Hamas and the Palestinians I am an optimist by nature but it's hard to find anything in the mid-east to feel good about. Sharon was a huge force for peace but he is out of the game. The nut case in Iran enjoys to challenge the rest of the world in a cynical political game to build domestic support for his Islamic fascist program. And he is surely going for the nuke. Not much good news from Iraq. Then, the last piece - Hamas wins the Palestinian election. What more can go wrong?

The Palestinians have created quite a mess. It's not strange that voters are frustrated with the Fatah leadership. Arafat and his successors have always been corrupt and incompetent but this is the Palestinian leadership and only Palestinians can do something about it. To turn to Hamas is just about the stupidest thing they could do.

The Hamas leadership has to choose - either stick with their current program or embrace the civilized means of a politics. The latter would include to recognize Israel, give up all form of terrorism, and support of terrorism. If Hamas will not change course should the west use all means possible to undermine it, the government they will command, and the people they represent. It may came across to be harsh but there simply has to be consequences to voluntarily adopt a terrorist leadership and it's simply unacceptable and dangerous with terrorists running a government.

The immediate consequences should include the following. All financial support to the Palestinians should cease promptly. All UN programs and activities in the Palestinian territories should cease. Sponsor specific Israeli programs to eliminate Hamas - it's leadership any anybody carrying arms for it.

I've always supported a Palestinian state but they may simply be too incompetent and too addicted to the struggle to be trusted with an independent government. Sad.  ¶ 4:23 PM