Who to Believe

The old cliche is, "are you going to believe me, or your lying eyes."

Let's start by admitting that the war in the Middle East has been fought in the news media without cease-fire for decades. Let's also note that there is a cultural aspect of propaganda in the region that allows the most absurd statements to be accepted at face value EVEN WHEN THE VISUAL EVIDENCE POINTS TO THE CONTRARY. Remember Baghdad Bob speaking of victory as American M-1A tanks rolled by in the street behind him? Saying it, in the Middle East makes it so.

Yet, there is truth somewhere. The trick is knowing what is credible, what fits the behavior pattern, what makes sense based on the past.

That's why I first consider the source of this piece. Let's admit going in, that the Jerusalem Post is not an unbiased source. But, let's put the whole thing in the perspective of what we've seen in the Middle East before. Read it for yourself:

Weigh the Evidence

I've got little reason to doubt the story. Probably the only question I would be forced to ask is why the citizens of Gaza tolerate this loutish and cowardly behavior.