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Middle East Problems
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Subject: RE: Middle East Problems From: rabbitrunning Date: 15 Oct 00 - 09:18 AM It's rhetoric like "the Jews will be driven into the sea" which prevents me from having complete sympathy for the Palestinians. I agree that the Israeli's are reacting badly, but I honestly believe that Barak's offer at the last peace conference was amazing, considering how badly Arafat has done when it comes to making peaceful co-existence a cultural possibility among the Palestinians. Publishing schoolbooks that don't even acknowledge the existence of Israel and distributing them to children who are going to grow up having to deal with their neighbors is irresponsible at the very least. This round of violence didn't start with Sharon. Yes, he visited the Temple Mount area. That's where the Wailing Wall is. Yes, he brought soldiers. He's heartily hated among Palestinians with cause and he'd be an idiot to go there without protection. But I've not seen a single report from anyone that says that those soldiers were anything but behaving themselves, or not going to leave the area along with Sharon after a speech. A temporary inconvenience at the worst. Hurt feelings from the speech. If the Palestinians had responded with words they'd have my sympathy. They responded with rocks. Lots of rocks being thrown at a bunch of young guys who have guns and a fifty year history of listening to Arab politicians gain points by saying "We will drive the Jews into the sea." How long do you think you can be the target of a lot of a rock throwing mob before you try to get them to back off with the means you have in hand? Particularly when your experience says that the leaders of the mob want to annihilate you and everyone you love? Israeli paranoia is grounded in Arab rhetoric and propaganda. And rhetoric is something that the Arafat can change. |
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Subject: RE: Middle East Problems From: Gary T Date: 15 Oct 00 - 10:22 AM When all is distilled down to the essence of what can be done to make the future better than the past has been, I see no sign that the Palestinians, from kids slinging rocks to leaders passing up reasonable deals, have the psychological capability of accepting peace. |
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Subject: RE: Middle East Problems From: McGrath of Harlow Date: 15 Oct 00 - 11:19 AM Talk of "driving the Jews into the sea" (though that post by "Abu bin-Husseini" I'd say is pretty clearly a plant by someone who has no sympathy for the Palestinian case) -is a reflection of a history in which the last time the Europeans tried to occupy "the Holy Land" they were eventually, after hundred of years "driven into the sea".
For the Palestinians in exile, it's inevitable that they will cling to the history of the long and ultimately victorious struggle against the Crusaders as a token of hope. Last time it was the Christians, this time it's the Jews - same difference. How could they possibly be expected to see it differently, at a gut level?
Gary T's post implies that the problem is that the Paklestinians are different from everybody else, with hang-ups that mean they don't "have the psychological capability of accepting peace". The trouble is they aren't different from everybody else, while history has placed them in a situation which very few of us could cope with without falling into the trap of hatred and self-destructive rage and bitterness.
For the most part this thread has kept away from falling into that trap - easy enough for us sitting at our computers far from the front line, but even so there's a constant risk of tipping over into the sarcasm and sneering and even the anti-semitic (Arab directed version) stereotypes which dominate sommuch media coverage.
If we can keep it that way, I think there is a value in exchanging views about this stuff, rather than backing away because it is divisive. |
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Subject: RE: Middle East Problems From: rabbitrunning Date: 16 Oct 00 - 08:56 AM Sorry, McGrath. The first place I heard "We will drive the Jews into the sea" this round wasn't from an anonymous poster, it was from a Palestinian woman shouting outside of the Israeli embassy on the evening news. She was also saying that mosques were being burnt and that no Palestinian had used anything more powerful than rocks. I know a synagogue was destroyed, but while I haven't followed the news or internet carefully enough to deny the report of mosques, I should think that that sort of report would have been prominent in our newspapers. If you do know of a link to pictures of a mosque being damaged by the Israeli reaction please point me to it and I'll believe her. But I know that the Palestinians were shooting with more than slingshots (which can kill by the way) because I saw French film footage of them doing so. Two days before she was shouting. Lies and rhetoric don't help. (Neither does destroying the police headquarters because of a mob -- even if you do give them three hours warning so no one gets killed.) Ah, half the time I think this was all cooked up between Arafat and Sharon, trying to keep their political power bases. |
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Subject: RE: Middle East Problems From: McGrath of Harlow Date: 16 Oct 00 - 09:26 AM I wasn't suggesting that the anonymous "Abu" originated the expression, but he or she was the one who brought it into the thread.
Yes, there've been some guns on the Palestinian side, but it's very clear that the mass of the weapons used by them have been stones and catpults. And the death count confirms that. Morever. since one in four of the Palestionian deaths have been children (ie under 16),that's a fairly clear indication that it's stonethrowers who are being targetted. (Though of course the little boy shot in his father's arms while they tried to hide from an army sniper was very clearly not throwing anything at anybody.)
It's a messy and horrible situation, and the sort in which ugly rumours spread. I hope that no mosques have been intentionally attacked, either in Israel itself or in the occupied territories, though I wouldn't share rabbitrunning's confidence that if they had it would have been prominently reported in the newspapers.
But the almost one-sided death toll is not in dispute. And the United Nations Security Council which has declared that Israel has been using excessive force includes some countries which are in general very sympathetic to Israel.
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Subject: RE: Middle East Problems From: GUEST,Jack The Lad- Uneasy in Israel Date: 18 Oct 00 - 01:44 PM As one who lives in Israel, and wants to continue doing so- it is very difficult for me to either totally condemn or to justify most of the events which have occurred hereover the past two weeks. Sure- wrongs have been done - historically to both peoples. This does not justify lynching, castrating beating,skull smashing or rock throwing. Rock throwing by an angry mob, or by some sick individual on a highway, is just as lethal as bullets or shells. I know- I have been under it.The rock throwing mobs are mainly young people twelve to 30-that is why some children are getting hurt or killed. Soldiers are shooting mainly rubber bullets but they too can kill under certain circumstances.The rock which crushes a pregnant mum,or the bullet which kills a twelve year old kid, are equally lethal. There is no way in which Israel is going to cave in and the Israelis disperse to other countries. I am equally convinced that there will be a Palestinian state in the forseeable future. It is just a question of seeing sense on the way to it. Both sides have to be brave enough to make compromises and to coexist . I believe that Prime Minister Barak has made significant offers and given significant concessions to the Palestinians- it needs courage and above all honesty on Mr. Arafat's part to accept them, and to urge his people to return to coexistence and to build peace. Jews and Arabs need to put aside hatred and suspicion . I am happy to say that Jewish and Arab musicians both within Israel, and to a certain extent across the borders, cooperate and produce music and art together. There are several folk groups comprising both Jewish and Arab musicians. Halevai( Let it Be) that there will be more of them, and that the rest of the people will learn to live together as they do. Jack The Lad- in Israel.
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Subject: RE: Middle East Problems From: StandingBear (inactive) Date: 18 Oct 00 - 02:06 PM WOW... so many great posts and then someone calls someone else a "stupid twat". IS IT ANY WONDER THAT THERE ARE EVENTS LIKE THAT MBO PERSON LEAVING AND OTHERS NEVER JOINING MUDCAT AND THE WHOLE WAR THING HAPPENING AT ALL? WHEN PEOPLE MAKE ACIDIC COMMENTS LIKE THAT, THEN WONDER WHY THERE ARE HURT FEELINGS... GEE WHIZ. I have my own personal convictions and opinions, but I am not going to venture them. If I did, and was somehow mistaken or I did not choose my words correctly, I might get called a "stupid twat". Which is not a wise thing to call a 300 pound Injun with issues already. So I will just shut my mouth, hoping that any folks with flamey intentions will perhaps join with me. Peace on you, 'Bear |
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Subject: RE: Middle East Problems From: GeorgeH Date: 18 Oct 00 - 02:43 PM Why, why, why do some Jews consider that the Holocaust justifies them perpetrating evil to others? Which is, sadly, the ONLY moral basis for their "majority position" over the Arabs in their midst (in Israel) and whose lands they occupy (elsewhere). It is disingenuity at its height to claim parity between bullets and rocks. It is the Israeli inability to make an "appropriate and measured response" to matters which is at the heart of the problems in the Middle East, and is the reason why the US, Israel and the UK (not always down to the individual citizens of those countries) are HATED throughout the Arab world. Nothing can justify "lynching, castrating beating,skull smashing"; nothing can justify so many aspects of the routine Israeli treatment of the Arabs, or various other atrocities Israel has supported or instigated . . However, I did have one heavily ironic laugh in this ghastly mess. When Clinton described the suicide bombers as "cowardly". Now there are many things you may call the person who is prepared to sacrifice their life for a "cause", but "coward" isn't one of them. Not even the president of the US of A has enough power to change the meaning of words . . whatever his citizens might think. And, Standing Bear, whatever your views - don't worry about anyone calling you names - that merely indicates their inability to engage in debate, and does NOTHING to counter whatever you might choose to say. G. |
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Subject: RE: Middle East Problems From: StandingBear (inactive) Date: 18 Oct 00 - 02:57 PM GoergeH, that may be so, but I do not discuss adult topics with children. They must learn that REAL grownups do not resort to name-calling. REAL grownups ignore bratty children. It may seem snotty, but think about it. Remember the phrase "you might as well be talking to the wall"? Well, it works. It's one of the reasons my people (the Sioux Nation) have been able to slowly begin balancing modern life with ancient culture: We patently ignore those who insist on total assimilation, and soldier on in what we hold to be right, not stooping to the level of someone who is so "right" that their opponent is not only wrong, but unworthy of respect. I respect each person's worth, but I will not allow 'respectful' to mean 'pushover'. Peace on you, 'Bear |
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Subject: RE: Middle East Problems From: GUEST Date: 18 Oct 00 - 03:04 PM What is evident as a result of this thread is who the anti-semites are on this Forum. Good to know for future reference. |
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Subject: RE: Middle East Problems From: Groucho Marxist (inactive) Date: 18 Oct 00 - 03:28 PM GeorgeH, I will not engage in any kind of argument with you over the right of Israel to exist; except to say that if your arguements were true, the same would apply, as someone already pointed out, to all of the European descendants in the Americas and Australia. You rhetorically ask: "Why, why, why do some Jews consider that the Holocaust justifies them perpetrating evil to others?" I am a child of Holocaust survivors and the grandson of Holocaust victims. Your rhetoric is highly offensive. I know of no Jews, NOT ONE, not in North America, and not in Israel, who thinks like that. You refer to routine lynching, castrating, skull smashings, etc. by the Israelis against the Arabs. The only lynchings that have occurred are of Israelis by Palestinians. Even the Palestinians have not accused the Israelis of the things that you attribute to them. The vast majority of Israelis want a just and lasting peace. Most accept the need for a Palestinian state. When the kind of lies that you tell are repeated, finding that peace becomes all the harder. Shalom/Salaam Lou Melamed |
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Subject: RE: Middle East Problems From: StandingBear (inactive) Date: 18 Oct 00 - 03:34 PM I think the whole topic can be summed up thusly, as can most socio-political-conflict topics: If the leaders in this struggle REALLY HONESTLY gave a shit about what their people want (peace), they would not be following their own selfish agendas. I know many Jews and Palestinian Arabs; I also know lots of blacks and whites, cowboys and Indians, Yankee fans and Met fans. If you want peace, take the peaceful route. No one gets peace by force. No one wins a fight. A fight in and of itself is a loss to both sides. If you both want peace, then just (pardon me here) SHUT THE **** UP and drop the subject. Peace on you, 'Bear
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Subject: RE: Middle East Problems From: GUEST,Jack The Lad- who lives there Date: 18 Oct 00 - 05:32 PM I mentioned the lynchings castrations skull smashing etc as examples of atrocities performed gleefully by the Palestinian mob on Israelis- recorded live on film. I also do not deny the shooting of the 12 year old boy apparently by Israeli troops- also recorded live on film. I weep over both. I do not legitimise and as Lou Melamed states , nor do I know of any Jew who does legitimise, any vile behaviour of Jews by citing the Holocaust. Personally I don't give a damn whether the Palestinians are really just plain old Arabs who gravitated here from Mesopotamia or elsewhere- or whether the Israelis should have stayed in Europe America or North Africa. They are here, we are here and I live here,and try to change things by my opinion, by my vote, by my behaviour and by my keyboard.In spite of the lies and ignorance spread by so many people there is a way to peace- and we will find it. By the way- all being well and peaceful- our next Jacob's Ladder Folk Festival is on May 4th & 5th 2001- on the Sea of Galilee- well not actually ON it, though they do say........ Jack The Lad |
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Subject: RE: Middle East Problems From: bflat Date: 18 Oct 00 - 05:59 PM I wish and pray for peace. First, we are humans needing air and sustance. This is common to each of us regardless of our ethnicity. Why can't we be tollerent? Couldn't this a current great challenge of folk music? We contibuted mightily to the ending of war in southeast Asia with our songs. I'm not a songwriter or a voice. Can you be? Will you be? Aren't all people entitled to live without strife, such as this? Can music, as in the past, be a vehile towards peace? Can we organize across the world via this forum a response to peace in this region. What are your thoughts? bflat |
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Subject: RE: Middle East Problems From: Gary T Date: 18 Oct 00 - 08:50 PM An attempt at some possible clarifications: When Lepus Rex used the epithet "stupid twat", I really don't think he was being serious. It was followed by a smiley face, and was in response to a (perceived?) factual error (in other words he was not ridiculing someone's opinion, but pointing out an apparent goof). It could be considered tasteless and crude, out of place given the tenor of the discussion, or even childish, but I seriously doubt it was intended to be more than a friendly "gotcha".
When GeorgeH said this "Nothing can justify "lynching, castrating beating,skull smashing"; nothing can justify so many aspects of the routine Israeli treatment of the Arabs, or various other atrocities Israel has supported or instigated . . " I don't see that he was necessarily attributing the "lynching etc." to the Israelis. When I read it, I figured the part before the semicolon applied to the Palestinians, while the part after the semicolon obviously applies to the Israelis. If I'm reading it correctly, the point is that both groups have committed unjustifiable acts.
I've got to agree with StandingBear on this:"If the leaders in this struggle REALLY HONESTLY gave a shit about what their people want (peace), they would not be following their own selfish agendas." Now, a perspective (elaborating on my previous post, which was not a condemnation but rather an observation--from my perspective, of course): My understanding is that Israel is absolutely determined to maintain its existence where it is, and that there's no realistic hope that anyone will change that. It's also my understanding that Israel's policy has been, from its beginning, to retaliate for attacks on it in greater measure than the initial attacks themselves. In other words, it not "tit for tat", it's "TIT for tat". Furthermore, Israel is quite able to squash the Palestinians any time it cares to, due to its overwhelmingly superior military abilities. This brings the question to my mind, what do Palestinians hope to accomplish with their various outbursts (rock throwing, etc.)? Putting aside emotional motives, history, etc., and just looking at what can be tangibly gained in the present, I see the Palestinians repeatedly doing themselves more harm than good by many of their actions. Never mind whether Israel's various actions are justified, if you know that when you slap someone he'll break one of your arms or legs, why keep slapping him? Surely there's a more effective way for Palestinians to achieve some of their goals. |
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Subject: RE: Middle East Problems From: Gary T Date: 18 Oct 00 - 08:53 PM Whoops! I goofed and didn't close the bold type correctly. It was supposed to be "...it's TIT for tat..." with the rest in non-bold type. Sorry. |
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Subject: RE: Middle East Problems From: Hedy West (current membership) Date: 19 Oct 00 - 12:43 PM RE: From kendall, 13-Oct-00 "Has anyone noticed that the Palistinians throw rocks, and the Israelis respond with bullets? Or that this latest round of hatred started with Ariel Sharon visiting that site which the Palistinians hold sacred?" Kendall, propaganda is a freebie; "they'll" practically pay you for accepting it. But you lose space in your brain for better stuff. Hedy |
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Subject: RE: Middle East Problems From: McGrath of Harlow Date: 19 Oct 00 - 01:55 PM True enough stones can kill every bit as much as bullets. But the death toll shows that this time it's not the stones that are doing the vast mass of the killings.
If this was Northern Ireland, or South Africa, I doubt that many people here would be saying that the violence of the soldiers with the guns has been no worse than the violence of the boys with the stones, and has been a moderate and restrained response.
And that doesn't mean I'm saying that the stone-thriowing is the right thing for anyone to be doing (let alone the lynching of the two soldiers or the other killings by civilians on both sides which have taken place). Aside from everything else, in the context of the present upsiring throwing stones (or even firing rifles) against the Israeli army just doesn't make sense as a way of fighting. In fact it is suicidal - and it can only be seen, bizarrely enough, as a way of provoking the enemy into over-reacting, and killing the stone-throwers. And in that it has succeeded only too well.
As I suggested earlier, if the self-sacrifice involved could be channelled into a genuinely non-violent resistance by some Palestinian Gandhi, something good come out of this. Stranger things have happened.
The most positive and encouraging post here has been Jack-the-Lad's. My heart goes out to those who are managing to make music across the sectarian divide, and bring together the two communities who have so much in common in spite of everything. For one thing, they are both attacked by anti-semites of one sort or another. But they have far more important things in common than that.
Salaam and shalom is the same word. |
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Subject: RE: Middle East Problems From: GeorgeH Date: 19 Oct 00 - 02:32 PM Yes, Gary T, you read me about right. And, indeed, I did not and do not deny the right of Israel to exist. Actually, I would attribute a large part of the failure to establish peace in the Middle East to the the fact that the UK and US imposed partition on the Arabs without any attempt to compensate them for their loss, or guarantee their standing (where applicable) within the state of Israel. Not, of course, that the UK was on too good terms with Israel at that stage . . . But I'm sorry, I've heard, over and again, Jews justify the unjustifiable, in their compatriots behaviour, by reference to the Holocaust. FACT! (By contrast, there is a minority of Jews who see the Holocaust as a particular reason why their nation's inhumanity towards - and denial of the humanity of - the Arabs should be intolerable. That's a couragous position.) It seems to me that the vast majority of people, of all nations, count the human worth of their own nationals as being in some way greater than that of the remainder of humanity. They would rather a hundred of "the others" die than one of their "own". Carried to its extreme THAT valuation gives you the Holocaust; and the reason the Holocaust so stands out in the history of man's inhumanity to man is more to do with the mechanisms of destruction, and powers of control of any dissenting voices, available to the Nazis than to any unique genocidal intent. Most any nation with a couple of hundred years of history behind it has shown similar intent at some point. And, IMO, we seek to cast the Nazis as being somehow uniquely evil precisely to distance ourselves from that fact; to avoid having to acknowledge just how often race hatrid has been used to "justify" slaughter. Race hatrid is, without doubt, a major force on both sides of the Middle East conflict . . It's in no way the perrogotive of the Israelis. However they are the governing force, with immense military and financial power, and their government enshrines race hatred in exactly the way the former white South African government did. At the end of the day they, and only they, have the power to end the slaughter and start working towards peace and security for all the inhabitants of that blood-stained region. And an aside to Hedy West: you acuse Kendall of mouthing propaganda without issuing ANY contradiction of what he (she?) said - would you mind pointing out which part of Kendal's assertion you feel to be at variance with the facts? Or have you, yourself, become merely a conduit for another party's propaganda? G. |
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Subject: RE: Middle East Problems From: Groucho Marxist (inactive) Date: 19 Oct 00 - 02:54 PM GoergeH, I again repeat, your assertion that Jews use the Holocaust to justify abuse of others, is a lie; a truly offensive lie. I am involved with the Jewish community, and specifically the Holocaust survivor community, and have spent a lot of time in Israel. I have never met anyone, or heard any credible spokesperson, for either Israel or any Jewish organization, make such a claim. The kind of lies that you tell just serve to make it harder for people of good will to find peace. Lou Melamed |
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Subject: RE: Middle East Problems From: McGrath of Harlow Date: 19 Oct 00 - 04:24 PM I think many people would say that the persecution of Jews in Europe, culminating in the Nazi attempt to wipe them out, meant that there was no alternative for them but to establish a Jewish state in Israel, and that the unfortunate and continuing consquences of that to the non-Jewish people who were living there already were something that were inevitable in the circumstances.
There is a difference between saying that, and saying that the Holocaust justified the way that the Palestinians have been treated. But it is a subtle difference, that is often lost in arguments.
What is clear however is that the fate of the Paelstinians is ultimately a consequence of the Holocaust.
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Subject: RE: Middle East Problems From: StandingBear (inactive) Date: 19 Oct 00 - 04:30 PM Ping, pong. Ping... huzzah! What is this, tennis? People, let's stop going back and forth and back and forth. I hate to do this, but I must. What I am about to say is AWFULLY naive sounding and sappy and sickly-sweet, but hey, ain't that what love is all about? "WAR IS UNHEALTHY FOR CHILDREN AND OTHER LIVING THINGS." "ALL WE ARE SAYING IS GIVE PEACE A CHANCE." "CAN'T WE ALL JUST GET ALONG?" "HOW MANY TIMES MUST THE CANNONBALLS FLY BEFORE THEY ARE FOREVER BANNED?" and, if I may be so bold, a quote from a favorite Book of mine: "...the lion will lie down with the lamb; the people will beat their swords into plowshares and study war no more." WAR IS WRONG! I CANNOT BELIEVE YOU ARE SO DIVIDED AND FIGHTING OVER WHO IS JUSTIFIED! TAKING ANOTHER PERSON'S LIFE IS A REPREHENSIBLE THING WHEN IT IS PROPAGATED BY AN IMPERFECT PERSON LIVING IN AN IMPERFECT WORLD! THERE IS NO GOOD REASON FOR KILLING! PEACE ON YOU (I insist!) 'Bear
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Subject: RE: Middle East Problems From: mousethief Date: 19 Oct 00 - 04:46 PM We're the folksong army Every one of us cares We all hate poverty, war, and injustice Unlike the rest of you squares. --Tom Lehrer |
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Subject: RE: Middle East Problems From: GUEST,Irwin Goldenberg Date: 19 Oct 00 - 09:56 PM Dear Lou, It is a sad fact that there are legions of anti-Semites who hide their hatred beneath a veneer of anti-Zionism. They are easy to spot and they are present in this forum. They repeat their lies so often that many people believe them. You are right. No one in the Jewish community uses the Holocaust as a justification for any injustice on others. For the past 50 years that has been the big lie of the anti-Semites. For the 50 years beforehand it was the co-called Protocols of the Elders of Zion, and for 500 years before that it was the blood libel that we use the blood of Christian children to bake matzoh. It is sad that these hate-mongers are able to achieve such currency. Sincerely, Irwin Goldenberg |
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Subject: RE: Middle East Problems From: GUEST,mousethief (at the library) Date: 19 Oct 00 - 10:05 PM I will accept that Israel does not invoke the Holocaust for its shabby treatment of the Palestinians. I never thought they did, and have no reason not to believe those who say they don't. But this raises the further question: What DOES Israel use for an excuse for their hideous treatment of the Palestinians? Surely you won't tell me that the horrid abuses the Palestinians have suffered over the last 50+ years at the hands of the Israeli government have been all made up by the anti-semitic media? Then what's the excuse for the unconscionable way Israel has treated the Palestinians?
dying to know, |
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Subject: RE: Middle East Problems From: GUEST,John Gray/Australia Date: 19 Oct 00 - 10:29 PM There will only be lasting peace in the ME when one ingredient is cast out - religion. |
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Subject: RE: Middle East Problems From: GUEST,mousethief (at the library) Date: 19 Oct 00 - 10:39 PM Religion? What has religion to do with it? The fight is not over religion, but land. Even if they all were atheists, the fact is people have been pushed off their land by other people, and they're not terribly happy about it. That they are of different religions is an interesting side-note.
Alex |
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Subject: RE: Middle East Problems From: McGrath of Harlow Date: 20 Oct 00 - 07:36 AM There are indeed people who use anti-zionists as a cover for anti-semitism. There are also anti-zionists who are in no way anti-semitic. There have always been Jews who are very critical of zionism.
For that matter there have been anti-semites who have supported zionism, even when the term anti-semite is used in a restricted sense, to just mean hatred of Jews.
And if anti-semitism is used in a fuller sense, it includes hatred of Arabs, which is now openly expressed by many of the same kind of people who have traditionally persecuted Jews.
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Subject: RE: Middle East Problems From: GeorgeH Date: 20 Oct 00 - 02:10 PM I stand by my assertion, but am not going to go and look through my accounts of the Middle East situation to accumulate the evidence - sorry. And, Marxist of the Groucho persuasion, you and I could go on exchanging our perceptions on this ad nausium (I guess we already have). And if you see my position as anti-semitic then so be it; that, too, is a common tactic for distracting attention from the issues. So, to try to add something to the debate - I agree with those who say that Religion (per see) is not an issue here. In the same way as it's not, really, an issue in Ireland. But it's used by both sides . . the extreme "Religious Right" in Israel, and the muslim idea of "holy martyrdom". And, Standing Bear, I accept all you said in your last post, except where you categorised it as "naive sounding and sappy". So I'll not post anything else in this thread, beyond regreting the fact that my expression of the truth AS IT APPEARS TO ME no doubt causes genuine distress to some readers here; I'm sorry for your pain, but still believe what I said needs saying. G. |
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Subject: RE: Middle East Problems From: Little Neophyte Date: 20 Oct 00 - 02:27 PM George why would you stop posting just because you are assuming Standing Bear categorized something you said as "naive sounding and sappy". First of all that may not have been what he really meant and secondly that does not mean that is what anyone else feels who is reading your postings. It makes no sense for you to be concerned that everything you say may cause genuine distress to someone. Well for that matter, you might as well never say anything ever. Little Neo |
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Subject: RE: Middle East Problems From: mousethief Date: 20 Oct 00 - 02:28 PM George H., rather than stop posting, can you point us to any reliable sources that show Israelis invoking the Holocaust to excuse their treatment of Palestinians? One good quote is worth a thousand "did not/did too"s.
Alex |
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Subject: RE: Middle East Problems From: Groucho Marxist (inactive) Date: 20 Oct 00 - 03:27 PM Alex, GeorgeH didn't say that *Israelis* invoke the Holocaust to excuse their treatment of Palestinians. He said that *Jews* consider the Holocaust justifies them perpetrating evil to others. Be that as it may, he cannnot point to any *relaible sources* for such a statement because none exist. I will grant you that he may find something along those lines emanating from a Jewish or Israeli extremist group like Kach. But, you should be aware that Kach has been banned in Israel as a hate group. If you try to use a Kach statement as representative of Jews or Israelis, it's like saying the KKK is representative of Christians or Americans. Not credible except to propagandists whose aim is to destroy the legitimate aspirations for peace that are held by both sides of the divide. Lou Melamed |
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Subject: RE: Middle East Problems From: McGrath of Harlow Date: 20 Oct 00 - 03:43 PM I wouldn't have thought it even controversial to say that the persecutions and ultimately the Holocaust have been seen by many people, Jewish and Gentile, as giving great moral strength to Jewish aspirations to set up and maintain an independent Jewish state in Palestine.
I cannot see how it is possible to deny that one result of this has been great suffering for the Arab population of Palestine.
Is that so different from the meaning of what George said? |
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Subject: RE: Middle East Problems From: Gary T Date: 20 Oct 00 - 08:39 PM One little detail, Bonnie--StandingBear called his own comments "naive sounding and sappy", not GeorgeH's comments. Why that would lead GeorgeH to cease posting escapes me. |
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Subject: RE: Middle East Problems From: Little Neophyte Date: 21 Oct 00 - 01:48 AM Oh Gary thanks, you are absolutely right. For some odd reason posting can sometimes be like playing a game of 'broken telephone'. I bet you that is how wars get started too. Bonnie |
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Subject: RE: Middle East Problems From: Gary T Date: 21 Oct 00 - 04:10 PM Happy to pick your nits, anytime, Bonnie (BG). Now I'm going to pick one of mine-- It occurs to me that GeorgeH decided to cease posting here not because StandingBear characterized his message as "naive sounding and sappy", but because of the message itself, which distills down to "war is awful". Perhaps GeorgeH, in accepting that sentiment, felt there was no point in continuing the discussion. And yes, I don't doubt that some wars have been started and/or exacerbated by miscommunication and misunderstanding. In fact, I'll bet it's a significant factor in the current Middle East travesty. |
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Subject: RE: Middle East Problems From: McGrath of Harlow Date: 21 Oct 00 - 04:47 PM I'm inclined to think that the misinterpretation follows from the hostility rather than the other way round. Once you have decided that someone is an enemy, anything they do will be seen as a hostile act. A smile is seen as a sneer, a joke is seen as an insult.
But once you're in that situation, it makes it particularly difficult to make up once again. And that's true whether its disputes between individuals, or communities, or nations.
And I think that's why George decided to back out of this once the insults and misinterpetations were flying in his direction, because that kind of thing can easily get out of hand, and often has in discussion threads here about difficult and divisive issues. |
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Subject: RE: Middle East Problems From: Lepus Rex Date: 21 Oct 00 - 05:35 PM Eek, missed the whole 'stupid twat' contoversy while I was gone? OK... I'll have to defend myself... and go off topic:P Standing Bear, I find it odd that you would choose to single out MY response to some lowlife anonymous flaming pseudo-guest like 'Rashi.' (And the flamer IS a stupid twat, and I did mean it, though thanks to Gary for sticking up for me in my absence) Did you even READ 'Rashi's' entry? Or any other inflamatory entry besides mine? You rattled on for two or three paragraphs about what I said. And then you procede to insult me a couple times ('bratty,' 'child(ren)'), all the while bitching about how crude I am and how I'm apparently driving people away from the Mudcat. THEN you tell people to 'SHUT THE **** UP.' And *I'm* vulgar and offensive? I don't know you, I've never insulted you, and I'm not going to insult you now. You had the balls to sign your name, unlike guest 'Rashi.' But I deal harshly with phoney cookie-deleting bastards like Rashi, so get used to it. ---Lepus Rex |
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Subject: RE: Middle East Problems From: Lox Date: 22 Oct 00 - 12:24 PM "God told me to ..." A man forms a religious cult and murders his followers before committing suicide, because .... he believes that it was what God wanted. A psychopath murders a load of innocents because "God told me to" God, the Motherland, the Fatherland. But it's his will. But he told me to. Who says Israel is the Jewish promised land? God! (apparently) Who says that Jerusalem is the third city of Islam? God! Who inspired the Spanish inquisition? Who was used as an excuse for Western Europes ravaging of its colonies? Forward for the Emperor and the greater glory of ... etc Of course the reality is that God never said anything of the sort (unless he has started contradicting himself in his old age). The reality is one of false divides and differences. The reality is one of a fucked up human race that still hasn't figured its priorities out. The world suffers its worst environmental catastrophies in years. The south of England is flooded, Mozambique and Bangladesh suffer the same fate, and Orissa, six months after being flooded, suffers a drought. The people of Britain respond in typical form:- Give us back Salad Cream! - give us cheaper petrol so we can do more damage! In the name of God, wake up! |
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Subject: RE: Middle East Problems From: StandingBear (inactive) Date: 23 Oct 00 - 12:15 PM Hey Lepus_Rex, Yes, i told people to shut the **** up... I am tired of all the pathetic excuses for these wars. "Broken telephone" is right on. All this about God said this and God said that; baloney. The way I see it, God would not be advocating an attack by one group on another and then allowing it to DRAG on for decades. If "God" was calling for this war, don't you think the army that He wanted to have win would just annihilatie the others? That's the way the Bible puts it. "Twat" is a very offensive word to a lot of people. The people that come in here to "flame" NEED to be ignored, Rex. What possible good is it going to do you to call the guy a "stupid twat"? For crying out loud, just let the little baby go kick and scream on the floor and ignore him. And by the way, I NEVER said YOU were driving people away; I said comments like that were. I deal harshly with people who call names and even bother responding to guest flamers with rude language. At least I had the decency to use symblos so that what I meant was inferred, not published. War sucks, ignore the details. PEACE on you, 'Bear
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Subject: RE: Middle East Problems From: MK Date: 23 Oct 00 - 12:45 PM Just finished reading a lengthy article on the Middle East situation at Time Magazine's website. I think it makes some good points. If you want to read the article, click here. |
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Subject: RE: Middle East Problems From: mousethief Date: 23 Oct 00 - 12:55 PM "It needs but one foe to breed a war, not two, and those who have no swords can still die upon them." --Tolkien.
Alex |
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Subject: RE: Middle East Problems From: Lepus Rex Date: 23 Oct 00 - 01:07 PM Standing Bear, ok, I'll ignore your insulting insinuations, and say this: Feel free to do things your way. Hope you have a blast. I, however, don't do things like that. Lots of people here do it your way, others my way, and others still other ways. I see you're new here, so maybe you haven't been exposed to much 'rude language' yet. But if all you plan on doing here is attacking people who use 'offensive' words, you might want to get another hobby, because what I said was pretty tame. Don't read anything by Spaw, for instance. Or maybe, DO, and chill the fuck out. ---Lepus Rex |
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Subject: RE: Middle East Problems From: Carlin Date: 23 Oct 00 - 01:11 PM McGrath, you are going to be be utterly stunned, but I agree with most of what you have to say. You might want to reconsider your position. ];p
The only thing I take issue with is the Gandhi thought. It would be major thread creep to go into it here....would you mind if I sent you a PM? |
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Subject: RE: Middle East Problems From: StandingBear (inactive) Date: 23 Oct 00 - 01:18 PM " " (ignoring you) Peace on you, 'Bear PS: At least 'Spaw has some intelligent things to say. "Chill the ---- out"? What, just because someone uses the F word or something it means that ALL people who do are equally smart? I hardly think so. 'Spaw does not offend me because 'Spaw can carry on an intelligent converstaion that sometimes even takes a turn that he does not like! WOW! he is able to have a conversation without getting his little feelings hurt every time he is disagreed with! What a concept; TRY IT sometime. Oh, by the way, I don't attack people who use rude language; I made a comment about what YOU said based on the fact that you can't even respect the opinion of someone who disagrees, (right or wrong) so you called them a stupid twat. My point is, if you want the respect that your opinion deserves, try giving some out as well.
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Subject: RE: Middle East Problems From: Lepus Rex Date: 23 Oct 00 - 01:33 PM Ok, SB, this is over. I've endured enough of your insults, and now dislike you enough to ignore you. Have fun by yourself, as I imagine you often do. ---Lepus Rex |
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Subject: RE: Middle East Problems From: McGrath of Harlow Date: 23 Oct 00 - 03:52 PM I'd have thought "twit" would have been more appropriate. Funny the difference one letter makes. If you check back GUEST Rashi had just said "in light of what has been transpiring in Israel for the last several years leading up to the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin, and everything being orchestrated by the PLO". "Twit" would seem a not un-reasonable thing to say about someone who thought that the PLO assassinated Rabin. As for Carlin and Gandhi, send us a PM if you want. But I'd have thought that talking about non-violence on this thread might be quite a healthy thread-drift. (It seems to be getting a bit absurdly overheated the last few threrads...)Or maybe quite a new thread would be fitting.
There are a lot of distorted ideas about Gandhi, as being some other-worldly naive dreamer. Not true. Gandhi wasn't sentimental about non-violence - he once said (I paraphrase) that if he'd thought violence worked as a way of getting rid of evil, he reckoned he'd have gone for it - but it didn't, it just moved the evil around. And he also said that if the only alternative to non-resistance to evil was violent resistance, he'd choose that rather than giving in to it - but it wasn't. And he often stressed that any kind of resistance, non-violent or armed, involved the same willingness to accept the possibility of death. |
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Subject: RE: Middle East Problems From: Lepus Rex Date: 23 Oct 00 - 04:03 PM Yeah, you're probably right about twat/twit, McGrath. I honestly didn't have a problem with BS when he said it was inappropraite. Only had a problem with his insults and snide comments. Ah, well. ---Lepus Rex |
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