Arafat stole money from the Palestinians. Some Israelis estimate his "net worth" at $11 billion. Forbes calculates it at a mere $300 million, but last year, Israel's chief of military intelligence listed Arafat's personal assets at more than $1.3 billion. Whatever the actual amount, not bad pay for terrorism.
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"There's no way to rule innocent men. The only power government has is the power to crack down on criminals. When there aren't enough criminals, one makes them. One declares so many things to be a crime that it becomes impossible for men to live without breaking laws."
Damn it! The most interesting debate to happen the past few days and I missed it.
__________________ Ever shall I stand tall in remembrance of the sacrifice of those who came before, in the spirit of freedom not solemn but proud; that this nation has labored and secured the blessings of freedom. Vigilant I stand in action and purpose for posterity such that the spoils of our labors shall be preserved and not squandered on the prospect of equality through oppression. Such is the burden and the reward of a patriot.
I doubt anyone doesn't feel the same way. It's the perspective that differs.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Etta Place
Regarding the article by Lewis, I don't think there is any comparison between the Nazis and Hamas. Hamas is powerless. They are like annoying pests, not a fearsome power. They're not a sophisticated and organized society with one of the most powerful militaries in the world. They are poor, ineffective and desperate.
First of all, "desperate" in this kind of context generally means "dangerous". And here it certainly does.
As for comparing Germany's military to that of Hamas....your point is taken. However, if Hamas is not stopped, what is there to prevent them from assembling a more powerful military? What did Germany have militarily after the Treaty of Versailles?
It wasn't Israel that created the "desperate refugee mentality", it was the Arab world that encouraged the people who now call themselves "Palestinians" to leave Israel in the first place, and then turned their backs on them when they failed to destroy Israel as planned.
As for your number of Israeli casualties....I guess the suicide bombers don't count? Just those unlucky enough to get hit by (so far) unguided missiles?
There is a mentality at work here that clearly (IMO) defines who the "bad guys" are. I know most here are not old enough to remember what happened at the Munich Olympics. But I'm certain that almost everyone knows about it. Same with the hijackings of numerous aircraft by the PLO. The Achille Laurel. The countless suicide bombings in Israel (successful and not).
What kind of people plan, execute and applaud the bombing of a school bus filled with children?
Peace,
D.
__________________ The short fortune-teller who escaped from prison was a small medium at large.
I'm saying Israel is engaging in disproportionate response, and it's not going to do them any good, I suspect.
Did you read what I said? The Palestinians are not going anywhere. The Arab population in Israel combined with the Palestinians have more people than the Jews.
CORRECTION: There are still more Jews living in the area, but the Arab birth rate is higher.
Quote:
About 1.5 million Arabs reside in Israel with 5.5 million Jews, but 3.8 million Palestinians live in the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem.
But, the Palestinians have a right to their own land, their own state and their own government.
Well, whether they have such a "right"' or not seems irrelevant. They were offered that and turned it down. What they want is the elimination of Israel.
Peace,
D.
__________________ The short fortune-teller who escaped from prison was a small medium at large.
I doubt anyone doesn't feel the same way. It's the perspective that differs.
First of all, "desperate" in this kind of context generally means "dangerous". And here it certainly does.
As for comparing Germany's military to that of Hamas....your point is taken. However, if Hamas is not stopped, what is there to prevent them from assembling a more powerful military? What did Germany have militarily after the Treaty of Versailles?
It wasn't Israel that created the "desperate refugee mentality", it was the Arab world that encouraged the people who now call themselves "Palestinians" to leave Israel in the first place, and then turned their backs on them when they failed to destroy Israel as planned.
As for your number of Israeli casualties....I guess the suicide bombers don't count? Just those unlucky enough to get hit by (so far) unguided missiles?
There is a mentality at work here that clearly (IMO) defines who the "bad guys" are. I know most here are not old enough to remember what happened at the Munich Olympics. But I'm certain that almost everyone knows about it. Same with the hijackings of numerous aircraft by the PLO. The Achille Laurel. The countless suicide bombings in Israel (successful and not).
What kind of people plan, execute and applaud the bombing of a school bus filled with children?
Peace,
D.
It's a shame that Israel has bowed to international pressure and bad press in recent history.
My dad and I frequently discuss the Israeli response to Munich and usually Margaret Thatcher's response to the hostage situation in 1980 within the same conversation. It's a shame that international politics and both Israel and Britain have degenerated into the situations they both find themselves in politically.
__________________ Ever shall I stand tall in remembrance of the sacrifice of those who came before, in the spirit of freedom not solemn but proud; that this nation has labored and secured the blessings of freedom. Vigilant I stand in action and purpose for posterity such that the spoils of our labors shall be preserved and not squandered on the prospect of equality through oppression. Such is the burden and the reward of a patriot.
Well, don't comment then. I certainly don't think you're offering anything constructive or useful in this thread.
And you are?
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The problem with Christianity is not that it has be tried and found wanting, but that it has been found difficult, and so left untried.
-G.K.Chesterton
yeah, cause if we'd just get rid of the military the whole world would just get along...
Guns are evil. They kill people. Guns should be banned. Then there would be peace and love worldwide.
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The problem with Christianity is not that it has be tried and found wanting, but that it has been found difficult, and so left untried.
-G.K.Chesterton