Jewish McCarthyism Strikes Gold(stone)

[grassfed]

Why have we stopped talking about the Goldstone report? Why has it sunk out of sight, leaving scant residue but the vilification of a man’s good name? I refer to Richard Goldstone, who headed the fact-finding mission charged by the United Nations Human Rights Council with investigating possible war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during Israel’s three-week military action last year in Gaza.

Goldstone’s panel investigated 36 separate incidents, traveled all over Gaza and spoke to more than one hundred witnesses. Violations were found on both sides of the conflict, though far more were attributed to Israel. Hamas was charged with firing thousands of rockets and mortars at civilians in southern Israel and embedding mortar launchers in Gazan houses, hospitals and schools. The report might have contained more details about the impact of rocket attacks on residents of Sderot and Ashkelon had the Israeli government not barred fact-finders from entering Israel to interview victims of the attacks.

The Israel Defense Force’s infractions were cited in great detail: Thousands of private homes reduced to rubble. Gaza’s civilian infrastructure—the Parliament, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Interior, schools, mosques, courthouses, prisons, Gaza’s only flour plant, scores of agricultural fields, water supplies, the main poultry and egg-producing farm and a sewage treatment plant—in ruins.

According to witnesses, IDF soldiers shot people whose arms were shackled and a mother and three daughters who were carrying a white flag. Twenty-one members of one family were killed in Gaza City. This testimony echoes first-hand accounts by 30 Israeli veterans of Operation Cast Lead who co-founded the organization Breaking the Silence, as well as the findings of human rights groups such as B’Tselem and Amnesty International. The Goldstone report recommended that Israel and Hamas undertake independent internal investigations and if war crimes were proven, the perpetrators be punished in their own courts. If the parties refused to investigate themselves, it asked that the evidence be referred to the International Criminal Court in The Hague.

more http://www.momentmag.com/Exclusive/2010/2010-02/201002-Opinion-Pogrebin.html

[aquart]

1. No texting money to help the poor Palestinians?

Why is that?

[azurnoir]

2. great article

I do have some issue with title as IMO it is more than just Jews in on this but still the point made is sound

[midnight]

3. I had not heard about this report that was done... Thanks for the info....

Richard Goldstone, who headed the fact-finding mission charged by the United Nations Human Rights Council with investigating possible war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during Israel’s three-week military action last year in Gaza.


This silence about these reports indicate more wrong doing..

[shira]

4. it's not McCarthyism - the report is one big pile of steaming bullshit

for more info...
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=124x292775

The author of the OP doesn't even know what the report is about, as it doesn't even single out and/or condemn Hamas specifically for rockets.

[azurnoir]

8. Really Shira

"The Mission has determined that the rockets and, to a lesser extent, the mortars fired by the Palestinian armed groups are incapable of being directed towards specific military objectives and have been fired into areas where civilian populations are based. The Mission has further determined that these attacks constitute indiscriminate attacks upon the civilian population of southern Israel and that, where there is no intended military target and the rockets and mortars are launched into a civilian population, they constitute a deliberate attack against a civilian population. These acts would constitute war crimes and may amount to crimes against humanity.

"Given the seeming inability of the Palestinian armed groups to direct the rockets and mortars towards specific targets and given that the attacks have caused very little damage to Israeli military assets, the Mission finds that there is significant evidence to suggest that one of the primary purposes of the rocket and mortar attacks is to spread terror among the Israeli civilian population, a violation of international law.

"Noting that some of the Palestinian armed groups, among them Hamas, have publicly expressed their intention to target civilians in reprisal for the civilian fatalities in Gaza as a result of Israeli military operations, the Mission is of the view that reprisals against civilians in armed hostilities are contrary to international humanitarian law."

The report notes that the vast disparity between victims of Israeli attacks, estimated at some 1,400 deaths, and Palestinian operations, leaving dead 13 Israelis, most likely had little or no relationship to armed groups' efforts to protect civilians. In fact, according to the mission, the relatively few casualties sustained by Israeli civilians is due in large part to the precautions put into place by Israel. This includes an early warning system, the provision of public shelters and fortifications of schools and other public buildings.

Israeli civilians also enjoyed protection from injury because the bulk of armed groups' artillery consisted of homemade projectiles fashioned from rudimentary materials, such as hollow metal pipes. "They are relatively unsophisticated weapons and lack a guidance system, and so cannot be aimed at specific targets," the Goldstone report notes.

While the mission acknowledges an occupied people's right to resistance, "including the right to resist forcible deprivation of their right to self-determination and the right to live, in peace and freedom, in their own State," it insists that Israelis also "have the right to live in peace and security. Both peoples are entitled to justice in accordance with international law." In turn, the report alleges that armed groups in Gaza have displayed and continue to display consistent disregard for international humanitarian law.

"The Mission is aware that Hamas continues to view all armed activities directed against Israel as resistance to occupation and practices of the occupation, and, therefore, a legitimate right of the Palestinian people. The Mission fully recognizes the Palestinian people's right to self-determination," the report states. "It also acknowledges that United Nations bodies and others have repeatedly pointed out practices of the Israeli occupation that deprive Palestinians of their human rights and fundamental freedoms. Nevertheless, the Mission forcefully reiterates that the peremptory norms of customary international law ... apply to all actions that may be undertaken in response to, or to oppose, human rights violations."

It continues: "There is no justification in international law for the launching of rockets and mortars that cannot be directed at specific military targets into areas where civilian populations are located. Indeed, Palestinian armed groups, among them Hamas, have publicly expressed their intention to target Israel civilians. The al-Qassam Brigades, on their website, claimed responsibility for the deaths of each of the Israeli civilians killed by rocket fire during the operations in Gaza.

"From the facts it ascertained, the Mission finds that the Palestinian armed groups have failed in their duty to protect and respect civilians. Even though the al-Qassam Brigades and other armed groups in Gaza have recently claimed that they do not intend to harm civilians, the fact that they continue to launch rockets at populated areas without any definite military targets and are aware of the consequences to civilians indicates an intent to target civilians."

Given the gravity of its allegations, the commission said it sought clarification from armed groups during its investigations over the summer, requesting consultations with representatives. "However, the groups were not agreeable to such a meeting. ... Despite various attempts, the Mission was unable to contact members of armed factions operating within the Gaza Strip." The commission, consequently, "had little option but to rely upon indirect sources to a greater extent than for other parts of its investigation."

Among those were media reports in which military representatives confirmed and justified the use of projectiles during the assault. The Goldstone report cites remarks, during an interview with Ma'an, in which a representative of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) stated two days before the end of the war that "the rockets are both practical and a symbolic representation of our resistance to the occupier."

Additionally, in its efforts to gather more direct information on the subject, the team raised questions regarding the conduct of certain groups. According to its final report, those interviewed in Gaza appeared reluctant to speak about the presence of or conduct of armed groups. "Whatever the reasons for their reluctance, the Mission does not discount that the interviewees' reluctance may have stemmed from a fear of reprisals."

For its part, the de facto government reportedly cooperated in full, responding that it "had nothing to do, directly or indirectly, with al-Qassam Brigades or other armed groups and had no knowledge of their tactics." "While noting that the weaponry used by the armed factions was not accurate, the Gaza authorities discouraged the targeting of civilians," according to the report.

In the de facto government's view, it took "the initiative to spare civilian lives when they renounced suicide attacks in April 2006. ... a Government spokesperson stated that the resistance factions did not aim their rockets at civilians but rather at IDF artillery and other positions from which attacks against Gaza were launched," the report states.

However, the team "found no evidence of any system of public monitoring or accountability for serious violations of international humanitarian law and human rights law set up by the Gaza authorities. The Mission is concerned with the consistent disregard for international humanitarian law with which armed groups in the Gaza Strip conduct their armed activities ... Despite some media reports, the Mission remains unconvinced that any genuine and effective initiatives have been taken by the authorities to address the serious issues of violation of international humanitarian law in the conduct of armed activities by militant groups in the Gaza Strip.

"The Mission was also given no evidence of any arrests, investigation or prosecution connected with the serious violations of the peremptory norms of international law that have been alleged."

Among the commission's conclusions are that the de facto government is responsible for ensuring that effective measures for accountability for violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law committed by armed groups acting in or from Gaza are established. It points out that such responsibility would continue to rest on any authority exercising government-like functions in the Strip.

"The Mission concludes that the rocket and mortars attacks, launched by Palestinian armed groups operating from Gaza, have caused terror in the affected communities of southern Israel. ... The Mission recommends that Palestinian armed groups should undertake forthwith to respect international humanitarian law, in particular by renouncing attacks on Israeli civilians and civilian objects, and take all feasible precautionary measures to avoid harm to Palestinian civilians during hostilities."

http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=250397

it would seem Hamas was was condemned

[cqo_000]

10. February 2 is the deadline set by the UN

In November 2009, the UN General Assembly gave Israel and Hamas until 2 February to show that they are willing and able to undertake investigations that meet international standards into alleged war crimes and possible crimes against humanity committed during the 22-day conflict which ended on 18 January 2009.

"The clock is running – if both sides cannot provide real evidence that they are taking steps to put their houses in order, the international community will need to take measures to ensure that the perpetrators are held to account, and that the victims receive full reparation, including compensation," said Malcolm Smart, Amnesty International’s director for the Middle East and North Africa.

Should investigations fail to meet required standards, it is the responsibility of the international community to bring the perpetrators of crimes to justice, including by the Security Council referring the situation to the International Criminal Court (ICC).

"It would be far better if Israel and Hamas meet their own obligations to ensure accountability for serious crimes under international law, rather than creating a need to be referred to the ICC," said Malcolm Smart.

http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/news/israel-hamas-have-less-than-one-month-show-credible-investigations-war-crimes-20100104

[shira]

11. right, as if Hamas is just another armed group like Islamic Jihad and not in control

No one is really in control of Gaza, so no one is ultimately responsible. Hamas is no different than Islamic Jihad or the Al-Aqsa Martyrs brigade.

:eyes:

The Goldstone Illusion is beyond weak, it's a pathetic pro-Hamas propaganda effort that does nothing to help Gazans. To give any credence to the Goldstone Report or anything the antisemitic UNHRC rules is to not only legitimize bigotry, but to empower Hamas and therefore set back the cause of peace and human rights, thereby ensuring Gazans suffer more under Hamas. It's the very thing Ray Hanania is against.
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1263147876102

[azurnoir]

12. Just who is the defacto government in Gaza?

the article I posted makes several references to the defacto government in Gaza such as here

For its part, the de facto government reportedly cooperated in full, responding that it "had nothing to do, directly or indirectly, with al-Qassam Brigades or other armed groups and had no knowledge of their tactics." "While noting that the weaponry used by the armed factions was not accurate, the Gaza authorities discouraged the targeting of civilians," according to the report.

In the de facto government's view, it took "the initiative to spare civilian lives when they renounced suicide attacks in April 2006. ... a Government spokesperson stated that the resistance factions did not aim their rockets at civilians but rather at IDF artillery and other positions from which attacks against Gaza were launched," the report states.

However, the team "found no evidence of any system of public monitoring or accountability for serious violations of international humanitarian law and human rights law set up by the Gaza authorities. The Mission is concerned with the consistent disregard for international humanitarian law with which armed groups in the Gaza Strip conduct their armed activities ... Despite some media reports, the Mission remains unconvinced that any genuine and effective initiatives have been taken by the authorities to address the serious issues of violation of international humanitarian law in the conduct of armed activities by militant groups in the Gaza Strip.

oh I will be waiting for oh so predictable reply "but it doesn't name Hamas"

IMO the real "illusion" about Goldstone is the one being created by ProIsraeli groups

[shira]

13. the defacto government of Gaza and the Gaza 'authorities' are Hamas

it's telling that the Goldstone team found no reason to question or doubt the defacto government authorities of Gaza.

[azurnoir]

14. sigh

In the de facto government's view, it took "the initiative to spare civilian lives when they renounced suicide attacks in April 2006. ... a Government spokesperson stated that the resistance factions did not aim their rockets at civilians but rather at IDF artillery and other positions from which attacks against Gaza were launched," the report states.

However, the team "found no evidence of any system of public monitoring or accountability for serious violations of international humanitarian law and human rights law set up by the Gaza authorities. The Mission is concerned with the consistent disregard for international humanitarian law with which armed groups in the Gaza Strip conduct their armed activities ... Despite some media reports, the Mission remains unconvinced that any genuine and effective initiatives have been taken by the authorities to address the serious issues of violation of international humanitarian law in the conduct of armed activities by militant groups in the Gaza Strip.

seems like questioning the claims of the defacto government

[shira]

15. so why isn't the defacto government identified as Hamas?

and why doesn't Goldstone mention once how Hamas killed Fatah loyalists during OCL?

Goldstone's team had no problem taking the defacto government's word WRT human shields.

[azurnoir]

16. Because those claims are made by Israel I believe

and dear before you post I have already read the jpost article and watched the nasty video on "cooljew" so what will it be youtube mfa or??????


edited in I believe in the title line in case I am wrong about that however all claims I found were from Israeli or proIsraeli sources

[shira]

18. it's not just pro-Israel sources claiming human shields

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ab1hCeJ2wc&feature=player_embedded

That's the reporter who filmed the al-Dura hoax. How much more evidence do you require?

And what about Hamas killing Fatah during OCL? No big deal, right? Goldstone's team did the right thing not bringing that up?

As for Gaza authorities and the defacto government, are you saying you DON'T believe that's Hamas?

[azurnoir]

19. Do you watch what you post?

there was no mention of Hamas killing Fatah members in the phone interview what he did say was that Hamas was dressed as civilians was that your actual purpose in posting the video I can only imagine it was so as to give yourself yet another nitpicking point

or

Why didn't Goldstone mention that Hamas was dressed as civilians?

eta I find it quite funny that would promote abu Raham for this purpose was it talking down to progressives or what?

[shira]

20. as I thought...the facts don't matter to you

1. Goldstone's team reported Hamas did not intentionally mix with civilians (shielding). The fact you see the CNN video as nothing but "point scoring" goes to show you know Goldstone's Report is crap but you couldn't give a shit (so long as I stop proving it's crap b/c all I'm interested in is point-scoring). Tell me, do you know WHY it's very bad that Hamas mixes in with civilians during combat? WHY is that a very bad thing for Gazans?

2. Does it bother you Goldstone makes no mention of Hamas killing Fatah during OCL?

3. Are the Gaza authorities or defacto government HAMAS in your opinion?

[azurnoir]

21. again you must think or hope no one reads beyond the title line

however as to your questions

1. Goldstone's team reported Hamas did not intentionally mix with civilians (shielding). The fact you see the CNN video as nothing but "point scoring" goes to show you know Goldstone's Report is crap but you couldn't give a shit (so long as I stop proving it's crap b/c all I'm interested in is point-scoring). Tell me, do you know WHY it's very bad that Hamas mixes in with civilians during combat? WHY is that a very bad thing for Gazans?

tell me what is a Hamas uniform? the Hamas police do as far as I know wear uniforms given the death toll IAF extracted by bombing a graduation ceremony of police graduates I do not blame them however it is a stretch to that "human shielding" it sounds more like hiding to me

2. Does it bother you Goldstone makes no mention of Hamas killing Fatah during OCL?

No as it is IMO an unproven allegation


3. Are the Gaza authorities or defacto government HAMAS in your opinion?

yes

I never said the CNN video was point scoring I said it did not show what you claimed it did and threw a you piece of "red meat" knowing at the time that was what I was doing and now I also know that my answer to #3 will be the next round

[shira]

22. Hamas uniforms, Hamas killing Fatah during OCL...

1. "Israeli officials say Hamas military commanders have recognized that their militants' decision to take off their fatigues and don civilian clothing a few days into the fighting was a mistake. The Islamic group believes the decision damaged morale and was perceived by Gazans as indicative that they had lost control of the territory.

Hamas militants are now under orders to stay in uniform even if this makes them more easily targeted in Israeli air strikes."

http://haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1080096.html

And here's one of many pictures of Hamas in uniform...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7810506.stm

Once again, do you realize why being out of uniform and blending in with civilians is a BIG warcrime?

==============

2. HRW claims Hamas killed Fatah 'collaborators' during OCL.

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1080270.html

Does it bother you that this received no mention in the Goldstone Report?

==============

3. Why do you think Goldstone's team stopped short of linking Hamas to the defacto government or Gaza authorities, making it appear as if Hamas was only one of many military groups like Islamic Jihad and Al-Aqsa martyrs? Hamas runs the whole show and is responsible for WAY more than Goldstone's team lets on. But you're okay with that?

[azurnoir]

23. sigh again Shira

what was Goldstones mission was it investigate Hamas or what went in internally in Gaza or was to investigate war crimes committed by the warring parties against each other? IMO it was the latter and Goldstone did just that and quite well, too well infact fact for some on both sides and in fact here is a statement from HRW as to just that issue

The Board of Inquiry has produced an excellent report with solid recommendations. As a next step, the secretary-general should endorse the UN fact-finding mission already established under Richard Goldstone to look into broader issues...The failure of both Israel and Hamas to investigate themselves, along with the Board's conclusions and Human Rights Watch's findings inside Gaza, all show the need for such an impartial and comprehensive investigation."

Sarah Leah Whitson, director of the Middle East and North Africa division

http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2009/05/06/un-support-goldstone-investigation-gaza-war-violations


. Why do you think Goldstone's team stopped short of linking Hamas to the defacto government or Gaza authorities, making it appear as if Hamas was only one of many military groups like Islamic Jihad and Al-Aqsa martyrs? Hamas runs the whole show and is responsible for WAY more than Goldstone's team lets on. But you're okay with that?

Because Shira your statement predisposes the complete ignorance of the reader Goldstones report did not have to "let on" or "link" Hamas to the leadership of Gaza. the report did not make it appear any other way IMO and Hamas was one of many groups involved it is that simple

[shira]

24. come on now...

1. Goldstone's team says there's no evidence Hamas deliberately decided to toss their uniforms and blend in with civilians. Goldstone lied, right? And that benefitted Hamas to the detriment of their Palestinian victims, correct?

2. As for Fatah collaborators killed, it was war-related and should have been covered by Goldstone, otherwise Hamas will probably again take advantage of a future war to deal again with their perceived enemies, thinking those killed will count as casualties targetted by Israel. That's pretty fucking rotten, don't you think? I thought you cared for the human rights of Palestinians killed during OCL. :shrug:

In a report released earlier this week, the Human Rights Watch accused Hamas of directing its gunmen to eliminate political opponents and suspected collaborators under the cover of Israel's military offensive in Gaza.

During the war, "Hamas authorities ... took extraordinary steps to control, intimidate, punish and at times eliminate their internal political rivals as well as persons suspected of collaborating with Israel," the report said.

Eighteen Palestinians were killed by Hamas-linked gunmen during the three-week war, which ended Jan. 18, and 14 others were killed afterward, the report said. In addition, 49 Gazans were shot in the legs by masked gunmen between Dec. 28 and Jan. 31, and 73 had their arms or legs broken, the report said, citing a rights group linked to Abbas.

Goldstone's team was supposed to report on all bad and nasty things that happened during the war. They decided not to rock the boat, after all, they were guests of Hamas during their stay in Gaza and we all know Hamas showed the Goldstoners what Hamas wanted them to see - and nothing more - just as they did with the Free-Gaza Movement.

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1141085.html

And you're defending the indefensible.

:shrug:

[azurnoir]

25. First please provide a link to your highlighted quote

I have already provided a link and statement as to what HRW said about the issue of the internal actions of Hamas or any other Palestinian group in Gaza

you seem to want to make the Golstone mission some sort of be all and all investigation when in fact IMO it had a very focused mission and fulfilled that mission as best it could considering Israel's refusal to co-operate

[shira]

26. that link is the 3rd in post #22

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1080270.html

There's simply no excuse for Goldstone ignoring those crimes by Hamas against "collaborators".

As for Goldstoners denying Hamas mixed in with civilians by by not wearing their uniforms, what does that have to do with Israel's refusal to cooperate? Goldstone's team lied, didn't they?

As for the Goldstone Mission being a be-all, end-all investigation, they threw the entire kitchen sink at Israel and went way over the top - exaggerating and demonizing as if their report were written by the hacks at PRESS-TV or Hezbollah's Al-Manar. And they took it very easy on Hamas (being they wouldn't want to report anything on Hamas that takes pressure off Israel).

But that's okay with you as you're totally okay with Israel being demonized. Hamas can shit all over Palestinians, who you purport to care about, but so long as Israel is demonized it's all good.

Yeah, I get it.

[azurnoir]

27. I was making sure that was what you were talking about

Goldstones mission was not to "demonize" Israel and IMO it did not anymore than it demonized Hamas or anyone else
It would seem the "word" demonize is used quite loosely and usually albeit not always translates IMO to criticism(s) the user does not like

eta I really do not see how criticizing Hamas takes "pressure" off Israel unless you mean by redirecting attention

[shira]

28. one question at a time....first, did Goldstone lie about Hamas not mixing in with civilians?

[azurnoir]

29. I have not read the entire report

so I really can not answer that fully but tell me have you read the entire report?

And once agan for at least the 3rd time it was not IMO Goldstones mission to report on the action of Hamas or any other group in Gaza with regards to their actions towards Palestinian civilians but rathher the actions of Hamas and other towards Israeli civilians, which it did do

[shira]

30. here's what's in the report, paragraphs 493 and 1750

They "found no evidence that members of Palestinian armed groups engaged in combat in civilian dress".

That has nothing to do with whatever you believe their mission was - why did they lie, why instead of lying couldn't they have just avoided the issue in paragraphs 493 and 1750 altogether if their mission wasn't as you say?

"Unwilling to take Israel's bait and come into the open, Hamas militants are fighting in civilian clothes; even the police have been ordered to take off their uniforms."
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/11/world/middleeast/11hamas.html

"The high visibility of uniformed Hamas police stood in contrast to the furtive movements of Hamas fighters in civilian clothing who confronted or tried to evade the Israeli onslaught that began Dec. 27."
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/01/19/world/main4734072.shtml?source=related_story

So Goldstone lied, right? How much more evidence do you need of that before you'll admit it?

Also, notice how HAMAS is mentioned in civilian clothing, not "armed groups"? :eyes:

BTW, demonization is what you'd find on any RW hate site like Free Republic or Jihad Watch, whether it's against blacks, jews, muslims, or arabs. I think you know the difference between criticism and demonization. As long as it's only Israel being demonized, that's okay with you.

[azurnoir]

31. I think I would need more evidence that your bolded statement

that Goldstone lied, you provide links to articles that make accusations or present evidence that "militants" and/or Hamas dressed as civilians, but none of these mention Goldstones statements or lack there of

this does not mean Goldstone lied, it means he did not say what you want or felt he should and that is all, and again I IMO it was not Goldstones mission to report on the action of Palestinian combatants towards Palestinian civilian nor was it his mission to report on Israel's actions towards its own civilians during OCL

as for your links thanks for the "info" however they IMO in no way shape or form reflect on Goldstone

[shira]

33. LOL..thanks for playing and confirming you're a true believer

no amount of evidence or fact would ever be enough for you.

[azurnoir]

34. Well your welcome dear nt

[azurnoir]

32. I also note that both of links are dated for January of 2009

you make claims about Goldstones report but then post links to articles that were written long prior to Goldstones mission in my link from yesterday

there was this statement from the report

"The Mission was also given no evidence of any arrests, investigation or prosecution connected with the serious violations of the peremptory norms of international law that have been alleged."

perhaps Hamas did not incriminate itself as you would wish

However you did not answer my question have you or have you not read the report a simple yes or no will do

[azurnoir]

17. as to the defacto government not being identified as Hamas

does anyone who has any knowledge of not know that, it does not seem Goldstone would try to hide that fact but I am betting you'll claim he is

[leveymg]

5. Most never heard about it in the US. Those who know made up their minds before reading it.

That's the problem. The stakeholders and activists are totally polarized, while the American mass media doesn't want to touch this.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

7. His methodology was flawed and he lack required data. Rather than be honest and admit

it, he pressed ahead. Goldstone knew he had incomplete data and his defense was that it was the Israeli's fault since they did not open up their records to him. This was well known while his team was working. Set themselves up for failure and the current state of non-relevance.

When the case against Blackwater kicked many at DU wondered if it was a setup. Goldstone's fiasco was much more obvious. Yet you see no speculation that it was intentional. Goldstone could not have tanked this any better had he planned it.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

6. Perhaps it was due to the flawed nature of the report and his incessant insistence on its perfection

It did not take the gift of prophecy to see where the report was headed, as well as Goldstone when he kept trying to push it in the media.

[Violet_Crumble]

9. Every report has some flaws and Goldstone has NEVER insisted his was perfect...

And as for prophecy, I recall you in particular insisting pretty much at the moment it was announced that an investigation would be done that it would be flawed etc. You'd already made up yr mind about it long before they started investigating, and something else I noticed was that back when the IDF did their own really slap-dash investigation that cleared themselves, not once did you make any comments saying that was flawed. It's not hard to see that yr issue is with anything that puts any responsibility at all on Israel...