Friday, August 25, 2006

USA to Israel: Don't use bombs that we gave you!

Our leaders can be downright stupid sometimes. From the NYT:
The State Department is investigating whether Israel’s use of American-made cluster bombs in southern Lebanon violated secret agreements with the United States that restrict when it can employ such weapons, two officials said.

The investigation by the department’s Office of Defense Trade Controls began this week, after reports that three types of American cluster munitions, anti-personnel weapons that spray bomblets over a wide area, have been found in many areas of southern Lebanon and were responsible for civilian casualties.

Gonzalo Gallegos, a State Department spokesman, said, “We have heard the allegations that these munitions were used, and we are seeking more information.” He declined to comment further.
Why even bother giving Israel bombs, then? I mean, if it's going to piss off leaders of countries who already hate us, it sure would suck for them to hate us even more, huh?

It's OK for America to use American bombs to strike terrorists. But by God (insert preferred deity here), let Israel use our bombs to strike at terrorists, and those Jew bastards must PAY! Also, America gives Israel arms for self-defense in a part of the world where they're surrounded by camel-humping jihadists who want them dead...and such arming is bad! But Syria and Iran can ship arms to terrorist groups hell bent on the destruction of Israel and the West...and the "international community" is quieter than a Dixie Chicks concert in Memphis!

Continuing:
The inquiry is likely to focus on whether Israel properly informed the United States about its use of the weapons and whether targets were strictly military. So far, the State Department is relying on reports from United Nations personnel and nongovernmental organizations (such as Hezbollah and Hamas? - Ed.) in southern Lebanon, the officials said.
We...are relying on reports from...the United Freakin' Nations?? Yeah, now there is an objective source!

Finally, we see the NYT being...well, the NYT:
Officials were granted anonymity to discuss the investigation because it involves sensitive diplomatic issues and agreements that have been kept secret for years.
Sorry to beat that dead horse, but it bears emphasizing.