That’s the problem with ‘peace talks’ — always some of the crazies ignore the memo

Peace in the Middle East. Does that phrase ring of fantasy to you, too? Or is it just me?

President Bush, God bless him, seems to have taken all that seriously and made some legitimate efforts to get Israel and the Palestinians talking, even just agreeing to talk more, with the Annapolis meetings a couple of months ago.

But true to the millenniums of warfare in the region's history -- it ain't working out. According to this New York Times report and other sources, Palestinian militants have been firing rockets into Israel. In return, the Israelis shut off fuel and other supplies to the 800,000+ people living in the Gaza Strip. A UN relief agency is on the brink of suspending food distribution in the area because of the developing turmoil.

What a sad, sorry state of affairs. What can be done? If I knew that, I'd probably be looking at tuxedo rentals for the next Nobel presentations. Or perhaps running for president.

Certainly military force hasn't been the answer for the last, oh, 2,000 years or so. But diplomacy doesn't seem to work, either. Until both the Israelis and the Palestinians AT THE GRASSROOTS LEVEL decide to get along, nothing else really matters. Will that happen? Not so far in our lifetimes or several who have gone before us. But we can always hope. And pray. Can't hurt.
[tags]Middle East peace, millennial warfare, Palestinians, Israelis, peace process, grassroots peace efforts[/tags]

January 21, 2008 | Filed Under World News