P F Tinmore,
et al,
Paul, let's be
(at least a little bit) honest here.
One thing that is consistent among Israel supporters. They refuse to learn anything.
(COMMENT)
I think that a vast majority of your commentary and opinions are read here. I believe that a vast majority of sherrimunnerlyn's
(where ever she has gone) commentaries and opinions were read here. In fact, I think that nearly every anti-Israel
(or pro-Palestinian) commentary is given credit where credit is due.
Just as neither side of the Arab-Israeli conflict is perfectly correct in everything they have done, --- so it is with the discussion here --- and the presentations.
Learning is as much dependent on the presentation of the facts as it is in the expression of confidence in the material presented. When that material is tainted, it has an impact on future presentations and the confidence that it holds. And I will be honest, in that I often try not to let the pro-Palestinian propaganda you often present taint the salient facts you present later; but, it is hard. AND, I often find it difficult to work through the frivolous points you make
(like on the Map issue and borders/boundaries); that sidetrack the discussion.
The suggestion that
(in general) the pro-Israel component of the discussion "refuse to learn" is simply inaccurate. When you mix some minor fact with some significant propaganda - the impact of the propaganda tends to overshadow the relevant fact you present. Don't mix the two
(propaganda and fact). We are all quite capable of "learning" and are quite interested in what you have to say, if you would just present the facts or point of discussion in a logical order and a coherent way.
Finally, don't confuse analysis and disagreement with a "refuse to learn" mind set. I have learned that the pro-Palestinian movement has elements within it that firmly believe that Palestine was sovereign to the Arab Palestinian; with some thinking it happened at the fall of the Ottoman Empire, and with some that believe it was sovereign with the end of the British Mandate. Yes, I have learned this. But I don't agree with either version. And that is not the same thing as "refuse to learn."
I recommend that you reassess that perception of your opinion
(refuse to learn). I also recommend that you adjust your dependence on the use of inflammatory language (apartheid, racism, nazi, etc) as it changes the confidence interval in the presentation of your commentary and opinion. As an example, when I use the words "insurgent" or "terrorism" --- I use them based on the basis that either the organization, event or action fits a definition or description in a professional guide, manual, publication, law, etc, and not some layman's dictionary. I don't hunt for a specific interpretation that I can cherry-pick to fit the argument. Since you were in South Africa in the pre-Mandela era, you know very damn well that "apartheid" was something totally different from the conditions and relations that exist between the non-Israel and Israel. So, when we talk about "learning" --- let's apply it equally to both sides.
Just My Opinion, Very Respectfully,
R
