Soob

I've often put out some analysis in a rather cold and "above the fray" fashion at times. Certainly my nationality and my economic situation allow for the comfort to look at various concepts from a purely "realistic" vantage point. And I pride myself on my ability to view issues beyond the pale of political partisanship that plagues both the American experience and too many blogs.

Furthermore my essential obscurity and anonymity (though you can view both my name and get a look at my mug here) are further allowance for creative reflections. Though I'd like to think that I put down ideas here in an honest fashion I certainly wouldn't delude myself or mislead the reader into thinking every aspect of my analysis is born of personal experience or some great understanding that simply does not exist. Put simply I rely as much on literary sources, hard researched media sources and, moreover, the few blogs of exception that I've come across and have come to rely on for both fuel and background for whatever reflective smatterings I put forth.

And so, instead of blurting forth some reflective analysis regarding Israel's prisoner exchange I'll relent and provide a quote from a fellow who both blogs and is an IDF veteran and let the matter settle as it may.

As an ex-soldier, I can safely say in the name of most of us that our unshakable belief that IDF and, indeed, the nation, will get us back from captivity, alive or dead, makes the service bearable. Without this belief IDF will not be what it is. The army that does not take care of its POWs is not worth serving in and the nation that forgets it sons is not worth fighting for.

There are a lot of things that could be said against and about the travesty of the current government, about the way the negotiations with Hezbollah were carried out, about the dirty politics and dirty politicians. One thing, however, should not be forgotten - it is not about politics, not about national pride and even not about the grieving families. It is about the soldiers.

As for Samir Kuntar, who will become a most celebrated hero in Lebanon after crushing a Jewish baby's skull against a rock: even in the pain we all feel because of the necessity to release him, there is a silver lining. Look at the people who celebrate release of one of the most inhuman murderers and learn. Look at the sweets being handed around to the crowds in Gaza, at Lebanese president and prime minister receiving the monster, at Shiites and others lining the roads on the way to the vermin's family house, at Palestinian president Abu Mazen congratulating the "hero's" family. Look, learn and remember.