ok .. time for a mini politics rant before i head to bed.

Today, a bus exploded in Jerusalem. The current death count stands at 16 with a higth possibility of eventual increases in the number. The extremist group, Hamas has taken responsibility for the sucide bombing. They argue that this attack was in response to the actions carried out by the Israeli government three days ago.

Israel tried to assasinate Hamas' controversial leader three days ago. They were unsucessful. They took full responsibility for the attack also. Now this ticks me off plenty.

First, about a week or two ago, I actually thought a few monumental steps had been taken in this elusive quest for peace. Ariel Sharon (Isreali PM) had agreed to a road map, however flawed it might have been. So had Abu Mazin (spelling?), The PLO's Prime Miniter. Ariel Sharon had also gone in front of world media and declared that what Israel was involved in was nothing less than a ful scale occupation of Palestinian territory. Moreover, he indicated strongly that Israel could not continue this course for much longer and indeed that it should not do so.

Ariel Sharon is a bastard, plain and simple. He single handedly gave the orders for the masscares at Sabra and Chatilla refugee camps in Lebanon. He has been charged with crimes against humanity in regards to these massacres and teh one in Jenin a few years ago in both the International Criminal Court and Belgian courts.

So, when he said this, I stopped dead in my tracks. This was a huge confession. This, finally after years of dilly dally, might be a step forward I thought. How wrong I was. This was nothing more than a publicity stunt. Israel attained laurels from all over the world for its step forward. Just when the world was looking at the Palestinians to make a similiar gesture and take a step forward of its own, whatever that may be, Israel goes and infuriates (to a great degree) one of the most volatile and careless terrorist organisations is the world, Hamas. Now any move by Palestine will be seen from the shadows. To the common man, Palestine's response to Israel's move was violence. The circle of violence has been reactivated.

Politics. Sometimes, I hate it. It seems as if this bloodshed will never end. I hope I am wrong about that too.