Opinion Editorials are posted and archived on JNonline.us. Editorial Ultimate Responsibility T here's a strong linkage between Israel and the United States. Only this time, it's not the kind we want to trumpet weekly from our media, our classrooms and our pulpits. Have you noticed the trial balloons about Iran that were floated in recent weeks in the U.S. media? Suddenly, Americans must contemplate another invasion, an expansion of our increasingly private war on terror beyond our ques- tionable foray into Iraq. It's not that we question the ultimate goals. It's just that we, if not our political leaders, have learned a bitter lesson over the past six years: Rhetoric and action don't necessarily mesh on the national political scene. After Sept. 11, 2001, where was the big- gest threat to the United States and the entire free world? Afghanistan and North Korea stand out, with Iran ominously lurking in the shadows. Yet, where did the Bush administration pour the bulk of our young soldiers, our national budget and the world's attention? Into Iraq. The one victory in this scenario seems to be in Korea. There, a unified approach and long-term negotiations seem to have turned the focus of a tyrant back within his own borders. The United States is slowly find- ing that a myopic worldview cannot be imposed with blood and treasure. A more realistic stance and a few more interna- tional friends would go a long way toward improving domestic and international security, and prosperity. Our brethren in Israel, just like Americans, are re-learning the same lessons again and again. We had our Vietnam, and 30 years later we have been destined to replicate that morass in Iraq. Israel won the epic Six-Day War in 1967, and allowed the resulting euphoria to blind itself to the approaching disaster of 1973. Move ahead to the last five years. While Americans fought the War on Terror in the wrong places, Israel has continued to be bogged down by the wars on its borders. Unlike America, Israel has not always been able to choose it battles. Israel has, however, has lost opportunities to effect change. The Bush administration is being impacted by the six-year malaise that seems to strike most U.S. presidencies. After six years, it seems that Americans finally discover the real persona of our commander in chief, warts and all, and the new reality is reflected in the lowest popularity ratings of George W. Bush's two terms as president. Much of that down- Dry Bones '79 AZTG4 1?4 iTr THE OSLO r UNDER PEACE ACCORDS, , TEACHING ARAB KIDS ward spiral is related THAT JEWS ARE THE to the president's Iraq EVIL SPAWN OF THE policy. DEVIL . In Israel, political leaders and military commanders committed the unpardonable sin last summer of protract- ing a war against a weak foe. Israel managed to minimize Hezbollah as an immediate threat and , AND ACCORDING, prove to the Lebanese TO THE "MODERATES" people they can't rely IN THE PALESTINIAN on that terrorist orga- AUTHORITY, nization for protection. Also, arms shipments to Hezbollah now have been impaired. And the investment of both Iran and Syria in Hezbollah was exposed. Still, the resulting loss of military and DryBonesBlog.CCIM civilian lives and prop- erty together with more recent scandals involving politicians and political leaders and foreign policies. Israel's figurehead president have tumbled Ultimately, the public will continue those Israel's more-characteristic swagger and questions as new elections approach. resolve. In both cases, in the United States E-mail letters of no more than 150 words to: and Israel, the public is questioning its letters@thejewishnews.com . Reality Check Dog Meets Girl C barley thinks he can make himself invisible. If he stands very still for a long time, his theory seems to be that the squirrels will forget he's there, come down from their trees, get just close enough and then... WHOMP! Or something like that. The fact that this never even has come close to happening does not seem to deter Charley at all. He is a terrier, West Highland variety, and not a dog to let go of a good idea. His ongoing battle with the squirrels is a feature of life in our back yard. It gives his day structure. His other high point is when our 17- month old granddaughter comes over for a visit. Caryn clearly adores Charley and wants to offer tokens of her esteem and regard. Charley remains non-committal. He doesn't quite understand the use of her. For example, Charley wants to run and fetch thrown objects. Next to the stealth war on the squirrels, it is his favorite pas- 34 i'Var , 0O7 time. Caryn under- stands the game and would like to participate. Unfortunately, her arm strength is not up to her ambition. While Charley likes to have one of his toys flung clear across the room, maybe even down the stairs and into a back corner of the family room, Caryn's tosses usually land right at her feet. Charley thinks this is hardly sporting, not much of a challenge at all. Doesn't the kid get it? You've got to hurl that thing, wing it like Joel Zumaya. This is the chal- lenge that stirs the blood, the chance to prove that he is equal to any distance his stuffed hot dog is thrown. He looks at it disdainfully. While Caryn claps her hands and waits in expectation, he trots away with a yawn. She waves her arm and babbles, expecting the game to go on. He ignores her. It's more fun to wage a guerilla campaign against the squirrels. There is a third event that thrills Charley to the marrow. That is the arrival of the school bus, which stops exactly opposite our house. He seems to know when it is about to come and stations himself at the edge of the bed by the win- dow. When he sees the kids disembark it sets him off on a perfect frenzy of bark- ing and racing about. Should our neighbor, Conor, actu- ally ring the bell to take him for a walk, Charley goes into a dance of ecstasy, paws barely touching the ground. It reminds me of Snoopy's big number in You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown when he realizes that supper is being served. Ifs very odd, though. If given the slight- est chance to break free of the house, he is off like a shot. This offends me. This dog actually has it pretty good here; decent food, a warm place to sleep, a back yard with plenty of squirrels to annoy. But when Sherry or I go after him on one of these bolts for freedom, he refuses to come. Should Jack the Ripper be walking down the street and hold out his hand, however, Charley would bounce right over to him, tail wagging. My feeling is if this dog is dumb enough to go racing off into the rain and cold, that's his lookout. Usually, however, I am forced to circle the block in my car and call his name in the hope he will return. This causes much marital tension. Our neighbor tells us we should get an invisible fence. I don't know. A dog who thinks he's invisible surrounded by an invisible fence? It sounds spooky to me. I just can't see it. George Cantor's e-mail address is gcan tor614@aol. corn.