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The great Koran con trick
New Statesman (U.K.) ^ | 12/10/2001 | Martin Bright

Posted on 12/10/2001 6:58:49 AM PST by Pokey78

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To: Lent
'You guys are "American Firster" only when the issue comes around to Israel.

And you are an Israel firster no matter what the issue might be.

141 posted on 12/10/2001 3:21:06 PM PST by Ridin' Shotgun
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To: AGAviator
ACtually, his advice was not about being "friendly" per se. It was about signing mutual defense treaties rather than trade agreements only.

When you promise to kick the crap out of treaty nation's enemies, you necessarily do so at the expense of the surrounding nations.

However, if you say "you are responsible for your own defense as are we" and butt out of the political entanglements, you are much better off as is the country you are dealing with.

I think free trade is good. But what we have now is anything but. What we have now are political engtanglements which are designed to give advantage to certain multinational coroporations at the expense of citizens of the countries involved.

142 posted on 12/10/2001 3:24:18 PM PST by Demidog
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To: Ridin' Shotgun
Horsefeathers! The greatest growth this country ever experienced was under policies of excise and tariff. We did business with pretty much EVERYone on an equal basis. Since those policies were discarded and the US became ever more entangled in foreign 'alliances', we've been fighting everyone elses battles and rebuilding whatever we've crushed ... all paid for with American lives and bankrolled by American taxpayers. You'd hate to see that end, wouldn't you Lent?

Horse dung. The greatest period of economic growth occurred because of the explicit decision to adopt the Open Door Notes. We live in an imperfect world though. Because it has resulted in confrontation, some bad decisions, etc. you think that the policy was wrong. Stupid notion. And if you think that isolationalism was ever a viable notion then you're living in a dream world.

143 posted on 12/10/2001 3:24:38 PM PST by Lent
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To: Lent
' it's time the Arabs in the West Bank be shipped to all that vast Arab Islamic real estate.

Where would Israel get all that cheap labor if the arabs were gone? They'd have to start doing the 'icky' work themselves. UhUh. Ain't gonna happen.

144 posted on 12/10/2001 3:26:51 PM PST by Ridin' Shotgun
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To: Ridin' Shotgun
Where would Israel get all that cheap labor if the arabs were gone? They'd have to start doing the 'icky' work themselves. UhUh. Ain't gonna happen.

If the Arabs stopped their Jihads and Intifadas Israel could employ whatever labour was available without the fear of having some Palestinian attach a body-bomb to his body.

145 posted on 12/10/2001 3:28:49 PM PST by Lent
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To: Lent
Your #143. Imperfect, confrontations, bad decisions. Yep, great idea.
146 posted on 12/10/2001 3:31:25 PM PST by Ridin' Shotgun
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To: Ridin' Shotgun
Your #143. Imperfect, confrontations, bad decisions. Yep, great idea.

I'm sure you're the perfect second-guesser. The world is filled with armchair critics like you.

147 posted on 12/10/2001 3:33:04 PM PST by Lent
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To: Lent
Do you think there is any possibility that Israel is not pursuing the "real seal" policy of closing off its borders to any entry by Arabs (the only sensible policy in my view from a security standpoint), because Israel is economically hooked on the cheap Arab labor? I wonder how much traction the latter concern has in fashioning Israeli policy.

What I do know is that the Israeli odd bomb is ineffectual. Just how feasible it is for Israel to go in and round up Hamas itself without high casualties, and with the ability to find them at all, I don't know.

148 posted on 12/10/2001 3:33:14 PM PST by Torie
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To: Lent
I could care less what the Muslim cry-babies whine about

One hundred and fourteen countries, and you and Ariel Sharon are whistling in the dark about "Muslim cry-babies."

Figures.

Most Jews have been cleansed from Arab Islamic lands

Only after Arabs were expelled in Palestine.

And to compare the colonization in the U.S. and Canada to Germany's genocide

You're the one excusing what Israel does by citing the US and Canada. The "colonization" took at least 750,000 lives over 300 years.

The point is, a country and people who are continually generating revenue by pointing out how others have persecuted its people, is not in a position to justify its persecution of others.

If "everybody does it" is an excuse, then it's "everybody's" excuse, too.

149 posted on 12/10/2001 3:35:59 PM PST by AGAviator
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To: Lent
'If the Arabs stopped their Jihads and Intifadas Israel could employ whatever labour was available without the fear of having some Palestinian attach a body-bomb to his body.'

Do you mean every one but the Palestinians is afraid to go to work? Or do you mean the Palestinians are holding Israel hostage with the suicide bombings so they can get these low paying jobs? What other labour is available for these jobs? Ethiopian Jews?

150 posted on 12/10/2001 3:42:04 PM PST by Ridin' Shotgun
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To: Demidog
George Washington's Farewell Address, 1789

Observe good faith and justice towards all nations; cultivate peace and harmony with all. Religion and morality enjoin this conduct; and can it be, that good policy does not equally enjoin it? It will be worthy of a free, enlightened, and at no distant period, a great nation, to give to mankind the magnanimous and too novel example of a people always guided by an exalted justice and benevolence. Who can doubt that, in the course of time and things, the fruits of such a plan would richly repay any temporary advantages which might be lost by a steady adherence to it ? Can it be that Providence has not connected the permanent felicity of a nation with its virtue ? The experiment, at least, is recommended by every sentiment which ennobles human nature. Alas! is it rendered impossible by its vices?

In the execution of such a plan, nothing is more essential than that permanent, inveterate antipathies against particular nations, and passionate attachments for others, should be excluded; and that, in place of them, just and amicable feelings towards all should be cultivated. The nation which indulges towards another a habitual hatred or a habitual fondness is in some degree a slave. It is a slave to its animosity or to its affection, either of which is sufficient to lead it astray from its duty and its interest. Antipathy in one nation against another disposes each more readily to offer insult and injury, to lay hold of slight causes of umbrage, and to be haughty and intractable, when accidental or trifling occasions of dispute occur. Hence, frequent collisions, obstinate, envenomed, and bloody contests. The nation, prompted by ill-will and resentment, sometimes impels to war the government, contrary to the best calculations of policy. The government sometimes participates in the national propensity, and adopts through passion what reason would reject; at other times it makes the animosity of the nation subservient to projects of hostility instigated by pride, ambition, and other sinister and pernicious motives. The peace often, sometimes perhaps the liberty, of nations, has been the victim."

He is clearly discussing in the passage, the sound policy advantages of not aligning with, nor aligning against, other countries, and of serving as an example to the world the benefits of such a policy.
151 posted on 12/10/2001 3:42:22 PM PST by AGAviator
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To: Torie
Do you think there is any possibility that Israel is not pursuing the "real seal" policy of closing off its borders to any entry by Arabs (the only sensible policy in my view from a security standpoint), because Israel is economically hooked on the cheap Arab labor? I wonder how much traction the latter concern has in fashioning Israeli policy.

I don't think so. Israel is able to get labour from other countries. Israel's interest is in having peaceful borders without the Jihad blowing up men, women and children. The "closing off borders" is related to the simple fact that Resolution 181 cannot be left hanging. That is, with groups such as the Hamas, Islamic Jihad, etc. in existence and the explicit position of countries like Iraq and Syria not recognizing Israel's right to exist, the "closed borders" would not stop the terrorism in any fashion. Israel would like to conclude a treaty but not with the current situation of endemic terrorism in the PA and in some Arab Islamic countries aimed at the destruction of Israel.

152 posted on 12/10/2001 3:42:29 PM PST by Lent
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To: AGAviator
You're halfway there. Jews and Arabs are genetically indistinguishable.

Dunno about that, but I think you've got even odds of getting a response in either Tel Aviv or Riyadh if you yell "HEY, BIG NOSE!"

Just don't let the Judean People's Front catch you.

153 posted on 12/10/2001 3:44:11 PM PST by Dr.Deth
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To: AGAviator
I think that's what I said he was doing.
154 posted on 12/10/2001 3:44:38 PM PST by Demidog
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To: 2sheep; mlocher
thanks for the nudge on this. i saw the title when i queried new posts and i figured you might have something for me. i found i true when i queried for posts to me. thanks for thinking of me.

i have very little to add to your wisdom. i pray that all who do not believe in the triune god will see the light one day before it is too late, and that prayer includes muslims. i have also realized that the values of islam are so far out of alignment with christian values that negotiating about these values (including, but not necessarily limited to, terrorism) is useless. there may be literally hundreds of millions of muslims who i would not mind as neighbors, but that is no excuse for the erroneous ways of the islamic religion.

155 posted on 12/10/2001 3:44:50 PM PST by mlocher
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To: Lent
The "closing off borders" is related to the simple fact that Resolution 181 cannot be left hanging.

I don't understand the above sentence. It seems to me that closing off the borders would have something to do with stopping suicide bombers. If you don't let any Arabs in, for any reason, then no suicide bombers (unless they are Israeli Arabs, which I highly doubt). I doubt if these bombers are folks who simply snuck across the border. If they are, then the border is indeed dangerously porous.

Israel may or may not be able to attract cheap labor from elsewhere, but they would have to reside in Israel itself, which raises its own issues. Alternatively, Israel could bite the bullet and take a hit in its standard of living. How severe that would be I don't know.

156 posted on 12/10/2001 3:48:31 PM PST by Torie
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To: Lent
The world is filled with armchair critics like you.'

Apparently not filled enough (although we seem to be holding our own tonight.) Not one of us have been banned, yet.

157 posted on 12/10/2001 3:49:29 PM PST by Ridin' Shotgun
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To: AGAviator
One hundred and fourteen countries, and you and Ariel Sharon are whistling in the dark about "Muslim cry-babies."

Include the U.S. in that "whistling". But you believe in the following argument Islamic shill: gee look how many are saying these things. They must be on the side of truth. LOL!

Only after Arabs were expelled in Palestine.

Most left at the behest of their Arab Islamic brethren. The others hoped that the war of destruction against Israel would be successful. Hence, their leaving was the direct result of the Arab Islamic war against Israel. Blame them Islamic shill.

You're the one excusing what Israel does by citing the US and Canada. The "colonization" took at least 750,000 lives over 300 years.

You just can't follow the bouncing ball can you? Israel's historical situation is not like what occurred in Canada and the U.S. Your Arab Islamic friends were the colonizers under the successive Jihads after Mohammed.

The point is, a country and people who are continually generating revenue by pointing out how others have persecuted its people, is not in a position to justify its persecution of others.

I see the Arab Islamics persecuting the Jews, massacring them etc. I don't know what persecution you're talking about.

158 posted on 12/10/2001 3:51:08 PM PST by Lent
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To: Ridin' Shotgun
Not one of us have been banned, yet.

Looking for medals or words of commendation?

159 posted on 12/10/2001 3:52:00 PM PST by Lent
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To: Torie
I don't understand the above sentence. It seems to me that closing off the borders would have something to do with stopping suicide bombers. If you don't let any Arabs in, for any reason, then no suicide bombers (unless they are Israeli Arabs, which I highly doubt). I doubt if these bombers are folks who simply snuck across the border. If they are, then the border is indeed dangerously porous.

Israel has been closing borders to one extent or another. And yet the Jihad continues. What you seem to be suggesting is that Israel not allow any "Palestinians" into Israel. Either to shop, work, etc. Again, I disagree that this in any way lessens the problem as the Jihadists are resourceful enough to continue the terrorism.

160 posted on 12/10/2001 3:56:00 PM PST by Lent
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