I’m been trying to get my exact thoughts together on the madness over there. I’ve been reading a lot, trying to really understand what’s going on. I’ve come to a couple of conclusions:

1. I think Israeli conduct in this “war” is reprehensible, completely unnecessary & bound to backfire
2. I don’t think anyone really knows what’s going on, most disturbingly Israeli leaders.
3. Other people have said what I would say a lot better than I would say it.

On that last count I’ve assembled some links: first I’ve got Glenn Greenwald doing what he does best, making sense. Number two, Greenwald again. This time ripping Tom Friedman a new one over this op-ed. Next up, Daniel Larison makes me unsure that he’s a conservative with his use of actual logic. Last & certainly not least we have the great Bill Moyers. Via:

One more thing. This makes me really angry. Once again I’ll let someone else do the talking, John Cole over @ Balloon Juice:

I am not sure what Israel has on us that they can extract billions of American taxpayer dollars every year and dictate our foreign policy, but it must be something pretty good. The craziest thing about this is the silence of the jingosphere. Had this been any other nation bossing around Bush’s Secretary of State, or, god forbid, France, can you imagine the wingnut Voltron that would have been formed in outrage? As it is, crickets.

When it comes to Israel it’s like we’re living in Bizarro World.

Edited for grammar.

Greenwald gives us all a lesson on how to rhapsodize about potential cabinet appointments. No wild accusations, just a point by point & fact by fact overview of Eric Holder’s pros & cons as he understands them to be. He also explicitly states that this is probably not his final word on Holder:

this choice, as a preliminary matter, seems like a step in the right direction.

I feel like this should be obvious but I have read too many people who seem to think whatever they have to say on a matter is the be all to end all. As if people & choices can only be properly understood through their way of thinking. We all will make snap judgements of course, we are human but there has been an off putting lack of true consideration in a lot of liberal quarters for potential Obama appointees.

Same as Greenwald, I’m just so weary already of all the endless specula1tion & bashing that has gone on. Obviously we need to make our voices heard but we should do so armed with facts, not just with anger. Let’s make sure what we think we know is actually reality.