Israel/Palestine
In reply to the discussion: Are Israeli Settlements Legal? Electronic Intifada’s Ali Abunimah vs. Commentary’s Jonathan Tobin [View all]Bradlad
(206 posts)including the one or two diehards who may still be following this thread. It's that one side in this conflict over control of territory - that is common throughout history and is part of human nature - has always tried to follow international norms and rules to reach a fair and peaceful resolution. The other has reveled in racist based violence and murder to get their way rejecting all international efforts to find compromise. One side has always used violence only when necessary in its defense (with very few exceptions) over many decades. The other has preferred violence and has kept it going relentlessly until it has become its way of life - which it glorifies. One side goes to great lengths and expense, exposing its soldiers to greater danger, to minimize collateral damage in the defensive war it is forced to wage while the other brags of the deaths of the innocent men, women and children who they purposely target.
And yet, in any discussion with you the Arabs are always innocent victims of Israeli "aggression" - a complete and disgusting inversion of reality that should turn the stomach of any true liberal. In your comments you are simply an advocate for the Arab team that commits these atrocities. You have no interest in discussing the pros and cons of conflicting views or understanding the complex history and other factors that drive the conflict. I don't begrudge you all that but I think you need to find a player who enjoys rhetorical combat more than I do. I find it demeaning to the memory of the many innocents who have died on both sides of this conflict.
I have no more time to indulge you you on this. I suggest you read Shaktiman's comment this morning which says very well what needs to be said. He has a writing style that I believe gets his points across much more clearly than I do and this comment is good example. Enjoy.