Another reason you can't blame the Palestinians

[Thorgrim]

But, Palestinian sources in Gaza, who do not work with NBC, also say it’s no mystery who is holding Johnston. At least seven of the 32 kidnappings of reporters and foreigners in the last three years in Gaza are said to have been carried out by one family, the Daghmash clan, who number an estimated 8,000 people, and reside in Gaza City.

Yasser Arafat kept the families in check. When a large family in Ramallah turned to violent crime, he ordered Jibril Rajoub, his security chief, to arrest the ringleaders. Their homes were surrounded. When machine guns didn't quiet the family, Arafat ordered the use of rocket propelled grenades. A few dead men and the problem was solved.

The problem today in Gaza is that Arafat has gone and nobody has taken his place. Neither Hamas nor Fatah dare take on the families, which control their own towns and villages, like mafia clans.

WorldBlog : Mafia-style violence in Gaza and BBC reporter

Israel occupies and controls these lands, yet it blames Hamas for problems when gangs, who out-gun the Hamas government, take over areas and cause problems

America has struggled with Mafia violence for decades, and it still dominates many cities, yet we are outraged the Palestinians, under Israeli control, can't protect reporters against gangs? Ridiculous

This is all Israel's fault because lack of funds contribute to tribal bonding and gangs, and supporting corrupt officials through unofficial channels as Israel has to keep down extremists, then refusing to recognize extremists when they inevitably win as the majority get sick of corruption...

Then when Israel get's caught screwing up Palestine with its constant tinkering in the elections...they throw their hands up on their own lands

[Linzyhop]

blame canada.

[Linzyhop]

sorry, forgot this is the floor, not speakeasy. disregard....