Yes, but that isn’t the entire picture so to speak. Their intelligence services collected technical data for the Mirage III later remodelled as the Kfir.

Hamas: Thanks for arming us, America!

http://www.israeltoday.co.il/default.aspx?tabid=178&nid=13209

“Hamas has successfully transformed itself from a fringe terrorist group into a powerful military machine thanks largely to the generous financial aid the United States has given to the Palestinians, according to one of the group’s co-founders.

“Two years ago, one bullet in Gaza cost around $4 – now it would cost 35 cents. The American aid money has been translated into weapons. Thank you, America!” said former Palestinian Authority foreign minister Mahmoud al-Zahar in an interview with Germany’s Der Spiegel.

Despite imposing a crushing economic embargo on direct aid to the Palestinian Authority since Hamas’ electoral victory last year, America and Europe have continued pour funds into humanitarian operations in Judea, Samaria and Gaza at an unprecedented rate. Zahar is not the first Palestinian official to admit the bulk of that money is used for guns, not bread.

On top of that, Hamas took possession of a massive cache of US-supplied arms when it defeated its rivals in Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas’ Fatah-aligned security forces two weeks ago in Gaza. The Bush Administration decided to militarily bolster Abbas in order to curb Hamas’ growing strength, but the Iranian-trained terrorist militia easily overran their CIA-trained Fatah foes in a stunning three-day assault.”

France will probably be different to deal with now that the left is out of office, so I am inclined to wait and see on that. The fact that they often disagree with us is not necessarily a bad thing as the need to deal with a contrarian argument can lead to a better result in the long run.

Freedom leads to enlightenment, as free people are more able to pursue information, which is in a free society, readily available.

In Australia and the current global western system, i wouldnt be worried about fairness in elections. (im sure somebody will try to bring up George W. Bush’s election campaign)
I would be more worried about the general intelligence/education level of the population.

When you have a group of intelligent, enlightened people voting, generally you get a intelligent, enlightened government. However, when you have a group of uneducated religious zealots voting, you tend to get the same kind of government.

I cant really speak for the other countries of the west, although France would certainly be a disaster if there were included in the system that Nicholas was talking about, But i would bet my money that Australia, If we were in a position to do so, would refrain from supporting action that would sway agains election fairness.

Not sure if ive really conveyd my point very clearly, im only first year college.

Nicholas;
I can’t fault that idea, I like it, although I would probably opt for constitutional guarantees on a minimum standard of liberty rather than the electoral stuff. The important thing is not so much how the politicians get there, as what they can do to you when they are there.

I accept though that fairness in elections tends to go hand in glove with higher standards of freedom, but is not a guarantee. I think that if elections are free and fair, those politicians in government are more loath to pass draconian legislation as they have to consider the possibility that the other side may get in and use it on them.

I am a little concearned about the amount of agreement I am getting here. Am I turning into a nicer person or are you guys getting more radical?

“Whoops, I’m late!”

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