FIRST WORD...

How is it that liberals like Cynthia McKinney almost always end up on the wrong side of important issues? From global warming to taxation to foreign affairs, far too often they  come down across the fence from the best interests of America and her allies.

The present conflict between Israel and Hamas is a fine example. Essentially surrounded by enemies, Israel is a peaceful nation in a rather unfortunate location. Through the course of their history, virtually every truce, treaty and cease-fire agreement has been broken. Not by Israel, but by their Muslim neighbors.

Why? Because Israel is not a Muslim nation. As such, radical Muslim nations seek no less than the complete destruction of Israel. These are the same religious fanatics who find the destruction of the US and the "Islamification" of the civilized world an appealing notion. They're the same people who attacked the World Trade Center not once, but twice. And they're the same people who routinely murder innocent Israelis without provocation. Islamic fundamentalism represents  bigotry and religious hatred at their absolute worst.

After Hamas repeatedly violated the most recent truce by dropping hundreds of missiles on southern Israel, the Israeli government finally had enough. Israel has launched a devastating offensive into Gaza, targeting every known Hamas facility. It is unfortunate that civilians on both side have been killed in the conflict, but that is the nature of war. I despise the term "collateral damage," but it is impossible for the innocent to escape harm in a conflict of this magnitude.

The saddest part of all this is that it didn't have to happen. All Hamas has to do to stop the violence by Israel is stop their violence against Israel. Israel rarely strikes preemptively. They only attack when attacked or when attack is eminent, and over the decades they have shown admirable restraint.

Who can blame Israel for defending themselves?

Evidently former GA congresswoman Cynthia McKinney does. Cynthia has called upon President-elect Barack Obama to "speak out against the attacks on Gaza."

Not only is she running her mouth, but she had the poor judgment to join the crew of a 60-ft yacht carrying humanitarian supplies to Gaza. And, they tried to run an Israeli naval blockade. Now she's complaining because the yacht, the Dignity, was damaged in the attempt. Cynthia of course claims the Israelis rammed the yacht.

Says Cynthia:

Our boat was rammed three times, twice in the front and one on the side,” McKinney told CNN Tuesday morning. “Our mission was a peaceful mission. Our mission was thwarted by the aggressiveness of the Israeli military.”  (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Says Israel:

Yigal Palmor, a spokesman for Israel’s Foreign Ministry, says, "...there was no response to a radio warning to the Dignity, and the vessel then tried to out-maneuver the Israeli patrol boat, leading to the collision." (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Perhaps Cynthia and her friends thought  the Israels would ultimately give way to them. Or, perhaps the collision was the result of poor seamanship by the pilot of the yacht. We may never know. What Cynthia needs to understand is that the purpose of a blockade is to prevent marine traffic in or out of a particular area. Doesn't take a genius to figure that one out.

Further, Cynthia claims the Israelis rammed the yacht not once, but three times. Let's get real a moment, shall we? Does a yacht survive being rammed three times by an armored patrol boat? Nope. Sorry Cynthia, but you're lying. You weren't rammed three times. Maybe once, but you and your friends tried to run a naval blockade, and whoever was at the helm of the yacht made a very poor decision in trying to our-maneuver a craft designed specifically to intercept other boats. You and your friends earned the consequences of your actions.

One must wonder why these people, all members of the "Free Gaza" activist group, sought to bypass the normal channels for delivering aid. Israel isn't denying aid to Gaza. The Red Cross and the World Health Organization are actively delivering humanitarian supplies to the Palestinian people. And Israel is allowing it even though they know at least some of that aid will be used by Hamas. Could the Free Gaza folks not have donated supplies to either of these respected and credible organizations? Had they done so, whatever was in the cargo hold of the yacht would likely be in Gaza by now.

Most disturbing is the fact that Cynthia and her liberal shipmates obviously see Israel as the villain in this affair. Israel is fighting for its survival. They have been a staunch ally of the United States over the years, and are deserving of our support during these trying times. One can only conclude that Cynthia McKinney, a former Georgia congresswoman and Green Party presidential candidate, has chosen to side with our enemies.

In my mind, that makes her an enemy as well. A comically inept enemy perhaps, but an enemy nonetheless. Wake up Cynthia, you're playing for the wrong team. Again.

Related Reading:

• Gaza relief boat damaged in encounter with Israeli vessel
• Red Cross Sending Tons of Medical Aid to Gaza
• 'It's About Time': Satisfaction in Israel Over Gaza Assault
• McKinney on boat with medicine for Gaza
• McKinney relief boat hit by Israeli ship