead of being resigned to the nonsense he is forced to support decides to resign and make a statement instead -- will only stand up and declare the Iraqi Tarbaby for what it is, that will help prevent its turning into the La Brea tar pits, where the skeletons of a fossilized American policy, now become in truth a full-fledged fossil, are left for future historians to unearth, and analyze, in amazement.
The 'Palestinians' should be made to suffer the consequences of choosing a terrorist organisation for governmental representation. All jizya should refuse to be paid effectively immediately. They must be forced to understand that a civilised society does not demand the destruction of another sovereign country. Let the Palis ferment in their self-induced squalor for a few years until their lives become more rancid than it already is. Israel will, no doubt, continue be blamed for continued Pali poverty and hopelessness but at some point in the future, they will take responsibility for their own actions - and only when they 'adjust' Islam and choose to follow a path of creating better lives for their children rather than the barbaric, mass murder of innocent civilians, will things change.
"The two camps threw stones at each other, breaking windows in the building..."
Ahh, the sweet sound of Democracy in the Middle East. Wait till they have to resolve their first bill in committee, then it'll be time for the sartorial debate between Kalashnikov and Molotov.
It should be very interesting to see what Hamas does now that they are in charge of the Palestinian territories,and How much of a hand in that Iran will have.
I feel this is a major blow to the peace efforts over there.
How sad. What a great deal of suffering we will see. More killing, more death. More territory for Iran's sphere of influence.
I'm also afraid for Bethlem and Nazareth now they're in Hamas hands. Jesus! Protect your People in Israel and all over the world.
Robert, when are we going to realize this is not a geographic distinction with Hamas=good, Muslim brotherhood=fair, Bin Laden=bad. The same mindset that wants to discuss with Hamas their expected 'moderation' and blasts Mubarak for 'oppression' is the same mindset that makes a distinction between Al Quida as if they operate in a vacumn. I'm actually more optimistic because this makes those who make distinction between one set of Jihadists from the others, who live in an Oslo fairy tale version of Israeli-arab peace . . . kind of like Danny Ackroyd and Jim Belushi in that film extoling, "I hate Illinois Nazis . . . Illinois nazis are the worst." They look like fools. The mouthpieces at state telling us democracy is the way, if only the people could vote, the light onto the nations Iraqi model, the Oslo can't we all get along model look like what they are, fools. This is not mean, it's sad in a way, but true. This is not to say let us attack and use military force against Jihadism, but it is to say this is the problem, this religion is a big freaking problem . . . there is none bigger today. Elections like those with Hamas and even Iraq and what they will sow opens our eyes. It is a painful, slow process, painful and slow because it is against our natural optimistic nature of man and religion to believe that a creed could be so corrupting.
Oh dear, you are right! What will happen to the birthplace of Jesus Christ? We know what they did to the Church of the Nativity... Lord have mercy!
Indeed, the Americans did, operating out of the widely held fantasy that free elections are a good thing in themselves, and that voters, out of the natural longing for freedom in every human heart...
That's another thing Bush said today that made me wince while watching the press conference: "Peace is never dead, because people want peace."
Or do they? Before or after their enemy is "wiped off the map?"
Hugh
I salute you : agree with just about every word.
Expect lots of flak from 'Rednecks' in Cyberspace
though... ONCE A BRAINWASHED MUSLIM = HEROIN ADDICTION,CHANCES OF A RECOVERY PRACTICALLY NIL.
This is what the West continually fails to comprehend as it blindly & pathetically holds DEMOCRACY as a carrot-to people who have scarcely heard of the word let alone have any intention of implementing it. Besides their Religion is not and never has been, nor will be COMPATIBLE WITH DEMOCRACY.
Let's look at the bright side of this. Until now, the PA under Fatah has been paid the Jiziya, using Hamas and PIJ as the bogey. Result has been more cash to al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, and the hotel expenses of Suha Arafat, amongst other things.
At least with Hamas in the drivers seat, those amongst the infidels who bought the Palestinian taqqiya hook, line & sinker about them accepting Israel should be disabused of this notion. There should also be less pressure on Israel to withdraw from any more terretory. We can also see an Islamic Palestine in action, and with that, IslamoChristian support for Palestinians against Israel should be re-drirected against the PA, and then, there might be pressure at least from places like the Vatican on the PA to stop abusing Christian sites like Bethlehem & Nazareth. Of course, no one should expect France or Russia to be any different. Also, a Hamas regime would be more closely connected to Iran & Syria, and should therefore automatically earn the opprobrium of the US, if not the entire West.
The other salutary effect of this should be that on the Israeli elections in March. Go, Likud!
Methinks a serious conservative, or even a liberal with no animus against Bush (if there is one), might wonder if the neocon democratization project was not a serious blunder. And not just in Palestine! Now we are too bogged down in Iraq to deal with Iran, who is gaining influence over Iraq thanks to us.
Well, the thinking people here know this. It just shows how ironical history can be. The neocon experiment may prove a disaster, but not for the reasons the Bush-hating liberals gave.
BTW, I never doubted the sincerity of Bush and the neocons. But sincerity is not enough in the ruthless world of global politics.
So much for 'liberal' vs. 'conservative'! Nobody has a monopoly on idiocy.
here's my prediction on what will happen over the next few months
1. Hamas goes into government. starts implementing sharia law
2. secular PLO resist - civil war breaks out - Fatah defeated.
3. Hamas abolish further elections - sharia law imposed as THE law.
4. In the face of a torrent of attacks, the Israelis just give up and send in the entire army, clearing out the gaza strip and expelling 1 million palestinians to Egypt.
gaza strip is annexed by israel. west bank too. palestinians in the west bank expelled to jordan.
end of palestinian "problem". why? cos all the palestinians are now on arab territory.
sorry. its bleak - and thousands will die. but thats the way its looking right now.
By Emanuele Ottolenghi
"Contrary to initial responses, Hamas’s projected victory in the Palestinian parliamentary elections is a positive development. Not, as its apologists claim, because the proximity of power will favor a process of cooptation into parliamentary politics, and therefore strengthen the pragmatic wing of Hamas. There is no pragmatic wing in Hamas, and all differences within the movement — the armed wing and the political wing, Palestine Hamas and Hamas in Syria — are arguably tactical differences. No, the reason is, as Vladimir Ilich Lenin would put it, "worse is better.""
(continued)
http://nationalreview.com/comment/ottolenghi200601261002.asp
Islam is inherently ANTI-DEMOCRACY. There is nothing that can change this.
However, when a clearly and flagrantly true-blue TERRORISM ORGANIZATION such as HAMAS seizes political power (even as here in Palestine where it was elected) there is only ONE appropriate response the western democracies can enact: DENY ANY AND ALL FOREIGN AID to the Islamic state being ruled by the terrorist group. Here that would of be course the Palestinian Authority.
Attempting to bring democracy to the Middle East may have resulted in one (unexpected and so far unrealized--but I think we need to give it time) benefit to the region: awakening a desire in the populace being tyrannized by Islam to find a life that does not include having one's life reduced to a cipher by this malignant ideology.
I suspect it is possible that democratic trappings can enable at least a few of Islam's enslaved masses to look beyond the horrors ladled out by their "religion" to realize the prospect of leaving Islam and finding a life of one's own.
hmm, so I guess seeing the "Palestinians" dance with joy on 9-11 wasn't enough for some people to understand the nature of this beast.
There's an old buddhist saying- the unenlightened see only what they wish to see. No doubt the airhead liberals, including ol jimmy carter, will somehow try to intellectually temper hamas's great victory.
Does this win mean "Palestinian" women/girls will have to be circumcised....?
I just love how people put so much faith in the power of DEMOCRACY.
But the democracy experiment failed long ago because if democracy always produced the correct or 'right' end result then Barabas would not have been set free and Jesus Christ would never have been crucified.
If the majority all vote for what is wrong, it still doesn't make it right.
Period.
America is about to learn a very hard lesson for pushing this false doctrine of democracy. America should enfore the law of God just like Hamas is about to enforce Sharia law. The only difference is that the TRUE law of God promotes love, peace, mercy, and brotherhood where sharia law promotes discrimination, violence, 'honor' killings, death penalties for rape victims, suicide bombings,etc... the morbid list goes on and on.
Open up your eyes, people, and see that this is a spiritual battle. Islam is Satan's counterfeit religion. The Koran is his counterfeit bible, Mohammed is his false prophet, and he will not stop until he either annihilates the world or subjegates it to his demented will.
But we should not hate our deceived muslim brothers but rather pray for them that they come to the truth before it is too late. Pray that those who believe in democracy more than the Word of God do the same.
Only then will the world know true peace.
If not, then may God have mercy on us all
-archduke
Bang on mate. That's the only endgame, bar Israel's slow death by attrition. Which will it opt for? Send the jordyptians back where they came from. The so-called "Palestinians" never had any intention of peace, they are literally the invaders and must be repelled. The intl. community will scream blue murder for a few years until they get used to real peace, then everyone will wonder why they put up with arab zionism in the first place. The Palestinian people are the Jews, and always have been. The occupying jihadist arabs should be forced back into their own territories. If they don't want to live in a pluralistic multi-ethnic society then that's their decision. Fudge 'em.
I'm also afraid for Bethlem and Nazareth now they're in Hamas hands. Jesus! Protect your People in Israel and all over the world.
Posted by: Gabriele67 at January 26, 2006 03:07 PM
BUT??
This is what the Christians in the USA and Europe have worked for for so long at the many deaths of Israelis. Yes how many times have we heard that it is just a few ??
How many times have we heard it was not all of the palis but they really want peace??
How many times have we spanked Israel from fighting back because of what they were saying??
WELL NOW THE VEIL IS OFF AND THE COOKIE HAS DISIPEARED..
Looks like it IS what the palis want is WAR and there is no denieing it anymore YES DEN-ASs ROSS WAS WRONG WRONG WRONG!!
Even some Israelis had started to believe the lies well now the veil is off..
Posted by: Morgane at January 26, 2006 03:39 PM
You say Hugh is right well do you think he is willing to go the Distance to do what really needs to be done but must not be spoken?..
I have a feeling the world is not willing or ready and this is why Iran is making their move.
Like in WW2 the world gave up the Jews to have their stuffs and you have to ask yourself have they changed.[ I CAN'T SEE IT]
Will the American People be happy to have higher prices for Car gas for heating oil and even if the USA is willing to suffer a little for this war what about the Europeans are they willing to fight or will they be taken over like in WW2!!
NO I think ham-as win is a good thing because it removes the veil!!!
Now if the palis attack Israel I hope they[Israel] take out every oil rig in the mulsum countries remember the west will screw Israel has been doing so for years!!
Ask yourself are you ready to do what needs to be done is Hugh??
Part of the American Tribe
Squirrel Hunter
Spider Killer
GOD BLESS THE USA AND HER FIGHTING FORCES AND ALL WHO FIGHT WITH HER GIVE THEM STRENGTH, WISDOM, SIGHT, AND COURAGE TO DESTROY ALL ISLAMIC TERRORIST AND ALL WHO SUPPORT THEM OPEN THE WORLDS EYES TO THEIR THREAT GIVE THE WORLD COURAGE TO STAND TOGETHER TO FIGHT THIS EVIL AMEN
Strange kind of indifference, this, and not much of a plight.
The "Palestinians", whose "plight", if it is not self-inflicted, is the fault of other Arabs, have received hundreds of millions in handouts from the "indifferent" Europeans and Americans. The "international community" idolises this dysfunctional bunch of terrorists, terrorist sympathisers, and terrorist breeders, and excuses their every crime.
Hamas is just more honest than Fatah. They all want Israel destroyed; some are more impatient than others. No more aid - let them face the consequences of their actions and inadequacies. And finish the fence.
Hamas is just more honest than Fatah. They all want Israel destroyed; some are more impatient than others. No more aid - let them face the consequences of their actions and inadequacies. And finish the fence.\
the above by "Interested" is quite true. now The West has to stop giving the millions and millions to this place, and let them get their money from Iran!
I noticed that "Umm Nidal," the mother-of-the-year who happily sent three of her sons to their early deaths as suicide bombers, has won a seat in the new government. In the spirit of celebration, solidarity and hatred for her own offspring, I wonder if she will send another child off to death? You know...just to get things going again in the death to all Jews department. When Hanan Ashrawi will land in the US as a professor of Middle Eastern studies somewhere? Her gig is most likely up as Hamas ascends to power. She may be faxing her resume as the celebratory gunfire goes off.
I noticed that "Umm Nidal," the mother-of-the-year who happily sent three of her sons to their early deaths as suicide bombers, has won a seat in the new government.
Let's all send her a congratulatory pressed ham. Literally as well figuratively.
This may be a positve development, (the election in Palastine), in that it clears the air somewhat revealing the real nature of the problem; the ideas of Muhammad as revealed in the Koran. Fundamentalist Islam will always reject tolerance of minorities and pluralistic democracy. Turkey is the exception to the rule because Ataturk rejected fundamentalis Islam and adopted Western style institutions and policies.
To reformulate the thinking of the people of the Middle East to allow them to enter the 21st Century embracing tolerance for religious minorites, the ideas of Muhammed most be discredited. Then will arrive the greatest period of peace and prosperity the world has ever seen.
We need a steel wall between moslemlands and Western, muslims have to hate islam.
"The fact that this is their democratic choice should not be comforting, for it is a choice for the institutionalized oppression of women and religious minorities."
I'd say that pretty well sums up the basic problem that is facing the world right now. The World vs Islam. Does that really strike anyone as improbably any longer?
*as improbable...
Shinoliite:
Umm Nidal used the money she received as a martyr's momma to run her campaign. I wonder how many sons she'll send off to terror-bomb unarmed civillians to fund her re-election bid... ...oh, silly me, did I really think that once Hamas takes office that it will hold another multi-party election?
Waterdragon-- just engaging in a bit of double entendre by suggesting we congratulate her with a "pressed ham"... alluding to ham being haram, and a "pressed ham" being a euphemism for mooning someone from behind (and leaning against) a window. :)
...or motor-car/bus window, Shinolite..with or without the soccer-ball (ham).
what was I going to say? oh, yes: tiny MAJORITY of extremists...