Posted on 01/04/2009 4:13:33 PM PST by goldstategop
Israel's attempt to wipe out Hamas is understandable, but stupid. No country in the world is going to ignore the provocation of rockets being launched from neighbouring territory day after day. If Mexico had a group of anti-imperialists bombing Texas, imagine how long it would take for America to mobilise a counterattack. Israel has every right to respond.
But the kind of response matters. Killing 500 Palestinians and wounding 2,000 others (at the time of writing) is disproportionate. Hamas can harass, but it cannot pose any threat to the existence of Israel. And just as Hamas's indiscriminate bombing of population centres is a crime against humanity, so is Israel's killing of civilians (at least 130 so far in Gaza, not to mention the thousands in the years of the occupation of the West Bank and Gaza).
Hamas had respected the previously negotiated ceasefire except when Israel used it as cover to make assassination raids. Hamas argued that these raids were hardly a manifestation of a ceasefire, and so as symbolic protest it would allow the release of rocket fire (usually hitting no targets). But when the issue of continuing the ceasefire came up, Hamas wanted a guarantee that these assassination raids would stop. And it asked for more. With hundreds of thousands of Palestinians facing acute malnutrition, Hamas insists that the borders be opened so that food can arrive unimpeded. And in return for the captured Israeli soldier Gilad Schalit, it asks for the release of 1,000 Palestinians imprisoned in Israel.
(Excerpt) Read more at timesonline.co.uk ...
“I think the old Star Trek did an episode about this.”
A Private Little War — Kirk reasons that as long as he arms his tribe with the same level as the other Klingon-supported tribe he can, once again, bypass The Prime Directive.
If this idea carried sway in WWII...we would still be at war!
Robert McNamara, for one (see Fog of War). Based much, apparently, on what he participated in during WWII.
Saint Paul was once, shall we say, determined in his defense of his faith. He wasn't vermin...he was an opportunity!
God still loves Lerner...and we (whether Jew or Gentile) are commanded to love our enemies.
That is a great article!
Harass? Is that what numbnuts calls the wanton, random killing of Israeli civilians? My operative analogy is this: Hamas is using the rocket equivalent of a Saturday Night Special. Just because someone uses a clapped-out snub nosed 22 at long range doesn't mean he isn't trying to kill you. He'd use a Glock if he could get one. Hamas would use laser/gps guided munitions if they could get them.
So, according to this dilbert, as long as Hamas can only kill a few innocent civilians, Israel shouldn't really be all that upset.
Hamas' stated goal is to destroy Israel. A 'proportionate response' would be for Israel to destroy Hamas.
I heard John Bolton on Fox News this morning and both Michael Lerner and Pat Buchanan are mistating the concept.
Proportionate response means using enough force to end the problem agression before you -- not the tit for tat nonsense implicitely argued for by Michael Lerner.
John Bolton says the real meaning of proportionality is included in the Christan concept of a just war.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
I'm sure it was a liberal. And Hamas counts on them to ensure its survival.
Michael Lerner is an American rabbi, political activist, the editor of Tikkun, a progressive Jewish and interfaith magazine based in Berkeley, California.
Is this Hillary’s Michael Lerner?
40 POINTS TO PEACE (vanity)
Take piece of paper. On it list, in no order of Importance,40 of the “MOST HOLY” sites in Islam.
Each Property damage or Life lost. Random choice on list is totally DESTROYED. It could even mean that MECCA gets LEVELED because the clerk handling the 40 SHEET sheet gets a PAPER CUT.
I've long wished our seminary were not in Berserkely.
He now claims Capitalist work breeds alienation. Self hating Jews. Jews for a second holocaust featuring Michael Lerner
YES !
Oh yea and he calls Isreal “Imperalist” in his snide remarks. Just as he calls the USA “Imperalist” at the same time. What a hoot. To bad he is listened to by those in HIGH political office. He was Ms. Clintons spiritual consultant. Buch of incestious lefties.
Oh yea and he calls Isreal “Imperalist” in his snide remarks. Just as he calls the USA “Imperalist” at the same time. What a hoot. To bad he is listened to by those in HIGH political office. He was Ms. Clintons spiritual consultant. Buch of incestious lefties.
FRIENDS, LOVERS, COUNTRYMEN - COME STAND FOR ISRAEL!
Rally in Support of Israel’s War On Islamic Jihad!Pamgeller2
Tuesday, January 6th
12:30 PM
Across from the Israeli Consulate
42nd Street and 2nd Avenue
Thousands of rockets have been launched by the terrorist organization
Hamas into Southern Israel since Israel left Gaza for peace. Israel has the right to defend itself. Show your support for Israel.
Sponsored by: AMCHA Coalition for Jewish Concerns, Americans for a Safe Israel, Fuel for Truth, Mothers Against Terrorism, National Council of Young Israel, Stand with Us, Students for Peace in the Middle East, Zionist Organization of America
UPDATE: OTHER PRO-ISRAEL RALLIES. If you know of any other ones, SEND THEM AND I WILL POST!
Pro Israel Rally in Washington DC Rally in support of the people of Israel on Tuesday January 6th at 12:30 pm at the Israeli Embassy— 3514 International Dr. NW Washington DC . Please help spread the word spread about this rally which is sponsored by an Interdenominational Group of Rabbis in the Greater Washington Area who would like to invite the Christian community to join with them.
Counter Rally in Albany:
To all supporters of Israel. The PRC Palestinian Rights Committee will protest against Israel at the Capitol in Albany Tuesday Jan.6 at 4 PM on the State St. side. We need to get as many people as we can and counter demonstrate for Israel! We have to show the public and media that these supporters of Hamas terror are wrong!
Chazak v’ematz l’israel, strength and courage for Israel!
1000 Palestinians for 1 Jew? That sounds about right.
Maybe Israel could lop off a rocket everytime one enters Israeli airspace. Heaven knows, they are better shots.
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