What will be the results of Israel's offensive on Gaza?, page 10


Steve 2 February, 2009, 12:40	Sam, I still have to respectfully disagree. No matter how educated somebody is, if they are racist, then they are still probably ignorant about some things. And those who believe that The Jews had waged war on the white man, using the blacks and Latinos as foot soldiers, in my book they are ignorant. And probably get way too much press. And those in other countries who have biases against the U.S. probably pick up on things like this very quickly. permalink quote 0 Steve
C 2 February, 2009, 16:20	Greetings jsmith, Why do you act so hostile towards me? I can sense the anger in your responses to me. But obviously, you do not understand my humorous sarcasm, not many people do. You really need to lighten up and not take the world so seriously. Enjoy a good book or take a nice walk in the park. Of course I would defend my country if it was attacked. I would re-enlist back in the military now, if I had that option. Unfortunately by the time I could finish basic training over again, I will be too old. Believe me, I was seriously considered it.(Please forgive me for assuming that you were an American citizen like me. Your first response to me sounded like you were.) You are right, the prisoners at Camp Gitmo is our problem and I do feel that they should have a fair trial. If they are found innocent,then they should be sent home. That is why it angers a lot of our citizens and good people like you, who believe in the due process of law for everyone, regardless of where they are from. We now have a new president who is going to close Gitmo, but it must be done in a cautious manner. A lot of these guys are not exactly your everyday purse snatchers, but maybe some are innocent people. But, they all deserve their day in court and soon.. Please remember, that I am a human first, then I am an American citizen. I hope you realize this now. Peace, “C“ permalink quote 0 C
Sam 3 February, 2009, 13:23	Dear Steve, To tell you the truth, very few people are biased against the USA and even less do not like the American people. What most people do not like are the foreign policies of the USA over the last 20 years, and I am one of them. The way I see it, every thing has good and bad, with the USSR gone, the USA took over the role of the same evil empire it was fighting during the cold war. Behaving aggressively all around the would, be it invasion of Iraq or attempt to encircle the Russian federation. It always openly backs the actions of its allies, even when they are unpopular world over. Like Lebanon invasion 2006, South Ossetian Invasion and invasion of Gaza in 2008. It’s the CIA torture flights and the Gulag in Cuba that we do not like. We watch the events in the US and it scared us, like with the patriot act and makes us wonder which way the country that has the greatest influence in the world is going and how will it affect the rest of us. However there is a little spark of hope, with Obama in power now lets see how it goes. As a Briton, let me tell you that Tony Blair got the same treatment at home, BBC for not allowing Gaza charity appeal to be aired also got a blasting from us. Do not mistake this for been biased. Back to the topic of racism and ignorance. Since you seem not to like me using the American examples, I would like to use a home one. In 2000 some idiots mistook the word paediatrician with the word paedophile and attacked the home of a doctor living near them forcing her to leave the area. Well that ignorance because they had no idea what a paediatrician is but associated it to a word that is constantly in the media which is paedophile. In 2005 an afro-american boy was walking with his white girlfriend in Liverpool and ended up with an axe in his head. Ignorance could not be used in defence. They knew he was afro-american and they didn't like his having a white girlfriend. permalink quote 0 Sam
Sam 4 February, 2009, 21:21	small correction to my last post.The murdered boy was not afro-American, he was a british boy of african origin. permalink quote 0 Sam
Steve 6 February, 2009, 05:54	Dear Sam, The US has been aggressive at least since Germany and Japan brought it out of isolationism during WWII. Since then it has been the first to come to another countries aid during times of natural disasters, war, genocide, etc. It has also been involved in a few conflicts it probably should never have been involved in - like Vietnam and Iraq. All of the world's problems will not be solved quickly and not by one country. I agree with you that the US has been more aggressive than usual during recent history. However, a lot of that is due to 9/11. Some of it justified and some of it not. You mention the criticism against the BBC (my wife is an Anglophile by the way), for not allowing the Gaza charity event to be aired. The U.S. government has already donated or pledged $70 million towards the relief effort in Gaza. There are many U.S. citizens providing aid as well. The U.S. would very much like to help the Palestinian people, as well as see a lasting peace in that area. But should Israel give up it's country? Should they take it lying down, when Hamas fire missiles at them? I think the U.S. probably could have persuaded Israel not to fight back against the Hamas. That probably would have been the best thing to do. But I think there are a lot of people in the US tired of terrorist tactics, so they support Israel. In 2006, the U.S. (under Bush) had a big influence on Israel to give up it's setllements in Gaza. Unfortunately, Hamas saw that more as a victory, than as a compromise. Hamas continued to shoot missiles at Israel and as a result more compromises by Israel didn't follow. It seems like most Palestinians want to live side by side with Israel in peace. However, will the Hamas stop until Israel gives up it's country? Some will say that the U.S. is at war with Muslims. Others will say that the U.S. liberated five Muslim countries during the past 20 years; Bosnia, Kosovo, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Kuwait. Well, Afghanistan and Iraq wouldn't have happened if it wasn't for 9/11. I personally don't think we should have gone into Iraq, but I'm not so sure about Afghanistan. It's hard to fight against a group of people who attacked you, who are living in a lawless area in another country. But should we have done nothing? Not many countries would have taken it lying down. At the time most Americans wanted to fight. Unfortunately, these conflicts have also caused a lot of backlash. It seems like the Taliban are taking over more and more territory in Pakistan and have gained back some territory in Southern Afghanistan. You mention, the Patriot Act and the gulag in Cuba. Again, none of that would have happened if the U.S. wasn't attacked! I agree that in the long run the Patriot act has the potential to violate the freedom of a lot of people. However, in the short run it looks like it may have been helpful in preventing additional attacks on US soil. In time of war, sometimes leaders of countries have to go beyond the law to protect their borders. President Lincoln certainly did during the Civil War. I don't think Russia should have a problem with U.S. becoming allies with some of the countries within it's "sphere of influence". Perhaps they are defensive because of the proposed missile defense system. I hope that goes away. The U.S. may have been trying to make Georgia strong enough to protect its own borders. But I don't believe the US had much to do with what happened there. However, some people would argue that Georgia had the right to prevent sections of their country from breaking away. It went about it the wrong way. And well, Russia had the last word on that. In the future, I would like to see more diplomacy and less war. And like you, I hope that Obama will make a better Ambassador than Bush. permalink quote 0 Steve
Sam 16 February, 2009, 08:33	Dear Steve Giving aid to countries does not over ride the damage done by the aggressive and sometimes irrational international activities of the USA.You can pour billions of aid into Iraq, but that does not mean that the invasion of Iraq on false reasons had made it a better place. Before Christians and Muslims lived in peace, now daily attack on Christians. It was a very liberal Islamic country and now advocating Shariah law. There were no fundamentalists there and now is the hotbed of everyone who wants to shot an American including Al Qaeda. Years of sanctions and the war had reduced a once rich country to what it is now, and for what? Sadam, as if he was the only dictator in the world. As if the USA never had a good relationship with a dictator or even backed one before. You mentioned 9/11 the usual excuse given by the former Bush administration. May I ask what Iraq had to do with it? The issue is not Israeli war with Hamas, the issue is the bombing and shelling by the IDF.The constant attacks on hospitals, press centres, UN convoys, refugee centres and storage facilities. The issue is blockading Gaza to the point that people have to dig tunnels to Egypt to get food and fuel. Yes these tunnels are used more for that then resupplying Hamas. USA got attacked, Invaded Afghan because Osama was there. So if a country is attacked, it has the right to erode the civil liberties of its own citizens and to start building gulags for none citizens? I do remember that an American was capture in Afghanistan but was given a fair trial in the USA and did not see the walls of the gulag like the others. Russia has nothing to fear of NATO because it is defensive only. permalink quote 0 Sam
Sam 16 February, 2009, 14:57	Russia has nothing to fear of NATO because it is defensive only permalink quote 0 Sam
Steve 17 February, 2009, 04:01	Sam, in my previous comments, I said I was against the USA going into Iraq. The American people, in the patriotic mood that they were in at the time, were too easily sold on the idea of going to war in Iraq in order to topple Sadam. That is what I mean, when I say the war in Iraq wouldn't have happened if it wasn't for 9/11. 9/11 was the spark. I believe the US would have been better off concentrating all of their energy going after Osama and Al Quida. I still believe the world needs to stand strong against terrorism. permalink quote 0 Steve
Regular_John 17 February, 2009, 12:19	A great injustice has been done to the people of Gaza .Israel systematically destroyed the infrastructure roads, schools, power stations, businesses and more were all targeted this destruction had very little to do with the rockets Hamas launched into Israel. The Bush administration in its final days gave Israel the green light for this ferocious disproportionate assault on the general population their aim was to make Gaza un-governable. permalink quote 0 Regular_John
Steve 18 February, 2009, 16:38	During all of the old European wars, the soldiers from both sides would gather in a field and fight it out. During the American Revolutionary war, the minuteman would hide behind trees and rocks to fight the British. However, they would leave their families safe out of harms way. The Hamas hide among their own people. They set up rocket launchers on top of or near churches, hospitals, schools, and apartment buildings. In 2006, with a lot of influence from the U.S., Israel compromised and gave up their settlements in Gaza. This was part of the roadmap for peace. Hamas saw this as a victory, instead of a compromise. They thought their tactics were the reason Israel pulled out. So they immediately continued to fire rockets into Israel. So the question is, was Israel's response, disproportionate, or were they defending? permalink quote 0 Steve
007 18 June, 2009, 00:18	Steve, I'm afraid I just don’t believe a thing Israel says anymore. If Hamas would be kind enough to disclose their bank accounts, then I could tell you for sure if Israel is shooting rockets at itself. Considering that Gaza does not even have a working bank, I strongly suspect that is the case. We still haven’t stopped laughing since Israel sent Richard Goldstein to investigate war crimes, a little like sending a Jackal to protect the chickens, don’t you think? I view Israel’s actions as pure genocide…Guilty! permalink quote 0 007

Steve 2 February, 2009, 12:40

Sam, I still have to respectfully disagree. No matter how educated somebody is, if they are racist, then they are still probably ignorant about some things. And those who believe that The Jews had waged war on the white man, using the blacks and Latinos as foot soldiers, in my book they are ignorant. And probably get way too much press. And those in other countries who have biases against the U.S. probably pick up on things like this very quickly.

permalink quote Steve

C 2 February, 2009, 16:20

Greetings jsmith, Why do you act so hostile towards me? I can sense the anger in your responses to me. But obviously, you do not understand my humorous sarcasm, not many people do. You really need to lighten up and not take the world so seriously. Enjoy a good book or take a nice walk in the park. Of course I would defend my country if it was attacked. I would re-enlist back in the military now, if I had that option. Unfortunately by the time I could finish basic training over again, I will be too old. Believe me, I was seriously considered it.(Please forgive me for assuming that you were an American citizen like me. Your first response to me sounded like you were.) You are right, the prisoners at Camp Gitmo is our problem and I do feel that they should have a fair trial. If they are found innocent,then they should be sent home. That is why it angers a lot of our citizens and good people like you, who believe in the due process of law for everyone, regardless of where they are from. We now have a new president who is going to close Gitmo, but it must be done in a cautious manner. A lot of these guys are not exactly your everyday purse snatchers, but maybe some are innocent people. But, they all deserve their day in court and soon.. Please remember, that I am a human first, then I am an American citizen. I hope you realize this now. Peace, “C“

permalink quote C

Sam 3 February, 2009, 13:23

Dear Steve, To tell you the truth, very few people are biased against the USA and even less do not like the American people. What most people do not like are the foreign policies of the USA over the last 20 years, and I am one of them. The way I see it, every thing has good and bad, with the USSR gone, the USA took over the role of the same evil empire it was fighting during the cold war. Behaving aggressively all around the would, be it invasion of Iraq or attempt to encircle the Russian federation. It always openly backs the actions of its allies, even when they are unpopular world over. Like Lebanon invasion 2006, South Ossetian Invasion and invasion of Gaza in 2008. It’s the CIA torture flights and the Gulag in Cuba that we do not like. We watch the events in the US and it scared us, like with the patriot act and makes us wonder which way the country that has the greatest influence in the world is going and how will it affect the rest of us. However there is a little spark of hope, with Obama in power now lets see how it goes. As a Briton, let me tell you that Tony Blair got the same treatment at home, BBC for not allowing Gaza charity appeal to be aired also got a blasting from us. Do not mistake this for been biased. Back to the topic of racism and ignorance. Since you seem not to like me using the American examples, I would like to use a home one. In 2000 some idiots mistook the word paediatrician with the word paedophile and attacked the home of a doctor living near them forcing her to leave the area. Well that ignorance because they had no idea what a paediatrician is but associated it to a word that is constantly in the media which is paedophile. In 2005 an afro-american boy was walking with his white girlfriend in Liverpool and ended up with an axe in his head. Ignorance could not be used in defence. They knew he was afro-american and they didn't like his having a white girlfriend.

permalink quote Sam

Sam 4 February, 2009, 21:21

small correction to my last post.The murdered boy was not afro-American, he was a british boy of african origin.

permalink quote Sam

Steve 6 February, 2009, 05:54

Dear Sam, The US has been aggressive at least since Germany and Japan brought it out of isolationism during WWII. Since then it has been the first to come to another countries aid during times of natural disasters, war, genocide, etc. It has also been involved in a few conflicts it probably should never have been involved in - like Vietnam and Iraq. All of the world's problems will not be solved quickly and not by one country. I agree with you that the US has been more aggressive than usual during recent history. However, a lot of that is due to 9/11. Some of it justified and some of it not. You mention the criticism against the BBC (my wife is an Anglophile by the way), for not allowing the Gaza charity event to be aired. The U.S. government has already donated or pledged $70 million towards the relief effort in Gaza. There are many U.S. citizens providing aid as well. The U.S. would very much like to help the Palestinian people, as well as see a lasting peace in that area. But should Israel give up it's country? Should they take it lying down, when Hamas fire missiles at them? I think the U.S. probably could have persuaded Israel not to fight back against the Hamas. That probably would have been the best thing to do. But I think there are a lot of people in the US tired of terrorist tactics, so they support Israel. In 2006, the U.S. (under Bush) had a big influence on Israel to give up it's setllements in Gaza. Unfortunately, Hamas saw that more as a victory, than as a compromise. Hamas continued to shoot missiles at Israel and as a result more compromises by Israel didn't follow. It seems like most Palestinians want to live side by side with Israel in peace. However, will the Hamas stop until Israel gives up it's country? Some will say that the U.S. is at war with Muslims. Others will say that the U.S. liberated five Muslim countries during the past 20 years; Bosnia, Kosovo, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Kuwait. Well, Afghanistan and Iraq wouldn't have happened if it wasn't for 9/11. I personally don't think we should have gone into Iraq, but I'm not so sure about Afghanistan. It's hard to fight against a group of people who attacked you, who are living in a lawless area in another country. But should we have done nothing? Not many countries would have taken it lying down. At the time most Americans wanted to fight. Unfortunately, these conflicts have also caused a lot of backlash. It seems like the Taliban are taking over more and more territory in Pakistan and have gained back some territory in Southern Afghanistan. You mention, the Patriot Act and the gulag in Cuba. Again, none of that would have happened if the U.S. wasn't attacked! I agree that in the long run the Patriot act has the potential to violate the freedom of a lot of people. However, in the short run it looks like it may have been helpful in preventing additional attacks on US soil. In time of war, sometimes leaders of countries have to go beyond the law to protect their borders. President Lincoln certainly did during the Civil War. I don't think Russia should have a problem with U.S. becoming allies with some of the countries within it's "sphere of influence". Perhaps they are defensive because of the proposed missile defense system. I hope that goes away. The U.S. may have been trying to make Georgia strong enough to protect its own borders. But I don't believe the US had much to do with what happened there. However, some people would argue that Georgia had the right to prevent sections of their country from breaking away. It went about it the wrong way. And well, Russia had the last word on that. In the future, I would like to see more diplomacy and less war. And like you, I hope that Obama will make a better Ambassador than Bush.

permalink quote Steve

Sam 16 February, 2009, 08:33

Dear Steve Giving aid to countries does not over ride the damage done by the aggressive and sometimes irrational international activities of the USA.You can pour billions of aid into Iraq, but that does not mean that the invasion of Iraq on false reasons had made it a better place. Before Christians and Muslims lived in peace, now daily attack on Christians. It was a very liberal Islamic country and now advocating Shariah law. There were no fundamentalists there and now is the hotbed of everyone who wants to shot an American including Al Qaeda. Years of sanctions and the war had reduced a once rich country to what it is now, and for what? Sadam, as if he was the only dictator in the world. As if the USA never had a good relationship with a dictator or even backed one before. You mentioned 9/11 the usual excuse given by the former Bush administration. May I ask what Iraq had to do with it? The issue is not Israeli war with Hamas, the issue is the bombing and shelling by the IDF.The constant attacks on hospitals, press centres, UN convoys, refugee centres and storage facilities. The issue is blockading Gaza to the point that people have to dig tunnels to Egypt to get food and fuel. Yes these tunnels are used more for that then resupplying Hamas. USA got attacked, Invaded Afghan because Osama was there. So if a country is attacked, it has the right to erode the civil liberties of its own citizens and to start building gulags for none citizens? I do remember that an American was capture in Afghanistan but was given a fair trial in the USA and did not see the walls of the gulag like the others. Russia has nothing to fear of NATO because it is defensive only.

permalink quote Sam

Sam 16 February, 2009, 14:57

Russia has nothing to fear of NATO because it is defensive only

permalink quote Sam

Steve 17 February, 2009, 04:01

Sam, in my previous comments, I said I was against the USA going into Iraq. The American people, in the patriotic mood that they were in at the time, were too easily sold on the idea of going to war in Iraq in order to topple Sadam. That is what I mean, when I say the war in Iraq wouldn't have happened if it wasn't for 9/11. 9/11 was the spark. I believe the US would have been better off concentrating all of their energy going after Osama and Al Quida. I still believe the world needs to stand strong against terrorism.

permalink quote Steve

Regular_John 17 February, 2009, 12:19

A great injustice has been done to the people of Gaza .Israel systematically destroyed the infrastructure roads, schools, power stations, businesses and more were all targeted this destruction had very little to do with the rockets Hamas launched into Israel. The Bush administration in its final days gave Israel the green light for this ferocious disproportionate assault on the general population their aim was to make Gaza un-governable.

permalink quote Regular_John

Steve 18 February, 2009, 16:38

During all of the old European wars, the soldiers from both sides would gather in a field and fight it out. During the American Revolutionary war, the minuteman would hide behind trees and rocks to fight the British. However, they would leave their families safe out of harms way. The Hamas hide among their own people. They set up rocket launchers on top of or near churches, hospitals, schools, and apartment buildings. In 2006, with a lot of influence from the U.S., Israel compromised and gave up their settlements in Gaza. This was part of the roadmap for peace. Hamas saw this as a victory, instead of a compromise. They thought their tactics were the reason Israel pulled out. So they immediately continued to fire rockets into Israel. So the question is, was Israel's response, disproportionate, or were they defending?

permalink quote Steve

007 18 June, 2009, 00:18

Steve, I'm afraid I just don’t believe a thing Israel says anymore. If Hamas would be kind enough to disclose their bank accounts, then I could tell you for sure if Israel is shooting rockets at itself. Considering that Gaza does not even have a working bank, I strongly suspect that is the case. We still haven’t stopped laughing since Israel sent Richard Goldstein to investigate war crimes, a little like sending a Jackal to protect the chickens, don’t you think? I view Israel’s actions as pure genocide…Guilty!

permalink quote 007

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