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Nightrunner
Starlite Member
Username: Nightrunner
| | Posted on Friday, March 09, 2007 - 06:12 am: | 
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Israel accused of using Palestinian children as human shields
Conal Urquhart
The Israeli army is investigating whether its troops used two Palestinian children as human shields during a house search operation in the West Bank following claims by the Israeli human rights organisation B'Tselem.
The use of human shields to deter gunmen from opening fire on soldiers was banned by Israel's supreme court and forbidden by the army. However the practice, in which soldiers force Palestinians to approach, enter and search buildings where they believe gunmen may be hiding, remains common.
Israelis soldiers were filmed using Sameh Amira, 24, as a human shield on February 25, during a week-long raid into the West Bank city of Nablus. Mr Amira was made to search homes in the city's casbah, or old city, during a search for wanted men and bomb-making laboratories. The casbah in the centre of the city was placed under curfew for two days and a Palestinian man was shot dead when he went onto the roof of his home.
Mr Amira's cousin, 15-year-old Amid Amira, told B'Tselem that soldiers also forced him to search three houses, making him enter rooms, empty cupboards and open windows.
An 11-year-old girl, Jihan Dadush, told B'Tselem that soldiers took her from her home three days later, on February 28, forcing her to open the door of a neighboring apartment and enter ahead of them. The soldiers then took her home, she said.
In her testimony to B'Tselem, Jihan said that after the soldiers left, "I was shaking with fear. I was afraid they would kill me or put me in jail. The only thing I wanted to do was sleep. I am afraid that the soldiers will come back and take me".
>
3189 |
Jennifer03801
Starlite Member
Username: Jennifer03801
| | Posted on Friday, March 09, 2007 - 06:58 am: |
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Just the tip of the iceberg.
.................................................
The method is the same each time: soldiers pick a civilian at random and force him to protect them by doing dangerous tasks that put his life at risk. For example, soldiers have ordered Palestinians to:
- enter buildings to check if they are booby-trapped, or to remove the occupants
- remove suspicious objects from roads used by the army
- stand inside houses where soldiers have set up military positions, so that Palestinians will not fire at the soldiers
- walk in front of soldiers to shield them from gunfire, while the soldiers hold a gun behind their backs and sometimes fire over their shoulders.
................................................
Total Fatalities - 3,189 Total Wounded - 23,417
Diseases Medical Air Transport Required - 18,704
Total Medical Air Transported - 32,544
Total Non-Mortal Casualties - 54,910
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Jennifer03801
Starlite Member
Username: Jennifer03801
| | Posted on Friday, March 09, 2007 - 07:46 am: |
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Video: Interview with child taken as human shield in Nablus
http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article6637.shtml
Total Fatalities - 3,189 Total Wounded - 23,417
Diseases Medical Air Transport Required - 18,704
Total Medical Air Transported - 32,544
Total Non-Mortal Casualties - 54,910
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Bubby
Starlite Member
Username: Bubby
| | Posted on Saturday, March 10, 2007 - 10:26 am: |
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Maybe whats good for the goose is good for the gander...the Palestinians have been doing it forever..Jew haters arise!!!! |
Bubby
Starlite Member
Username: Bubby
| | Posted on Saturday, March 10, 2007 - 10:36 am: |
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I think Albert deserves better than this.I never thought the owner of a site like this,that is Jewish,would condone a consistent trashing of his homeland.Over the years his homeland is repeatedly raked over the coals in this forum and accused of everything,while the Pallywood Palestinians are given a free pass.Freedom of speech,I guess.Personally,if I was Jewish,I would not allow it.At the minimum,I would tell you to lighten up.If you repeat something long enough,some people begin to believe its true.I don't. |
Jennifer03801
Starlite Member
Username: Jennifer03801
| | Posted on Saturday, March 10, 2007 - 11:10 am: |
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This thread is not about religion or hating anyone, it’s about a human rights violation, one that puts the lives of children at risk. You may think it’s ok to violate international law and use children as human shields or blow them up in an illegal war, but I don’t believe Albert would agree with you.
Total Fatalities - 3,190 Total Wounded - 23,417
Diseases Medical Air Transport Required - 18,704
Total Medical Air Transported - 32,544
Total Non-Mortal Casualties - 54,910
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Aimstraight
Starlite Member
Username: Aimstraight
| | Posted on Saturday, March 10, 2007 - 12:12 pm: |
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I see Pallywood productions are at it again.
Using a little girl as a shield- give me a break.
The Palestinians have pictures of their children
with bomber belts on - they encourage their children
to be suicide bombers. Haven’t you seen the Palestinian
children throwing rocks at the Israeli tanks? Why do the
parents let them – the Israeli soldiers knows why.
He also knows that little girl is going to get in his way
and maybe get him killed. There that’s about 2 cents worth.
http://seconddraft.org/streaming/pallywood.wmv
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Bubby
Starlite Member
Username: Bubby
| | Posted on Saturday, March 10, 2007 - 12:24 pm: |
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Hizbollah uses children to hide behind, and fires their rockets from school grounds...I guess that's perfectly acceptable though..It's almost like Israel is held to a higher standard.You musn't fight fire with fire.
In Viet Nam,children would carry explosives on their bodies....times haven't changed anything.
Gee,I wonder how that tiny country has managed to survive so long? |
Jennifer03801
Starlite Member
Username: Jennifer03801
| | Posted on Saturday, March 10, 2007 - 12:36 pm: |
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Michael, the video of the IDF using a young Palestinian man as a human shield was filmed by an AP photographer not by "Pallywood Productions".
Using civilians, especially children, as human shields is a despicable act that needs to stop. Doesn't matter one bit to me which side does it, it's inexcusable. Don't you agree?
Total Fatalities - 3,190 Total Wounded - 23,417
Diseases Medical Air Transport Required - 18,704
Total Medical Air Transported - 32,544
Total Non-Mortal Casualties - 54,910
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Aimstraight
Starlite Member
Username: Aimstraight
| | Posted on Saturday, March 10, 2007 - 12:48 pm: |
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Jen Jen, that girl was never used as a shield.
I know what side has respect for life and I agree with only that side.
I know if you teach children to hate and to love death - your book of teaching is pure evil.
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Jennifer03801
Starlite Member
Username: Jennifer03801
| | Posted on Saturday, March 10, 2007 - 01:07 pm: |
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I was talking about the video showing the young Palestinian man being forced at gunpoint by IDF forces to act as a human shield.
Where did you get your information on the girl not having been used as a shield, or is that just your opinion?
I do agree, teaching children to hate is wrong. What do you think these Israeli children learned when they were encouraged to write on bombs to be used against Lebanese children?
Total Fatalities - 3,190 Total Wounded - 23,417
Diseases Medical Air Transport Required - 18,704
Total Medical Air Transported - 32,544
Total Non-Mortal Casualties - 54,910
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Jennifer03801
Starlite Member
Username: Jennifer03801
| | Posted on Saturday, March 10, 2007 - 03:20 pm: |
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Michael, you have nothing to back up your statement that the girl wasn't used as a shield?
Total Fatalities - 3,190 Total Wounded - 23,417
Diseases Medical Air Transport Required - 18,704
Total Medical Air Transported - 32,544
Total Non-Mortal Casualties - 54,910
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Aimstraight
Starlite Member
Username: Aimstraight
| | Posted on Saturday, March 10, 2007 - 03:35 pm: |
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First – these bombs are not for children- no I wouldn’t want my child writing on bombs period but being surrounded by religious killers all their life’s just maybe they’re learning to cope with these monsters that kill their family’s that kills their classmates. The children of Israel know they must fight to survive – if you walk a mile in their shoes - you would never stop running |
Jennifer03801
Starlite Member
Username: Jennifer03801
| | Posted on Saturday, March 10, 2007 - 08:17 pm: |
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Your posts in this thread are very revealing, Michael. First of all you refuse to condemn the Israelis for using human shields. Then you call a little girl a liar without producing any evidence to support your statement. You also try to make us believe that Israeli bombs didn’t kill Lebanese children when we all know they did. Most telling of all is you seem to be saying that it’s ok to teach children about hating and killing as long as they are Israeli (or not yours) because that's the only way they’re going to survive. I’m not seeing in your statements much of that respect for life you claimed you have.
Total Fatalities - 3,190 Total Wounded - 23,417
Diseases Medical Air Transport Required - 18,704
Total Medical Air Transported - 32,544
Total Non-Mortal Casualties - 54,910
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Jennifer03801
Starlite Member
Username: Jennifer03801
| | Posted on Sunday, January 20, 2008 - 11:13 am: |
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Collective Punishment - A Crime Against Humanity
Gaza power plant begins shutting down:
http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSL2071052720080120
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Bubby
Starlite Member
Username: Bubby
| | Posted on Sunday, January 20, 2008 - 01:25 pm: |
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By Nidal al-Mughrabi
GAZA (Reuters) - Large parts of the Gaza Strip plunged into darkness on Sunday when its main power plant shut down after Israel blocked fuel supplies to the Hamas-run territory and closed its borders.
Lines formed at bakeries on Sunday and people stockpiled food after Gaza's electricity generating station turned off the second of its two turbines in a blockade Israel says is a response to militant rocket attacks.
"At least 800,000 people are now in darkness," said Derar Abu Sissi, general director of the plant. "The catastrophe will affect hospitals, medical clinics, water wells, houses, factories, all aspects of life."
An Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman questioned whether the complete shutdown of the electrical plant was necessary, suggesting Hamas Islamists had a political interest in exaggerating the impact of the Israeli measures.
Officials of the European Union, which funds fuel for the plant, confirmed Sunday's shipment was blocked and that the reserves had dried up.
An Israeli air strike killed at least one Palestinian on Sunday. The Jewish state has killed dozens of Gazans in the past week in what is says is a stepped-up campaign against militants who have attacked border towns with some 230 rockets.
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Bubby
Starlite Member
Username: Bubby
| | Posted on Sunday, January 20, 2008 - 02:37 pm: |
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"says is a stepped-up campaign against militants who have attacked
border towns with some 230 rockets."...ya think??
Wonder if any of those 230 rockets killed any Israeli children?Oh well...here we go again... |
Jennifer03801
Starlite Member
Username: Jennifer03801
| | Posted on Sunday, January 20, 2008 - 03:50 pm: |
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No Israeli children have been injured, but three Palestinians, including a 12 year-old boy were killed by an Israeli attack that missed its target and four Palestinian women and two children were injured Saturday in Hebron after they were assaulted by Israeli settlers throwing rocks. Plus one Palestinian woman was killed and 46 civilians including children playing soccer were wounded when an Israeli warplane bombed a building in the strip.
No matter how you try to justify it, collective punishment is a war crime and a crime against humanity.
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Bubby
Starlite Member
Username: Bubby
| | Posted on Sunday, January 20, 2008 - 05:01 pm: |
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I'm not justifying anything..but 230 rockets being fired into Israel would be cause for what kind of response?Throw marshmellows at the enemy that hides behind women and children?Oh, I forgot...its okay to annihilate Israel.In case you haven't heard,their intentions are exactly that.Several countries have clarified that statement....even Iran.So Israel should not respond at all? Just keep firing rockets into Israel,eventually all of those terorist Jewish people will be killed,and then what will you complain about?That it should have happened sooner? Over the years,how many large countries have tried to destroy Israel?What happened to them? Gee...I wonder why they didn't succeed?Maybe because they are Gods people?I wonder..such a tiny country,and nobody can defeat them.Maybe Iran with Nukes can do the job? |
Bubby
Starlite Member
Username: Bubby
| | Posted on Sunday, January 20, 2008 - 05:04 pm: |
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Was 9-11 collective punishment?Was that a war crime?I guess not. |
Jennifer03801
Starlite Member
Username: Jennifer03801
| | Posted on Sunday, January 20, 2008 - 05:58 pm: |
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Iran doesn't have nukes but "tiny" Israel does, and more than enough to annihilate most of the middle east. Hmmm, perhaps that's the reason surrounding countries are a little bit antsy? Qassam's aren't much of a defense against the WMD's that Israel has, are they?
9-11 had what to do with Palestine and Israel? Or is that just you doing a Giuliani impersonation.
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Bubby
Starlite Member
Username: Bubby
| | Posted on Sunday, January 20, 2008 - 07:24 pm: |
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The fact that "Tiny" Israel has nukes could be from the possibility of all Arab countries trying to annihilate them?? Maybe ..could be!Your analogies are lacking credibilty...comparing me to Giulani?Wow! Want to see my Ron Paul impersonation?How about Hillary?Obama? Richardson?I knew you would bring this thread back to life with your Palestinian sympathy.Why don't you go there with your protest?Take a big sign and stand in front of a bull-dozer.Was 9-11 collective punishment?Was that a war crime?I guess not....whether or not it had anything to do with Palestine or Israel.Please feel free to insult me some more before I retire for the evening.Signed...not a Palestinian sympathizer. |
Jennifer03801
Starlite Member
Username: Jennifer03801
| | Posted on Sunday, January 20, 2008 - 07:57 pm: |
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I don't see any insults in my posts, and none were intended, but your suggestion that I stand in front of a bulldozer, as Rachel Corrie did, was certainly the most vile, unchristian post I've ever seen in Political.
My suggestion - if you can't discuss current events in a more reasonable, civilized and less hysterical manner or refrain from calling other posters names, then it might be best if you stuck with posting in the poetry forums.
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Bubby
Starlite Member
Username: Bubby
| | Posted on Sunday, January 20, 2008 - 08:40 pm: |
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Your response is always so typical.Its always anti christian to suggest anything to you that doesn't conform to your way of thinking.The act of confronting a bulldozer with a sign is a clear indication of mental instability.So,is Rachel Corrie a martyr now?Are you a martyr for Palestine? If you are,then I would suggest you go there.Vile,unchristian remarks?
Have you read the Bible? I thought politics and christianity had to be seperate issues.When I am discussing politic's,I do not quote the Bible.
You have constantly attacked Israel over the past few years with much more vile than I mentioned in my post.Am I to think that's NOT to be considered vile and un-christion remarks,or was that just you being politically correct?
Please rant on, there is no apology coming,so please consider this as an end to this conversation.I'm sure Palestine will survive and you will too... |
Bubby
Starlite Member
Username: Bubby
| | Posted on Sunday, January 20, 2008 - 08:43 pm: |
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Spin merchants unite!! |
Jennifer03801
Starlite Member
Username: Jennifer03801
| | Posted on Sunday, January 20, 2008 - 09:02 pm: |
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My suggestion was entirely serious and meant for your benefit. If you can't keep a cool head and discuss issues without attacking other posters, then I really do think it would be in your best interests to refrain from posting in Political.
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Bubby
Starlite Member
Username: Bubby
| | Posted on Sunday, January 20, 2008 - 09:11 pm: |
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That pertains to you also... |
Jennifer03801
Starlite Member
Username: Jennifer03801
| | Posted on Sunday, January 20, 2008 - 09:48 pm: |
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From BBC News:
"The head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees in Gaza, John Ging, told the BBC it was a desperate situation.
"The hospitals are operating on generator power," he said.
"What it means is that the vital medical equipment is functioning, but there's no power for heating, so it's very, very cold in all the hospitals tonight."
He warned that when diesel supplies ran out, there would be no fuel to power the generators.
A local health official, Dr Moaiya Hassanain, said hospitals faced a catastrophic choice between cutting "electricity on babies in the maternity ward or heart surgery patients" or stopping operating theatres."
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Jennifer03801
Starlite Member
Username: Jennifer03801
| | Posted on Sunday, January 20, 2008 - 09:59 pm: |
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And this from the Guardian:
"The UN says about half the strip's 1.5 million people no longer have access to fresh water, because Israel has restricted fuel supplies, which in turn halts pumps and reduces electricity production. Although the UN has food for the next two months in its warehouses, the closure of crossings has limited supplies and forced up prices."
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Bubby
Starlite Member
Username: Bubby
| | Posted on Sunday, January 20, 2008 - 10:11 pm: |
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Could it be something as simple as...stop firing rockets into Israel,and we will turn the power back on,or is it another attempt to portray all Israeli's as savages?...."Certainly claims of massacres and atrocities should not go without investigation. The problem is that, like the case of Dir Yassin, even when the claim is shown to be unfounded, the legend persists. It is convenient for the enemies of Israel to portray her armed forces as ruthless savages, but that propagandistic position cannot be supported by any facts.
For example, Tantura. A Haifa University revisionist historian, Theodor Katz, claimed in his M.A. thesis (released January 2000) that an IDF unit had massacred over 200 Arab residents of the village of Tantura in the 1948 War of Independence. He was brought to court in 2001 by surviving officers and men of the unit who presented contrary evidence including review of Katz's tape recordings showing how he had manipulated the testimony of survivors. Katz admitted finally that he had selectively used reports from Arab sources, taking only those that supported his thesis. The lawsuit was dropped after Katz signed a renunciation of his own work and Haifa University pulled the thesis from library shelves. [It was revealed in September 2002 that tormer Palestinian Authority minister Feisal Husseini paid $8,000 for the legal defense of Teddy Katz.] The University conducted its own review of the evidence. After six months of work, the committee had managed to review only a little more than one-fourth of Katz's tapes, mostly in Arabic, which bore direct relation to the question of whether any massacre took place. Yet even in that limited selection, 14 major discrepancies - in which the tapes didn't accord with the written text - came to light.
No pro-Palestinian Arab source had ever pointed to a massacre at Tantura before Katz's thesis appeared in 2000. The thesis has been completely debunked. Nonetheless, there are now hundreds of web sites that cite the "Tantura massacre" as historical fact. And while Arab sources rushed into print to trumpet the news of Katz's thesis, none has mentioned the retraction save a few who cite it as an example of a massive coverup."
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Jennifer03801
Starlite Member
Username: Jennifer03801
| | Posted on Monday, January 21, 2008 - 03:35 am: |
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I assure you, current border closings and blackouts are not legends. To imply that they are shows either total lack of factual information or is an egregious attempt to minimize the looming humanitarian crisis in Palestine. 800,000 Palestinians are without electricity, tens of thousands or now even more, are without access to fresh drinking water. Hospital generators will soon shut down for lack of diesel fuel.
“The organisation(the UN) has criticised Israel's decision to close border crossings into Gaza, preventing aid deliveries to the 1.5 million people living in the territory, saying on Saturday that the move could provoke a humanitarian crisis.
"Such action cuts off the population from much-needed fuel supplies used to pump water and generate electricity to homes and hospitals," Ban Ki-moon, the UN secretary-general, said.
John Holmes, the UN undersecretary-general for humanitarian affairs, said on Friday: "We all understand the security problems and the need to respond to that but collective punishment of the people of Gaza is not, we believe, the appropriate way to do that."
Holmes said the Israeli response was unwarranted.
"This kind of action against the people in Gaza cannot be justified, even by those rocket attacks," he said"
There is no justification for collective punishment, it is a war crime and a crime against humanity.
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Njaeok
Starlite Member
Username: Njaeok
| | Posted on Monday, January 21, 2008 - 05:51 am: |
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If I were furnishing power to someone who started shooting rockets at me. I think I would most likely turn off the power until they promised to stop and actually did stop.
Seems to me like the terrorists shot themselves in the foot and are now trying to blame it on someone else.
It really isn't a difficult concept --- you shoot rockets at me or allow someone to use your jurisdiction to attack me --- I turn off the power, shut the gates and prepare to defend myself. Jimbo
Born with the gift of laughter, aware that the world is mad. -- Jimbo
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Bubby
Starlite Member
Username: Bubby
| | Posted on Monday, January 21, 2008 - 07:32 am: |
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It is basically that simple.Stop shooting rockets at Israel and they will turn the power back on.The real question boils down to this...does Israel have the right to exist?Obviously 99% of the Arab world does not think so.
They hide behind women and children and fire rockets into Israel,and they know the press
will be on their side when Israel retaliates.
I feel sorry for the women and children and senior citizens that have to suffer from stupid people firing rockets.There are two sides to every story...which one do you prefer to believe in?I always root for the underdog,and in this case,it is "Tiny" Israel.
Imagine being a tiny country and being totally surrounded by larger countries whose only desire is to annihilate you.Gee...can we think about that?Of course not. |
Jennifer03801
Starlite Member
Username: Jennifer03801
| | Posted on Monday, January 21, 2008 - 11:46 am: |
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"At approximately 20:00 on Sunday, January 20th, the Gaza Strip power plant ran out of fuel and shut down, plunging the Gaza Strip into darkness. The closure of the Gaza power plant, in addition to Israel's continuing tightened siege of the Gaza Strip, will have a catastrophic effect on the 1.5 million residents of Gaza, who are already suffering chronic shortages of fuel, medicine and some basic food stuffs. The Director of Gaza's main Shiffa hospital describes the current situation as "Potentially disastrous."
Israel is manufacturing a catastrophic humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip that is seriously deteriorating every aspect of civilian life. To date, fourty five patients have died as a direct result of Israeli Occupying Force (IOF) closure and siege of the Gaza Strip. According to the Director of Shiffa Hospital, Dr Hassan Khalaf, patient's lives continue to be at stake, including the lives of 30 premature babies in Shiffa Hospital, who will die immediately if there is a power cut at the hospital. Gaza's second major hospital, the European Hospital in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip, has now suspended all major surgical operations.
Meanwhile, all borders from Gaza to the outside world remain sealed to Palestinians."
But there is a bit of good news:
"Late Monday, Israel decided to allow some diesel fuel and medicine into Gaza on Tuesday."
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Aimstraight
Starlite Member
Username: Aimstraight
| | Posted on Monday, January 21, 2008 - 01:08 pm: |
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Late Monday, Israel decided to allow *************************************************
That’s go news Jen; it’s hard for the terrorists to load them rocket launchers in the dark. |
Jennifer03801
Starlite Member
Username: Jennifer03801
| | Posted on Monday, January 21, 2008 - 02:19 pm: |
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Note to Starlite newbies reading this thread:
I’m sure the lack of compassion and concern for innocents suffering and dying because of the blockade as expressed in certain responses in this thread is not shared by most who post here at Starlite.
Unfortunately there are a few bullies on this playground who’d like nothing better than to put those who don’t agree with their point of view in front of a 64 ton bulldozer, figuratively speaking, of course. Just ignore them, and pay no attention to their callous rants and ravings.
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Jennifer03801
Starlite Member
Username: Jennifer03801
| | Posted on Monday, January 21, 2008 - 02:51 pm: |
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Global Voices
Palestine: Gaza Under Seige:
http://www.globalvoicesonline.org/2008/01/21/palestine-gaza-under-seige/
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Jennifer03801
Starlite Member
Username: Jennifer03801
| | Posted on Monday, January 21, 2008 - 02:59 pm: |
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http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/gallery/2008/jan/21/1?picture=332151483
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Bubby
Starlite Member
Username: Bubby
| | Posted on Monday, January 21, 2008 - 03:16 pm: |
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"Palestine: Gaza Under Seige
Monday, January 21st, 2008 @ 21:35 UTC
by Amira Al Hussaini".....Nothing here about ROCKET attacks into Israel?????Is that to be ignored or just arbitrarily condoned? Keep firing missiles into Israel,as if that is helping their situation any.This action is tantamount to banging your head into a brick wall,and then suddenly realizing it hurts.For every action there is a reaction.Cause and effect.TELL THEM TO STOP FIRING ROCKETS INTO ISRAEL,IF THEY WANT TO PUT A STOP TO THE RETALIATION!!!Maybe what they need is more Arab media coverage.....or better yet...the drive by media...it looks as if you subscribe to all of them. Send Hillary over there.She will stop it. |
Jennifer03801
Starlite Member
Username: Jennifer03801
| | Posted on Monday, January 21, 2008 - 04:23 pm: |
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01hqVzViFTw
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Jennifer03801
Starlite Member
Username: Jennifer03801
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 22, 2008 - 03:55 am: |
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Stop the rockets? How about first ending the occupation and oppression, opening the borders, ports and airports, and removing illegal settlements? Having the right to exist does not give a country the right to oppress its neighbors.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0T3jMRNwV8&feature=related
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Njaeok
Starlite Member
Username: Njaeok
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 22, 2008 - 08:11 am: |
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Yeah sure invite the terrorists into your house and let them have their way with your family. That is the dumbest thing I have herd from an adult in years.
Anytime someone tries to offer simple solutions like just "get along" and try a little cooperation in place of bloodshed the nuts want to jump in a time maching and go back and change the past. The time machine is bogus. It doesn't exist. You can't go back.
Born with the gift of laughter, aware that the world is mad. -- Jimbo
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Jennifer03801
Starlite Member
Username: Jennifer03801
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 22, 2008 - 08:56 am: |
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Note to Starlite Newbies #2
How to recognize “bulldozer tactics” in the discussion forum:
1. Attacks on other posters using disparaging words such as “nuts” and “dumbest”, etc., etc. Tactics like that are nothing more than feeble attempts to silence those with views different from those of the “bulldozers”. Don’t take them personally, just laugh them off and go on posting your point of view.
2. Posts full of ALLCAPS and !!!’s. Recognize that “bulldozers” who resort to that sort of hysterical typing are probably just temporarily out of control or else they subscribe to the rather dubious belief that he who SCREAMS LOUDEST wins the debate. You and I know better, and they’ll learn - eventually. I hope.
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Bubby
Starlite Member
Username: Bubby
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 22, 2008 - 09:13 am: |
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I think your suggestions are most worthy of a bulldozer.Why doesn't Israel just wanna hold hands and have a sing a long? How about a competitive game of hopscotch?Bobbing for apples? Having the right to exist does not give a country the right to oppress its neighbors????
It does when your neighbors are trying to annihilate you.You and I know better??? Who is you and I?The Arab population?
I'm sure if you contacted Israel with your concerns,they would take immediate action to appease you. |
Jennifer03801
Starlite Member
Username: Jennifer03801
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 22, 2008 - 10:14 am: |
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Here’s rather interesting video that shows how those with vastly different opinions on this topic can have a discussion without resorting to bulldozer tactics. It also gives some important information that you might not already know.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plbihoffa84&feature=user
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Njaeok
Starlite Member
Username: Njaeok
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 22, 2008 - 10:17 am: |
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I would like to assure new readers of this string that the vast majority of poets here are NOT filled with the avid anti Semitism of one or two prolific contributors in the discussion. Please don’t be disheartened by the exchange of opinions. Open discussion and simple logic is the best way to expose such nonsense.
Jimbo
Born with the gift of laughter, aware that the world is mad. -- Jimbo
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Jennifer03801
Starlite Member
Username: Jennifer03801
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 22, 2008 - 11:01 am: |
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Bulldozer Tactic #3
When in a discussion relating to Israel/Palestine issues, the bulldozer realizes he hasn’t managed to scare off posters who don’t share his point of view, he often resorts to the truly desperate and despicable tactic of accusing his opponent(s) of being anti-Semitic. Recognize it for what it is, just another sophomoric prank, a tactic completely devoid of intellectual merit - name calling.
A recap of links to informative videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plbihoffa84&feature=user
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0T3jMRNwV8&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01hqVzViFTw
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Bubby
Starlite Member
Username: Bubby
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 22, 2008 - 03:38 pm: |
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Actually,if you do not agree with her assessment,you are sophmoric at best,prankish,and lacking intellectual merit.A typical spin created from years of research and developement.Inspired by political correctness and developed by the ACLU.
I have been on the phone all morning with
The P.M. of Israel…Haima Gohna Kickuyuazz..
I suggested to him an offer to compromise. I recommended
that he turn off the power on the dwelling’s of
The rocket shooters only.
His response to me, was something to do with
a camel, which I cannot repeat here. I will try again
later ,when he is in a much better mood. I realize the seriousness
of this situation, but my hands are tied.
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Jennifer03801
Starlite Member
Username: Jennifer03801
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 22, 2008 - 04:43 pm: |
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Bulldozer Tip #4
When in doubt about whether a poster is of the bulldozer variety, be on the lookout for certain tag words, (no doubt copied and pasted from Free Republic), such as such as “spin” “political correctness” “ACLU”, etc. Bulldozers are notorious for using them nearly as often as Giuliani mentions 9/11.
GAZA CITY, Jan 21 (IPS) - Seventy-six-year-old Mustapha al-Jamal goes door to door, looking for help in finding medicines for his son. At home, the 53-year-old son Yahya al-Jamal lies back, staring at the ceiling. By his side, an oxygen cylinder keeps him going for now.
"My son's condition continues to worsen," Mustapha says. "We've been waiting two months for the medicines."
Last year Mustapaha's 44-year-old daughter, a mother of six, died of breast cancer. She had been recovering, but the Israeli siege blocked supply of medicines, and no one could then save her. Mustapha sees the same happening again. Yahya's cancer started in his kidney, spread to his right lung, and now affects his liver.
Twice, on Jul. 20 and Oct. 2 last year, Yahya was allowed passage to Sourasky Medical Centre in Tel Aviv. On the second visit the hospital agreed to give the family 28 tablets worth 35,500 shekels (9,000 dollars).
Transfer to an Israeli hospital now could give Yahya medication and hope again, but Israeli officials have refused passage for medical care, citing the oxygen cylinder as a 'security risk'.
But there is a bit of good news:
Thanks in part to those who spoke out against the blockade, today oil and humanitarian aid trickled into Gaza. Also, the UN called an emergency session to consider a draft statement that would “call on Israel to end its blockade of Gaza and ensure "unhindered access for humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people" and "abide by its obligation under international law, including humanitarian and human rights law, and immediately to cease all its illegal measures and practices against the Palestinian civilian population in the Gaza Strip."
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Njaeok
Starlite Member
Username: Njaeok
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 22, 2008 - 05:04 pm: |
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Now Bubby --- be nice.
You know she has an open mind. Just help her back track and find where it was her brains fell out.
And it ain't nice to imply anything about the sex life of camels even if it is allagorical in form. Camels are nobel beasts in spite of their smell and their tendency to slobber a lot.
(Come to think of it I never rode a camel. I couldn't get past the smell. Did you?)
You ought to follow the example of this Ozark diplomat; ya notice how careful I was to not mention any names in reference to antisemitism so that no one would take personal affront. Just letting folks know that most of us don't have that kind of prejudice.
Boy she jumped right on it.
Do you suppose that on some deep subconscious level she knows?
Jimbo
Born with the gift of laughter, aware that the world is mad. -- Jimbo
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Bubby
Starlite Member
Username: Bubby
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 22, 2008 - 06:23 pm: |
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"illegal measures and practices against" Israel is considered a mute point,and obligation of international law is not a term that most terrorists are familiar with,nor do they care for an explanation.They also do not understand humanitarian and human rights law.All they are aware of is the ability to fire rockets into Israel and wait for the media to validate their actions.Is it possible that Yahya al-Jamal has friends that like to fire rockets into Israel? Enquiring minds want to know. |
Marvin_goldfarb
Starlite Member
Username: Marvin_goldfarb
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 22, 2008 - 07:20 pm: |
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i am a jew whose mothers family came from a moslem country. why cant moslems living today be kind and helpful like they were in the 15th and 16th century when they saved hundreds of thousands of jews running from king ferdinand and queen isabella. here we ran from hitlers forces and created our own homeland with the help of lord balfour general allenby and the efforts of the british parliament. their is plenty of land for jews and arabs in the mid east. let us just pray for peace and work for the needs of both sides. let us not fall into the graces of radical who really are seeking destruction of people. whether the human is arab jew or any other group he or she is human. |
Jennifer03801
Starlite Member
Username: Jennifer03801
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 22, 2008 - 07:27 pm: |
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"let us just pray for peace and work for the needs of both sides. let us not fall into the graces of radical who really are seeking destruction of people. whether the human is arab jew or any other group he or she is human."
Thank you, Marvin
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Njaeok
Starlite Member
Username: Njaeok
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 22, 2008 - 08:08 pm: |
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I'm with Marvin!
Seriously lets try that. I have heard of some experiments where large numbers of people focused their prayers, empathy or whatsever an individual named sincere wishes for a positive outcome to some situation. The reported results were rather amazing.
Suppose we set a time in the near future when all people of good intentions on the site focus their empathic intent, prayers and loving desire for the Palistinian/Isrealie bloodshead to end.
Lets see what happens.
Jimbo
Born with the gift of laughter, aware that the world is mad. -- Jimbo
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Bubby
Starlite Member
Username: Bubby
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 22, 2008 - 08:22 pm: |
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Thank you Marvin..."let
us not fall into the graces of radical who really are seeking
destruction of people".....I agree with that 100% Marvin. There are a few here that do not condone any retaliation from Israel,no matter the circumstances.Three or four hundred rockets being fired into your country requires no retaliation???? Did they think the Israelis would just send them some hummus and Syrian bread?I guarantee you that if ANY country fires rockets into another country,there will be dire circumstances returning.Hamas needs to stop the aggressive behavior and work on a peaceful solution,and they need to stop firing rockets into Israel.
This could be the last straw that breaks the camel's back.
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Bubby
Starlite Member
Username: Bubby
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 22, 2008 - 08:25 pm: |
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It sounds like a plan,Jimbo...I'm more than willing to do that.We just need to get our Steel Magnolias involved. |
Njaeok
Starlite Member
Username: Njaeok
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 22, 2008 - 08:59 pm: |
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It's a wild idea but I'm starting to get enthusiastic about it.
What if--- perhaps we will find that folks that have a feel for poetic expression also have an influence on the space time dynamic as it forms instant to instant from the future potentials.
There are some experimental results in edge of the art phusics that strongly suggest such a thing. What if---
Jimbo
Born with the gift of laughter, aware that the world is mad. -- Jimbo
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Jennifer03801
Starlite Member
Username: Jennifer03801
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 22, 2008 - 11:06 pm: |
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"I guarantee you that if ANY country fires rockets into another country,there will be dire circumstances returning"
http://www.lgic.org/en/israel-lebanon-2006.php
http://icasualties.org/oif/
http://www.thememoryhole.org/war/coffin_photos/dover/
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Jennifer03801
Starlite Member
Username: Jennifer03801
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 22, 2008 - 11:38 pm: |
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Radical Right-Wing Agenda
http://thinkprogress.org/2008/01/22/bolton-israel-iran/
http://progressivenewsdaily.com/?p=1710
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Jennifer03801
Starlite Member
Username: Jennifer03801
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 - 12:28 am: |
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Tens of thousands cross downed Gaza wall
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080123/ap_on_re_mi_ea/israel_palestinians
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Jennifer03801
Starlite Member
Username: Jennifer03801
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 - 12:54 am: |
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A United Nations report released Tuesday shows that there has been a six-percent rise in the number of barriers in the West Bank, despite pledges by Israel to reduce this amount.
~ Despite the promises to reduce them, the number of fixed physical barriers in the West Bank have increased from 528 to 563.
~ 49 percent of Palestinian households in the West Bank and 79 percent in the Gaza Strip live in poverty.
~ 34 percent of Palestinians face "food insecurity" (which is defined as households with income and consumption of $1.6 per day).
~ Some 10,000 Palestinians who live in enclaves west of the West Bank fence are cut off from vital health and education services and from family and social networks."
http://haaretz.com/hasite/images/iht_daily/D210108/cap.pdf
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Jennifer03801
Starlite Member
Username: Jennifer03801
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 - 04:28 am: |
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"Desperate acts of a desperate people"
http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/01/23/israel.gaza/?iref=mpstoryview#cnnSTCVi deo
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Bubby
Starlite Member
Username: Bubby
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 - 07:33 am: |
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Keep ranting,eventually when they annihilate Israel,you can do your victory dance.I'm sure you will rejoice in their demise.Then you can join hands with the terrorists and sing a song by Lennon..."Imagine".So the pray option brought out the best in you.Something you cannot fathom.
Well,Marvin,there is your answer...thrown back in your face. |
Bubby
Starlite Member
Username: Bubby
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 - 07:45 am: |
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Dragging out old war pictures again?Of course there was no just cause for the Israeli attacks.They just decided to blast Lebanon for the cheap thrill of it.Never mind that the terrorists inside Lebanon started it....love your left wing spin on things...your pictures are for dying for.You should be a war correspondent,since you love showing pictures.I think you need to revert back to Marvins statement and consider his analogy.You are beating a dead horse again. |
Aimstraight
Starlite Member
Username: Aimstraight
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 - 07:52 am: |
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Egypt to allow Palestinians to cross during 'dire' crisis...I wonder how many rockets they brought back. |
Jennifer03801
Starlite Member
Username: Jennifer03801
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 - 08:08 am: |
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Read what Marvin said, Michael.
"whether the human is arab jew or any other group he or she is human."
Denying people access to food, water, medical supplies is a crime against humanity.
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Aimstraight
Starlite Member
Username: Aimstraight
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 - 08:18 am: |
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Jen, food, water and medical supplies isn’t the problem.
It’s not ROCKET science …
How have u been Jen... |
Jennifer03801
Starlite Member
Username: Jennifer03801
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 - 08:32 am: |
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Of course the rockets should stop, but withholding life sustaining supplies is not the way to accomplish it. The only thing the blockade has accomplished is to fan the flames of hatred even higher. Punishing the innocent along with the guilty is collective punishment, a war crime and a crime against humanity.
Doing fine, thanks, and you? Loved the pic of your daughters, wasn't it?
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Njaeok
Starlite Member
Username: Njaeok
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 - 08:37 am: |
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Gee I missed thatv--
Does Egypt actually have control of some of those exits and entries into the Gaza strip? If so then the problem is solved.
Just let Egypt give their fellow Islamists food and medical supplies until the crises is over.
What do you say Jen? Will you join in a focus group to try to influence the level of hatred and malicious attitudes in the area?
It can't hurt anything and if some of the recent scientific discoveries in quantim physics are valid we might actually save some innocents from unnecessary suffering.
Jimbo
Born with the gift of laughter, aware that the world is mad. -- Jimbo
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Jennifer03801
Starlite Member
Username: Jennifer03801
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 - 11:00 am: |
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Gaza: The Lessons of Violence
http://www.alternet.org/audits/74588/
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Bubby
Starlite Member
Username: Bubby
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 - 12:09 pm: |
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(AP): Masked gunmen with explosives brought down a significant portion of the Gaza-Egypt fence, and thousands of Gazans poured into Egypt. The Gazans were starving after food and supplies became scarce from an Israeli imposed blockade.
The Egyptian president recognized this and allowed the people to enter his country to eat and buy supplies as long as they weren’t carrying weapons. Some officials were concerned by this, as they felt that the opening of the crossing allowed passage for terrorists as well. |
Njaeok
Starlite Member
Username: Njaeok
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 - 12:52 pm: |
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Well I reckon Jannifer isn't even going to respond to the notion of focused loving intent to see if we can have an effect on lowering the level of focused hateful intent in the Isreal/Palastine conflict.
When first I seen behind the guise of easy words and lying eyes I was stunned in shocked surprise.
We have a word for that here in the Ozarks. (Hornswaggling) It means loudly advocating something in a manner that purposly interfers with that thing happening.
Jimbo
Born with the gift of laughter, aware that the world is mad. -- Jimbo
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Bubby
Starlite Member
Username: Bubby
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 - 01:20 pm: |
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"Well I reckon Jannifer isn't even going to respond to the notion of
focused loving intent to see if we can have an effect on lowering the
level of focused hateful intent in the Isreal/Palastine conflict"....there you go Jimbo...you spelled her name wrong and now you are in deep doo-doo.
She is only focused on one thing,and that is NOT praying for peace.Her only focus is her hatred for Israel.I'm sure we will see many more you- tube video's.I should send her the one that I sent you,except she wouldn't believe it.Its far more graphic than what she's been posting. |
Jennifer03801
Starlite Member
Username: Jennifer03801
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 - 01:21 pm: |
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 |
Bubby
Starlite Member
Username: Bubby
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 - 01:42 pm: |
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oooh looook...an Artist..a political cartoonist from Iran?? Nahhhh...just another hornswaggler.. |
Jennifer03801
Starlite Member
Username: Jennifer03801
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 - 01:51 pm: |
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They Neither See Nor Remember
http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2008/01/23/6576/
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Bubby
Starlite Member
Username: Bubby
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 - 01:53 pm: |
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"Her reporting is often sympathetic to the Palestinian point of view and generally critical of Israeli policy towards the Palestinians. During the years of the Al-Aqsa Intifada, however, Hass published several highly critical articles about the chaos and disorder caused by militias associated with the Fatah party of Yasser Arafat and the bloody war between Palestinian factions in Nablus".
On Hass..
"Her reportage of events, and her voicing of opinions that run counter to both official Israeli and Palestinian positions has exposed Hass to verbal attacks, and opposition from both the Israeli and Palestinian authorities."
Rocket man by Elton John
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Bubby
Starlite Member
Username: Bubby
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 - 03:58 pm: |
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Oooh what a dastardly deed-
those with contrary opinion
Cannot they see clearly-
my post's have dominion?
Bulldozers n Hornswagglers
all gather to emote
Shall we prolong discussions,
or put it up for a vote?
I say,bring on the video
lets all show the world
How defending your country
keeps her painted toes curled
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Jennifer03801
Starlite Member
Username: Jennifer03801
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 - 04:42 pm: |
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Bulldozer Tactic #6 - Muck Slinging
When stuck in the muck churned up from their use of tactics 1- 4, bulldozers will often work in tandem and try to dig their way out by baiting their opponents, drawing them into off topic discussions or into responding in kind to their ad hominem attacks or really bad poetry.
Recognize that the best course of action is simply to ignore them as they continue to prove with their muck slinging that bulldozers are "intolerant of contrary opinion, domineering and rather cowardly”.
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Jennifer03801
Starlite Member
Username: Jennifer03801
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 - 04:43 pm: |
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Egypt 'won't force Gazans back'
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7205668.stm
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Bubby
Starlite Member
Username: Bubby
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 - 05:35 pm: |
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Bulldozer Tactic #6 - Muck Slinging ....founded by Bill Clinton,nurtured by Mrs Clinton.
Cowardly? How does that fit into the picture?Do you consider yourself as a hero?
Domineering? Another useless word.Keep scratching....the litter box needs changing. |
Bubby
Starlite Member
Username: Bubby
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 - 05:38 pm: |
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nyha5dFtog4 |
Bubby
Starlite Member
Username: Bubby
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 - 06:03 pm: |
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Question: "Why do Jews and Arabs / Muslims hate each other?"
Answer: First, it is important to understand that not all Arabs are Muslims and not all Muslims are Arabs. While a majority of Arabs are Muslims, there are many non-Muslim Arabs. Further, there are significantly more non-Arab Muslims (in areas such as Indonesia and Malaysia) than Arab Muslims.
Second, it is important to remember that not all Arabs hate Jews, that not all Muslims hate Jews, and that not all Jews hate Arabs and Muslims. We must be careful to avoid stereotyping people. However, generally speaking, Arabs and Muslims have a dislike and distrust for Jews and vice-versa.
If there is an explicit biblical explanation for this animosity, it goes all the way back to Abraham. The Jews are descendants of Abraham’s son Isaac. The Arabs are descendants of Abraham’s son Ishmael. With Ishmael being the son of a slave woman (Genesis 16:1-16) and Isaac being the promised son who would inherit the promises to Abraham (Genesis 21:1-3), animosity between the two sons was almost inevitable. As a result of Ishmael mocking Isaac (Genesis 21:9), Sarah talked Abraham into sending Hagar and Ishmael away (Genesis 21:11-21). Likely this caused even more contempt in Ishmael’s heart toward Isaac. An angel even prophesied to Hagar that Ishmael would “live in hostility toward all his brothers” (Genesis 16:11-12).
The religion of Islam, of which a majority of Arabs are adherents, has made this hostility more profound. The Qur'an contains conflicting instructions for Muslims regarding Jews. At one point it instructs Muslims to treat Jews as brothers, but at another point it commands Muslims to attack Jews who refuse to convert to Islam. The Qur’an also introduces a conflict as to which son of Abraham was truly the son of promise. The Hebrew Scriptures say it was Isaac. The Qur’an says it was Ishmael. The Qur’an teaches that it was Ishmael that Abraham almost sacrificed to the Lord, not Isaac (in contradiction to Genesis chapter 22). This debate over who was the son of promise contributes to the hostility today.
However, the ancient root of bitterness between Isaac and Ishmael does not explain all of the hostility between Jews and Arabs today. In fact, for thousands of years of Middle Eastern history, Jews and Arabs lived in relative peace and indifference toward each other. The primary cause of the hostility has a modern origin. After World War II, when the United Nations gave a portion of the land of Israel to the Jewish people, the land was at that time primarily inhabited by Arabs (the Palestinians). Most Arabs protested against the nation of Israel occupying that land. Arab nations united and attacked Israel in an attempt to wipe them out of the land, but they were defeated by Israel.
Ever since, there has been great hostility between Israel and its Arab neighbors. If you look on a map, Israel has one tiny little sliver of land and is surrounded by much larger Arab nations, i.e. Jordan, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Egypt. It is our viewpoint that, biblically speaking, Israel has a right to exist as a nation with its own land because God gave the land of Israel to the descendants of Jacob, grandson of Abraham. At the same time, we strongly believe that Israel should seek peace and display respect for its Arab neighbors. Psalms 122:6 declares, "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May those who love you be secure."
Which I believe Jimbo mentioned above...pray for the peace... |
Jennifer03801
Starlite Member
Username: Jennifer03801
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 - 08:34 pm: |
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Gaza diary 2: Rana Elhindi
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7205568.stm
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Jennifer03801
Starlite Member
Username: Jennifer03801
| | Posted on Thursday, January 24, 2008 - 04:58 am: |
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Various points of view on the current I/P situation - very interesting and informative:
Israel's Gaza blockade. Your Views.
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/E9A36960-AB5A-43E7-A637-4628328249EB.htm? &choice=3&dgDiscID=233&dgPoolID=5b6a18ff-1766-4426-b1ab-b7ae5e74856d&loc=1&pages ize=10&group=1
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Jennifer03801
Starlite Member
Username: Jennifer03801
| | Posted on Thursday, January 24, 2008 - 06:12 am: |
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UN rights council condemns Israel over Gaza
Associated Press , THE JERUSALEM POST Jan. 24, 2008
The UN's top human rights body on Thursday passed a resolution condemning Israeli military action in Gaza and the West Bank.
The resolution, which also demands the lifting of the blockade on Gaza and calls for international action to protect Palestinian civilians, was proposed by Arab and Muslim countries and passed by 30 votes in favor, with 15 abstentions, during an emergency session of the 47-member UN Human Rights Council.
European countries abstained from the vote on the grounds that the resolution did not address the firing of rockets by Palestinian militants into Israeli territory.
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Jennifer03801
Starlite Member
Username: Jennifer03801
| | Posted on Thursday, January 24, 2008 - 11:51 am: |
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Not safe anywhere
Messages from an Israeli in Sderot and a Palestinian in Gaza:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/talking_point/7203223.stm
Gaza's rocket threat to Israel:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3702088.stm
Often when I read stories of how frightened the people are in Sderot, I think of how truly horrible it must have been for families living in Baghdad during Shock and Awe.
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Jennifer03801
Starlite Member
Username: Jennifer03801
| | Posted on Friday, January 25, 2008 - 06:04 am: |
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The Gaza "tea party"
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/JA26Ak01.html
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Jennifer03801
Starlite Member
Username: Jennifer03801
| | Posted on Friday, January 25, 2008 - 08:40 am: |
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The Qassam rocket as collective punishment
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/944986.html
The comments on this article expressing different points of view are worth reading, too.
(Message edited by jennifer03801 on January 25, 2008) |
Njaeok
Starlite Member
Username: Njaeok
| | Posted on Friday, January 25, 2008 - 09:58 am: |
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Good article Jen--
I certainly agree with the autor's statements. I searched in vain for a rational solution or even a suggestion of something to try. The closest thing I could find was the lament that there was nothing rational or moral on either side of the conflict.
When we decide as a nation which of the two sides is the most compatible with our culture and take positive steps to help that side settle the issue; the issue will be quickly settled. As long as we want everyone to like us no matter how murderous and malicious they are every one suffers.
Born with the gift of laughter, aware that the world is mad. -- Jimbo
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Jennifer03801
Starlite Member
Username: Jennifer03801
| | Posted on Friday, January 25, 2008 - 03:24 pm: |
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Gaza Diary
BY Mariam Shahin
"When I first came to the Gaza Strip 13 years ago, two things struck me immediately. One was the beauty of the bougainvillea that lined the streets of Gaza City, making simple homes look exquisite. The other was the inescapable stench of garbage. At that time, Israel ruled this narrow, crowded strip of sand, orange groves, and refugee camps with an iron military fist, while refusing municipal services to the occupied population."
http://www.pbs.org/frontlineworld/blog/2006/07/_gaza_diary_one.html
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Jennifer03801
Starlite Member
Username: Jennifer03801
| | Posted on Friday, January 25, 2008 - 06:46 pm: |
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More from Gaza Diary July 2006
Today Gaza is more cut off and isolated than before the Israeli disengagement. The bougainvilleas are still here and they still smell sweet. For a while, public services improved and the fragrance of flowers began to outweigh the smell of garbage. But Gaza remained a cage, and an Israeli free-fire zone, not a liberated land.
The ever expectant noise, the drones, the sound of helicopter gun ships, slowly grow louder as they hover above us. The sonic booms are the worst. Worse than the bombings, they last for only a few seconds, but seem to last forever; one is always running away from windows, lest they break into a thousand pieces and insert themselves in our person to stay and scar forever.
Palestinians do hit back at all these wideranging Israeli actions, with crude homemade missiles that rarely hit their destination. For every rocket launched against Israel from Gaza, F16 and helicopter gun ships respond. In the last month or so, hundreds of tanks have surrounded the 215-square-mile strip to pound Gaza with hundreds of shells a day.
Before this current crisis, entire families, including those lunching on the beach, were killed; members of the resistance movements were assassinated. Every day the Israeli army killed Palestinians as Israeli leaders declared in world capitals that they were in search of peace and appealed to the civilized international community to help.
Then, an operation by The Popular Resistance Committee, a coalition of Palestinian fighting forces, stormed an Israeli military post to avenge the assassination of their leader by the Israeli army two weeks earlier. They killed two, wounded many and captured one, Galit Shalit. He became a prisoner of war.
Israel masses troops on all sides of Gaza and pounds the Strip with an average of 300 to 500 high-explosive shells a day. Sonic booms terrorize the public in the dead still of night. People are stoic if incapacitated by the constant threat of an explosion or the sounds of one. The Israeli army has bombed Gaza's main electrical station, which was built with U.S. money and insured by a U.S. company. The insurance company won't pay, however: It considers the new government an "enemy," and insurance is not paid to the enemy. Meanwhile Israel threatens to invade. Israeli politicians and Western commentators scold the Palestinian resistance to "free" the soldier.
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Jennifer03801
Starlite Member
Username: Jennifer03801
| | Posted on Friday, January 25, 2008 - 09:45 pm: |
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But they are resilient, these Palestinians of Gaza. They are mostly downtrodden camp dwellers whose families were expelled from their homes more than 50 years ago from coastal cities and villages like Jaffa, Askelan and Asdoud. They have urged the Palestinian leadership not to release the Israeli corporal. They want their own prisoners freed. Nearly 10,000 Palestinian political prisoners and detainees languish in Israel jails. The mothers of the prisoners make a plea to the government to pressure those that have captured the Israeli soldier. "Don't give him back until our sons are home," they say. This has become de facto Palestinian policy. The Popular Resistance Committee is demanding that the Israelis release all female prisoners, and those under 18 years old, but Israel refuses.
The Israelis have locked everyone in. Even journalists have trouble getting in and out. "It could be hours, or days," said the Israeli army spokesman to the Western journalist wishing to leave. The Israelis have now changed their tune. From talk of a "limited campaign" to free their soldier, they now speak of a protracted war.
- Mariam Shahin
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Jennifer03801
Starlite Member
Username: Jennifer03801
| | Posted on Saturday, January 26, 2008 - 08:04 pm: |
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Gaza's falling wall changes Middle East map for ever:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/israel/Story/0,,2247609,00.html |
