With a cease-fire like this, who needs war?

Art Vandelay said:
No, I just want to clarify whether you think that the death of children is a result of the violent situation, or whether you think the IDF would kill children no matter what. Let's put aside the issue of "fault" for the moment. Is it within the power of the Palestinians to prevent the death of their children?
Of course it is the situation. The Palestinians alone cannot prevent the death of their children.
Are you using "responsible" to mean the same thing as "at fault"?
No.
I don't see why we need to have only one type of combatants, and everyone who isn't fullblown paramilitary is "noncombatants". Calling these people "noncombatants" gives the impression that they have no responsibility for their deaths.
Calling them noncombatants is unrelated to their responsibility in their own deaths. Rock throwing is not equivalent to military and para-military force; it is more like civil unrest during protests when they turn dangerous- throwing objects, overturning cars, smashing windows, etc. Those kinds of behaviors don't warrant a military response, they warrant a police response, with officials trained in police action, riot gear, rubber bullets, etc. Kids throwing rocks should get a rubber bullet at most.
 
E.J.Armstrong said:
Au contraire. 'The Israelis said they returned fire after coming under mortar attack.' I contend that showing such a regular disregard for the lives of innocent children constitutes a clear position. If they do not want to do it why do it? Did a 'Palestinian' or apparently in your lexicon a 'terrorist' come up and force them to fire towards the school or are their weapons skills so poor that they cannot hit what they aim at?
You are simply begging the question of whether they show disregard to Palestinian lives, giving no evidence for that allegation. Even IF they show such disregard, you are STILL making assumptions. You can run around in circles all you claiming that those assumptions are based on evidence, but that doesn't change the fact that you are making assumptions. Earlier, you said that "So their answer is murdering schoolchildren." Unless you can produce an official policy declaration to that effect, all you have is the allegation that they murder schoolchildren, WHICH IS COMPLETELY DIFFERENT FROM THE IDEA THAT THIS IS THEIR "ANSWER". In claiming that this is their "answer", you are saying that they do INTENTIONALLY. Incidents in which they do it accidently, even if due to gross negligence, do nothing to support your position. If you are allowed to make deductions as to their intentions based on their actions, it is hypocritical for you to deny the same right to Mycroft. Finally, the fact that you ridicule the idea that they might actually hit schoolchildren by accident shows that you either know absolutely nothing about warfare, or you are being deliberately disingenuous.

What Mycroft actually claimed was 'Which is another way of saying you will apply no standards of behavior to the Palestinian-Arabs and will not object when they target children.' In other words he invented something the other person did not state.
[emphasis mine] When applied to Mycroft, the standard is whether they "stated" it. When applied to you, it is whether it is supported by the evidence. You have two different standards, ergo you are a hypocrite.

I posted exactly what the IDF did, chose to do, and admitted to doing, unless God almighty is now pulling their triggers for them.
You posted no evidence that the IDF did it, let alone that they CHOSE to do it.

he person about whom Mycroft invented a statement stated that Mycroft was wrong. QED.
So if someone denies something, they can't possibly be guilty?!?

My 'evidence' caomes from one of the most reputable sources of world news, namely the BBC and from Israel sources themselves.
You didn't HAVE any evidence! If you think that there's something on another website that supports your position, quote it! Don't post a link and expect me to hunt through the website trying to figure out what you think is "evidence".

I know it is ridiculous to posting the words of IDF soldiers as claimed by IDF soldiers and as reported by the BBC.
So... someone in the IDF must be lying, therefore killing Palestinian children must be an official policy of the IDF? Why is someone being investigated for killing a Palestinian child if that is the official policy of the IDF?

I have presented the evidence of the Israeli's own words, as reported by the BBC. You appear to be calling Israeli's liars.
Give me a quote from an Israeli that shows that killing children is an official goal of the IDF.

If you are now trying to claim that the Palestinians shot their own children in these specific cases please provide evidence supporting your allegation.
What part of "You're making the claim, you have the burden of proof" do you not understand?

The alternative is very clear. Don't assassinate untried people in circumstances that ensure innocent children will be killed.
I said "Seeing as how no other methods of defending themselves have been presented, [emphasis added]". I didn't ask for any old alternative, I asked for an alternative method of defending themselves.

Don't shoot at children in school.
They are not shooting at children at school! That is an outright lie, and if you had any scruples at all you would ashamed of such a disgusting allegation.

So should I follow every thread you start?
This from someone who feels free to continue lying about me because I didn't officially deny the lie. My point is that I hear over and over again that they shouldn't do this, but I can't get anyone to tell me what an alternative is.

It wasn't very difficult to arrive at as it is an alternative the decent democracy I live in uses.
Most incredibly idiotic ideas are easy to arrive at. For instance, what's an alternative to high pollution cars? Don't use any cars at all! How can we stop the high rates of death due to medical errors? Outlaw hospitals! See how easy it is to come up with a solution when one completely ignores the premises of the question?

My concern for innocent children is exactly that, a concern for innocent children. You choose to disparage decent sentiments.
"Decent sentiments"? You call accusing the Israelis of being murderers "decent sentiments"? Your statements have been very short on concern for the children, and long on the hate mongering against the Israelis.

I have absolutely no problem with Israel defending itself.
So why is it that when I specifically ask for an alternative that defends Israel, you give one that includes no such provision?

I come from a terrorised land and know how decent democratic states behave and they do not collectively punish entire groups of people
It is impossible to engage in warfare without collective punishment.

through the appalling crime of bulldozing the homes of innocent children, amongst other things.
Are there a lot of Palestinian children who own their own homes?

I do have a problem with Sharon's terrorist collective punishments of innocent people.
Even though your accusations of terrorism are based on lies?

That you see fit to put the words, innocent children, into quotes suggest that you have a real problem with believing there are any and that is not the attitude of a decent democrat in my opinion.
No, it suggests that I think there are some children who are not innocent. That you continue to engage in ridiculous interpretations of my statements, while criticizing Mycroft's "inventing" words shows just how dishonest you are.

No. Just trying to accurately reflect your views.
When have I ever said that "Palestinian" is a synonym for "terrorist"?

I notice you didn't deny it so I will take it that it was accurate.
I specifically said that it was something that I did not say. "You didn't deny it strenuously enough" has got to be one of the lamest excuses I have ever seen.
 
kimiko said:
Of course it is the situation. The Palestinians alone cannot prevent the death of their children.
With all due respect Kimiko that is a load of crap. Doesn't your government prevent the death of children by not allowing islamist paramilitary groups to attack neighboring countries while they hide amongst your civilians? Doesn't your government prevent the death of children by preventing warfare in your streets? Doesn't your government prevent the death of children by not allowing them to be groomed as child soldiers? So why can't the Palestinians do the same? Are they incapable of even those basic responsibilities? The responsibility for the welfare of Palestinian children lays squarely at the feet of the Palestinian Authority. Period.

palestinian_girl_explosives.jpg

9-1c.jpg

pal-child-abuse-15.jpg


(Images courtesy of jafi.org.il, palestinefacts.org, homepage.mac.com)


kimiko said:
Rock throwing is not equivalent to military and para-military force; it is more like civil unrest during protests when they turn dangerous- throwing objects, overturning cars, smashing windows, etc.
If you attack a policeman, tank or a soldier with rocks - or anything else for that matter - you have left the realm of noncombatant into the realm of combatant. Sorry that is how it goes. The answer is not to riot against tanks and soldiers, the answer is not to nit pick what is an acceptable level of rioting.

kimiko said:
Those kinds of behaviors don't warrant a military response, they warrant a police response, with officials trained in police action, riot gear, rubber bullets, etc. Kids throwing rocks should get a rubber bullet at most.
Well since the Palestinian Authority does nothing to stop kids rioting and does nothing to stop islamist paramilitary groups launching raids into Israel it is up to Israel to deal with it. You may not agree with it but someone has to stop this type of behaviour.

kimiko said:
Unfortunately, like the Nazis, they are and were ordinary people.
I don't know any 'regular' people who are members of islamist terror organizations Kimiko. Do you know any regular people who are members of islamist terror organizations? How many regular people do you know who yearn to blow up a restaurant or bus? You Nazi reference is null and void in this instance unless you agree that the islamist terror organizations are at war with Israel on behalf of the Palestinian people.
 
originally posted by Art Vandelay
You are simply begging the question of whether they show disregard to Palestinian lives, giving no evidence for that allegation.
Shooting at schools is an affront to decency and shows a disregard for the lives of children.
Even IF they show such disregard, you are STILL making assumptions.
No. I reported the words of the Israeli soldiers as reported by the BBC. Shooting at children in schools is crime against humanity - whoever does it.
You can run around in circles all you claiming that those assumptions are based on evidence, but that doesn't change the fact that you are making assumptions.
No. My posts are based on evidence from one of the most reputable news companies in the world and the words of the Israeli soldiers themselves. Are you claiming that the soldiers are lying and that the Palestiniabns shot the children or some other group shot them. If so, please provide evidence.
Earlier, you said that "So their answer is murdering schoolchildren." Unless you can produce an official policy declaration to that effect, all you have is the allegation that they murder schoolchildren,
Where did I say it was an official policy? You can torch your own straw men as much as you like but you are just debating your own claim. I believe my post accurately represents the choice made by specific Israeli soldiers to shoot at schools. In doing so they chose to do so in a way that showed no concern for the children therein and as such any deaths that result can be described as murder. Who forced them to pull their triggers and fire into schools?
WHICH IS COMPLETELY DIFFERENT FROM THE IDEA THAT THIS IS THEIR "ANSWER".
No it isn't. It is the chosen answer of those soldiers. Unless you are now suggesting someone forced each one of them to pull their triggers.
In claiming that this is their "answer", you are saying that they do INTENTIONALLY.
Yes I am. Who else forced them to pull their triggers?
Incidents in which they do it accidently, even if due to gross negligence, do nothing to support your position.
Then please supply your claim that these cases happened accidently.
If you are allowed to make deductions as to their intentions based on their actions, it is hypocritical for you to deny the same right to Mycroft.
I have made no deductions. The soldiers admitted to shooting into the school. Mycroft invented something about what the other poster said.
Finally, the fact that you ridicule the idea that they might actually hit schoolchildren by accident shows that you either know absolutely nothing about warfare, or you are being deliberately disingenuous.
Please present your evidence that they all did so by accident. Is every incident of Palestinian children being killed by Israeli an accident in your opinion? If not, how many have not been accidental.
When applied to Mycroft, the standard is whether they "stated" it. When applied to you, it is whether it is supported by the evidence. You have two different standards, ergo you are a hypocrite.
Mycroft made up something about another posters intentions. I accurately reported that the IDF have killed children in schools with a disregard to human life. That amounts to murder.
You posted no evidence that the IDF did it, let alone that they CHOSE to do it.
Once agin you seem to have failed to actually read the links I quoted when the IDF stated 'The Israelis said they returned fire after coming under mortar attack.' in relation to the child being shot. Are you now trying to claim that any one else shot the child? If so, please present your evidence. I also presented these statements by the IDF
'The soldiers complained that after the first shots were fired at the girl, the company commander approached her motionless body, fired two shots to her head, and then sprayed her with automatic fire. The commander denies some of the accusations, Haaretz reports. ' I have adasked you before and I ask you again. Who is lying here? The IDF or the IDF? Do you have an answer this time or are you going to ignore the evidence of the IDF's own words yet again?
So if someone denies something, they can't possibly be guilty?!?
Who denies what exactly?
You didn't HAVE any evidence! If you think that there's something on another website that supports your position, quote it! Don't post a link and expect me to hunt through the website trying to figure out what you think is "evidence".
My evidence was posted for you. The soldiers admitted firing. I have posted it again on this site. I have also posted where the IDF must be lying about the murder of a girl. Let me post it again for you as you appear to have a problem with finding words on this thread.
Which part of the IDF is lying here?
'The soldiers complained that after the first shots were fired at the girl, the company commander approached her motionless body, fired two shots to her head, and then sprayed her with automatic fire. The commander denies some of the accusations, Haaretz reports. '
So... someone in the IDF must be lying, therefore killing Palestinian children must be an official policy of the IDF? Why is someone being investigated for killing a Palestinian child if that is the official policy of the IDF?
Where did I state that killing Palestinian children is an official policy of the IDF? That is something you made up. Debate your own straw men if you like. Your inventions, like Mycrofts are nothing to do with me.
Give me a quote from an Israeli that shows that killing children is an official goal of the IDF.
As you made the claim you will have to supply your own evidence.
What part of "You're making the claim, you have the burden of proof" do you not understand?
Either you will support your own claims or you don't? It is up to you.
I said "Seeing as how no other methods of defending themselves have been presented, [emphasis added]". I didn't ask for any old alternative, I asked for an alternative method of defending themselves.
Defending themselves against what exactly - maurading houses, ten year old girls in school uniform carrying school books, olive trees, pregnant women in labour? Everyone, including Sharon should stop terrorising people - full stop. That is the alternative. Are you suggesting that collectively punishing entire group of innocent peopel is a defense against something. If so, why can't everyone indulge in that practice?
They are not shooting at children at school! That is an outright lie, and if you had any scruples at all you would ashamed of such a disgusting allegation.
It is not a lie it is a statement of fact. The contempt the IDF has for the lives of innocent children is also shown in this following harrowing extract from http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A16886-2004Nov27?language=printer
'"It's a little girl," a soldier watching from a nearby Israeli observation post cautioned over the military radio. "She's running defensively eastward. . . . A girl of about 10, she's behind the embankment, scared to death."

Four minutes later, Israeli troops opened fire on the girl with machine guns and rifles, the radio transmissions indicated. The captain walked to the spot where the girl "was lying down" and fired two bullets from his M-16 assault rifle into her head, according to an indictment against the officer. He started to walk away, but pivoted, set his rifle on automatic and emptied his magazine into the girl's prone body, the indictment alleged.

"This is Commander," the captain said into the radio when he was finished. "Whoever dares to move in the area, even if it's a 3-year-old -- you have to kill him. Over."
The BBC also reports that

'The United Nations runs this school. Its investigators believe that Raghda was hit by a bullet fired by Israeli soldiers.

The shooting began when Palestinian militants who oppose the Israeli occupation of Gaza launched a series of missiles at a nearby Jewish settlement.


In the Israeli town of Sderot, the threat is from crude Hamas rockets
The UN says that the soldiers shot indiscriminately into the crowded refugee camp for more than half an hour.'

The Washington Post in the above link also states that

The shooting of the schoolgirl added to a growing number of incidents that have spurred Israeli soldiers to speak out about abuses of Palestinians, despite pressure from superiors in the field and statements by senior military officials playing down such cases. Last week, after troops provided photographic evidence to an Israeli newspaper, the military opened an investigation into allegations that soldiers desecrated the bodies of Palestinians killed during army operations.

I urge every IDF member to support the truth and speak about what they have witnessed accurately and completely.
This from someone who feels free to continue lying about me because I didn't officially deny the lie. My point is that I hear over and over again that they shouldn't do this, but I can't get anyone to tell me what an alternative is.
What lie exactly are you talking about? At least support your own claims this time. You can no longer say that you have not been provided with an alternative. I have given you a number of alternatives. Stop terrorising innocent children for one. Stop shooting at schools. Stop shooting schoolchildren. Stop bulldozing the homes of innocent children. Stop building apartheid walls. Stop stealing land. Start treating the Palestinians like Isrealis i.e. like human beings.
Most incredibly idiotic ideas are easy to arrive at.
Then provide at least some evidence why you infer my ideas are idiotic. Is Sharon stopping his terrorism of innocent Palestinians idiotic in your eyes. Is stopping shooting into schools idiotic in your eyes?
For instance, what's an alternative to high pollution cars? Don't use any cars at all!
If you want to hurl abuse at your own ideas feel free.
How can we stop the high rates of death due to medical errors? Outlaw hospitals! See how easy it is to come up with a solution when one completely ignores the premises of the question?
What this demonstrates is your inability to accurately reflect my views. Why not suggest that if Sharon really wants to stop terrorism he might start with his own terrorism? How difficult is that idea?
"Decent sentiments"? You call accusing the Israelis of being murderers "decent sentiments"? Your statements have been very short on concern for the children, and long on the hate mongering against the Israelis.
Once agin you disparage decent sentiments. Your attempt to demonise me by falsely climing I hate Israelis. Please quote a single phrase of mine where I state that I hate Israelis. Just one would do. You can't. Once again as you have demonstrated so often in this thread, like Mycroft you have made something up. You can carry on torching your own straw men but they remain your own straw men, not mine.

Is your case and Mycroft's really so weak that you have to make things up to support it? I do believe that if you choose to murder someone you are a murderer, wherever you come from.
So why is it that when I specifically ask for an alternative that defends Israel, you give one that includes no such provision?
An alternative to what, terrorism as a method of defending yourself? The answer is very simple. Stop terrorising. My answer to what you do is obey the law. How difficult is that? Ask Sharon to stop assassinating untried people in circumstances that ensure innocent children are murdered. Treat the Palestinians like Israelis.
It is impossible to engage in warfare without collective punishment.
Despicable. When did Israel declare war against innocent Palestinians? Even in warfare you have to behave like human beings. Sharon does not have to bulldoze the homes of innocent people. I believe that is a crime against humanity.
Are there a lot of Palestinian children who own their own homes?
Since when did you have to own a building for it to be your home. This demonstrates an chillingly inhuman attitude towards innocent Palestinian children.
Even though your accusations of terrorism are based on lies?
What lies? At least try to support your claim. Are you saying that Sharon does not collectively punish an entire group by bulldozing the homes of innocent children? That is an act of terror.
No, it suggests that I think there are some children who are not innocent. That you continue to engage in ridiculous interpretations of my statements, while criticizing Mycroft's "inventing" words shows just how dishonest you are.
Mycroft invented something the other person did not say. You chose to put the words - innocent children - into quotes. That was your choice. You have also chosen to ask 'Are there a lot of Palestinian children who own their own homes?' I submit this demonstartes extemely clearly your despicable attitude to innocent Palestinian children.
When have I ever said that "Palestinian" is a synonym for "terrorist"?
You still haven't denied it so presumably you feel it was an accurate reflection of your own tactic. Here is a sample of your own posts.
'What's really going on is that that Palestinians kill a bunch of people, public opinion starts to turn around on them, so militants intentionally get themselves killed (or other Palestinians killed), then Palestinians whine about how "bloodthirsty" the Israelis are, and use it as "justification" to kill more people.'
I specifically said that it was something that I did not say. "You didn't deny it strenuously enough" has got to be one of the lamest excuses I have ever seen.
When you put things in quotes and attrubute them to me please quote them accurately and don't lie. After all, the words are there on the thread for anyone to see how you chose to misrepresent me. Let me ask you a simple question. Are all Palestinians terrorists? Yes or no?
 
Art,

The cool think about reading troll-posts like this is you know it took him a couple hours to write it, but you can skim over it in just a few seconds. Then with some bland response like, "You have not provided evidence for your case, you've only restated what you've said before" you may be able to get him to spend another couple hours making another one.

That is, if you insist on responding at all.
 
Mycroft said:
The cool think about reading troll-posts like this is you know it took him a couple hours to write it, but you can skim over it in just a few seconds.
I'm not so sure. Take a look at the quote below. It's composed entirely of rearranged portions of his last post, and nearly all of it is stuff he's said in previous posts. Note how he repeats the same idea over and over again. Debating EJA is like listening to some bizarre parody of "A Partridge in a Pear Tree".

First post:
Israelis are terrorists

Second post:
Israelis are terrorists
You are a liar
Israelis are terrorists

Third post:
Israelis are terrorists
You are a liar
Israelis murder school schildren
Israelis are terrorists
You are liar
Israelis are terrorists

Fourth Post:
Israelis murder school schildren
Israelis are terrorists
You are a liar
Israelis are terrorists
You are liar
Israelis murder school schildren
Are you going to support any of your claims?
Israelis are terrorists
You are liar
Israelis are terrorists

Using this tactic, he can very easily turn a few vacuous thoughts into several dozen pages.

Shooting at schools is an affront to decency and shows a disregard for the lives of children.
Shooting at children in schools is crime against humanity - whoever does it.
I believe my post accurately represents the choice made by specific Israeli soldiers to shoot at schools. In doing so they chose to do so in a way that showed no concern for the children therein and as such any deaths that result can be described as murder.
The soldiers admitted to shooting into the school.
I accurately reported that the IDF have killed children in schools with a disregard to human life. That amounts to murder.
'The United Nations runs this school. Its investigators believe that Raghda was hit by a bullet fired by Israeli soldiers.
I do believe that if you choose to murder someone you are a murderer, wherever you come from.

As you made the claim you will have to supply your own evidence. Either you will support your own claims or you don't? It is up to you.
At least support your own claims this time.

I reported the words of the Israeli soldiers as reported by the BBC.
My posts are based on evidence from one of the most reputable news companies in the world and the words of the Israeli soldiers themselves.
My evidence was posted for you. The soldiers admitted firing.

Everyone, including Sharon should stop terrorising people - full stop.
Stop terrorising innocent children for one. Stop shooting at schools. Stop shooting schoolchildren. Stop bulldozing the homes of innocent children. Stop building apartheid walls. Stop stealing land. Start treating the Palestinians like Isrealis i.e. like human beings.
Is Sharon stopping his terrorism of innocent Palestinians idiotic in your eyes. Is stopping shooting into schools idiotic in your eyes?
Why not suggest that if Sharon really wants to stop terrorism he might start with his own terrorism? How difficult is that idea?
An alternative to what, terrorism as a method of defending yourself? The answer is very simple. Stop terrorising. My answer to what you do is obey the law. How difficult is that? Ask Sharon to stop assassinating untried people in circumstances that ensure innocent children are murdered. Treat the Palestinians like Israelis.
Sharon does not have to bulldoze the homes of innocent people. I believe that is a crime against humanity.
Are you saying that Sharon does not collectively punish an entire group by bulldozing the homes of innocent children? That is an act of terror.

Are you claiming that the soldiers are lying and that the Palestiniabns shot the children or some other group shot them. If so, please provide evidence.
Are you now trying to claim that any one else shot the child? If so, please present your evidence.

Where did I say it was an official policy? You can torch your own straw men as much as you like but you are just debating your own claim.
Where did I state that killing Palestinian children is an official policy of the IDF? That is something you made up. Debate your own straw men if you like. Your inventions, like Mycrofts are nothing to do with me.
What this demonstrates is your inability to accurately reflect my views.
Once again as you have demonstrated so often in this thread, like Mycroft you have made something up. You can carry on torching your own straw men but they remain your own straw men, not mine.
Is your case and Mycroft's really so weak that you have to make things up to support it?
Mycroft invented something the other person did not say.
When you put things in quotes and attrubute them to me please quote them accurately and don't lie.
Mycroft made up something about another posters intentions.
Mycroft invented something about what the other poster said.

Who forced them to pull their triggers and fire into schools?
Unless you are now suggesting someone forced each one of them to pull their triggers
Who else forced them to pull their triggers?

It is the chosen answer of those soldiers.

Then please supply your claim that these cases happened accidently.
Please present your evidence that they all did so by accident.


I also presented these statements by the IDF
'The soldiers complained that after the first shots were fired at the girl, the company commander approached her motionless body, fired two shots to her head, and then sprayed her with automatic fire. The commander denies some of the accusations, Haaretz reports. '
I have also posted where the IDF must be lying about the murder of a girl.
Which part of the IDF is lying here?
'The soldiers complained that after the first shots were fired at the girl, the company commander approached her motionless body, fired two shots to her head, and then sprayed her with automatic fire. The commander denies some of the accusations, Haaretz reports. '
'"It's a little girl," a soldier watching from a nearby Israeli observation post cautioned over the military radio. "She's running defensively eastward. . . . A girl of about 10, she's behind the embankment, scared to death."
Four minutes later, Israeli troops opened fire on the girl with machine guns and rifles, the radio transmissions indicated. The captain walked to the spot where the girl "was lying down" and fired two bullets from his M-16 assault rifle into her head, according to an indictment against the officer. He started to walk away, but pivoted, set his rifle on automatic and emptied his magazine into the girl's prone body, the indictment alleged.
"This is Commander," the captain said into the radio when he was finished. "Whoever dares to move in the area, even if it's a 3-year-old -- you have to kill him. Over."
The BBC also reports that

I have adasked you before and I ask you again. Who is lying here? The IDF or the IDF? Do you have an answer this time or are you going to ignore the evidence of the IDF's own words yet again?
 
Meanwhile in Israel;

Violence flares in south Lebanon

BEIRUT, Lebanon, May 13, 2005 (UPI) -- Israeli warplanes raided a Hezbollah position in south Lebanon Friday shortly after the militant Shiite group bombarded a disputed border area.

The raid was in retaliation for Hezbollah's bombardment of an Israeli outpost in the disputed Shabaa Farms area on the foothills of Mount Hermon.
Hamas threatens to kidnap Israeli soldiers

GAZA, May 13, 2005 (UPI) -- Members of the Palestinian militant group Hamas threatened Friday to kidnap Israeli soldiers and swap them for Palestinian prisoners in Israel.

Nizar Rayyan, a commander of the Hamas military wing, al-Qassam Brigades, told demonstrators in the Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza kidnapping Israeli soldiers is a valid tactic.

Meanwhile in other parts of the world;
New German Holocaust Memorial Vandalized

BERLIN May 13, 2005 (AP)- Within hours of the opening of Germany's national Holocaust memorial to the public, a vandal scratched a swastika into one of the 2,711 gray slabs, a spokesman for the memorial said Friday.
Embassy attacker wore fake bomb belt

TASHKENT May. 13, 2005 (AP) - Police shot and killed a suicide bomber outside the Israeli Embassy in the Uzbek capital on Friday, the US Embassy in Tashkent said.
Damn those settlers! ;)
 
Art Vandelay said:
I'm not so sure. Take a look at the quote below. It's composed entirely of rearranged portions of his last post, and nearly all of it is stuff he's said in previous posts. Note how he repeats the same idea over and over again. Debating EJA is like listening to some bizarre parody of "A Partridge in a Pear Tree".

First post:
Israelis are terrorists

Second post:
Israelis are terrorists
You are a liar
Israelis are terrorists

Third post:
Israelis are terrorists
You are a liar
Israelis murder school schildren
Israelis are terrorists
You are liar
Israelis are terrorists

Fourth Post:
Israelis murder school schildren
Israelis are terrorists
You are a liar
Israelis are terrorists
You are liar
Israelis murder school schildren
Are you going to support any of your claims?
Israelis are terrorists
You are liar
Israelis are terrorists

Using this tactic, he can very easily turn a few vacuous thoughts into several dozen pages.

Good lord, you're right, and I haven't laughed so hard in months! The Twelve Days of Christmas is a perfect analogy.

Once I carried on this debate with him for three months before I gave up. When I saw how often he repeated himself, I started cutting and pasting my own responses from previous posts in the same thread. It saved a lot of time for me, but he never noticed. He really could be a bot.
 
Mycroft said:
Good lord, you're right, and I haven't laughed so hard in months! The Twelve Days of Christmas is a perfect analogy.

Once I carried on this debate with him for three months before I gave up. When I saw how often he repeated himself, I started cutting and pasting my own responses from previous posts in the same thread. It saved a lot of time for me, but he never noticed. He really could be a bot.
E.J. suffers from selective reality. When Syria, Egypt, Jordan and the Palestinians were bombing the crap out of Israel from 48 to 67 he sees the result - the six day war - as Israeli colonialism. When the Palestinian islamist paramilitary groups bomb the crap of Israelis or murder them from Munich to Rome to Tel Aviv he sees the result - IDF retaliation - as Israeli terrorism. Such is E.J's world view.

Perhaps one day he will have an epiphany and finally the horse will actually pull the cart instead of the opposite.
 
zenith-nadir said:
E.J. suffers from selective reality. When Syria, Egypt, Jordan and the Palestinians were bombing the crap out of Israel from 48 to 67 he sees the result - the six day war - as Israeli colonialism. When the Palestinian islamist paramilitary groups bomb the crap of Israelis or murder them from Munich to Rome to Tel Aviv he sees the result - IDF retaliation - as Israeli terrorism. Such is E.J's world view.

Perhaps one day he will have an epiphany and finally the horse will actually pull the cart instead of the opposite.

Either that or he just gets a kick out of baiting people. Have you noticed he doesn't try to change anyone's mind? All he really does is try to keep it going for as long as possible until hew gets the last word.
 
Art,

The cool think about reading troll-posts like this is you know it took him a couple hours to write it, but you can skim over it in just a few seconds. Then with some bland response like, "You have not provided evidence for your case, you've only restated what you've said before" you may be able to get him to spend another couple hours making another one.

That is, if you insist on responding at all.
Here is Mycroft the arch anti-sceptic at work. As well as refusing to support his own claims it seems that he can't bear others do so. Plus ca change?
 
originally posted by Art Vandelay
I'm not so sure.

And your response to my points is....?

Abuse.

Is your argument so bereft of its own merits that it needs to be supported by abuse.

Sadly it does seem so.
 
originally posted by zenith-nadir
E.J. suffers from selective reality. When Syria, Egypt, Jordan and the Palestinians were bombing the crap out of Israel from 48 to 67 he sees the result - the six day war - as Israeli colonialism.
I have just a simple question for you. The sort you often run away from. Just one place would do.

When the Palestinian islamist paramilitary groups bomb the crap of Israelis or murder them from Munich to Rome to Tel Aviv he sees the result - IDF retaliation - as Israeli terrorism. Such is E.J's world view.
Terrorism is terrorism where ever it comes from. Is that concept too difficult for you?

How do you defeat terrorism by terrorisng innocent people. Bulldozing the homes of innocent people is collective punishment and equivalent to terrorism in my book.
Perhaps one day he will have an epiphany and finally the horse will actually pull the cart instead of the opposite.
I come from a terrorised land. I know terrorism when I see it - wherever it comes from. You seem to want to only see the terrorism you want to see and ignore the rest. Who knows, perhaps one day you will be able to see that all terrorism is bad, whereever it comes from?
 
E.J.

In a paragraph or two - I have a short attention span because I grew up near powerlines - what is your answer to solve this conflict between the Israelis and Palestinians.
 
zenith-nadir said:
E.J.

In a paragraph or two - I have a short attention span because I grew up near powerlines - what is your answer to solve this conflict between the Israelis and Palestinians.

Oh, don't do that! Nothing productive will come from it!
 
Men of Action, Men of Intellect

One of my favorite philosophers is Eric Hoffer, and I believe that he would have quite a bit to say about the length of this string.

It's the difference between men of intellect and men of action. Unfortunately, the men of intellect are just as stuck in their conventions (and their blame) as the men of action are stuck in their bloody retributions.

It's obvious that many here involved in this discussion are apparently incapable of looking beyond their own justifications. I suggested (in all seriousness) that perhaps the Palestinians would be better off running casinos and draining the Israelis financially rather than militarily, but everyone thought I was joking.

It worked for the Native Americans to the point that now many American states are considering banning the casinos (for religious reasons). We can't have the people we've fought so hard to conquer coming back to take our hard earned (and badly invested) money, can we?

I've had my say. You can all go back to moot arguments and to deciding whether to call yourselves the Judean People's Front, the People's Front of Judea or the Popular People's Front of Judea. Men of action shouldn't be hindered.

Mephisto
 
Re: Men of Action, Men of Intellect

Mephisto said:
One of my favorite philosophers is Eric Hoffer, and I believe that he would have quite a bit to say about the length of this string.

It's the difference between men of intellect and men of action. Unfortunately, the men of intellect are just as stuck in their conventions (and their blame) as the men of action are stuck in their bloody retributions.

It's obvious that many here involved in this discussion are apparently incapable of looking beyond their own justifications. I suggested (in all seriousness) that perhaps the Palestinians would be better off running casinos and draining the Israelis financially rather than militarily, but everyone thought I was joking.

It worked for the Native Americans to the point that now many American states are considering banning the casinos (for religious reasons). We can't have the people we've fought so hard to conquer coming back to take our hard earned (and badly invested) money, can we?

I've had my say. You can all go back to moot arguments and to deciding whether to call yourselves the Judean People's Front, the People's Front of Judea or the Popular People's Front of Judea. Men of action shouldn't be hindered.

Mephisto
I just love arrogance and pomposity. Perhaps that is why I engage in it from time to time. From one (at times) arrogant b@sterd to another --good form.
 
originally posted by zenith-nadir
E.J.

In a paragraph or two - I have a short attention span because I grew up near powerlines - what is your answer to solve this conflict between the Israelis and Palestinians.

ZN
In all seriousness for once, can I ask if you have any intention of supporting your allegations about other posters and ask in all seriousness why you seem unable to post without abusing those who respond to your posts?

I replied to your last post and asked you to demonstrate where I posted what you alleged about me. You have declined to do so. Why is that?

I notice that once again Mycroft intervenes to try to stop discussion but that seems to be his method of operating at present.

In the light of your question and in the hope of a reasoned reply I will summarise the position that I have posted on more than one occasion previously and which I hold sincerely.

You have to treat everyone equally under the law, both domestic and international where applicable. I submit that is not happening in Israel and Arab countries at present.

If that policy is fairly and consistently carried out, support for extremists on both sides will shrink and decent people on both sides will feel reassured that the government will support them and they will not need resort to extremists.

This however is not an overnight process and it will be attacked by men of ill will from every side including those for whom peace is anathema. Administrations have to be strong in standing up to men of ill will and reasonable people have to be prepared to name the men of ill will fearlessly and openly.

I have given this opinion seriously and with good intent based on my own experiences in growing up in a terrorised land. If you choose not to accept it so be it. It does not and never will mean that I support terrorism wherever it occurs, whether from an arab individual, group or country or a christian individual, group or country or a jewish individual, group or country etc.

I abhor all terrorism. This includes individual, group and state terrorism.
 
Re: Re: Men of Action, Men of Intellect

RandFan said:
I just love arrogance and pomposity. Perhaps that is why I engage in it from time to time. From one (at times) arrogant b@sterd to another --good form.

Call me arrogant and call me pompous, but BOTH sides of this argument can't come to an agreement (because they're all still pointing fingers). We're just discussing this in a philosophy forum, how would our views differ if we actually had to LIVE in Israel or Palestine? How more vehement would our views be if our sister, mother or wife was killed by a Palestinian suicide bomber? How much more angry would we be if our sister's or mother's house had been bulldozed by the Israeli government in retaliation for a terrorist action she wasn't responsible for?

Is it pompous to see that a grotesque stalemate has been drawn? Is is arrogant to suggest that, no matter how well a point is made, it is a moot point unless we A. learn a lesson from it, and B. it benefits everyone involved?

Call me arrogant, and call me pompous, but I know for a fact you can't stir the $hit without getting some on you!

Mephisto
 
Re: Re: Re: Men of Action, Men of Intellect

Mephisto said:
Call me arrogant and call me pompous, but BOTH sides of this argument can't come to an agreement (because they're all still pointing fingers). We're just discussing this in a philosophy forum, how would our views differ if we actually had to LIVE in Israel or Palestine? How more vehement would our views be if our sister, mother or wife was killed by a Palestinian suicide bomber? How much more angry would we be if our sister's or mother's house had been bulldozed by the Israeli government in retaliation for a terrorist action she wasn't responsible for?

Is it pompous to see that a grotesque stalemate has been drawn? Is is arrogant to suggest that, no matter how well a point is made, it is a moot point unless we A. learn a lesson from it, and B. it benefits everyone involved?

Call me arrogant, and call me pompous, but I know for a fact you can't stir the $hit without getting some on you!

Mephisto
This isn't a think tank and our purpose here isn't to solve problems. There is a purpose to the first amendment and it isn't about practical problem solving. Any speech anywhere for any reason is of value. Full Stop. Period. End of story. Should the people here stop pointing fingers and be productive? Hey, count me in. I no longer take part of such discussions the way I used to. I have come to the conclusion that there is little to be gained.

I've had my say. You can all go back to moot arguments and to deciding whether to call yourselves the Judean People's Front, the People's Front of Judea or the Popular People's Front of Judea. Men of action shouldn't be hindered.
Taking your ball and leaving and accusing others of wasting their time IS both pompous and arrogant. Now, we could debate that but then what would be the point? I concede that I have often done the same as you are now.
 

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