Clashing realities: Israeli troops vs. Bush

[ProSense]

Israeli troops criticize army, equipment

By BENJAMIN HARVEY, Associated Press Writer 1 hour, 10 minutes ago

METULLA, Israel - Israeli soldiers returning from the war in Lebanon say the army was slow to rescue wounded comrades and suffered from a lack of supplies so dire that they had to drink water from the canteens of dead Hezbollah guerrillas.

"We fought for nothing. We cleared houses that will be reoccupied in no time," said Ilia Marshak, a 22-year-old infantryman who spent a week in Lebanon.

Marshak said his unit was hindered by a lack of information, poor training and untested equipment. In one instance, Israeli troops occupying two houses inadvertently fired at each other because of poor communication between their commanders.

"We almost killed each other," he said. "We shot like blind people. ... We shot sheep and goats."

In a nation mythologized for decisive military victories over Arab foes, the stalemate after a 34-day war in Lebanon has surprised many.

more...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060818/ap_on_re_mi_ea/mideast_angry_soldiers_6

Any chance to get them to talk to the chronically delusional Bush?

Bush: In time, world will recognize Hezbollah's loss

Friday, August 18, 2006; Posted: 12:25 p.m. EDT (16:25 GMT)

CAMP DAVID, Maryland (AP) -- President Bush acknowledged Friday that it could take time for the people of Lebanon and the world to view the war between Israel and Hezbollah as a loss for the militant group.

"The first reaction of course of Hezbollah and its supporters is to declare victory. I guess I would have done the same thing if I were them," Bush said after a meeting with his economic advisers.

"Sometimes it takes people awhile to come to the sober realization of what forces create stability and what don't," he said. "Hezbollah is a force of instability."

Bush also expressed some disappointment with France's decision to offer just 400 soldiers to a U.N. peacekeeping force being developed to calm the situation in southern Lebanon. France was expected to lead the mission, and its announcement of such a small number led to doubts that the force would deploy quickly.

more...

http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/08/18/bush.ap/index.html?section=cnn_latest