My friend Kevin Rooney made a gorgeous point the other day: Just reverse the numbers. Imagine five hundred million Jews and five million Arabs. I was stunned at the simple brilliance of it. Can anyone picture the Jews strapping belts of razor blades and dynamite to themselves? Of course not. Or marshalling every fiber and force at their disposal for generations to drive a tiny Arab state into the sea? Nonsense. Or dancing for joy at the murder of innocents? Impossible. Or spreading and believing horrible lies about the Arabs baking their bread with the blood of children? Disgusting. No, as you know, left to themselves in a world of peace, the worst Jews would ever do to people is debate them to death.
This woman doesn't realize if she gets her way, she won't have a voice any more. Her thinking she'll still be able to voice her opinion will get her killed.
This woman doesn't realize if she gets her way, she won't have a voice any more. Her thinking she'll still be able to voice her opinion will get her killed.
So true. But religion tends to blind people... opium for the masses.
Originally posted by Gokart Mozart: My friend Kevin Rooney made a gorgeous point the other day: Just reverse the numbers. Imagine five hundred million Jews and five million Arabs. I was stunned at the simple brilliance of it. Can anyone picture the Jews strapping belts of razor blades and dynamite to themselves? Of course not. Or marshalling every fiber and force at their disposal for generations to drive a tiny Arab state into the sea? Nonsense. Or dancing for joy at the murder of innocents? Impossible. Or spreading and believing horrible lies about the Arabs baking their bread with the blood of children? Disgusting. No, as you know, left to themselves in a world of peace, the worst Jews would ever do to people is debate them to death.
It is not five hundred million Arabs against five million Jews. It is a few million non-Jewish and mostly (but not 100 percent) Muslim Palestinians, against the few million Jews of israel.
That "five hundred million" (goes without saying) was a reference to all of the Arab and Muslim states, groups and individuals, all around the world, that have historically lined up against Israel under the banner of justice for the Palestinians.
I think that this worldwide network of "Palestinian fans and supporters" has been dwindling in recent years, and that the fallout from this latest, ongoing Israel-Gaza fighting will be an even larger decrease around the world in material support for Hamas and the other factions that have been committed to armed force and violence in their longstanding conflict with Israel.
Yesterday the king of Saudi Arabia made a speech in which he accused Israel of "war crimes", but I interpret that as lip service, not material support for Hamas et al.
I'm pretty sure that you are smarter than I am and I'm not dumb, but I'm always amazed at how people who are smarter than I am are able to buy the whole religion thing hook line and sinker without a bit of doubt. I am an agnostic because I don't see how anyone can be absolutely sure that there is a god or there isn't. I do understand the desire to believe in one and some kind of existence after death. I would like for there to be something after too.
I'm pretty sure that you are smarter than I am and I'm not dumb, but I'm always amazed at how people who are smarter than I am are able to buy the whole religion thing hook line and sinker without a bit of doubt. I am an agnostic because I don't see how anyone can be absolutely sure that there is a god or there isn't. I do understand the desire to believe in one and some kind of existence after death. I would like for there to be something after too.
Whatever your views of religion, one nation defending it's right to exist shouldn't be limited to only those who believe the same as they do. So forget Islam, Judiasm, Christianity, et al. You have one group of people bent on the destruction of another. Can you buy into fighting for your right to exist?
I loved the way he summed up the whole issue, straight, and to the point.
I don't care too much what goes on over there, it's their war, but if I had to choose sides I would favor on the Jewish side. I'm actually surprised that Israel has remained so calm in all of this over the years. Israel has the capability to kick ass and I'm surprised they haven't done it yet on current issues over there.
[This message has been edited by California Kid (edited 08-03-2014).]
> Subject: Who Does The Land of Israel Belong To?> >
An interesting approach. Brilliant way to make a point. Don't know if this is a true story but clever ! > > Who Does The Land of Israel Belong To? > An ingenious example of speech and politics occurred recently in the > United Nations Assembly and made the world community smile. > A representative from Israel began: "Before beginning my talk I want > to tell you something about Moses: > "When he struck the rock and it brought forth water, he thought, 'What > a good opportunity to have a bath!' " > "Moses removed his clothes, put them aside on the rock and entered the water. > When he got out and wanted to dress, his clothes had vanished. -- A > Palestinian had stolen them!" > Immediately, the Palestinian representative at the UN jumped up and > furiously shouted, "What are you talking about? The Palestinians > weren't even there then." > The Israeli representative smiled and said, "And now that you have > made that clear, > I will begin my speech."
Originally posted by California Kid: I don't care too much what goes on over there, it's their war, but if I had to choose sides I would favor on the Jewish side.
quote
Originally posted by Formula88: So forget Islam, Judiasm, Christianity, et al. You have one group of people bent on the destruction of another. Can you buy into fighting for your right to exist?
Perhaps when it is actually ones own personally, or in their own country. But then we were attacked on 9-11 by the same terroristic thinking ISIS uses.
What I dont get is when news hits the fan and all we can do in this country is try and say something like "but Christians are bad too right"? Outside the box.. if an agnostic or atheist for example considered things, wouldn't the conclusion be the enemy of your enemy is your Friend? The enemy of child-beheading terrorists is your friend.
[This message has been edited by 2.5 (edited 08-11-2014).]
Perhaps when it is actually ones own personally, or in their own country.
Yet there has never been a "Palestinian country." Even when Israel was first formed, the area of Trans-Jordan was to be the "Arab Palestinian State" on one side of the Jordan river, with the "Israel Palestinian State" on the other side. The Arabs never complained about Jordan occupying Palestinian land. Land was set aside specifically for a Palestinian state, but it's not enough if Israel exists.
This was the original British ruled "Palestinian Mandate Territory"
The original "two state" proposed solution. Trans-Jordan for the Arab state and West of the Jordan river for the Jewish state. A Brief History of Israel
[This message has been edited by Formula88 (edited 08-11-2014).]
Yep. I am more referring to the indifference to it we seem to have here in the US, being that our own country was attacked too and likley will be at risk again.
[This message has been edited by 2.5 (edited 08-11-2014).]
Yep. I am more referring to the indifference to it we seem to have here in the US, being that our own country was attacked too and likley will be at risk again.
Will it interrupt reruns of Dancing with the Stars?..…
I know what you are saying...people really don't take or don't want to take time to deal with some of the larger realities of the world beyond their limited scope.
