The continuation of my Israel experience thread

[a completely inoffensive name]

To be honest, after reading what Hooahguy has said I have changed my mind about a few things.

A. If Israel wants to exist as a Jewish state and not a Democratically Jewish state, I don't feel like the US should give it foreign aid.
B. I don't buy into Fragony's muslim bashing. But it seems all attempts at multiculturalism is blocked by stubborn immigrants from the middle east, I don't want Western civilization torn apart from the inside from all this friction.
C. I still think that Israel has every right to defend itself and take actions against Iran as it sees fit as long as the US isn't dragged into it.
D. However, I feel that Israel should disclose its nuclear capabilities. Everyone knows they have them, but to keep the charade going is not making sense to me. If someone can explain the realpolitik of it, that would be great.

[Pannonian]

I do that? There are just worse things happening in the world. These ultra orthodox jews are sufficiently disliked by normal Israeli

You've defended the West Bank settlements as the result of war. But it's not the result of any secular war, as Fatah and Israel are supposedly on peaceful relations with each other, with Fatah having recognised Israel's existence. You've ascribed the loss of the West Bank land to the continued activities of Hamas, who are the power in Gaza, not the area where Israel is taking land. So how does your justification of the continued Israeli expansion in the West Bank work out? Is it because you think all Arabs are the same, and so what one group does can legitimately result in the punishment of another? Or is it because you support the biblical Greater Israel that the religious wingnuts are trying to recreate?

[Fragony]

Me supprting biblical Israel that's a good one, never noticed that I am no fan of religion, whatever one. You are looking for hypocrisy where there isn't any.

'Is it because you think all Arabs are the same'

What makes you think I think that, kinda puzzled here. What's with the 'all' and 'everything' thing anyway

'Is it because you think all Arabs are the same'
'to the point of excusing everything they do'

Neither mia muca

[lars573]

D. However, I feel that Israel should disclose its nuclear capabilities. Everyone knows they have them, but to keep the charade going is not making sense to me. If someone can explain the realpolitik of it, that would be great.

It's because of how they got them. Some western nation (France, US, both) gave nuclear weapons to Israel. In direct violation of about a dozen arms trade and non-proliferation treaties. So if they admit it, the next question is how did you get them. And whom ever is the answer to that question doesn't want it answered.

[Hooahguy]

I find out tomorrow if Ill be going home for good.
Though Im pretty sure that I am coming home, I never know with my parents...

EDIT: Turns out Im not finding out if I go home today. My parents called saying that they will send me an email later, possibly tomorrow, with various concerns and ideas, and they said that the final decision will be made in like a month.

[Hooahguy]

So today an admin for my institution came into my room while I was not there (though there were witnesses) and tore down my American flag, which I put up after my roommates said I could.
Get me the out of here.

[Hooahguy]

Ok, latest horrific story from the "front lines" of religious extremism:

So a few days ago I was sitting in my apartment's lounge area reading a book about a British EOD team in Iraq, minding my own business when two guys from my apartment come in. They are both 2nd year students at my institution, something called "Shana Bet (year two).

Now let me fill you in on the "Shana Bet" and how they work. A year ago they were normal teens, but for some reason coming back for a 2nd year changes them. They look at all the first year guys and think of how horrible they were just a year ago and promptly begin to criticize every little thing that they view is wrong, from looking at picures of girls on facebook to reading non-jewish books. I can tell you, its really annoying, though there are a couple of 2nd year guys who are really nice and dont annoy the out of everyone by preaching to them.

Anyhow, so I was sitting there reading when one of these guys comments "Its going to be hilarious when America starts passing laws decriminating against Jews."
I could have gone into a long explanation why that would never happen, but I decided to keep quiet.

Then they sat down near me and began talking about random things. Somehow they got to the topic of Arabs.

One of them said that all Arabs were disgusting people, and that they are the cause of the world's problems.

I replied, "well, I think that greed, resentment and hate are the causes of the world's problems. You cant pin all problems on a certain people."

"Well yeah of course but that doesnt hide the fact that Arabs are horrible people."

"I know a few Arabs and they are very nice people. You shouldnt say things like that."

"But they are. The Palestinians hate us."

"Well, if someone came in and kicked you out of your land, then you would hate them too."

"Is that an excuse for blowing up bombs in civilian areas?"

"No, did I say it was?"

No reply from this guy.

I then told him "you cant say that all Arabs are evil people. Saying things like that validates other people saying that all Jews are evil. Saying stuff like that makes you no better than them."

Furious, he got up and left, with his friend giving me a nasty glare and leaving with him.

Sadly, opinions like his are in the vast majority of people here.
Its sad that in their own hate they do not see their own ignorance and hypocrisy.

[Vladimir]

First world problems. A wonderful way to start off the day.

How old are these kids?

Please fill this out:

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...qXyz_w&cad=rja

[Hooahguy]

18 and 19.

[Vladimir]

Okay, it's early and I haven't had coffee yet.

How can anyone talk so much about idiotic statements made by a teenager in one of the most hostile and dangerous regions of the world? Maybe I'm old but I consider that conversation as entertainment; you call it religious extremism.

C'mon dude.

[Hooahguy]

Okay, it's early and I haven't had coffee yet.

How can anyone talk so much about idiotic statements made by a teenager in one of the most hostile and dangerous regions of the world? Maybe I'm old but I consider that conversation as entertainment; you call it religious extremism.

C'mon dude.

See quote:

Sadly, opinions like his are in the vast majority of people here.

Its not just teens, and you say that its just entertainment, but its these kind of things that grow into a real hatred when they are adults, which they will be very soon.

[Strike For The South]

Okay, it's early and I haven't had coffee yet.

How can anyone talk so much about idiotic statements made by a teenager in one of the most hostile and dangerous regions of the world? Maybe I'm old but I consider that conversation as entertainment; you call it religious extremism.

C'mon dude.

One could argue it's hostile becuase these extreme veiws are pushed into there heads at a young age and fester from there.

That's what someone could argue

if they wanted to

[Vladimir]

One could argue it's hostile becuase these extreme veiws are pushed into there heads at a young age and fester from there.

That's what someone could argue

if they wanted to

From that conversation it seems like they put those own ideas in their heads. Most people would develop similar thoughts in the same situation. That type of labeling is also very common at that age.

I'll start worrying when they kidnap Hooah and post a circumcision video a la Daniel Pearl. Then we could revive the currency thread.

[Lemur]

I then told him "you cant say that all Arabs are evil people. Saying things like that validates other people saying that all Jews are evil. Saying stuff like that makes you no better than them."

I just want to say that you are an excellent human being for saying this. Also, every major Jewish theologian would agree with your sentiment and reasoning.

To quote Hillel, "That which is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow. That is the whole Torah; the rest is the explanation; go and learn."

Those teens seem to have missed the point.

[Strike For The South]

From that conversation it seems like they put those own ideas in their heads. Most people would develop similar thoughts in the same situation. That type of labeling is also very common at that age.

I'll start worrying when they kidnap Hooah and post a circumcision video a la Daniel Pearl. Then we could revive the currency thread.

Probably true, it but it doesnt change the fact they will only seek to confrim there own biases.

Being an observant jew the man is probably already circumsised but lets not talk about that. I can already hear Lemur grumbiling

edit: ninja'd by the man himself

[Lemur]

I can already hear Lemur grumbiling

There's another lemur boy due in late May/early June, and you can bet your sweet Strikeness his wang will be left in peace. Another win for the turtleneck team.

[Strike For The South]

There's another lemur boy due in late May/early June, and you can bet your sweet Strikeness his wang will be left in peace. Another win for the turtleneck team.

Mazel Tov

[Vladimir]

There's another lemur boy due in late May/early June, and you can bet your sweet Strikeness his wang will be left in peace. Another win for the turtleneck team.

Congrats, but, um, a little TMI.

[lars573]

There's another lemur boy due in late May/early June, and you can bet your sweet Strikeness his wang will be left in peace. Another win for the turtleneck team.

As a member of team turtleneck, I gotta high five!

[Strike For The South]

As a member of team turtleneck, I gotta high five!

And the biggest cliffhanger in Org history ಠ_ಠ

These whippersnappers don't remember...but I do....I do

[drone]

And the biggest cliffhanger in Org history ಠ_ಠ

These whippersnappers don't remember...but I do....I do

Did we ever hear the result?

[Fragony]

There's another lemur boy due in late May/early June, and you can bet your sweet Strikeness his wang will be left in peace. Another win for the turtleneck team.

Congrats

[lars573]

And the biggest cliffhanger in Org history ಠ_ಠ

These whippersnappers don't remember...but I do....I do

Nothing happened. Still won't retract.

[Strike For The South]

Nothing happened. Still won't retract.

Still feel no need to involve any member of the medical community?

[Kralizec]

I had forgotten all about that.

Still feel no need to involve any member of the medical community?

Probably a good idea.

EDIT: congrats, Lemur.

[Centurion1]

a circumcision thread would be gold.

[drone]

a circumcision thread would be gold.

The first thread on the topic that I remember.

There are others, but that one remains the standard.

[Lemur]

The first thread on the topic that I remember.

There are others, but that one remains the standard.

So glad to see that the subject of dry sex will not be forgotten. Yikes!

[lars573]

Still feel no need to involve any member of the medical community?

Until opportunities for actual penis sex happen again, not much point.



And my brother decided to keep both his sons on team turtleneck.

[Hooahguy]

Alright so things got worse.

So I told you guys how there was a computer lab at my institition, and the internet is limited, as in no flash player or anything.
Anyhow, it got worse. They blocked most of the sites people go on, including huffington post, explosm, many news sites, and other sites that we like to spend our time on since we are so bored. Even ESPN was blocked for a time before an angry mob demanded why ESPN was blocked.
The tech guy said that the admins are debating blocking everything except for email programs. That includes facebook.
This is getting rediculous, I cant stay here anymore.
Its a miracle the Org and Twcenter arent blocked, but many posts are blocked so thats really annoying. Plus the backroom is blocked, have to access this thread by linking to it from the subscription email I get.