Israel Invades Lebanon, Bush Cheers

Responding to the abduction of 2 soldiers and other terrorist activity, Israel invaded Lebanon this week. Despite the enormous number of civilian casualties, the Bush administration has repeatedly issued statements of support for Israel's campaign.

None of this is surprising. From the Bush perspective, Israel is doing what every country has a right to do - bomb terrorists into oblivion, even if a large number of innocent civilians are killed in the process.

Secretary of State Rice should have been over there on day one trying to shut this thing down. Unfortunately, she and her boss share the belief that peace can only be attained through violence. Even Bush the First approached the Middle East as a broker of peace.

For a thoughtful writeup about the situation in Lebanon, check out this opinion piece by Michael Young in the NYT.