If this is another WP manufactured ''news'' story, then Rick's a liar. If this is actually true, then he's a spy working for the terrorists. Wow - imagine two choices - liar or spy. Better off dead.

I don't know why I clicked talkback. I think I just want to remind you to replace whatever is in your head with brains. For your first post, learn to count. For your second; if you really can't see that you are not being attacked by that post, but people are actually just trying to tell you something....I am afraid you are a lost cause.

I have no idea of why Tom Ricks is saying these off the wall things, but he is no random nut-job. His history as a reporter is good. However, this would not be the first time that a reporter got some bad information during a time of war. I believe his statements are wrong. He will eventually find this out for himself. He will be dobuly embarrassed because he knows how much harm untruths like this can cause. His book has received good reviews and I have heard him interviewed about it. His chain of logic about Iraq seems sound. However, for the time being, I'll put off buying ihis book. I don't think someone who makes statements as cited in this article should see my money anytime soon.

Perhaps if he enrolls in a photoshop course pronto, he can remain effective in journalism. I hear there's such an opening at Reuters!

Who knows??? After all, Israel has used some interesting tactics in the past to ensure that it does not have to negotiate with the Palestinians. For example, Israel creates "facts on the ground" (settlements, economic and physical blokades) and when the other side reacts badly, Israel says it will not negotiate with the enemy...So don't just run Rick's comments out, check history , check facts before you drown him out. It's always harder to accept that the side you support does Machiavellian things.......

We are all very unsettled by the deaths and destroyed lives on both sides here. I'm personally effected because I know people in the fight right now. None of them want to be there. None of them want to kill anybody. Some have Lebanese friends, too. All have always said they wish for peace. Just before this mess happened, some commercial trade was beginning between some Syrians and some farming communities. Everything looked bright. If you are suggesting Israel had a great scheme to provoke Lebanon into a civil war, this is less than doubtful. They wanted the Lebanese to deal with them. They pulled out of Gaza. The PA was setting up. Why didn't Hibzollah aid the PA in creating a strong Palestinian infrastructure, put down theirs arms and get to work? Because they have stated their purpose to get rid of Israel. Speaking of work I am not getting anything done today. Will write more later.

grand poobah of iran slipped this reporter a few hundred thousand to write this bullsh*t

Sure politics is dirty game and sometimes we are all pawns in that game. Israel does not play that game. It does not have a disposible army like some countries. More people live in my city than the whole state of israel. Competition is healthy, enemies are not.

i would like to know how hezbollah can make pass 200 rockets a DAY without that israel is knowing that. in total over 3000 rockets. i am sorry but this is almost not possible. these are lowrange rockets. they are easy to track with the very advanced technology from israel.

Leave it to Muslims to think all countries must play by the same rules they do. Khomeini sends 500,000 Basiji childhood "martyrs" to blow up mines with their bodies in the war with Iraq? Drop in the bucket! There's 500,000 more where they came from, he said. Wasn't it Ahmadinnerjacket who said a single nuclear bomb dropped on Israel would pretty much take care of the problem. And who cares if Israel retaliated with a nuclear bomb in the Arab world? There'd still be lots of them left. 13 million Jews, he said, and 1.5 billion Muslims -- hey, we can spare a few million and they can't! This is the religion of peace talking, the one the world sanctimoniously defends. It's OK with them to kill their own and anybody else. But you better not touch them -- or even make a joke about them -- or they'll start moaning about their "humiliations" and come blow you up.

What evidence? And what world do you live in?

Since Israel has command of the air, and every available surveillance capability, then where are all these short range rockets coming from? Does Israel need more capability? (UhOh, there go more of my taxes!) Rick's assertion may be annoying to some, but it does give a plausible answer to a puzzle. Critics should stop being hysterical, and offer a more plausible explanation.

This article sounds like taboid fodder.

Idiot, isn't he?

What I want to know is if Lebanon is really as destroyed as everyone over there keeps claiming it is. With Lebanon in that bad of shape, isn’t there a LOT to do over there to help all those people who were bombed out? And isn't it difficult to get your computers to work with all your power plants bombed? So why are so many Lebanese online posting on all these message boards instead of helping all your neighbors?

Ibrahim. 1. Israel doesn't hold an inch of Lebanese territory. Shebaa Farms, according to all maps & UN formerly Syrian territory. 2. Except for Samir Kuntar (who killed an Israeli 4 year old girl by smashing hear head over a rock after shooting dead her father) Israel doesn't hold Lebanese prisoners. So, another words, your post is full of we... nothing, except for an empty, angry rhetoric. As to "brave" cowards of Hizbullah - why don't they come out and fight, not hide in bunkers or behind Lebanese women' skirts ?

Today I looked through more than 1000 current photographs taken by photographers in Lebanon and Israel for the Big 3 major wire services. More than half were from Lebanon. In every case the subject matter was a destroyed building, a wailing woman, a dead body, injured in the hospital, a ruined bridge. There were many fewer photos from Israel. They showed almost entirely soldiers. Getting ready to figt, fighting, driving tanks, firing cannon. Now and then they showed soldiers praying, laughing, playing on the beach, listening to an Orthodox musician. Only once or twice did they show someone crying. One photo showed a couple of people outside a bomb shelter. No bomb damage. No destroyed cars. No fires or emergency vehicles. Is there media bias? I don't think so. I think they are - in the words of a fine young American Marine - the NME. Say it quick - you'll get it.

Good imagination!

I'm relatively certain that the IDF would love to face Hezbollah in open combat. Hezbollah's "brave" soldiers prefer to use women and children to shield themselves. Oh, but as long as some Imam or Ayatollah says it's God's will, I guess that's not cowardice.

I'm sorry, but you are absolutely clueless.

here you have israel to lebanon: do the UN resolution, disarm this militia. the fact is israel isn't disarming this militia after a month. all these "dropped leaflets" are postponing and postponing and postponing, ending in total destruction. from my perspective an army this size needs not a month to accomplish this goal. it simply looks like collective punishment with excuses after excuses. israel can shoot down these missiles, they just choose not to. it's getting pretty damn obvious with their pointless occupation and warning before bombing, warning before bombing until they've blown up everything. send in special forces, that's what the US does - limited publicity with an end of limited enemy. all this grandiose nonsense on a poor ass country is sickening to say the least. if lebanon/militia were equally armed as israel, israel wouldn't be showing off like they are now- that answers the moral question.

I've always wanted to be a part of the Jewish conspiracy to take over the world. Unfortunately, based on the Jews I know, it seems to require a lot of education, hard work, community involvement, diligent planning and the ability to suffer a host of fools who blame you for everything that's wrong in the world. Guess I'll remain a part of the Gentile conspiracy to take over the local bowling alley instead.

Is there any wonder why, after reading about this jerk, the great majority of people in America see reporters as the lowest of the low. Purely delusional statement and he hides behind his confidential source. He and Mel are probably drinking buddies.

i sent a link about the USS Liberty, which was attacked by the Israeli during the 1967 war. why don't you allow my comment ? what are you afraid from ? let the readers comment on this. to all the readers who believe that Israel is a great nation, yes you are, what we are saying is that SOME of your leaders may actually do such a thing, otherwise, how do you explain that Hizbollah are still launching daily and effectively ? again, run a google search on USS Liberty, read about it, then come tell me Israel is any better. hope this comment will pass, thank you, by the way, i'm Lebanese not Kuwaiti.

Money talks any thing for a bonus Look what France is doing for oil same thing

I thoroughly enjoy reading YNET and the "talkback" on this web site. I share the outrage over the knee-jerk, blatantly biased media coverage of what I believe to be a justified military action by Israel. Even so, I am afraid that YNET is guilty of similar knee-jerk (or simply lazy?) news commentary, evidenced by its use of the U.S. media's favorite label for practically anyone who holds a view contrary to its own, in other words, "right wing." The U.S. media uses that constantly uses that term to imply that a person or organization is extremist. Supporting Israel and other just causes is NOT extreme, nor is holding conservative (i.e. traditional) views on moral issues, defense of the homeland, the role of government, etc. Please, YNET, avoid using these tired cliches.

Do you realloy think lives mean so little to the Jews after losing 6 million? You have to be very insecure if you must stoop this low to get publicity.