Why?

When Israel speaks of Hammas or Hizbollah, they speak of killing one man or two men or a group of men who have in the past demonstrated by their actions that they wish to kill Israelis and would very much appreciate it if Israel sent them on their holy journey to heaven.

When Hamas speaks or Hizbollah speaks, they speak of killing Jews, any Jew, all the Jews, every Jew - men and women, children and old. They do not distinguish between which Jew or any Jew, just every Jew.

In the course of routing out and killing the Hamas follower or hizbollah leader, Israel is often at pains to get to them because they tend to hide among women and children and Israel tries very hard to avoid injuring non-combatants. They try.

Hamas relishes the kill. They enjoy watching as children and women are slaughtered - as long as they are Jews.

When Israel speaks of actions against Hamas, they are attacked by virtually every academic who was paying attention. When the US speaks of surgical strikes, they are also attacked by the peace loving folks who just want peace and love. We are regularly condemned for our language and choice of words. Bush is still mocked for his statement that you are either with us or against us.

Yet, if you are Hamas, you can say things that are hateful, inciting, and purposefully antagonizing, that will lead to the deaths of innocents and no one pays attention. People just ignore it and dismiss it as the words of someone who is just rambling and really does not mean it. So we are to excuse these unfortunates for their emotional outbursts, but not if it is Israel or the US.

Why is that? A double standard? That you expect the US and Israel to behave better than the Arab. Do you know how racist that belief is? Do you understand the depth of that racist sentiment? Doubtful.

Words matter. They matter if you are Hamas Cleric Wael Al-Zarad and you call for the Annihilation of the Jews. Broadcast February 28, 2008.

Words matter and must not be dismissed because some cleric utters words and argues for the complete annihilation of every Jew. No, when someone makes a threat and urges anyone who can fly a plane to fly it in to the heart of Israel and kill everyone - words matter.