The first sign of deteriorating state is its failure to criticize its own

[smacky44]

misdeeds and to label those who do as enemies. Such is the case with the US and Israel.

[Taxloss]

1. DU is evidence that Americans are criticising the US.

And although the war still enjoys quite high public support in Israel, there are vocal protests against it.

With Bush polling less than 30%, it's hardly as if the country is behind him ... he's more isolated than any President in history.

[Amy6627]

2. But I think that most Americans are behind Israel (right or wrong) though.

[Taxloss]

3. I wouldn't know, not being there in the US.

Has there been any polling on it?

[sandnsea]

5. Right or wrong?

I think there are people who are against Israel - right or wrong.

Just because people think Israel has a legitimate right in THIS instance doesn't mean people think Israel is right in EVERY thing that they do. In fact, while I think Israel has a right to take action against years of rocket attacks, I also think they have gone far beyond what is militarily necessary to make the point and bring a resolution to the Lebanon/Hizbollah problem.

I question people who slice things up into a nice neat black and white pie - if you insist the Hizbollah rocket attacks must stop, you've bought into the AIPAC Neocon "right or wrong" Israeli spin. That's a pretty black-white position against Israel in my book.

[Amy6627]

7. Yes I agree with you. But I was speaking in generalities about America

as a whole, generally Americans are behind Israel no matter what. I think that is due to Judaic/Christian beliefs in this country. Plus the way most American's get their news. I don't think the average American really knows what is going on in the ME and what is causing it.

I don't think that anything is truely black and white, there are about a million shades of gray.

[sandnsea]

8. I don't think that's true at all

I've never had a sense that the general American population is behind Israel no matter what, rather that it's more situationally based leaning towards frustration with the whole lot of them. The only thing I've ever seen Americans in general agreement with is that terrorist strikes are not acceptable and that they would happen whether there were occupied Palestinians or not because there are groups of Muslims who hate Jews, end of story. The general support Israel to defend against that is strong, how they do it is often criticized.

[bryant69]

4. What nonsense

I can't speak for Israel, but by that standard the United Stats has been deteriorating since 5 minutes after the constitution was signed.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[Igel]

6. But you surely leave out

China, most varieties of Islam (or at least a large number), Lebanon, and many other states.

Many of them have been going to hell in a handbasket for far longer than we have, and nonetheless have had their citizen's prosperity and education level increase over time.

[bemildred]

9. We are way past that. nt