What is this I hear

[CrownPrinceBandar]

about Israel wanting to remove Arafat? I realize I'm a non-involved party here, but wouldn't that really just continue the assertion that the Palestinians are nothing more than a subjugated people. Far from ending the terrorism, I fear it would deepen the circle of violence in the Middle East. Marginalization of the Palestinians was what got this whole mess started anyway.
Whats more disturbing is that a poll on CNN.com today show that an overwhelming majority of Americans go along with Arafat's removal. Don't we consider colonialism bad anymore? I have only academic arguments about zionism and I agree the Holocaust was a horrible chapter in our human history, but isn't the unceasing construction of settlements in the West Bank and Gaza tantamount to colonialism? The US has no qualms about chastizing other govenments when they overstep their national boundaries and infringe on another people: Iraq's invasion of Kuwait, for example. Why have we drug our feet on taking Israel to task and urging them to recognize Paseltinians as a soverign people? What about China's (most-favored trading nation) occupation of Tibet. But, that's a topic for another post.
I'm sure I'll get some accusations of my being anti-semitic, but what I am really trying to say is that the US is hypocritical to retaliate against one country for perpatrating an aggressive act, but only put forth mild protestations against another for the same act.
Now discuss.

[rainy]

1. I can't believe it either

Isreal has suffered horribly at the hands of suicide bombers. Yet, the solution seems to elude them and the majority of the world. Throughout History the masses have been blind to reality. They seem to only get the big picture 50 years later if they ever get it at all. Just look at how religions have caused so much death etc... Will we ever wake us and open our eyes.

More Palistinians have died than Isrealis. Something like 2800 to 700 and our press says relitively calm if only Palistinians die and lament the violence when Isrealis die. Isreal has no legs to stand on if they never give an inch. They should get out of all occupied land, and stop telling the people who can run their country. The press needs to stop calling occupied land settlements. I've always wanted to know, can you live in Isreal if you are not jewish, can imagrants go there and live, what it the true purpose of Isreal's existance? Is it souly based on religion? Just currious.

[dfong63]

2. israel is a rogue state

the patriot act gives the US govt the power to seize the assets of charities that contribute to terrorist organizations. and if any Islamic organization engaged in the activities that the Israeli govt engages in on a continual basis --- the helicopter gunship assassinations, missile attacks, blowing up homes, death squads --- you can bet that any "charity" that contributed to that Islamic org, would have Ashcroft on their ass in a new york minute.

but Israel continually commits terrorist acts, and instead of cutting off their funds, we subsidize them. this is morally wrong, and besides that it makes us the target of terrorists ourselves.

[Fight_n_back]

5. Hmmm

according the people who flew the planes into the buildings the reason they did it was because of US troops on Saudi soil.

But don't let facts get in your way, you have quite a rant going.

BTW, the most frequent attacks against US interests are by Columbain rebels who have little interest in the Middle East.

Another BTW, did AL Quaeda attack Bali because of its stance on Israel? Is that why Wahhabi terrosits routinely attack India? or Chechnya or rural China? I always thought Russia and China were historically oppossed to Israel but I could be wrong.

[Fight_n_back]

3. Interesting

"I'm sure I'll get some accusations of my being anti-semitic"

I'll bet you don't because it is not allowed in this message board. But if some of your comments seem like they may border on anti semitism then maybe you should give them more consideration.

[Lithos]

4. Locking

Not based on a recent news or op-ed article as required by the I/P Guidelines.

Lithos
FA/NS Moderator
Democratic Underground

[fla nocount]

6. Anti-semitic? No. Reasoned observations, yes.

There is a double standard being played out here. Since I can't hope to understand the forces at work without jumping on someone's bandwagon with a crib sheet of slogans and pretending as if I do understand the issues, I just refuse to play. Then I go to the silent place inside where the quiet voice we must strain to hear tells me that our partisan involvment is WRONG.

Welcome foamdad