A message of condolences and apology (Regarding a recent post I made.)

[Cascadian]

Over the last few days, I have been away from DU as I was without my PC. Now I am back I am able to what I hope will clear my conscience as well as send a heartfelt sentiment of condolences. First off, I want to send my deepest condolences and sympathies to the families and friends who had loved ones involved in the shooting at the Jewish Center in Seattle over the weekend. It is always shocking and sad to see such acts of violence on others over what is a critical world situation. It is especially moving to me since it happened in where I still consider my hometown. I only hope that what had taken place will be overcome with love and understanding among all groups involved.

I also want to apologize for what I said in a post I started about a week ago. The post was titled "It is NOT Anti-Semitic to criticize Israel's recent actions." In it I made some comparasions to Israel's air strikes on Lebanon to the Nazis' bombings of certain European cities and the atrocities that came from them. First of all, it was never my intention to outright compare the Israelis to Nazis. I was only trying to compare the actions that the IDF (Israeli Defense Force) was doing to civilian population of Lebanon. I understand I offended some of you and I understand why people would have been offended considering the death and horror the Jews suffered under Nazi Germany. For this, I am truly sorry. However, that being said, I will not apologize for being critical of the actions Israel has taken. The world just witnessed it in the bombing of the Lebanese village of Qana. How can anybody condone no matter who they are and what God they worship such an appalling act? I am very encouraged to see Israeli people taking to the streets to protest the reckless actions of their government. I hope more will do so and fight this.

I also just want to say that I am not anti-Israeli or anti-Jew but I am not anti-Palestinian either. I just want to see the Middle East return to the idea of coexistence if not peace. All sides involved with this conflict are playing with their futures as well as their children's and children's children. I am also frustrated with how my country's government has been so one-sided in this whole thing. This will surely not win us any friends in the long run. I only long for a day when I can visit a peaceful Holy Land and take in the sights, the life, and enjoy myself without the fear of getting killed or maimed. I want that wish for everybody in that part of the world.

Thanks for hearing my out.

John

[Taxloss]

1. Wow, thanks for that.

It's been a day of ghastly tit-for-tat mudslinging from both sides and I'm sick to my stomach of the whole bloody business. Oddly enough I've been tinkering with an apologia of my own from the other side of the line. This post has boosted my confidence that there is still room for sanity and common ground on this issue.

Anyway, this was a courageous thing for you to write and I have great respect for that. You don't owe me an apology, but you have my best wishes. I look forward to future contributions from you.

:hug:

[Breeze54]

2. Ok Mel.....

:wow:

[Cascadian]

3. ??? n/t

[KAZ]

8. Ya know, "Mel" Gibson, appologies......

Kinda cute. Great post BTW.

[Cascadian]

9. No prob.

n/t

[laylah]

6. DU has

turned into such a hateful place. Why is that?

Thank you for your apology Cascadian. While I was not party to your thread, it takes a bigger person to acknowledge wrongdoing than it does to diss.

Jenn

[InaneAnanity]

4. I think Israel's actions are similar...

...to what we did to the Native Americans upon first arriving in this country. Its a slow, cruel process of ethnic killings, some justified but most not.

I find it sickening.

[Cascadian]

5. I agree with you.

The Israelis and Jews for that matter are about righteousness and justice. I find the whole situation out of character for such a great people. If they wanted to get Hezbollah, they would have found another way to get at them but not wholesale slaughter. They have intelligencia and the know how. This is just insane and it is sad for all sides involved.


John

[InaneAnanity]

7. Hezbollah is the excuse du jour...

...As I said in an earlier post. Sure, getting rid of them is a happy side effect, but the repeated "mistake" killing of children shows what theyre truly after.

[Breeze54]

12. read your history, k? n/t

[manic expression]

14. Likewise

Read up:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/hi/middle_east/03/v3_ip_timeline/html/default.stm

[jonnyblitz]

16. yup, actions speak louder than words. nt

[Breeze54]

11. Ok Mel, keep it going.....need more rope? n/t

[Cascadian]

13. It seems you doubt my sincerity.

That is too bad. Then again, you do not know me. Anytime something like innocent people getting killed is tragic and horrible without question. I say what I mean. You don't believe me is your own problem and not mine.


John

[Breeze54]

10. Oh PLEEZZZZEEE!!!!

What a crock of dung!

[manic expression]

15. Is that supposed to be an argument?

because it isn't. The fact is that Israel has been stealing land since its inception, killing along the way. Please, indeed.

[jonnyblitz]

18. that is EXACTLY what they have been doing and anybody

who denies it just doesn't read enough or they are deliberatly LYING.

[Breeze54]

23. You really

should try to calm down there, pal. You seem very young and immature
so I'll give you a pass on the baseless accusations.
That's more than you seem to be doing. Have a hot day! ;)

[jonnyblitz]

17. not really. nt

[cynatnite]

19. Massive bombing campaigns are notoriously controversial...

no matter who does it or for what reason.

To this day in Dresden, Germany, there are family members who rightfully blame the US for the campaign that left the city in ruins and cost countless lives. They continue to have remembrance services for that atrocity.

I do think Israel is grossly overreacting and when Hezbollah or any other terrorist commits acts of aggression against the innocent, it's still as atrocious the rest.

There is no justification, IMO.

Most of us want peace. It doesn't seem like too much to ask, does it?

:hug:

[The Straight Story]

21. BWAHAHAHAHA They blame the US??? Really??

Come one now - the people of nazi germany are bitching about some bombings we did? Give me a freakin break.

They should be bitching alright, but not about us. Or our allies in that terrible war. Sheesh...

[cynatnite]

22. You do know there were no military targets anywhere near the city...

and that estimates of 25,000 to 50,000 civilians were killed. It's much larger in other German cities, but Dresden was considered more brutal because of the lack of military targets.

I agree it was a terrible war, but this was an intentional act against a city with no reason for being bombed. Do you think that because it was there it should have been bombed?

If you do, I sure would like to know what you think of the bombing campaigns the US has used in Iraq and what Israel is doing to Lebanon.

[Behind the Aegis]

20. I won't speak for anyone other than myself...

I find your message appropriate and accept your apology at face value.

But, let me say this to you, just because a poster is "pro-Israeli" it doesn't mean we are war-mongers, freepers, neo-cons, or any other litany of names hurled at us. Just because we are 'pro-Israeli' it doesn't mean we are anti-Arab or Islamaphobic, also charges hurled at us. Just because we are 'pro-Israeli,' doesn't mean that we don't also want peace! If criticizing Israel is not anti-Semitic, then why is supporting Israel anti-Arab? We don't approve or like every action taken by Israel, why should we? But, we also don't see Israel as the sole root of all problems in the Middle East, or the world for that matter.

So, while I accept your apology, do realize we are just as human as you. We make mistakes, but just because Israel is not acting the way everyone wants, doesn't mean we are going to abandon her or attack her with pointless and hateful thread after thread.

[deaniac21]

24. All sides return to the idea of coexistence? When has that

ever happened?