Israel/Gaza: Calling all UK forum members.

I want Israel as a state to exist. I don't really care where it is, but I think that group should have a homeland. Their main actions seem to be justified here. Hamas, it seems, is not compatible with the existence of Israel, so it has to go. They are cowards and less than human, hiding behind civilians to try and urge Israel into killing a few civilians so they can parade them in front of Western eyes. However, though I do not know the details, using white phosphorous bombs seems to be a no-no in the civilized world, and it also seems Israel doesn't care. I'm also quite pissed the American government bends over backwards for Israel in all circumstances, no questions asked. It's a mess of a situation.

I am getting quite fed up with the middle east. If this Holy Land is causing all this trouble and doesn't seem to get better, then I'm tempted to say bomb it all to hell or just let the nutters kill themselves over it. Just don't bother me with your fanaticism.

Vibrationbaby wrote: I`m in enough hot water right now but I was waiting for this. I guess i qualify for this petition. I`ve got dual UK /Canadian citizenship. But I think I`ll sit this one out. I`m a former military man and I just wish we could have peace on this bloody earth. Is that too much to ask?

mystic fred wrote: ^ in a Democratic society  (or other) any form of protest is extremely viable, thousands of Institutions, Countries and laws exist today because of people protesting and signing petitions - eg Trade Unions (the Tolpuddle Martyrs), Protection laws, Hygiene laws, Safety laws, changes of Government (Revolution), American Independence,  Votes for Women.....   People Power can topple Governments and stop (or start) wars - the list goes on and on and on.......     it will be a sad day when we can't protest anymore

That reminds me of a tale my brother, who is ten years older than I am, told me. He had been at a protest demonstration against the use of nuclear power, when a passenger shouted: "All these demonstrations should be forbidden! Geht doch rüber! (a hard to translate expression literally meaning "go to the other side", but meaning "move to the GDR"; the expression was quite common in West Germany while Germany was still divided; I will use "go over" as translation), whereupon one of the demonstrators replied: "Why don't you go over? Demonstrations are forbidden there"!

Henry Plainview wrote: Atavachron wrote: Henry Plainview wrote: I haven't seen this picked up by the major networks, and I'm not sure why, but if it's true, I challenge anyone outside of Israel to defend it: The two Arab parties, which represent 20% of the electorate, have been banned from the next Parliamentary election. but do you challenge anyone inside of Israel to defend it.. then you might get some reality I do, but there's no point because their perception is more likely to biased.

you mean more biased in the way that people actually living somewhere might have a greater stake in and keener sense of what's going on?

Henry Plainview wrote: I haven't seen this picked up by the major networks, and I'm not sure why, but if it's true, I challenge anyone outside of Israel to defend it: The two Arab parties, which represent 20% of the electorate, have been banned from the next Parliamentary election.

but do you challenge anyone inside of Israel to defend it.. then you might get some reality

The T wrote:   I don't sign anything. This time, I side with Israel.  As unbelievable as that sounds to me, I side with the "use force" side.   And then the world will ignite in flames. I know that. Chaos breeds more chaos.

courageous post Teo, going against an absolute majority.. and considering we don't know the real details, your stance may be the most prudent

1800iareyay wrote: Signing an internet petition IS doing nothing. No one will ever pay attention to them because it's so easy for people to clear cookies and sign again under a proxy. If you're only donating 60 seconds of your time you clearly don't care that much to begin with. If we as a society have reached the point where protest consists of using the same form of action some fans use to get canceled TV shows back on the air, we are well and truly f**ked.

Well, I would agree that we are well and truly f ed. I couldn't dispute that..

However, the internet is just another tool by which people can make a protest. We are still free to march, shout and wave placards around, but this is just another means.

As for people who really care about this issue, what do you think they should do to express their disgust, or make a difference..??

Destroy the terrorists.

Edited by The T - January 12 2009 at 22:12

Signing an internet petition IS doing nothing. No one will ever pay attention to them because it's so easy for people to clear cookies and sign again under a proxy. If you're only donating 60 seconds of your time you clearly don't care that much to begin with.

If we as a society have reached the point where protest consists of using the same form of action some fans use to get canceled TV shows back on the air, we are well and truly f**ked.

mystic fred wrote: ^ in a Democratic society  (or other) any form of protest is extremely viable, thousands of Institutions, Countries and laws exist today because of people protesting and signing petitions - eg Trade Unions (the Tolpuddle Martyrs), Protection laws, Hygiene laws, Safety laws, changes of Government (Revolution), American Independence,  Votes for Women.....   People Power can topple Governments and stop (or start) wars - the list goes on and on and on.......