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Subject: 
Re: Peace in the Mid-East?
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.off-topic.debate
Date: 
Mon, 13 May 2002 11:36:08 GMT
Viewed: 
700 times
  
In lugnet.off-topic.debate, Mike Petrucelli writes:
In lugnet.off-topic.debate, Scott Arthur writes:
Here is an Article by Mona Charen. I think anyone who cares about the • subject
should read it.

The link now refers to the April 26th article, the May 3rd is worth reading
too.

http://www.creators.com/opinion_show.cfm?next=2&ColumnsName=mch


More objective reporting from Mona. Has she ever criticized Israel?

Well I have been reading her articles for about 2 years now.  She does not • side
with either conservatives or liberals all the time.

That is *not* what I asked

The statement was a validation of Mona Charen not mindlessly accepting
Government Propaganda from either side of the issue.

I see. I suppose my problem is that I don't view this as a "conservatives" v
"liberals" issue.


Her opinions (and I do
understand it is an opinion) are formed with the facts at hand.

Not "the facts", just the "facts at hand"? What are her information sources?
AIPAC?

Primary source research, not the "News."

Hmm. That sounds a little vague. Her reporting appears very selective to me.


The simple
fact is that everyone who has heavily researched the facts first hand and not
the propaganda from both sides has come to the same conclusion. Certainly
Israelies are not the inocent victims they portray themselves to be.  But • they
are much closer to that end rather than the evil oppressors Palestinians
portray them to be.

They may not be the "evil oppressors Palestinians portray them to be", but
they are still evil oppressors. Just take a look at the human rights reports
from the occupied territories.

“[There are] daily acts of discrimination, inequality, humiliation, and the
powerlessness of occupation. This has been intensified by the conflict,
intensified by the excessive use of force” - UN Human Rights Commissioner
Mary Robinson
from:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/middle_east/newsid_1043000/1043537.stm

Is she lying?

18 months of suicide bombings will have that effect.  I guess Israel never
should have withdrew in 1997.

Perhaps they should never have invaded in '67?

*If* it meant a lasting piece, do you think Israel should hand back the West
Bank, or do you think they should get to keep what god gave them ~3000 years
ago?



Even if every word were true, and the reality were worse, it does not
justify what the Israeli’s are doing. As my granny used to say: two wrongs
do not make a right.

As Mona Charen stated;
"Why do those who accuse Israel of "excessive" force against the Palestinians
not consider that the easiest course for Israel, if she truly had no
compunctions about causing civilian casualties, would have been to attack • Jenin
and other terror nests from the skies (as we did in Afghanistan),

Indeed, the Palestinians should be grateful they have not been "nuked".

Uh, NO.

instead of
going house-to-house, risking (and losing) the lives of her soldiers?"

In Jenin, they forced Palestinians into the houses first... very brave of • them:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/middle_east/newsid_1937000/1937599.stm

“Israeli soldiers have forced Palestinians at gunpoint to open suspicious
packages, knock on suspects' doors and search the houses of Palestinians
wanted by Israel”

Oh yes, PLO controled news reported by the BBC is completely trustworthy.

Not quite. It was a BBC report of a HRW study:
http://www.hrw.org/

It looks like the IDF may stop the practice:
http://www.hrw.org/press/2002/05/israel0509.htm

I wonder if those involved will be prosecuted?




I would have had a great deal more respect for Israeli human rights and
openness if they had allowed the UN into Jenin. They did not. What is more,
Sharon saw fit to thank the USA for helping him avoid exposure:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/Archive/Article/0,4273,4409055,00.html

What does he have to hide?

No answer? Has the cat got your tongue?

Why does he get so much support from the US? Perhaps this is why:
http://www.wrmea.com/html/aipac.htm

Oh wow, the US and Israel both have their hands dirty too.  Gee there is a
shock.  At least living in free societies we can both see that.  Arabs
(including Palestinians) might change their tune if they knew their governments
were using them as pawns. (as any good Dictatorship would.)

How free is a society if its leaders are in the pocket of an overseas
pressure group? I would worry if it were my country. AIPAC supports
candidates from your main parties, and even those from groups like the LP.


(if only ignoring the problem would make it go away)

The world has been ignoring the problem since '67... and before. The problem
is Israel and its apologists. If they had chosen to abide by UN resolutions,
this would largely be history. The Intifada is a result of
desperation/oppression, not a unilateral act of war.

I assume you did not read the May 3rd article.
http://www.creators.com/opinion_show.cfm?next=1&ColumnsName=mch

The Arab countries and the PLO are the ones who have been keeping the
Palestinians in a state of desperation/oppression

Even if that is true, and the reality were worse, Israel's actions force
them into the hands of Arafat… and worse. Look at how Hamas has gained
strength since Sharon came to power. Do you really think that is a
coincidence?

Of course not.  If all your information was based on State Controlled media you
unquestionably trusted, how would that affect your beliefs.

That is not the situation though is it? In the occupied territories, the
media may not be "free" but the news is all around them - tanks,
checkpoints, air raids etc.

They keep the
masses discontent and have a scapegoat to blame it on.  That strengthens their
power base and gives them lots of mindless volunteers.  Heck, if I was naive
enough to believe innocent women and children were evil and that by blowing
them up I would go to heaven, I just might sign up.

What do you think Sharon thinks about "innocent women and children". Do you
think he feels he has a place in heaven? Or does he know what he is doing
(and has done) is wrong? What about the Israeli electorate? They voted for
him knowing his history.


Think about it for one second!

Indeed.  Israel is certainly going about it all wrong but so is the UN.  What
the UN should do, is order an international force to liberate all the Arab
civilians from dictatorships and let them think for themselves for once in
their lives.

Like the US did in Venezuela? How could the UN get a mandate to do such a
thing, when its own members are corrupt? That said, there are countries that
are willing to help protect democracy – take a look at what has happened in
Sierra Leon.

Of course China being a dictatorship might have a problem with
that.  Maybe my personal problem with the whole thing is I believe everyone
should have the right to live under the ideals of the United States
Constitution.  Something the US Government does not even seem to believe
anymore.

The Constitution gave you the Government you (the US electorate) did *not*
vote for... ;)

Scott A



-Mike Petrucelli



Message has 3 Replies:
  Re: Peace in the Mid-East?
 
(...) Yes, I know it's a big IF! Scott A =+= Have you inspected Arthur’s Seat yet? (URL) reasonable man adapts himself to suit his environment. An unreasonable man persists in attempting to adapt his environment to suit himself. Therefore, all (...) (22 years ago, 13-May-02, to lugnet.off-topic.debate)
  Dave's Anti-American Rant (you've been warned) was Re: Peace in the Mid-East?
 
(...) I believe that the most un-American place in the world right now is America. If this 'wonderful' country was founded on 'freedom' and the 'Pursuit of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness', it ain't showing right now. 'America-Love it or (...) (22 years ago, 13-May-02, to lugnet.off-topic.debate)
  Re: Peace in the Mid-East?
 
[snip] (...) Ah, I see. [snip] (...) Well if 5 Arab armies had not attacked them they probably would not have. (...) *If* it meant peace then yes I do think Israel would hand back the West Bank. That was why Barak was elected and offered peace to (...) (22 years ago, 14-May-02, to lugnet.off-topic.debate)

Message is in Reply To:
  Re: Peace in the Mid-East?
 
(...) side (...) The statement was a validation of Mona Charen not mindlessly accepting Government Propaganda from either side of the issue. (...) Primary source research, not the "News." (...) they (...) 18 months of suicide bombings will have that (...) (22 years ago, 11-May-02, to lugnet.off-topic.debate)

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