This is Ugly

Israel has launched its greatest attack on Lebanon since the 1982 invasion. President Bush has laid total blame on Hezbollah, which will only further alienate the US in the region. Iran remains defiant to international demands; given Israeli aggression and the US presence in Iraq, there is little hope of getting Iran to forsake nuclear weapons.

The Arab league is meeting in Cairo to discuss the situation. Of the many possible ends to this situation, a peaceful, soft landing is unlikely.

Back at Home:
The markets have panicked and crude oil surged above $73 a gallon, a new intraday record. I'd rather see government taxes bumping up gas prices, but this will only help the environmental lobby. Energy security resonates more closely with the American people than an idealistic, "Save the Whales" mantra; the Dems can get mileage out of this in November, by connecting it to their longstanding demands for alternative fuel and by blaming prices on the Iraq war (reality rarely matters in politics).