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THE DIOGENES REPORT
The Wit, Wisdom & Wituperation of Emanuel L. Strunin
“a few steps ahead of the curve”
August 2006, VOL. VI, #13
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(Items marked with an * were written by Diogenes.)
YOU CAN’T WIN BY MANAGING, BUT YOU CAN LOSE
These excerpts from a much longer interview with Daniel Pipes, a leading authority on Islam and the Middle East Forum and winner of the “Guardian of Zion” award from Bar-Ilan University’s Rennert Center for Jerusalem Studies, help explain how and why Israel has lost its way to maintaining its position as a strong, independent nation in the Middle East. Dr. Pipes’ comments, which appeared in the June 16-22 issue of the International Jerusalem Post, are applicable to the lead-up to the war against Hizzbullah and the way it was conducted. Ruthie Blum was the interviewer.
….
What do you “lambaste” Israel for?
Israelis have lost their way when it comes to relations with the Arabs, and more specifically when it comes to war goals. I criticize—and I mean the body politic, not specifically the leadership—for thinking that management of the conflict is the best that can be done.
As opposed to…?
As opposed to winning. Over the course of the past 15 years, one has seen a host of proposals on how to manage the conflict. Some of these proposals became government policy; many others are simply proposals. What they have in common, from Left to Right, is that they see this conflict as unwinnable, as merely manageable.
The security fence is a case in point. I am for it. Clearly, it has had—when it’s completed will have even more—the effect of keeping out would-be murderers. A wall is a tactical mechanism to protect oneself, not a strategic way of winning a war. Winning a war requires imagination—perspective—to impose your will on your enemy. That is classically what victory means: imposing your will on your enemy. It doesn’t mean massacring or impoverishing your enemy, but causing him to give up his goals. This notion is virtually absent from Israeli political discussion.
You say that Israelis have “lost their way” in relation to the Arabs. This implies a shift. When do you see this shift from aiming to win the conflict to merely managing it as having taken place?
A profound shift took place during the decade between the 1982 war in Lebanon and the 1993 Oslo Accord.
….
Is there really such a thing as an Arab “point of view”? After all, there are so many different Arab and Muslim countries in the world.
There are enormous numbers of differences and exceptions among them, but I think in general one can draw a broad outline of a viewpoint, yes.
So, from an Arab point of view, what constitutes the imposition of will on an enemy?
I understand this conflict between Israel and the Arabs to be defined by war goals. Israel’s war goals consist of winning the acceptance of its Arab enemies, in particular that of the Palestinians. Acceptance means no longer using force—or other means, for that matter—to eliminate the Jewish state. The Arab war goals, conversely, are to eliminate the Jewish state. I see this as binary as black and white. One side wins, one side loses. Compromise cannot take place. Oslo was a grand experiment in compromise, and it failed. In the end, one side imposes its will on the other.
Now, if the Arabs impose their will on the Israelis, it means there will be no sovereign Jewish state. There could be a Jewish population living under Palestinian or other Arab rule. Or it could be that the Jews flee. It could be that they’re murdered. But there’s no more sovereign Jewish state.
Should the Israelis win, the Arabs acknowledge, however grudgingly, that Israel’s there and is a permanent fact of life. They don’t have to have trade with it, or sponsor Hebrew classes in their schools—these would be nice things, but they’re not necessary. A cold peace, as it were, would work. But unlike the one with Egypt, there truly must be acceptance.
What’s so striking is that Israel. Which is a modern, sophisticated, globalized country, seems not to understand this. Very few Israelis are aware of the need to win. As an outsider, I watch with frustration as the Israelis don’t get the point.
And the Palestinians?
The Palestinians, who have not scaled the same sophisticated heights, ironically, do understand that their goal is to win.
….
What is the ultimate Palestinian war goal, then, statehood or the elimination of Israel?
Oh, definitely the elimination of Israel. That is to say, there is far wider agreement on this than on the notion of a Palestinian state. Recall, that making the region Israel controls into southern Syria drove Arab politics in the early 1950s. Then came the heyday of Pan-Arab nationalism in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Today Hamas strives for an Islamic state whose boundaries need not be those of Mandatory Palestine. All of these outlooks agree on the need to eliminate Israel but disagree on what should replace it.
What about the withdrawal from Gaza?
The dominant Palestinian slogan last summer was, “Today Gaza, tomorrow Jerusalem.” There is no question that they saw the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza as a vindication of their use of force.
And the West Bank?
The same applies there. Should there be a withdrawal there, too, it’s because it became too difficult. When things get painful—whether in Lebanon or Gaza—Israelis leave. That sends a signal that violence works. It presumably will be applied in Jerusalem, Haifa and Tel Aviv as well.
SECURITY ALERTS AROUND THE WORLD
Great Britain
The British are feeling the pinch in relation to recent bombings and have raised their security level from "Miffed" to "Peeved." Soon, security levels may be raised yet again to "Irritated" or even "A Bit Cross." Londoners have not been "A Bit Cross" since the Blitz in 1940 when tea supplies all but ran out. Terrorists have been re-categorized from "Tiresome" to a "Bloody Nuisance." The last time the British issued a "Bloody Nuisance" warning level was during the great fire of 1666.
France
The French government announced yesterday that it has raised its terror alert level from "Run" to "Hide." The only two higher levels in France are "Surrender" and "Collaborate." The rise was precipitated by a recent fire that destroyed France's white flag factory, effectively paralyzing the country's military capability.
Italy
Italy has increased the alert level from "Shout Loudly and Excitedly" to "Elaborate Military Posturing." Two more levels remain: "Ineffective Combat Operations" and "Change Sides."
Germany
The Germans also increased their alert state from "Disdainful Arrogance" to "Dress in Uniform and Sing Marching Songs." They also have two higher levels: "Invade a Neighbor" and "Lose."
Belgium
Belgians, on the other hand, are all on holiday as usual, and the only threat they are worried about is NATO pulling out of Brussels.
BILL GATES GETS LOST IN THE SCHOOLYARD*
The cover story in the June 26th issue of Business Week is headlined: “Bill Gates Gets Schooled.” As I read the article, it appears that poor (should I say “rich”) Bill’s foundation is throwing money at the education mess without understanding—or wanting to address—the real problem. His isn’t the first foundation with good intentions but poor execution. This what the Ford Foundation has done over the past 45 years.
Gates has tried small school vs. large school; creative educator vs. traditional educator; and new curriculum vs. traditional studies. So far, all of his efforts have been failures. The real issues for many American schools are too sensitive for most educators and educational do-gooders to tackle. If 25 % of Microsoft’s software was failing after being installed in computers and shipped to consumers, you could be certain that Bill would be storming through his labs and production facilities to root out and fix the problems. More likely, he would have spotted the problems and had most of them fixed before his product got out the door.
His educational programs are being approached ass-backwards. All of his techniques plus many others have been tried in the past with very minimal success. One such program was the Job Corps effort of the Johnson administration that was supported by extensive Federal funding, experienced educators and the very best of intentions and hopes. But all of these positive factors could not overcome the social issues that forced the need for Job Corps in the first place.
The “social issues” that are creating the need for Gates’ good intentions are the problems that will undermine his best efforts. However, he could invest in trying to deal with the “social issues”—home environments-- to insure some success in his educational initiatives. This would be a very sensitive and politically fraught project which also would have slim hopes for success.
But, I guess it’s worth trying.
IF YOU CAN STILL LAUGH, YOU’RE NOT THAT OLD
"OLD " IS WHEN ... Your friends compliment you on your new alligator shoes and you're barefoot.
"OLD" IS WHEN ... A sexy babe catches your fancy and your pacemaker opens the garage door.
"OLD" IS WHEN ... Going braless pulls all the wrinkles out of your face.
"OLD" IS WHEN ... You don't care where your spouse goes, just as long as you don't have to go along.
"OLD" IS WHEN ... You are cautioned to slow down by the doctor instead of by the police.
"OLD" IS WHEN ..."Getting a little action" means you don't need to take any fiber today
"OLD" IS WHEN ... "Getting lucky" means you find your car in the parking lot.
"OLD" IS WHEN .. An "all nighter" means not getting up to use the bathroom.
AND
"OLD" IS WHEN ... You are not sure these are jokes
OOPS!!!!
A guy goes to the supermarket and notices a beautiful blond woman wave at him and say hello. He's rather taken aback, because he can't place where he knows her from.
So he says, "Do you know me?" to which she replies, "I think you're the father of one of my kids."
Now his mind travels back to the only time he has ever been unfaithful to his wife and says, "My God, are you the stripper from my bachelor party that I laid on the pool table with all my buddies watching, while your partner whipped my butt with wet celery and then stuck a carrot up my butt???"
She looks into his eyes and calmly says, "No, I'm your son's math teacher."
NAMES*
Names that fit and names that don’t.
This one is a particularly bad fit: Shimon Glicklich (lucky) was killed by a Katyusha rocket in Haifa.
HEADLINES AND COMMENTS*
Headlines from the world’s press. Comments by Diogenes.
Olmert Acknowledges War's 'Deficiencies'
How about his own ‘deficiencies’?
Young Muslim Rage Takes Root In Britain
Sociology (unemployment, etc. is not the cause). It’s their emotional-religious makeup.
Why The U.S. Has Not Stemmed HIV
Bend over and I’ll explain why.
America’s King David Dies In Custody
They said he was crazy. I say forget about the Messiah.
In Afghanistan, Lamenting Refuge For Militants Across Border
Across the border, isn’t that our friend and ally Pakistan?
Hezbollah Balks At Withdrawal From The South
What say, Mr. Olmert?
In Beirut, Cultural Life Is Another War Casualty
Does this mean they have stopped dramatic readings of the Koran?
Man Given Suspended Sentence For Attacking Poland’s Chief Rabbi
But he was immediately rearrested and sentenced to five years at hard labor for not having killed the rabbi when he had the chance.
Olmert Refuses State Commission Of Inquiry
He prefers a commission of his friends and other scumbags.
Gay Pride Parade In Jerusalem Rescheduled
What with the war, they got a little behind in their plans.
Jackie Mason Sues Jews For Jesus For Using His Likeness
What is he suing for…bad taste?
Weary Iraqis Face New Foe: Rising Prices
That’s what happens in a booming economy.
GSS Chief Paints Grim Security Picture Of PA-Controlled Areas
As Diogenes has long contended, only the Arabs—not the Jews-- can save Israel. The Arabs will force the Jews to beat them into the ground or give up the State.
First Source Of C.I.A. Leak Admits Role, Lawyer Says
A WASP finally gets stung.
Iran Exhibits Anti-Jewish Art
I’ll bet they can get some culture-loving Jewish philanthropist to underwrite this art exhibition.
Police Chief Declares a Prime Emergency
This time it’s not Muslim terrorists, it’s the natives in Washington, DC that are rampaging.
QUOTES I LIKE
Diogenes considers them clever and/or informative,
Not that he necessarily agrees with them. Not even his own.
Let’s not cut and run in Iraq. Let’s declare victory (we toppled Saddam and made sure that there are no WMDs); cut; and march out with our heads held high.
- Diogenes
To be a celebrity in America is to be forgiven for everything,
- Mary McGrory
Macho does not prove mucho.
- Zsa Zsa Gabor
If man is only a little lower than the angels, the angels should reform.
- Mary Wilson Little
War is the unfolding of miscalculations.
- Barbara Tuchman
Before a war military science seems a real science, like astronomy. But after the war it seems more like astrology.
- Rebecca West
Be careful with your immigration laws. We weren’t careful with ours.
- Message received by V.P. Lyndon Johnson from an American Indian
In Hollywood, writers are considered only the first draft of human beings.
- Frank Deford
The Romans would never have found time to conquer the world if they had first been obliged to learn Latin.
- Heinrich Heine
Technology is a way of organizing the universe so that man doesn’t have to experience it.
- Max Frisch
Mr. President, the enemy is not Islamic Fascism, it is Islam!
- Diogenes
The Muslims are anxious to die in order to get to heaven to enjoy Allah’s gifts. The Jews are anxious to continue to live in order to enjoy HaShem’s abundance on earth. Everyone should do their utmost to fulfill the desires of both peoples.
- Diogenes
I hate quotations.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
I think and think for months and years. Ninety-nine times, the conclusion is false. The hundredth time I am right.
- Albert Einstein
Far more than Israel has kept the Sabbath, it is the Sabbath that has kept Israel.
- Achad Ha’am
…the American penchant for perfectionism. They have a tendency to believe that the existence of a problem proves the existence of a solution. We know that the fact that something is desirable does not make it necessarily obtainable.
- Abba Eban
My function in life was to render clear what was already blindingly conspicuous.
- Quentin Crisp
Mistakes are the portals of discovery.
- James Joyce
There is no human problem which could not be solved if people would simply do as I advise.
- Gore Vidal
Visit my new blog, DIOGENES # XXI at http://diogenesxxi.blogspot.com/
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