It’s Hard

I should have gone to Stanford. Then I might have learned to speak like this:

WASHINGTON (AFP) — US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice Friday defended Israel in the face of civilian deaths in Gaza, saying “it’s hard” for Israeli troops to protect residents because the area is so densely populated and Hamas allegedly uses people as human shields.

“It is very difficult in circumstances like Gaza, which is a very densely populated area,” Rice told reporters when asked if Israel is living up to its humanitarian obligations in the offensive which has left more than 780 Palestinians dead.

“I might note it’s also an area in which Hamas participates in activities like human shields, using buildings that are not designated as military buildings to hide their fighters. So it’s hard,” Rice said.

“I was encouraged that Prime Minister (Ehud) Olmert, after an extensive conversation we had, agreed to open a new humanitarian corridor,” the chief US diplomat added.

I’ve never participated in an activity “like human shields” before. In the privacy of your own home, with other consenting adults, it sounds like it might be kinda fun.

I know she’s just towing the line, which requires her to speak in jargon. But still, couldn’t a PhD from Stanford avoid calling Gaza a “circumstance” or make references to “humanitarian corridors”? (As opposed to what, non-humanitarian corridors?) And how dare those wicked terrorists operate in places that aren’t designated as military buildings.

Oh well, when you represent the Bush administration I guess you just can’t help sounding silly. After all, the Bush administration is stupid and corrupt and incompetent, so it’s hard.