Inside Hezbollah | Party of God

[Occhidiangela]

Hezbollah gains adherents by being a grassroots organization that operates as a fully functional and independent government within Lebanon.

It's deeper than a successful militant organization; this is a popular social group with strong connections to local communities and a significant hold upon the hearts and minds of the Lebanese people.

CNN Linky

If it wasn't for the "CRUSH THE ZIONIST" element, they'd be stand-up guys.

Sure, except for their Shia bent, which makes them a threat to any of the Sunni in the Middle East. Roughly 90% of Muslims are Sunni. So, like the Communists of the 30's and 40's, if it weren't for some of their nastier habits and their dedication to over throwing the basic social order, sure, they'd be stand up guys.

Of course, there are conservative/reactionary Sunni factions as well, but they don't tend to benefit from the largesse of Teheran, nor subscribe to the Islamic Revolution/Islamic Republic rhetoric and ideology.

Meanwhile, I was just thinkin' -- a lot of folks in India aren't all that pleased with the Muslim agitators in Pakistan and Bangladesh pursuing their agenda at the expense of the Hindu. Recent train bombings seem to stem from a Bangladesh cell of activists/guerillas.

Not a whole lot of love going around these days, it seems. John Lennon's fantasy is fading fast.

Tom Lehrer's lyrics are more apropos than the drippy refrain to "All You Need is Love"

"Oh the Catholics hate the Protestants
And the Protestants hate the Catholics
And the Hindus hate the Moslems
And everybody hates the Jews!

But during National Brotherhood week . . ."

Occhi