Argument and Counter-Argument

Proving the facileness of an argument:-

...Since 2000 – during the premierships of Ehud Barak and Ariel Sharon - the strengthening of Hizbullah in Lebanon was carried out with much momentum. It's evident that throughout this period, under defense ministers Barak, Ben Eliezer and Mofaz, the IDF was not equipped with adequate means to intercept Katyusha rockets.

Neither is there any doubt that Israel over the past six years did not prepare itself to handle a large civilian population threatened by rocket fire. And of course the consequences show that the chief-of-staff and several of his senior officers could have performed better.

In other words, Olmert and Peretz can argue that they are not the only ones who ought be put on the public prosecutor's bench, and that the punitive cake should be divided amongst themselves and their past and present partners.

Yet there's another argument, albeit somewhat weak: That the war broke out during the first 100 days in office, before they completed their basic training, and who would expect a pair of inexperienced citizens to adequately handle a difficult heritage as well as a set of generals' plans?

The prime minister can by no means justify leaning on untapped strategies. He embarked on a high profile position in March 2003, more than three years ago; after he was assured that he would become Sharon's right arm. Since then, he should have become acquainted with the problems that were exposed in their severity during the last 35 days.

He was a full partner to the previous cabinet's responsibilities, and everything it did and did not accomplish in the political and security arenas (including cuts in the military budget and the appointment of Dan Halutz).