Ok. This is what I have to say to nerd, and Fred at this time. I'm a little cramped for time on the computer, so I can't answer with the care and depth that I would like, but it's the best I can do at this time.

Here it is:

I don't feel a need to blame Israel for anything. I have never started one of these threads. I do not start any discussions on this subject. But people keep using (over and over and over and over and over and over, ad nauseum) both here in the Mudcat as well as in the US generally, a lot of lies and distortions of history in order to justify the continuing subjugation, dehumanization, and oppression of a whole people. When I encounter this, I speak up about it. A perfect example of that sort of thing is this from nerd (please interpret my use of caps in my response as frustration, and not stridency):

way to change the subject again! Arafat's 300 Million doesn't concern you, even though if he spent that on bettering the lot of the Palestinian refugees he could probably buy them enough land to live on.

WHAT THE HELL GOOD WOULD IT DO FOR ARAFAT TO BUY THEM LAND IF THE GOVERNMENT OF ISRAEL IS JUST GOING TO KICK THEM OFF OF IT AND THEN BULLDOZE THEIR HOMES!!!?????????

You answer me that one nerd!