A Hamas Coup... What?

Just when you thought there was no way Bush could further insult your intelligence, here comes his weekly radio address, in which he observes that "18 months ago, Hamas took over the Gaza strip in a coup."

Let's all remember that Hamas was democratically elected to power. Bush, in fact, supported the elections. It wouldn't be a stretch to say that Hamas had more democratic legitimacy in the Gaza than G.W. did after his first "election." Considering the president's lame duck status, you might have hoped he would give the lies a rest in these final weeks, but that would be be too much to ask. This guy wants to go out in the same style he has governed for the past eight years.

As far as this Gaza mess is concerned, it feels like all we can do is watch on in horror as our media reports half-truths and Pro-Israel propaganda. I caught a media report before Christmas (courtesy of Harry Shearer) that the imprisoned Palestinians of Gaza had resorted to eating garbage, literal garbage, thanks to the Israeli embargo. So it appears that our noble allies in the region are bombing a people already made starving and destitute. Just as the embargo strengthened Hamas' hold on Gaza, so will this invasion lead to further radicalization of the occupied territories. The only logical conclusion is that further radicalization of the occupied territories is exactly what Israel is aiming for.

Happy New Year!