Soul-searching on Syria

Dear Ari, August 9,2012 Life is a gamble even if you never bet. While what you wrote has a logic of its own, I would suggest you apply historic realities (far too few, I admit) that suggest peace obtained, mitigates its opposite. Not in every case, for sure, but certainly hundreds of years of European slaughter followed by economically logical peace agreements, haven't been complete failures either. Example: France and England. Thus, I'll take your admittance of supposed poor judgement and ask you point blank: would Syria still be under an Assad or Assad like governmental mind set had Israel and Syria come to grips about the Golan? Likewise, who says "land for peace" means that and that alone? Couldn't the same notion or "guiding light" have evolved to a type of Israeli citizenry presence and their signifigant memebership in the social and most importantly economic character of a Syrian Golan Heights entity? Couldn't a peace agreement have led to a state of affairs when and where Israelis live and work and thrive in a Syrian flag flying Golan Heights area that also has a very close at hand IDF position? You know, a sort of they get to fly the flag, have post offices, signs in Arabic etc. but we own the wineries, have the better tourist offereings scenes. Think about it: if Gaza were a viable Palestianian flag flying area, and Israelis could (signifigant voice) contribute to the fabric of a Gazan social and economic vitality, things would be as close to a peace agreement as anything else. Land certainly exists, but peace has been and probably always will be a reality point of agreement between combatants that have too much money to lose by going to or continuing their wars. England wanted the French king's wine, but found out they could make a bundle selling it in downtown London without ever having to go to war. In short, had Israel done alot of things involving creative diplomacy (that's gambling if ever there was such a thing) backed by Don Corlione rules of engagement, we might now be neither hearing nor seeing the bloodshed that is today's Assad Syria. He might have been "market forces'' and "social justice" retired to a national hero status, close election replaced or more logically, more focused on keeping the money coming in from his Golan Hights land deed that would be in fact, Israel's American equivilent of Mexico, Puerto Rico, Hawaii. etc. It comes down to control, no? And, how you make it work to a mutual as well as personal advantage. Whatever, I enjoy your writing very much. Bill Treistman