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Last update - 11:30 10/06/2008 How to topple this unsavory character By Israel Harel Tags: second lebanon war  Appealing to his conscience is as pointless as pleading with his sense of responsibility. Had he been blessed with either, we would not be pressing him to step down for committing abhorrent deeds, ones that are illicit and improper for any norm of public life. Nor is there any point in stepping up the pressure on the attorney general, state prosecutor or their teams. It seems this time, unlike the shameful conduct in the the Greek island affair, for example, the legal authorities are trying to meet their professional responsibilities. But they have their own rules and work pace. It is impossible to accept the situation of Ehud Olmert's staying in his post until an indictment is served against him. To avoid this disgrace and to ensure that this lofty job is handed over to a better man - at least, a colleague who is honest, it is mainly up to the public to shoulder the responsibility and to take the necessary actions. The public has several means at its disposal in conducting the battle to clean out the barn. First and foremost, it can apply pressure on the parties that are dragging their feet (Labor, for example) and waiting, in fact, for the public to force them into action. Advertisement The public storm that peaked after Morris Talansky's testimony must not be allowed to fade away and over time (Olmert's dream) dissipate with the wind. We must not go back to business as usual and be immersed in trifles without getting to the core of the storm: A man who for years, in various ways, has been at the center of affairs no man can afford to be involved in, not to mention someone who is a mayor, minister and, above all, a prime minister must resign or be dismissed. Such an act is a shock but if it yields the proper results, it may restore to the government the norms of conduct befitting a Jewish, Zionist and democratic state, observant of the law, and advance worthy people to the leadership. No less important is that the many who have despaired of our defective political culture may have their faith restored once they see that the lesson has been learned, and that the government is adhering to clean, proper norms. But without the relentless pressure of those who cannot take it any more, those practicing a politics that are degenerate and even corrupt will not reform voluntarily. Such pressure means protest - and not merely armchair talk or complaining to colleagues at work. Taking to the street to demonstrate like the protests after the Second Lebanon War - interesting, twice in two years against the same man - is one way. This time, unlike the disappointing post-war demonstrations, protest is likely to succeed. Now that Olmert has gone too far with his failings and transgressions, and the political system has realized that his misconduct is habitual, it has no choice but to remove him from office. A resounding public push, like a massive demonstration, perhaps, is an effective way to get the job done. It may not break Olmert's stubbornness, but the political system would no longer be able to ignore the situation. And Barak will no longer be able to dither and waver. Kadima, not wanting to disappear, will also have to heed the public. But the public should be warned: Various groups with considerable influence on party and public thinking have stopped campaigning against Olmert to protect their own interests. Golan residents, for example, who are short-sighted and making short-term calculations, prefer a lame-duck leader who can't do anything decisive (like leaving the Golan) to one who could make decisions and implement them. The Yesha Council of Judea and Samaria settler leaders, who were among the first to demand Olmert's resignation, is now keeping mum, probably for the same reasons. And left-wing bodies want Olmert to stay at a time like this, because he has neither the moral nor the political power to implement a comprehensive operation in Gaza or take other steps. Such calculations will only lead to disappointment. The struggles for one political way or another, certainly for solutions that are crucial to the nation and state, must hew as closely as possible to the biblical edict: "Therefore shall thy camp be holy." Bookmark to del.icio.us   Marketing ploy Israeli satellite TV has a new star - Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Through her lens Madonna's next project: documentary about the Israeli-Arab conflict.   1.   I want to see a mass protest to 12:05  |  Dror 10/06/08   2.   I want to protest again amongst the masses 12:10  |  Dror 10/06/08   3.   The Problem is the Left and Its Anti-Democratic "Realpolitik" 12:30  |  Ovadiah ben Avraham 10/06/08   4.   Unfair article - there are plenty rotten apples - 12:33  |  Jos 10/06/08   5.   This is absurd 14:07  |  Dror 10/06/08   6.   Barak is weakening himself and his party daily 14:12  |  Dror 10/06/08   7.   What happens when the people lose hope and become desperate 14:19  |  Dror 10/06/08   8.   What do you do with a ROTTEN APPLE? 15:03  |  Dolly 10/06/08   9.   I expect Barak & Livni are bargaining 16:15  |  Rowan 10/06/08   10.   Get Rid Of Johnny Rotten 17:08  |  Hamekubal A 10/06/08   11.   Deliver another envelope with phoney bills 21:11  |  Sherlick Homeless 10/06/08

Read & React Palestinians: IDF fire kills 9-year-old girl in Gaza Strip Responses: 3 Editorial: No good reason for broad IDF Gaza operation Responses: 3 Haniyeh aide: Hamas expects gesture in exchange for Shalit letter Responses: 30 IDF reservists complain their service consists of babysitting young settlers Responses: 3 Alexander Yakobson: Religious rites not needed to join the Jewish people Responses: 2 More Headlines 09:24 Palestinians: IDF fire kills 9-year-old girl in Gaza 07:33 Pressure mounting on Olmert to set date for Kadima primaries 09:13 Haniyeh aide: In exchange for Shalit letter, we expect gesture 07:32 Bill banning would-be MKs who visit enemy countries passes first reading 09:16 Immigration raid on Iowa kosher meat plant likely to raise prices 06:27 Israel keeps mum ahead of cease-fire meeting with Hamas 09:23 Israeli company develops radar system that sees through walls 08:03 U.S. Army training Egyptians to find and destroy smuggling tunnels 05:56 Teenager who murdered for 'thrill' wants life sentence commuted 05:36 Jordanian embassy in Tel Aviv launches Web site in Hebrew 08:22 Dead Sea is drying up alarmingly, receded 10 centimeters in May Previous Editions Select Day 10 jun 09 jun 08 jun 06 jun 05 jun 04 jun 03 jun 02 jun 01 jun 30 may 29 may 28 may

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