[Peace-discuss] Talks about Israel/Palestine

[LAURIE SOLOMON]

And you believe that a large enough protest over this issue is possible in
this community, in this state, in this country?

As for the educational function, I sincerely think that that is a lost cause
when one is dealing with an audience of "true believers" as contrasted to
"open minded" persons intent on serious discussion and debate rather than
catharsis, self validation, showing ideological support, and propagandizing
or prostylizing.  

-----Original Message-----
From: Brussel Morton K. [mailto:mkbrussel at comcast.net] 
Sent: Tuesday, February 03, 2009 11:11 AM
To: LAURIE SOLOMON
Cc: peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net
Subject: Re: [Peace-discuss] Talks about Israel/Palestine

No. But there is an educational function to be considered (especially  
on young minds), not to speak of showing that her story is  
unacceptable and that her government is "beyond the pale" to many,  
even here. Who knows, this could refract back to her bosses to some  
effect?
Laurie, perhaps you do not believe in the efficacy of protest and  
contention, but a large enough protest could approximate revolution.

On Feb 2, 2009, at 11:54 PM, LAURIE SOLOMON wrote:

> Are you surprised at her comments?  Maybe many people did not attend  
> because
> they figured that it was unproductive to engage in argument with true
> believers, which most of the attendees were likely to be.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: peace-discuss-bounces at lists.chambana.net
> [mailto:peace-discuss-bounces at lists.chambana.net] On Behalf Of Brussel
> Morton K.
> Sent: Monday, February 02, 2009 10:52 PM
> To: peace at anti-war.net
> Cc: peace discuss
> Subject: [Peace-discuss] Talks about Israel/Palestine
>
> I attended the talk by the Israeli Consul General to the Midwest,Orli
> Gil, this evening with roughly 200 others, and two policemen. Also
> photographers of unknown origin.  As might be expected, this woman
> told us how wonderful Israel is; its culture, its achievements in
> science and the arts. She also told the audience of the terrible
> hardships the Israelis have been living under due to all the rockets
> and terrorists attacks on them. She also said that Israel wanted a two
> state solution wherein everybody would live in peace and security,
> that it was too bad that Israel had to defend itself, killing
> innocents who were shielding terrorists in their midst. Lots of
> crocodile tears. She said that Hamas was out to destroy Israel, and
> that therefore Israel would have nothing to do with them (She didn't
> quite say that they would all have to be annihilated, but that was the
> inference).
>
> And so on, about the terrible dangers of a nuclear terrorist Iran,  
> etc..
>
> Of course, the audience was overwhelmingly receptive to this person
> and her message, but at least there were a few (young students?) from
> the Muslim community who attended and voiced their objections to her
> narrative. Comments after the formal talk were welcome, but after a
> comment there was invariably a long answering harangue and no possible
> followup. After expressing myself a bit, I left early.
>
> But I am disappointed that no one else from AWARE and the progressive
> community showed up. At least I didn't notice them. Here was an
> opportunity to protest and show this character that we don't accept
> the lies, distortions and omissions of the Israeli propaganda mill. It
> could have happened.It could have been an opportunity to show that
> there are many who are outraged about Israeli behavior against the
> Palestinians-that we do not agree with our own administrations'
> support of Israeli actions and that we'll try to turn the tide of
> American support that has condoned if not encouraged that rogue state.
>
> I went afterwards to see what was going on In Gregory Hall about the
> Crisis in Gaza, a talk by Eric Ruder. About 25 -30 were in the
> audience, and there was extended discussion after his talk. Ruder was
> very well informed and an excellent speaker. It was just too bad that
> his talk was in conflict with the Israeli talk; it had been planned
> well in advance.
>
> --mkb
>
> _______________________________________________
> Peace-discuss mailing list
> Peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net
> http://lists.chambana.net/cgi-bin/listinfo/peace-discuss
>
>