Hapless journalism meets hapless politicos.

Aug 5, 10:37 AM EDT

U.S., France OK U.N. Mideast truce pact


AP Photo/DAVID KARP
AP VIDEO

AP Middle East Update
World Video


UNITED NATIONS (AP) -- The United States and France reached agreement Saturday on a U.N. Security Council resolution aimed at ending the fighting between Israel and Lebanese Hezbollah guerrillas, U.S. Ambassador John Bolton said.

An official with knowledge of the talks, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the draft calls for a "full cessation of violence" between Israel and Hezbollah, but would allow Israel the right to launch strikes if Hezbollah attacks it.

"It does not say immediate cessation of violence," said the official, who spoke anonymously because the draft had not yet been made public.

That appeared to be a major victory for the U.S. and Israel. France and many other nations had demanded an immediate halt to violence without conditions as a way to push the region back toward stability.


What is the point of publishing this? Associated press has to be joking, but you cant really fault them. Newspapers are buying this.

The story begins with a nice teaser, but then you have to realize that neither the Untied States or France is fighting in Lebanon., and it also contains the fatal hollow phrase, "U.N. Security Council resolution". Okay, does everyone see that? The second paragrarh is the height of saying nothing. If I were to write a paragraph bereft of information or credibility, this one would be my model. Let me re-write it for you here, or better yet let me quote Ferris Buellers Day Off"> instead.

My best friend's sister's boyfriend's brother's girlfriend heard from this guy who knows this kid who's going with the girl who saw Ferris pass out at 31 Flavors last night. I guess it's pretty serious.

So the article drones on about nothing some more and then says, "that appeared to be a victory for the US and Israel." Well NO, the fucking rockets are still raining down. My point is, the press that is not in the region, and the diplomats not in the region are trying to waste your time and money. They successfully wasted mine.