tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17934023.post8210631681826512060..comments2024-03-20T12:28:00.031+00:00Comments on Liberal Bureaucracy: Alas poor Iain, I knew him well...is Mr Dale intent on becoming a rather mangy attack dog?Mark Valladareshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15773193846795037711noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17934023.post-89926230292166717132009-01-09T00:53:00.000+00:002009-01-09T00:53:00.000+00:00But you fail to offer any alternative, by which yo...<I>But you fail to offer any alternative, by which you imply you think Israel should just sit back and accept that dozens of rockets every week will be fired onto its civilian population.</I><BR/><BR/>Idk, how about accepting that decade of peace that Hamas offered?<BR/><BR/>Oh, but of course, that would mean purging the settlers. Far better to continue the war and keep the Right happy...<BR/><BR/><I>And for you, Mark, to accuse me of playing a party political card is a little bit pot and kettle, don't you think?!!!</I><BR/><BR/>An <I>ad hominem.</I> I wonder why it was that Mark called you a "First class mind", because I truly fail to see how you have done <I>a thing</I> to earn it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17934023.post-61054026082122896092009-01-08T13:27:00.000+00:002009-01-08T13:27:00.000+00:00Is this Iain Dale chap a nutter?He's trying to hav...Is this Iain Dale chap a nutter?<BR/><BR/>He's trying to have it every which way and all at once!<BR/><BR/>The evolution of military tactics has always been a balance between technological advancement and it's human counterweight.<BR/><BR/>So unless and until Israel can develop a sufficiently 'smart' response to low-tech attacks (ie a micro-SAM defence shield for every house?), or find it politically justifiable to completely obliterate all potential attackers (impossible without forcing their opponents into a pitched battle), then the best that can be hoped for is to minimise the actual levels of violence while this anti-war dissipates.<BR/><BR/>So, I'm with you, Mark, in that taking the battle to the terrorists is futile. Just like trying to tell Aghanis how they should run their country at the butt of a gun is futile: they know everyone eventually leaves.<BR/><BR/>I don't think showing empathy or understanding is helpful in a situation like this, at least not at a political level. We need to be candid, honest and frank, just like only good friends can - and especially so with ourselves, otherwise we will lose all credibility.<BR/><BR/>Any 'war on terror' is a distraction from the failed politics of the party in power.<BR/><BR/>I'd be interested therefore in your view, Mark, of the internal power struggles between Tzipi Livni and Netanyahu etc. Where is the liberal party offering a serious solution?Oranjepanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08150901449640162740noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17934023.post-65543774309273778862009-01-08T10:07:00.000+00:002009-01-08T10:07:00.000+00:00Mark, I think the point I was making in my article...Mark, I think the point I was making in my article was a perfectly valid one. I have yet to see any comment from a LibDem spokesman showing any degree of understanding or empathy with the situation Israel found itself in. I was pointing out the LibDem Friends of Israel has a rather tough task on its hands, something which ought to be fairly self evident I suppose.<BR/><BR/>What I said may be seen as a party political attack, and I suppose it was, but I do think the LibDem approach has lacked any semblance of balance. At least William Hague and David Miliband have tried to keep a semblance of impartiality - too much IMHO, but there we go.<BR/><BR/>You say I just quote one LibDem MEP (porbably the best known one at that) but there are loads of other examples - Jenny Tonge, various LibDem blogs (one of whom refered disparagingly to "The Jews" yesterday). I have yet to see a single LibDem blog or politician speak out with any degree of understanding of Israel's situation. I think it is entirely legitimate to point that out.<BR/><BR/>You say "I've always taken the view that fighting conventional wars against terrorist organisations is fairly futile." But you fail to offer any alternative, by which you imply you think Israel should just sit back and accept that dozens of rockets every week will be fired onto its civilian population.<BR/><BR/>You say I am desperate to be a Tory MP. I don't know how often I have to point this out, but if I were desperate to be a Tory MP, do you not think I might have actually applied for a seat? The last one I applied for was well over a year ago. Draw your own conclusions.<BR/><BR/>And for you, Mark, to accuse me of playing a party political card is a little bit pot and kettle, don't you think?!!!Iain Dalehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03270146219458384372noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17934023.post-50653411605176469682009-01-08T08:34:00.000+00:002009-01-08T08:34:00.000+00:00Great post MarkGreat post MarkPaul Walterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00525444717679391831noreply@blogger.com