"The Palestinian people have voted in elections. And now the leaders of Hamas must recognize Israel, disarm, reject terrorism, and work for lasting peace. " - G.W. Bush, State of the Union Address, January 31, 2006 http://www.whitehouse.gov/stateoftheunion/2006/index.html

I heard this, and in my mind I was asking "Or what?" The people of Palestine have spoken, and they have democratically chosen to support the organization that is considered a terrorist group by the United States. If they back down on that position, aren't they betraying their electorate? Do we think that the voters of Palestine have chosen the terrorists so that they can change their tune? If the voters of Palestine don't understand what they were supporting, is democracy really working there? Are they being hoodwinked? Or is democracy working, and they are in agreement with Hamas' platform? It is certainly possible that they were voting AGAINST Fatah, but even that is an indication of the political will of the Palestinian people. I'm not familiar with Palestinian politics, but if they can't field a party that really is moderate, dedicated to peace, and willing to engage with Israel and the world, doesn't that say something about the Palestinian people?

I do realize that from the American foreign policy point of view, the or what really is a cutoff of foreign aid to the Palestinians. But is that really going to convince Hamas to chanbe their position, or just strengthen it by reinforcing a bunker mentality that is already viewed as a terrorist organization.