So as we all should hopefully know, Russia "annexed" Crimea in early 2014. Many world leaders expressed total outrage along with many people. However, if you oppose Russia's annexation of Crimea, then surely you equally oppose Israel's annexation of Palestinian territories following the 1967 war. Unlike Russia, Israel launched an unprovoked attack on its neighbors in 1967 and annexed most of its territories. It continues to annex more and more territories in the West Bank by building illegal settlements to this very day. As of today, Israel has violated over 2 dozen UN Security Council Resolutions (more than any other country), Russia broke none. So why is Russia being sanctioned and Israel not? Both countries clearly have broken international law, but Israel has done so oblivious to any consequences and on more occasions. Neither country has any desire to return the annexed territories so why should one nation be exempt from justice/consequences and the other be demonized and sanctioned? Can anyone share some light on this and tell me why a country that has a far worse record than Russia be excluded from economic sanctions despite committing the same crime as Russia? Why?
I'm sure some bigot will call me an anti-Semite. So just to reassure everyone, I am not as I would not treat a Jew differently to any other person. I have no issue with Jews and consider myself to be a friend of theirs since I have been in touch with a very prominent Rabbi and hold no prejudice against him or any Jew.
I think this is a classic example of democracy clashing with morality.
Many of the southern states that enforced a prohibition on same sex marriage want it to remain banned, which it no longer is.
From a democratic perspective, the supreme courts ruling is entirely dictatorial and unacceptable, especially since it interferes with state matters. However, morally the ruling was probably the right thing to do, but for democracies sake was it necessary? And should it have happened. Should the semi autonomous states not decide the laws of their constituencies themselves?
What's next? Will the supreme court next abolish capital punishment? Again, this would be very dictatorial but most likely a moral act. But why hasn't it happened yet?
This latest ruling raises lots of questions. I personally view it as wrong. Firstly because it clashes with the fundamental concept of democracy and federalism. Secondly because I view marriage only as being between a man and woman. I'm generally opposed to the idea of same sex marriage. That's just my view.
I personally believe the protest should not be held as it promotes violence and communal disorder which will result in the division of society.
Freedom of speech is massively being abused to promote nothing but intolerance and xenophobia. However, since it is going to happen, people who are offended have no right to resort to violence. They need simply hold a peaceful counter rally!
Freedom of speech needs to have limitations in a lot more areas. It should not be used as a pretext to promote hate and division. What is the purpose of holding a prophet cartoon drawing competition? It's aimed at nothing but offending people and a clear sign of disrespect! This specific protest would have, in my opinion, looked more legitimate if the organizers actually challenged parts of Islam with an intellectual argument, instead of a pointless drawing competition which seems to be aimed at mocking Islam. Only then would this protest look authentic in its purpose. At the moment it looks like an organized march being held solely to stir distrust and promote hate and division!
That's just my opinion, feel free to challenge it.
I have divided this thread into 2 discussions, the first is indicated by the number "1" and is about the unreported crisis in Palestine. The second is indicated by the number "2" (I know, very sophisticated) and is about the path to peace in the region. I urge you to carefully read what i wrote and understand things from the Palestinian perspective. I do not condone the actions of Hamas, and this thread is strictly dedicated to what many of you do not know. Discuss with maturity and you may walk away with a greater understanding to what is happening in Palestine.
(1) Unreported crisis in Palestine
Everybody here loves democracy right? You cherish and exercise your human rights on a daily basis. We tend to call Russia's annexation of Crimea an "occupation". The people of Crimea have human rights, most that resemble western standards. You can freely travel there right now and it would be no different than walking through London. Can we call this an occupation? If it were an occupation you would see martial law imposed with infantry patrolling every corner. That is not happening. There have been a number of documentaries filmed and no such thing currently exists. It is not an occupation.
Now let me draw your attention to the territories of Palestine that were illegally annexed by Israel and its continued occupation. Palestinians have absolutely no rights. Yes, you heard me. They do not have 1 single human right. Gaza is constantly patrolled by the IDF who prevent people from moving in and out. You are not even allowed to raise the flag of Palestine. It is a criminal offence. Martial law is imposed in these territories which legitimizes Israel's punitive actions. This is the definition of an occupation. IDF soldiers are allowed to carry out war crimes since Palestinians are not registered as "people". They do not have human rights so they can be treated like dogs. This is what is happening in Gaza. The media are constantly harassed by the IDF and have certain footage taken away when they are given permits to enter Gaza. Hamas has nothing to do with this. They are nothing but a sideshow and distraction. This occupation has continued longer than Hamas even came to existence so do not try to justify this occupation with crimes committed by Hamas. IDF soldiers shoot at children and commit crimes against humanity, yet none have faced the courts for their action. And here is the proof. Watch the list of videos with caution as you may find them distressing:
Watch this first video below. A groups of Palestinians are peacefully protesting against the illegal occupation of their homes and territory. An Israeli settler emerges and begins firing at the protesters with a pistol directly in front of the IDF. The IDF soldiers did absolutely nothing. War crime? You tell me. And i was told Palestinian stone throwers were bad! There are more videos i included. They reveal the true extent to which this occupation cannot be accepted.
Israel is just as bad as Hamas, if not worse, this cannot be allowed to continue. For the dignity of humanity, this needs to end. I praise all those within Israel who are maneuvering for radical change. But unfortunately, it is gonna take a lot more than that to end this cynical act of genocide.
(2) Will there be peace and how can it be achieved?
In my opinion, no. We will not see peace unless the political elite in Israel and the United States takes a reveres course and is more willing to accept a sovereign independent Palestine. Hamas either need to be disbanded or be reformed. This will be particularly difficult since Hamas were democratically elected by the people of Palestine. It is a bit like saying you want Obama removed because he is too socialist for America. I personally do not see Hamas stepping aside.
The fundamental stumbling block to peace however, is Israel. The Palestinian Authority demands that all its territories that were illegally annexed by Israel in 1967 be handed back. Israel however, views Jerusalem as its eternal capital and will not give it back to Palestine. That is the core reason why there will not be peace. There will never be peace unless Israel stops acting like a selfish, cynical child. Discuss.
This took me a while to type up and i hope you appreciate the perspective i am offering.
This guy executed the people on behalf of white supremacy, KKK and neo Nazism. But it's for some reason not a terrorist attack. Even though his broad aim was to cleanse America of black people. But this is not terrorism. Why exactly?
A phycho in Australia holds people hostage in a building but he's called a terrorist before anybody even knows what's happening!
White murderers = crazy white supremacists. Asian looking murderers= terrorists.
That's the stereotype the media portray and a line many of you here follow.
When two men in France gunned down many people many here and around the world were screaming like bitches calling for terrorism to be properly beaten.
When Dylan Roof executes almost a dozen people your reaction is "ignore this attack, you are only giving Roof fame. America has racial problems but I won't bother calling for everyone to sort them out. Just leave those issues hidden underneath the bed. I only respond with deep sympathy and anger if a terrorist attack happens".
That is more or less the way many here and across America reacted.
It's mildly amusing to see you always going round in circles and avoiding making any specific refutations.
You called IS backwards for the atrocities they are committing. I agree. Yet you in an earlier post stated Hamas members and supporters should all be castrated. Including the women and children!
That makes you a hypocrite and a backwards thinking bigot!
You also said terrorists should all face a firing squad. Again, making you a backwards little hypocrite.
You don't represent human rights. You don't represent democracy. You don't represent rule of law.
You simply wish to push through with your racist, Islamaphobic agenda by making hypocritical, biased, discriminatory posts!
Nothing else to discuss. Your behaviour is sickening to say the least. Anybody that believes castration should be revived as a punishment has serious social issues.
"ALL PEOPLE WHO WOULD STRAP A f**kING BOMB ON THEM AND BLOW UP WOMEN AND CHILDREN SHOULD GET A BULLET STRAIGHT BEWTWEEN THE EYES..
Of course you would disagree. You love these terrorists".
Like I said. You are a backwards, hypocritical bigot. Not to mention a f**king racist!
I'm pretty sure you wouldn't be saying British and American troops that raped women and children in Iraq or Afghanistan should also be shot and f**king castrated!
You're a disgraceful backwards thinking bigot!
You don't represent democracy, rule of law or human rights. You're just like the savages in the middle east that are terrorising the people!
It's the 21st century. It's America for God's sake. The country that portrays itself to be the champion of women's rights.
Yet we have blatant discrimination against women. Yes, discrimination. The thing that many here and in the West condemn the middle east for yet turn a blind eye when it's closer to home!
Great, so you're going to brand every man woman and child seeking refuge into the UK a potential IS affiliate.
That means we should let these women and children at our border armed with assault rifles and grenades of course to just sit and rot. Right....
If a time comes where you are a refugee seeking refuge in China, I hope you are turned away because they think you might be some Western spy. It should give you a taste of your own medicine and just show you how stupid you've been to reject these REFUGEES coming to Europe.
And by all means, show me an instance where Jeremy associated himself with terrorists. Because that simply isn't true.
This is where the hypocrisy kicks in in Western societies.
From day one we are told that both men and women are equal and that people in the middle east and other parts of the globe are backwards for not recognising both sexes are equal.
Yet in the United States, women are barred from joining special forces. It doesn't matter even if she qualifies both physically and mentally, women are simply not allowed to join because they are considered "inferior".
That's discrimination for you right there. Text book definition of the word!
That makes you backwards then if you believe a sadistic form of torture should be revived. Hypocrite!
Why on earth has my previous bloody post been edited by staff? He or she didn't even specify why it was edited. Because I know I didn't break any rules. These staff are bloody biased. Censoring opinions that they want hidden and taking no action against blatant racism by Hades!
Every time you're faced with a strong refutation to your argument bigots like you immediately change the subject and ignore what's been said.
The simple fact is you're a hypocrite and a threat to world peace and stability with your notion that UN inspectors should not be allowed to inspect Israel's nuclear reactors! Have a lovely day.
That means the world can end sanctions on North Korea because it doesn't need to sign the NPT.
And it can continue to develop its nuclear weapons unimpeded.
UN inspectors should also never inspect any country ever again! !
That will definitely make the world more safer right?
Your absolute bigotry and hypocrisy is simply annoying. I'm tired of having discussions with people like you. You and many others are a disgrace to the meaning of democracy.
Nobody going to discuss Israel's nuclear arsenal? Even though it possibly has the 3rd largest stockpile of nuclear weapons. Even though US aid to Israel violates the constitution of the United States.
No?
Does that mean Israel should have nuclear weapons? Even though it is a direct military threat to Iran. Maybe Iran is making a nuclear weapon to act as a deterrent. How many times has Israel the West and the United States threatened to bomb Iran? Iran probably wants to defend itself from external aggression.
If Iran threatened to attack Israel because it covertly develops nuclear weapons many people here and in the West would go ballistic wouldn't they/you? So why the blatant hypocrisy?
Iran shouldn't have nuclear weapons and neither should Israel. Both nations should be under sanctions. Not just Iran. It's typical propaganda to demonise Iran for a crime yet condone Israel for committing that very same crime.
Yet the bigots and hypocrites don't care international law is violated by Israel. But if Iran violates it it should be punished. And Israel should be allowed to do whatever it wants. Propaganda!!!!
In other words you are going to discriminate the refugees by branding them potential terrorists. Right.... interesting.
In a hypothetical situation let's just assume American refugees come knocking on Europe's borders because of a crisis. What will you do? Will you say we shouldn't take them in because they might be supporters of the KKK. That they might go on a hate fuelled rampage against black people? No. You wouldn't discriminate against them because your biased and racist.
You accuse Iran of being backwards yet you stated Hamas members should all be castrated. The hypocrisy is stunning.
You're just a bigot and a hypocrite. Not to mention a backwards thinking idiot. You're a disgrace to democracy and humanity with your vile, twisted views.
More right wing deceitful sources. It's great to know you take everything you read as fact. You have no critical thinking skills. That makes you a sheep in a flock.
It's people like you that make me despise the proletariat. I hope your exploitation by the bourgeoisie continues indefinitely. The sad thing is as a mindless proletariat you are unaware of your surrounding. That means you are unaware of your exploitation! Filth.