Comments on: On extremists, moderates, and us http://www.gazamom.com/2009/10/on-extremists-moderates-and-us/ Motherhood. Politics. Palestine. And everything in between. Sun, 05 Sep 2010 17:25:30 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: AmWiser http://www.gazamom.com/2009/10/on-extremists-moderates-and-us/comment-page-1/#comment-10691 AmWiser Mon, 18 Jan 2010 17:14:22 +0000 http://www.gazamom.com/?p=634#comment-10691 The term "moderate" as it relates to politics is meant to refer to someone who is neither a hawk nor a dove -- it is used in the US to refer to MUSLIMS (supposedly) don't hold a radical viewpoint where obeying the words of Mohammed and Islamic doctrine (Hadith, Sira, Quran). They "moderately" obey the words in that they do not heed the abrogated verses that advise against any type of support of an infidel -- and as a matter of fact -not opinion -- preach hatred thereof. So, yes, just as well we are tired of hearing the term "moderate" also since we do not hear or see very many Muslims come out and speak against, refute, or even create action groups against radical Islam which is the true Islam. As far as I am concerned there is no such thing as a "moderate" Muslim. They are either ignorant of their own religious doctrine and its practices and traditions, versus laws OR they are in denial. Either way you go, they don't acknowledge the violent/ radical viewpoint which is espoused in their own religious doctrines. The term “moderate” as it relates to politics is meant to refer to someone who is neither a hawk nor a dove — it is used in the US to refer to MUSLIMS (supposedly) don’t hold a radical viewpoint where obeying the words of Mohammed and Islamic doctrine (Hadith, Sira, Quran). They “moderately” obey the words in that they do not heed the abrogated verses that advise against any type of support of an infidel — and as a matter of fact -not opinion — preach hatred thereof.

So, yes, just as well we are tired of hearing the term “moderate” also since we do not hear or see very many Muslims come out and speak against, refute, or even create action groups against radical Islam which is the true Islam. As far as I am concerned there is no such thing as a “moderate” Muslim. They are either ignorant of their own religious doctrine and its practices and traditions, versus laws OR they are in denial. Either way you go, they don’t acknowledge the violent/ radical viewpoint which is espoused in their own religious doctrines.

]]> By: maggie http://www.gazamom.com/2009/10/on-extremists-moderates-and-us/comment-page-1/#comment-8765 maggie Sat, 14 Nov 2009 11:13:07 +0000 http://www.gazamom.com/?p=634#comment-8765 bravo leila. this is what one always wants to say in this kind of fora: stop! we cannot continue using the same terms of debate; they will not help solve anything because they have no relationship to what is actually happening. a whole industry of opinion and polemic has formed around this debate, but its like arguing how many angels can dance on the head of a pin. and meanwhile gaza moulders. it takes a lot of chutzpah to try to introduce different terms, to jolt the opinionators out of their worn grooves. keep it up... m. bravo leila.
this is what one always wants to say in this kind of fora: stop! we cannot continue using the same terms of debate; they will not help solve anything because they have no relationship to what is actually happening. a whole industry of opinion and polemic has formed around this debate, but its like arguing how many angels can dance on the head of a pin. and meanwhile gaza moulders.

it takes a lot of chutzpah to try to introduce different terms, to jolt the opinionators out of their worn grooves. keep it up…

m.

]]> By: Larry http://www.gazamom.com/2009/10/on-extremists-moderates-and-us/comment-page-1/#comment-8093 Larry Tue, 03 Nov 2009 23:06:08 +0000 http://www.gazamom.com/?p=634#comment-8093 In continuation of Amir's post, it is important to add that your views will only add to the continued suffering of the Palestinians. The only possible result of your philosophy is additional belligerence from Gaza, resulting in Israel continuing the fight suspended for Obama's inauguration, resulting in the death and suffering of more Palestinians. There is only one feasible direction for the Palestinians to move - accept Israel as a Jewish state, give up terrorism, and negotiate a solution that will result in Palestinian statehood. Economic growth and prosperity will follow. In continuation of Amir’s post, it is important to add that your views will only add to the continued suffering of the Palestinians. The only possible result of your philosophy is additional belligerence from Gaza, resulting in Israel continuing the fight suspended for Obama’s inauguration, resulting in the death and suffering of more Palestinians.
There is only one feasible direction for the Palestinians to move – accept Israel as a Jewish state, give up terrorism, and negotiate a solution that will result in Palestinian statehood. Economic growth and prosperity will follow.

]]> By: Amir http://www.gazamom.com/2009/10/on-extremists-moderates-and-us/comment-page-1/#comment-8001 Amir Mon, 02 Nov 2009 22:21:25 +0000 http://www.gazamom.com/?p=634#comment-8001 I'm sad to read your post, Leila, because according to your views (as I understand them) there won't be a solution to the conflict any time soon - The Israelis won't withdrawal without guarantee for non-violence and the Palestinians (Fatah) won't talk with the Israelis until there is a withdrawal, let alone Hamas who will only fight against Israel. You say you are part of a crowd which is not Fatah nor Hamas, but if it is indeed a crowd, why hasn't it raised it's voice? why hasn't it shown it's face in the Palestinian politics? The whole situation is a sort of a loop without an ending. I’m sad to read your post, Leila, because according to your views (as I understand them) there won’t be a solution to the conflict any time soon – The Israelis won’t withdrawal without guarantee for non-violence and the Palestinians (Fatah) won’t talk with the Israelis until there is a withdrawal, let alone Hamas who will only fight against Israel.

You say you are part of a crowd which is not Fatah nor Hamas, but if it is indeed a crowd, why hasn’t it raised it’s voice? why hasn’t it shown it’s face in the Palestinian politics?

The whole situation is a sort of a loop without an ending.

]]> By: Laila El-Haddad http://www.gazamom.com/2009/10/on-extremists-moderates-and-us/comment-page-1/#comment-7995 Laila El-Haddad Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:30:16 +0000 http://www.gazamom.com/?p=634#comment-7995 I should add, Richard, that many panelists later told me they too felt isolated (and often feel isolated within their own communities) so its not like I was "unique" in that regard ! I just mean in general if you are someone who does not adhere to the status quo or conventional wisdom of what solution is supposed to solve the conflict, then you will feel isolated I suppose; in my case i felt moreso b/c I was a woman (one of two!), a Palestinian, a Muslim, etc. etc. but pls don't misinterpret-I am glad I had the opportunity to speak with all of you! I should add, Richard, that many panelists later told me they too felt isolated (and often feel isolated within their own communities) so its not like I was “unique” in that regard ! I just mean in general if you are someone who does not adhere to the status quo or conventional wisdom of what solution is supposed to solve the conflict, then you will feel isolated I suppose; in my case i felt moreso b/c I was a woman (one of two!), a Palestinian, a Muslim, etc. etc. but pls don’t misinterpret-I am glad I had the opportunity to speak with all of you!

]]> By: Laila El-Haddad http://www.gazamom.com/2009/10/on-extremists-moderates-and-us/comment-page-1/#comment-7960 Laila El-Haddad Mon, 02 Nov 2009 12:02:10 +0000 http://www.gazamom.com/?p=634#comment-7960 Not at all Richard! I appreciated the invite and your moderating- I wasn't referring to the panelists (well, except Ray), but rather to the J-street as a whole I'd say and the audience Not at all Richard! I appreciated the invite and your moderating- I wasn’t referring to the panelists (well, except Ray), but rather to the J-street as a whole I’d say and the audience

]]> By: Richard Silverstein http://www.gazamom.com/2009/10/on-extremists-moderates-and-us/comment-page-1/#comment-7938 Richard Silverstein Mon, 02 Nov 2009 06:34:16 +0000 http://www.gazamom.com/?p=634#comment-7938 I am glad that you participated in our blogger panel and sorry you felt so isolated fr. the rest of us. I should note that there was a wide diversity of views about the right "solution" to the I-P conflict & you make it appear that most other panelists did not share yr views. A number of panelists do not support a two state solution (nor have they expressed support for a one state solution either as you have). My goal in hosting the panel was to bring people together to hear a wide variety of viewpoints. I'm sorry you didn't feel you had a place at the table so to speak, but many of us appreciated yr participation nevertheless. I am glad that you participated in our blogger panel and sorry you felt so isolated fr. the rest of us. I should note that there was a wide diversity of views about the right “solution” to the I-P conflict & you make it appear that most other panelists did not share yr views. A number of panelists do not support a two state solution (nor have they expressed support for a one state solution either as you have).

My goal in hosting the panel was to bring people together to hear a wide variety of viewpoints. I’m sorry you didn’t feel you had a place at the table so to speak, but many of us appreciated yr participation nevertheless.

]]> By: Nakia http://www.gazamom.com/2009/10/on-extremists-moderates-and-us/comment-page-1/#comment-7916 Nakia Mon, 02 Nov 2009 02:02:41 +0000 http://www.gazamom.com/?p=634#comment-7916 Thank you, Laila. In the mental games that talking about global politics often turn into, it's important to be reminded about what actually matters. And speaking of what matters, give Yousuf and Noor a big hug and kiss from me. Thank you, Laila. In the mental games that talking about global politics often turn into, it’s important to be reminded about what actually matters. And speaking of what matters, give Yousuf and Noor a big hug and kiss from me.

]]> By: Dan @ Israeli Uncensored News http://www.gazamom.com/2009/10/on-extremists-moderates-and-us/comment-page-1/#comment-7867 Dan @ Israeli Uncensored News Sun, 01 Nov 2009 08:51:28 +0000 http://www.gazamom.com/?p=634#comment-7867 One thing I don't understand: we left Gaza four years ago. Ok, we don't want you to transit our territory - get your goods through Rafah. Now what, you expect to pound our towns with rockets and enjoy safety? Stop firing at us, and we couldn't care less about your place, live there as you wish. One thing I don’t understand: we left Gaza four years ago. Ok, we don’t want you to transit our territory – get your goods through Rafah. Now what, you expect to pound our towns with rockets and enjoy safety? Stop firing at us, and we couldn’t care less about your place, live there as you wish.

]]> By: EJ Hibbing http://www.gazamom.com/2009/10/on-extremists-moderates-and-us/comment-page-1/#comment-7835 EJ Hibbing Sun, 01 Nov 2009 04:03:51 +0000 http://www.gazamom.com/?p=634#comment-7835 Hello. I posted this entry on a blog I am involved with (I hope you do not mind; I included your name and a link to your blog). Mr. Hanania used the comment section to post his response to what you wrote about him. If you are interested, please visit the blog (http://theunpeople.blogspot.com/) and feel free to use the opportunity to comment on Mr. Hanania's response (http://theunpeople.blogspot.com/2009/10/on-extremists-moderates-and-us.html#comments). Thank you. EJ Hibbing Plight of the Unpeople Hello.

I posted this entry on a blog I am involved with (I hope you do not mind; I included your name and a link to your blog). Mr. Hanania used the comment section to post his response to what you wrote about him. If you are interested, please visit the blog (http://theunpeople.blogspot.com/) and feel free to use the opportunity to comment on Mr. Hanania’s response (http://theunpeople.blogspot.com/2009/10/on-extremists-moderates-and-us.html#comments).

Thank you.

EJ Hibbing
Plight of the Unpeople

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