Does Israel Need A Kick In The Rear?

The question for today - (or this week, month, what have you...) Does Israel need a kick in the rear?

My answer? Yes, it does.

Now, I'm sure it sucks to be a country that all of your neighbours would usually like to see wiped out and to have armed rebels and terrorists almost constantly attacking you. And, yes, Israel does have a right to defend itself. But in defending itself it should not do those same things for which it condemns Hezbollah and Hamas - namely, the killing of civilians who have no part in the conflict.

Israel in Lebanon acts a little like the U.S. in Iraq. It bombs locations on the advice of incomplete intelligence information and hopes that the dead turn out to be bad guys.

Now, I suppose we have to be thankful that Israel's assualt on a United Nations observation post was inadvertent. Had it been intentional, there should be the strongest of sanctions if not armed response against Israel. But, even if an accident, it should still be regarded as criminal. That observation post likely hasn't moved in three decades. Israel had to know that it was there and could have acted in such a way as to prevent the loss of innocent life. But this owuld have meant using ground forces, which are a little more vulnerable than tactical aircraft.

So far in the conflict, Hezbollah has killed roughly 50 Israeli civilians. Israel has killed several hundred Lebanese citizens, 8 Canadians and other foreign nationals. And Israel wants to claim that right is on their side?

Israel has stated they want to create a buffer between themselves and Hezbollah. They have said this should be around 2 kilometers wide. Okay, why does this need to be in Lebanon. Israel could create a 2km buffer inside their own territory, no invasion of a sovereign nation is needed, and they could be free to bomb the buffer zone as they please. But, apparently, it's more fun to wreak havoc once again on the Middle East's favourite whipping-boy.

Tip For Criminals

The main problem with criminals is that the vast majority turn to a life of crime, when all other career paths are out of reach. This is often because they are stupid. The fact that they are stupid often goes on to pose significant challenges in their aforementioned career path.

So, as a public service to all the twenty-something fourth-graders out there, I present the following tip.

When you find it necessaary to jump into the back seat of someone's car and make them drive off to some other location where you will relieve them at knifepoint of their wallet before exiting the vehicle and sending them on their way, ensure that the location you have had them drive to is not your own apartment. Your victim is quite likely to report the incident to the poilce. The police are quite likely to investigate the address where you were dropped off. It is in your interest not to be at that location when they arrive. There is a guy in Halifax that can attest to this.

Instead, think of having your victim drive to a subway station, train station or other mass transit depot, or at least mass transit-accessible locale. Think of getting dropped off somehwere where you can catch a quick cab to another part of town. It is also a good idea to get the wallet before getting dropped off. Say, for instance, you get dropped off downtown and you need to get back to your parent's house in the burbs. You will look a little silly if you find out that you're victim loves debit and hates cash. But since you already got dropped off, you can't do anything except try another car. This is how the classic crime spree gets started.

One more tip for today, and I can't stress this one enough. If you feel that your best option is to rob a gas station, make sure that you get gas first. You will look ridiculous if you run out of gas three blocks down the road...

Wines Of The Year (So Far...)

So far, these are many of the wines I have bought and consumed, along with a few I've been given. Not an exhaustive list, but fairly representative. Really, these are the empty bottles under my sink.


Chile
Santa Carolina Chardonnay
Santa Carolina Cabernet Sauvignon

U.S.A.
Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 *

Canada
Magnotta Sangiovese 2004
Harbour Estates Merlot 2004
Pelee Island Pinot Grigio 2005 :-(
Pelee Island Pinot Noir 2004 :-(
Magnotta Toro Nero Cabernet Sauvignon 2002
(I kind of hesitate to include the Ontario wines as I didn't actually buy any of them. They were gifts. Having drank them, I wouldn't buy them in the future. If there's another list for the second half of 2006, don't expect many offerings from Canada. My highest recommendatio for a Canadian wine is likely to be "good for a second or third bottle after the guests (and yourself) are reasonable squiffy".)

Australia
Wolf Blass Sout Australia Sauvignon Blanc 2005
Lindemans South Australia Shiraz 2003
Black Opal Chardonnay 2004

Italy
Folonari Valpolicella 2003
Folonari Pinot Grigio 2004
Masi Soave 2005
Masi Valpolicella 2004 *
Pasqua Pinot Grigio 2004

France
Yvon Mau Merlot 2004
Louis Jadot "Combe aux Jacques" Beaujolais-Villages 2004 *
Bouchard Aine & Fils Beaujolais Superieur 2003 *

Portugal
Quinta de Azevedo Vinho Verde 2005 *

Spain
Rene Barbier Catalunya 2003 *
Rene Barbier Penedes 2004
Montecillo Crianza 2001 *
Bodegas Piqueras "Castillo de Almansa" Almansa 2001 *

* = recommended
:-( = not recommended at all


And tonight's wine will be...

From France,...Chateau de Gourgazaud Minervois la Liviniere 2002

And tomorrow's job will be...

Take all these bottle back to the LCBO and look for more...