Perri Nelson's Website 

Civil War in Palestine?

Nothing to see here folks, move along... Well, maybe there is after all? From the New York Times:

JERUSALEM, Dec. 15 — Hamas, the governing Palestinian faction, accused its rival Fatah today of trying to assassinate Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniya, a charge that ratcheted up tensions between two groups, which clashed in the streets again today.

Fatah denied the accusation, which raised the stakes in the increasingly bitter confrontation. Hamas, a radical Islamic movement that is considered a terrorist group by Israel and the West, heads the Palestinian government, while Fatah, a secular faction, retains hold of the presidency and controls some branches of the security forces.

Hamas staged rallies in both the Gaza Strip and the West Bank today to mark the 19th anniversary of its founding, and its supporters clashed with Palestinian security forces outside a mosque in Ramallah in the West Bank. More than 30 Palestinians were injured. The skirmishes today came on the eve of a major address by the Palestinian Authority president, Mahmoud Abbas, who is expected to spell out plans on Saturday to bring months of political deadlock between Hamas and Fatah to an end. Mr. Abbas, who is from Fatah, has not tipped his hand, but in such a volatile atmosphere, he may be more inclined to seek options that are meant reduce tensions.

...

"What a war, Mahmoud Abbas, you are launching, first against God, and then against Hamas," said a Hamas leader, Khalil al-Hayya, as he addressed tens of thousands of supporters rallying at a sports stadium in Gaza City.

...

"We have joined this movement to become martyrs, and not ministers," Mr. Haniya said.

...

The Hamas-Fatah tensions and other internal Palestinian disputes have been simmering for months; they began to boil over this week with several deadly attacks.

In recent years, Palestinian factions have periodically battled one another, but have always stopped short of all-out confrontation. However, the violence and the heated rhetoric in recent days has increased concerns about such a confrontation, or even the possibility of a Palestinian civil war.

So maybe there's a civil war going on in Palestine after all. I bet you former President Jimmy Carter will find some way to blame this mess on Israel. After all, it's the Israelis who are the terrorists, right?

Previous Posts:

• Civil War in Iraq, but not Palestine?

Trackposted to Perri Nelson's Website, The Random Yak, Adam's Blog, Stuck On Stupid, The Bullwinkle Blog, The Amboy Times, Conservative Cat, 123 Beta, Rightwing Guy, The Cutting Edge, The HILL Chronicles, third world county, The Crazy Rants of Samantha Burns, The Uncooperative Blogger ®, The World According to Carl, Blue Star Chronicles, Pirate's Cove, Dumb Ox News, and Culturetastic, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.

Governor: Give Voters the Choice

In today's Seattle Times we learn that Ron Sims is probably going to have another temper tantrum...

Gov. Christine Gregoire this morning called for a public vote on the Alaskan Way Viaduct to break the political stalemate between an affordable elevated structure and a tunnel that is still financially shaky.

The vote should occur by April within Seattle only. Seattle residents and the city government would be legally responsible to come up with the additional $1.8 billion of expected tunnel cost over what's available from current gas taxes and federal grants — if city voters approve the tunnel.

If they chose an elevated structure, Gregoire said she expects the state to ensure it's fully funded. Current costs for that are $2.8 billion, which means lawmakers would need to boost funding about $400 million beyond what the state is contributing now.

Gregoire did not explain in detail how that would happen, but reiterated that the state is responsible for the cost of an elevated highway.

In calling for a public vote, Gregoire said opponents would challenge either the tunnel or the elevated highway through the legislative or permitting processes.

"We are at a political stalemate and must find a path forward to replace the viaduct," Gregoire said in a statement. "I don't believe that, without a vote, either option will move forward. We need to hear directly from the people for whom this decision has the most impact."

She said if costs were no object, the tunnel would be an easy choice. But she said the finance plan for the tunnel alternative is not "feasible and sufficient" to complete the project.

The state Legislature last year asked the city to either vote on a viaduct replacement option or have the City Council choose a replacement by ordinance. While it initially intended to put it to a vote, the council changed its mind and chose the tunnel.

A Seattle Times poll in October found that just 25 percent of Seattle voters want to replace the viaduct with a tunnel while 51 percent want a new viaduct built.

...

The mayor and the Seattle City Council, as well as the city's business and arts groups, want a 1.1-mile tunnel along the downtown Seattle waterfront. They say it would open up the waterfront and remove a blight.

But others, including influential state legislators, want the viaduct to be rebuilt. Not only is that a cheaper option, it would require less traffic disruption during construction.

...

The city has threatened to increase the costs of an elevated structure, by stalling it and withholding permits, to try to force the tunnel.

Many people thought the governor would chose between the tunnel and the rebuild, but instead she dropped it in the laps of city voters.

This is a good thing. The Seattle City Council acted in craven self interest when they refused to put this before the people. Ron Sims has threatened to block and drag out the process if any option other than a tunnel is chosen.

Having Seattle voters make the choice is the right thing to do. Maybe, just maybe if they vote against the tunnel and the spoiled children they've elected as leaders drag their feet and resist an elevated viaduct and drive the cost up they'll wake up and vote these brats out of office.

I won't hold my breath waiting.

Previous Posts:

• King County Council conflicted over morality
• Mayor Nickels ready to act like spoiled child
• Seattle City Council among reasons viaduct cost could rise
• Do we need another big government agency for transit?
• More drivers, more time in gridlock

Cross Posted at NWBloggers.com

Trackposted to Rightwing Guy, Perri Nelson's Website, The HILL Chronicles, third world county, The Random Yak, The Crazy Rants of Samantha Burns, Adam's Blog, The World According to Carl, Pirate's Cove, Blue Star Chronicles, Stuck On Stupid, The Bullwinkle Blog, The Amboy Times, Dumb Ox News, Culturetastic, and Conservative Cat, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.