Nick Rahall: “I do not understand the motives behind all the actors involved in recent actions in the Middle East. I do not condone…”

“I do not understand the motives behind all the actors involved in recent actions in the Middle East. I do not condone kidnappings, murders, terrorist acts whether in a military zone or across borders, whether as an act of resistance or whatever the terms are that one uses. I do feel I understand somewhat the feelings of an oppressed, occupied people who have been treated less than human and who now, through no actions or fault of their own, are being bombed back to the Stone Age. Not only are innocent civilians losing their lives as we speak, but also vital support systems, services and infrastructure needed for day- to-day living are being bombed hourly. Also in severe jeopardy of losing its life is the new pro-American, prodemocracy government of the land of my grandfathers, Lebanon. Only a year and a half ago, as we all will recall, the Cedar Revolution brought such new life and new hope for this country. The Lebanese Government has little knowledge nor collusion with, nor agreement with what the military wing of Hezbollah does. They have condemned these recent actions, as I have done. Every actor in the region knows this, yet some try to convince the world otherwise for their own selfish motives, whether it is for land, for reoccupation or to send signals to other countries. Believe it or not, certain U.S. media outlets play right into these motives by fueling these misperceptions of which others purposely strive to further. Example.…”