Tim_the_Soldier (mail):
"...those Lefty teachers their opinion on Israel."

That's really an unsubstantiated charge against teachers in our nation. Ninety-nine percent of whom probably work their asses off trying to teach the kids in their classes. Also, this lefty future school teacher supports Israel in its efforts to defend itself and live peacefully in the middle-east. Are Israel's actions always right? By no means -no, but they have never initiated unjustified military action against clear and present danger...well, except for the time that they intentionally bombed a U.S. Navy vessel - the USS Liberty back in 1967 killing 34 Americans, but most people don't even know about that one.
7.28.2006 11:10am
Rosemary, Queen of All Evil (mail):
Yes, I agree with you that teachers are wonderful and work very hard. I also believe that you'll be one of the very few teachers that believes Israel has a right to do...anything.

I make my charges based on experience. I have lots of friends that happen to be lefty teachers and Israel/Palestine is our favorite argument to get drunk by.

Plus, I read Daily Kos and when I say lefty, babe I mean lefty. You aren't, in anyway, the target of my barb.
7.28.2006 11:14am
Mark Adams, the high and mighty, hypocritical, bloviator. (mail) (www):
Rose, I'm glad you cleared that up, cuz I know that I, and even more so Ara, have been on Israel's side in this. KOSsacks are spit about 2 to 1 against Israel's disproportionate response.

If ever there was an issue that puts a wedge into the heart of the left, it's this. But then again, we gain strength in our diversity. ;-0

BTW, I call strawman on your premise. Ara spoke of a missed opportunity to galvanized the opinion on the Arab Street before it went back to it's traditional anti-Israel bias. That was also the window where he suggested the way democrats (any democrat, anywhere) should respond.

They've been notorious for not taking his advice. (He swears he told Howard Dean to relax, take a valium and a shot of scotch before his speech in Iowa, but no....YeeeHawww!)

Opportunity for a chance to change things was blown. For one brief moment in time the Arab world was condemning Hezbollah, not backing them.

It might not have worked, probably wouldn't, but so very well worth the attempt. An engaged administration would/could have done more than sit on its hands and send Condi out to do more than pose at a photo-op between bombing runs in Beirut.

It's typical for this White House, too little, too late. Hmmm, where have I heard that refrain before?

IJS
7.28.2006 2:47pm
Mark Adams, the high and mighty, hypocritical, bloviator. (mail) (www):
Damn, I'm in the wrong thread.
7.28.2006 2:50pm
shep (mail):
I'd also like to point out that some lefties, including many, many Jews, criticize Israel's actions because they want her to succeed and thrive. The straw man in this thread is that if you criticize Israel you must be against her.
7.28.2006 3:09pm
Rosemary, Queen of All Evil (mail):
Actually, I think that is the straw man of Howie's comments. That was the point I made by taking his view and extending it.

What did Maliki say that makes him an anti-semite? Nothing more than many here have said, that Israel's response is disproportionate.

Shep's said that and I don't think for a minute that he hates Jews because of it. Double pluss did as well and I don't feel like I'm going on a limb by saying he's not an anti-semite either.
7.28.2006 5:55pm
shep (mail):
Well done, Rosemary. And thank you.

As you well know, I hold my own country (and everyone else) to the exact same standard, no less, certainly, for love of her.
7.28.2006 6:49pm
Rosemary, Queen of All Evil (mail):
I do indeed. That is why I found Howard Dean's comment ill advised, at the very least and I'm being kind when I say that. That is also why I took his comment to an extreme to help make my point.
7.28.2006 6:57pm
Tim_the_Soldier (mail):
In a foreign accent: ...but tell me more about this creamy white ass.
7.28.2006 9:46pm