dust1n
Zindīq
Here's the deal, Dustin. You don't have to listen to what I think. Got that? All you need do is hunker down and read a few history books. That may take a few months. You cannot possibly expect to understand the subtleties and nuances of the Middle East conflict by spending an hour here and there doing Google searches.
I agree with you, but I can make reasoning out of information I find available. I'm not being properly refuted by anyone, and I don't expected pages and pages of a response.
I supported Caladan's perspective more than anyone elses so far. I am not against the Israel or of Jewish people. I understand the entire situation is far more complex than you or Caladan can fully understand, let alone me. (And I do plan on reading about it more.)I don't claim to know everything, Dustin, however I am a fairly astute political observer. Plus, I have read - a lot. It is unreasonable to expect me to boil down my understanding of the situation into one or two posts... or even five posts. The situation in the Middle East is far more complex than people realize and that IS a fact. Know that I fully support Caladan's perspective and am a strident supporter of the state of Israel and the Jewish people. Other than Jayhawker Soule, Caladan is one of the few that can speak with any real understanding on this ongoing situation, so, you may be wise to listen to what he is saying.
Besides, my own personal views would be deemed so incendiary that I would likely be banned from RF for making them a part of the public record, as they would not be seen as being particularly politically correct. When you do not have the ability to call a spade a spade there isn't much point in talking about small gardening implements.
Do I think that the creation of Israel ****** over a lot of people? Yes. Do I think that immigration of Jewish people in America probably would have been better, at least in terms of foreign policy? Yes. Does that mean I think the solution is to again displace a few million Jewish people due to the past? No. Does that mean I think it's alright for the wall to exist, further settlements (and from what I've read, though they are not supported, are still expanding, thought not at the past rate)? No. Do I think it's okay for people to ignore the Palestinian perspective in the entire situation? No.
The past is the past, what I'm hoping is that the present can be changed so that the future will be better for both parties involved, which would ultimately be no one shooting at anyone. Though with mentalities like 'god gave us this land', it worries me, because like .lava said, technically 'god gave them more land than what they have', so what can I base for that? Can I deduct there is a faction of people who want to expand Israels borders? I would imagine so, and it wouldn't be on anything more solid than a religious book.
I don't mean to personally attack or anything, but this is suppose to be an educational process, and watching from the sidelines to just comment on who you think is wrong, humorously poke at them, and then provide nothing else, is not educational at all, it's retrogressive. I'm definitely not asking you for you paint the entire picture for me, but if I'm asserting something you feel is wrong, please correct me, and if it's that politically incorrect you feel you can't post it on the forum, feel free to PM me.